Thoughts and Musings

The Colors Within Remarks/Rambling Thoughts

The Colors Within Movie Remarks

Directed by Naoko Yamada, written by Reiko Yoshida, and animated by Science Saru.

Poster of the movie The Colors Within with the main character cast and their instruments

It's been a few hours since I left the theater and I still can't stop thinking about this film. What a way to start off 2025, with such a masterpiece in animation, storytelling, visuals, and music. All done in such a way where it feels real and impactful all the way through while still maintaining what makes both the magic of animation and film-making intact. As one might say, "absolute cinema". One of the most cutest, lighthearted yet heartfelt, and optimistic stories of growing up and finding yourself in the midst of an uncertain future and the expectations that others have of you.

If I could, I would watching it again in a heartbeat.

Where do I even begin remarking on such a film when I have just so much thoughts on it right now?

When I first took notice of the film all the way back in probably early or mid 2024 (before it aired in Japan and they were doing promotional stuff) and noticed a name that I am all the more familiar with: Naoko Yamada. Animator and then director of my favorite anime studio of all time Kyoani. Director of some of my favorite anime of all time: K-on! and Sound! Euphonium. Director of some of my favorite top 20 films of all time: Tamako Love Story, Liz and the Blue Bird, and especially A Silent Voice. I've read and watched all the interviews I could find because I really adored her style of how she treats her characters. The way she is able to tell a lot about a character through visuals and through non-verbal, more subtle actions is something she does so well. And as character interact, she really brings a cast to life in a way where it captivates your attention and can push out so effortlessly the emotions of a scene. Whether it's the happy vibing with your bandmates, or the feeling of palpable guilt and hesitation at the dinner table set for two, or trusting a sister enough to share a bit about you but still embarrassed nonetheless. These complexities of feelings are really captured by Yamada, who then conveys everything to the viewer in a way that I feel no other animation director does. Yamada is more interested in showing off characters and relationships than making a story move forward. This movie never felt rushed or off-pace. It felt as long as it needed to be.

Speaking of characters, I absolutely adore the cast. Rui, a teen trying to get into college and has a hobby of collecting used instruments and musical equipment he sees. Kimi, a dropout working part time at a bookstore to keep herself busy during the day and give her time to practice her guitar. And finally, Totsuko, a girl who seems a bit happy-go-lucky but is also dedicated in her practices and her habits. Also, blessed with a unique ability to see people as colors. An ability that leads to the first problem of the film: she cannot see her own color.

What I absolutely adore about all these characters is that they have such a great charm to them, both as individuals and the chemistry they have together. What I also appreciate about the film with regards to these characters is that we are just given slices of their back story. Crumbs, even. We basically know just as much as Totsuko when it comes to Kimi and Rui telling them a bit about themselves. Even then, some of the hints come from these one-liners. Even with Totsuko, we barely know about her parents or her childhood - but with what we are shown we can make assumptions.

I think this is an intentional choice. A way to allow us to focus on character relationships. A way to allow the movie to flow smoothly. A way to make sure the run time of the movie is what it is. What I'm saying is: there's a lot of restraint. Not just restraint, but well-crafted restraint and holding back. Knowing when to delve into a topic is one thing, but knowing when to cut back I think is a skill that is hard to master. Yamada does it soooo well in this film.

Another topic I would like to talk about - the theme of catholicism in this film. This film, which I didn't know about, takes place in an all-girl Catholic school. This is important to Totsuko's character as it shows her devotion to her habits and her routine. She is not one to break rules unless it's for someone or something important to her. It also is a way for her to show an idea that weighs on her - the idea of being forgiven by the things she cannot change, but also through her catholic sister/teacher who introduces the idea that change can be a good thing and to focus on the things she can make the decision to change. Compared to other media who uses the common trope of sin in a catholic setting as a black and white act that required repentance and strict punishment, this film uses it in such a refreshing and honest way. Sister Hiyoshiko, who supports Totsuko all the way, and the head nun lets her know what she did was wrong (lying about a field trip and sneaking her friend in) but understands that she was doing it to help a friend, who has her ties to the school itself. No one was harmed, but there still needs to be a low-stakes punishment for them. It's a kind of gray area that's properly handled. Again, a refreshing way to use catholicism in a setting and as a trope. Oh, and the sister that went by Kimi's book store and gave her the suggestion to perform for the festival but also to write a non-formal and not-so-strict apology letter through song? Non-conventional and more modern, and we love to see that. Adults being supportive in the growth of the youth.

Speaking of sin, one of the main points of conflict that all the characters have and face against is the sin of holding back a truth. One may call it lying. Kimi holds back the truth from her grandmother about school, Rui holds back his love of making music from his mother, and Totsuko, while doesn't necessarily lies to anyone other than the once incident, I think holds back her true self and nature. Totsuko feels shame in her ability to see people as colors, and she feels shame in her dream of doing her ballet routine to a piece that's near to her. Once they were all able to break down their sin of guilt and shame, they put on one heck of a final show. It was so worth just getting the little snippets of the song and to finally hear not just the whole thing, but see it actually performed with real accurate playing animation and wonderful camera angles of all the performers and the audience reaction. Top 10, no, top 5 musical performance in an anime.

God, there's so much more I can be talking about and want to talk about. But I don't want to make this too long-winded. I can gush about this anime for probably hours. I do want to close by saying that I truly believe this film is both a masterpiece and one of Yamada's best films so far. Again, the way she makes everything about these characters and their relationships, to the the simple and to the complex, is just so impactful and emotional to me. The fact that these three teens from different worlds, basically, meet together with a shared love of music and just do something together is just so beautiful to me. Despite their troubles, despite their home situation, despite all these lies that add up, they were able to create beauty out of it. That's truly my main takeaway from this film. Support the youth in their ambitions, focus on making good changes, and make music.

10/10 film. And I don't give those kinds of scores lightly.

Please watch it, you won't regret it.

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