A Silent Voice: The Movie (2016)

The review highlights the film's beguiling animation and fresh take on school bullying from the bully's perspective, praising its emotional depth and visual style, though noting some narrative tightening needed in the midsection.

The critic calls it a quietly affecting coming-of-ager that broadens the definition of anime in the UK with its emotional, slice-of-life melodrama. They single out the film's awkward, off-centre animation style and its impact despite some narrative and perspective shortcomings.

The critic praises the film's unflinching depiction of bullying and its honest exploration of atonement and regret, while noting some pacing issues in its long runtime. It stands out for its emotional depth compared to typical American animated features.

The critic views it as a cultural breakthrough for its positive portrayal of a deaf student and insights into bullying, self-esteem and despair. They single out female director Naoko Yamada's direction full of unexpected turns and images suggesting a fresh way of looking at the world.

It is an intricate, romantic and jewel-bright high-school melodrama about the changing relationship between a deaf teenage girl and the boy who bullied her. The critic highlights its account of teenage politics and notes it as a rarity steered by three women.

The critic praises this insightful Japanese animated high-school drama as standing alongside the best of Studio Ghibli, highlighting its challenging take on bullying, guilt and redemption. They single out director Naoko Yamada's distinctive creative direction and fresh worldview.

The film condenses a popular manga into an ambitious but overstuffed story of bullying's long-term ripple effects on both victims and perpetrators. Yamada excels at depicting the characters' interior worlds through precise visual and sonic details that highlight the divide between the protagonists.

The film is a real tear-jerker about a young man seeking forgiveness from the deaf classmate he bullied as a child. The critic praises its lush emotional embrace and evocative framing that focuses on details like bruised knees.

The critic highlights the film's complex exploration of bullying from multiple perspectives, including self-loathing and the difficulty of absolution, delivered through visually stunning anime that is funny, engaging, and ultimately heartwarming despite its heavy themes.

The critic praises the film's emotional depth in exploring bullying, self-hatred, and redemption through nuanced animation techniques focusing on expressions and gestures; it's a poignant coming-of-age story that moves viewers but doesn't leave them feeling warm and fuzzy.

The film captures the existential anguish of high school life, where everyday dramas feel like profound quests. Yamada's hazy, nostalgic visual style suits the themes of guilt and memory, while the colourful, finely-tuned characters make the story engaging.