A Silent Voice: The Movie Blu-ray Review

The video presentation of "A Silent Voice: The Movie" is nothing short of spectacular, boasting impeccable animation quality that enhances the emotional depth of the film. The Blu-ray’s 1.85:1 AVC-encoded transfer showcases the stunning animation style with a mean video bitrate of 35000 kbps, resulting in virtually no flaws in the source print. The picture quality delivers an almost three-dimensional look, embodied through exquisite use of dappled light and impressive lens flares. The vibrant colors and meticulous hand-drawn details, such as individual strands of hair and water droplets, offer a breathtaking viewing experience.

Complementing the visual feast, the pastel palettes and varied shading enrich both the school interiors and the more dynamically shaded outdoor scenes. The animation is crisp, with lines spot on perfect, and noticeable artifacting is non-existent. Overall, Shout! Studios has provided a near-reference-quality presentation that will delight anime enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. This Blu-ray set stands as an exemplar of technical precision, elevating "A Silent Voice: The Movie" above typical animation releases.

The audio presentation of "A Silent Voice: The Movie" on Blu-ray is commendable, showcasing both the original Japanese DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 Surround (3316 kbps, 24-bit) and a dubbed English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix (3564 kbps, 24-bit). The Japanese language track, while demanding quick reading for English subtitles, offers an immersive experience, notable for its dynamic range. Composer Kensuke Ushio's piano score uses subtlety and crescendos effectively, enhancing the surround channels and immersing the audience in the emotional depth of the film.

The English dub is also well-produced, with selections like a deaf actor voicing Shoko adding a layer of authenticity to the character. This track benefits from a higher bit rate than the original Japanese, which might contribute to a slightly richer sound profile. Throughout both audio options, the clarity and legibility of the optional white English subtitles are consistently excellent, contributing to an overall robust and satisfying auditory experience.

The extras on the Blu-ray release of "A Silent Voice: The Movie" offer a comprehensive behind-the-scenes look and added value to the viewing experience. From insightful interviews to reflective music videos, each featurette is crafted to provide fans with a deeper understanding of the film’s production and thematic elements. The Deleted Scenes section, although not explicitly tied to any scenes in the input, provides additional context to characters and narrative structures not seen in the final cut. The Theme Song Music Video performed by AIKO, and the Speed of Youth Music Video by Naoko Yamada, are well-produced, high-definition showcases of the film’s distinct musical artistry. Furthermore, the Original Japanese Promotional Videos and Trailers offer a nostalgic glimpse into how the film was presented in its home country, adding a layer of cultural appreciation.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes: Brief insights into omitted parts of the movie.
• Theme Song Music Video: Performed by AIKO.
• Speed of Youth Music Video: By Naoko Yamada.
• Original Japanese Promotional Videos and Trailers: Includes English-subtitled trailers.

"A Silent Voice: The Movie" encapsulates the psychological intricacies of bullying, emotional growth, and redemption with exceptional dexterity. Based on Yoshitoki Oima’s critically acclaimed manga "Koe no Katachi," this adaptation efficiently condenses the expansive narrative into a poignant 130-minute film. Shoya Ishida's journey from a carefree child to a remorseful young man striving for redemption is portrayed with raw emotion and realism. His aggressive bullying of his deaf classmate, Shoko Nishimiya, stems from a desperate need for social acceptance. The film doesn’t shy away from illustrating the severe consequences of his actions, resulting in his isolation and eventual contemplation of suicide. These harrowing experiences set the stage for Shoya’s quest for forgiveness and self-atonement, making his evolving relationship with Shoko both heart-wrenching and inspiring.

Director Naoko Yamada, known for works like "Liz and the Blue Bird" and "K-On!", masterfully leverages animation to convey complex themes of sympathy, forgiveness, and compassion. The narrative's use of flashbacks and flashforwards enriches character development but can momentarily challenge viewer orientation. Despite this, the richly developed personas enable the audience to navigate the film’s timeline adeptly. Yamada and screenwriter Reiko Yoshida’s decision to introduce numerous secondary characters remains faithful to the manga but occasionally feels cumbersome within the movie’s runtime.

Visually, the Blu-ray presentation is stellar, featuring stunning hand-drawn details that elevate the emotional resonance of the story. From individual strands of hair to the vibrant, saturated colors that progress throughout the film, every frame is a visual delight. The meticulous animation breathes life into minute elements, making scenes incredibly immersive. Despite some narrative compression necessary for fitting a seven-volume story into movie format, "A Silent Voice: The Movie" remains an almost flawless depiction of nuanced emotional struggles, making it an essential watch for fans of both the manga and the genre.

"A Silent Voice: The Movie" is a visually and emotionally compelling animated film that has been expertly translated to Blu-ray by Shout Factory. The animation is flawless, capturing the nuanced expressions and intricate backgrounds essential to the storytelling. The film's sound design offers an immersive experience with crystal clear DTS-HD MA 5.1 audio in both Japanese and English, that enhances the emotional gravity of each scene. The Blu-ray transfer is impeccable, free of any black crush or digital macroblocking issues, which were seen in some other releases. While supplementary materials are limited primarily to music videos and trailers, the high quality of the core presentation more than compensates for this shortfall.

Director Naoko Yamada's sensitive direction and the brilliant screenplay adaptation by Reiko Yoshida manage to condense the sprawling 60+ chapters of the original manga into a coherent and moving two-hour runtime. The film's well-developed characters and complex emotional arcs avoid unnecessary sentimentality, making it a deeply affecting watch. The aspect ratio of 1.85:1 AVC further enhances the visual storytelling, framing each scene beautifully. Additionally, the availability of English subtitles ensures that non-Japanese speakers can fully appreciate the nuances of the dialogue.

While "A Silent Voice: The Movie" attempts to encapsulate a broad range of storylines, it does not detract from its core narrative. Some fans might miss specific extras such as filmmaker interviews found in other editions, but the pristine visual and auditory quality offered by Shout Factory's release make it a definitive version for any collection. This Blu-ray is a "must-see" for enthusiasts of poignant animated films akin to "Liz and the Bluebird" or "Maquia."

Conclusion While there are a few stumbles from trying to put 60+ chapters of manga into a 2-hour film, "A Silent Voice: The Movie" is a jaw-dropping bit of animated storytelling that had me in tears more times than even "Maquia" did. The animation is flawless, the sound a wonderful immersion of diegetic moments, and the Blu-ray given a decent amount of extras as well. It is certainly on my “must-see” list for those of you who are into animated films like "Liz and the Bluebird" or "Maquia." HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: Miyu Irino, Saori Hayami, Aoi Yuki, Kensho Ono, Yuki Kaneko, Yui Ishikawa, Megumi Han, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Mayu Matsuoka
• Directed by: Naoko Yamada
• Written by: Reiko Yoshida (Screenplay), Yoshitoki Oima (Manga: Koe no Kitachi)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 AVC
• Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 5.1, Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1
• Subtitles: English
• Studio: Shout Factory
• Rated: NR
• Runtime: 129 Minutes
• Blu-ray Release Date: April 2nd, 2019