Science SARU has gotten a lot of love in 2024 thanks in large part to Dandadan (deservedly so), but the anime studio also released another movie this year titled The Colors Within. While fans in countries like the US will need to wait until early 2025 to watch it, the film should be a must-see for many anime fans.
That’s not only because of the studio though. There’s also the fact that The Colors Within is the latest work by Naoko Yamada, the director of beloved titles like A Silent Voice and K-On. While Yamada is best known for her work with Kyoto Animation, her latest film is now her second team-up with Science SARU following 2021’s The Heike Story (a series that I think is underappreciated).
With her new film, Yamada once again enlisted writer Reiko Yoshida and music composer Kensuke Ushio. Unlike most of her other works though, this movie features an original story that is a mix of familiar given that it centers around music, as well as fresh thanks to its unique setting (at least for anime).
A Sweet Story That’s Mostly Drama-Free
The Colors Within follows Kimi, a high school student in an all-girls Catholic school in Nagasaki. Kimi has synesthesia, though instead of seeing sounds as colors, she sees people as having their own colors.
Interestingly, this isn’t a huge part of the film’s story. Heading into it, I was expecting her synesthesia to be more central to the plot. While it is still key to her growth in the story, the film’s tale is concerned more with the two new friends that Kimi makes.
In the movie, Kimi meets her schoolmate Totsuko in a used bookstore. There, the two also meet Rui, a boy from another high school. Soon, the unlikely trio form a band, and as expected, they grow closer together.
The film’s band element is reminiscent of Yamada’s other works like K-On and Sound Euphonium given that both shows feature high school students in bands. Of course, The Colors Within’s main trio have wildly different circumstances, not to mention that their music is more on the experimental side.
What is similar is the sheer love of music that Yamada’s latest film has. This is thanks mainly to Kensuke Ushio who composed excellent tracks for the film’s score, along with the catchy and quite moving songs produced by the band in the film.
The Colors Within isn’t purely about music, though it’s undeniable that the joy of creating music as a form of self-expression is one of the film’s themes. Even as someone who isn’t musically inclined (I’m more of a listener than a creator of music), I did enjoy this element of the movie, especially given how the band’s music helped the characters grow.
As a movie following high school students, it’s fair to say that The Colors Within is a coming-of-age movie, albeit not as dramatic as many others in the genre. In fact, I’d say that this is a mostly drama-free movie. Sure, each character goes through some personal rough patches, but for the most part, this is far from a heavy movie.
That’s not to say that it’s all smiles though as it does have a more contemplative aspect. In a way, the film’s school setting is the biggest reason for this. Technically, the all-girls school in the movie isn’t a boarding school, but it seems very much like one given that there are dorms that some of the girls stay in, including the main character Kimi. There’s also the fact that the school is run by nuns.
On a personal note, I quite like movies set in boarding schools, think Au Revoir Les Enfants, Picnic at Hanging Rock, or the more recent The Holdovers. There’s something about this setting that gives certain themes more impact, like drama in the case of Au Revoir or horror-mystery with Hanging Rock.
Of these though, The Holdovers is the most apt comparison given that the Alexander Payne film deals with coming-of-age and regret. Of course, The Holdovers is much more bittersweet than The Colors Within; it’s just that the coming-of-age aspects and setting were a bit reminiscent. Plus, there’s one subplot regarding a nun’s past that also reminded me of Payne’s film.
Even if it’s not bittersweet, The Colors Within is not a saccharine experience. Instead, it’s more of a dessert with a restrained sweetness – think traditional Japanese confectionery. However, comparing it to something Japanese may not be the most apt comparison given how “Western” it feels at many points.
Yamada’s previous work The Heike Story had elements of Buddhist beliefs; fitting given that it’s about one of Japan’s most well-known epics. For her new work, Yamada imbued spirituality, but the source of Christianity instead of Buddhism or Shintoism like most other anime.
This doesn’t make it a Christian film exactly, though it’s also not critical in any way. Even though this part of the film isn’t explored that deeply, I did like its inclusion as it’s another fresh element of the movie.
Combining the film’s story, music, setting, and spiritual elements, you already have the ingredients for a unique experience, but what makes this movie truly worth watching are the visuals that tie them all together.
The Visuals and Music are Lovely
I’ve been a fan of Science SARU’s’ works for quite some time now as I think all of the studio’s works are interesting, even the ones that don’t quite stick the landing. This is because every series and movie by the studio I’ve seen are visually impressive, or are at least inventive at points.
In this regard, The Colors Within is a treat. If you’re like me and love to see colorful and dazzling animation, then watching this film on the big screen is a treat. Combining this with the great soundtrack and songs makes for a memorable time in the theater.
Even if the movie’s lack of drama and setting might not be what you would typically enjoy watching, I’d say the visuals and music in this movie might convince you otherwise. In fact, as someone who only likes and not loves many of Naoko Yamada’s works, The Colors Within is a movie I’ve definitely come to love after viewing.
The Colors Within Final Verdict
With its combination of a unique story and setting, coupled with impressive animation and music, The Colors Within is a treat for Naoko Yamada and Science SARU fans, as well as for lovers of unique anime.
It’s not the most dramatic or “exciting” film out there, but it is a movie filled with a lot of heart and love for its characters, as well as for music. In that sense, it’s definitely an uplifting movie without being too sickly sweet.
The Colors Within was released in PH cinemas in late October, meaning it’s no longer being screened in most cinemas.
Meanwhile, the film will be released in North America on January 24, 2025.