Watching Koe no Katachi was the best possible way I could’ve ended this week, and what better way to commemorate this experience than to throw in a couple of impressions?
Koe no Katachi
First off, I suggest reading this with a grain of salt since I was watching the movie right when my senses were starting to get dull. I got off from work four in the morning, and the movie started at eleven — two hours past my accustomed bedtime. I wasn’t sure whether or not tears were swelling up because of the feels, or due to the fact that I’ve been awake for more than 19 hours at that time but I know you don’t care about this part so screw it.
I’ve written an impression for Koe no Katachi‘s manga a year ago (and no, I don’t recommend that you read it), and if anything the movie gave me a better understanding of the story’s core values. The manga has certainly a lot more to say than what was shown in the movie, yet on the other hand the adaptation adequately captures the bigger picture the narrative is trying to present.
The former branches into character arcs, giving us a closer look into the lives of those surrounding Nishimiya and Ishida, while also serving as a way to build the tension which was, fortunate, the only thing I felt was missing from the movie. That isn’t to claim that I never felt any tension whatsoever, it’s just that trying to detach myself from what I already know from the manga only leaves me dumbfounded as to what the hell is happening at a certain point I was stuck on my seat for 2 hours drowning on my 5th coffee of the day. Like when a side-character got introduced, yet never really got his/her chance to be included in the potluck. There were also a couple of scenes/interactions that, unless you aren’t paying extra attention which was what I exactly did, wouldn’t make as much sense without context from the manga because of how fast the story is progressing.
Regardless — and going back to what I mentioned earlier — the focus is fixated on the general framework of the manga which was more about Nishimiya, and a lot more about Ishida, and a lot lot more about the two together. Despite having its fats trimmed, the movie still ended as suitably digestible and coherent. In fact, rather than be disappointed, I was left impressed instead considering that they just crammed 7 volumes with 60 chapters into a 2-hour long anime.
And thankfully 120 minutes proved to be enough of a screen-time to convey the central feels everyone else is crying from. If the manga was a clusterfuck of a roller-coaster ride, then the movie flattened the rails to make it into a more straightforward road trip. A guy did something awful, sought change, gets redemption, met waifu, met friends, The End, cue credits. As simple as that, and it’s precisely because of where the focus lies that I was at least able to get a further glimpse into the headspace of our main man, Ishida, something that I wasn’t able to achieve/realize from the manga. That, and thanks to KyoAni‘s (or, well, Naoko Yamada’s) brilliant way of translating those emotions (and not to mention characterization) through visual and audio cue, and heck even the song placements.
My favorite parts of the movie came from the first 10-15 minutes. One of which was Nishimiya introducing herself to her new classmates, reminiscent of a sheep getting thrown into a pack of starving wolves. The teacher gave her the signal to do her thing — a lone piano note plays here and there as the spectators broke into confused remarks — she proceeds to reach for her pen and paper from her bag by tucking the flap (or cover, whatever) between her chin and collarbone. It was… absolutely moe, but above all it easily gave that impression of innocence, solidarity, frailty in just a matter of seconds.
Another favorite came from Ishida’s introduction. Sweltering heat of the summer, a badass rock song, a shot of his rubber shoes, and a distinct swag can be seen from the way he walks. Simple. No overly drawn monologues… just communication through visuals and music. Of course, this is just two examples out of many, as Naoko Yamada’s signature feet/leg shots are written all over the movie which also aided in conveying those thoughts and emotions in place of dialogues. And yeah, it goes without saying that she is probably the best director Koe no Katachi could’ve asked for.
Anyways, that’s my loose take on the movie. I feel like leaving a couple of short thoughts here too.
- Considering on getting the Blu-Ray.
- It’s terrifying to see this level of quality from KyoAni, seriously. I’m just about to get a boner for Violet Evergarden.
- If Kimo no Nawa is excessively beautiful, then Koe no Katachi‘s beauty is soft and calculated.
- I’m really sorry but I snorted out a giggle when I heard Nishimiya speak. I wasn’t aware that that’s what deaf people sound like.
- To that guy talking to someone on his phone, please step outside when you’re taking a phone call. It baffles me as to why you didn’t even consider doing this.
- Love that part where they used Ishida riding a bike as a means to depict his ‘rehabilitation’ and ‘regression’.
- A quick Google Search shows that the song used for Ishida’s character introduction was The Who‘s My Generation. Great jam.
- It’s a good drinking game. Down a glass for every shot of legs/feet you see.
Alice to Zouroku – Episode 6
All right. To hell with it. I wish there’s an alternate universe wherein Alice to Zouroku doesn’t have all those sci-fi stuff… oh, wait. I guess that’s incidentally why I should appreciate Alice to Zouroku more for what it is, as much as Zouroku cares for Sana regardless of who she is.
Boku no Hero Academia Season 2 – Episode 7
Fun Fact: Todoroki is my favorite BnHA character, and he’s one of the reasons why I’m still sticking my nose into this second season.
Shingeki no Kyojin Season 2 – Episode 7
You know something’s going to be action-packed when it’s titled Close Combat. Episode 7 was just that. Enormous hulks of flesh clashing MMA style, Mikasa doing some acrobats, Colossal titan with the high-flying body slam to cap the episode. Next episode, please?
Tsuki ga Kirei – Episode 6
Hey, I’m willing to bet a box of Papa John’s that we’re getting La La Land‘d. Okay, hopefully not. I mean, it’s one thing to get NTR’d by another person, but it’s also another thing to get NTR’d by you and your partner’s dreams/aspirations. You gain something, you lose something; and there really isn’t any means to weigh which of the two will have more significance in your life. It’s just most of the time — and/or for some cruel reason — the path of love gets the short end of the stick in favor of that rose-colored life.
Things may seem cute and beautiful for Akane and Curly-kun, but the pessimistic me can already taste the bitterness from miles away. The odds are clearly against them: Akane has a swell fan who’s proactively rooting for her, and all the girls in the class want them two to kiss. A dependable and charming gal has a crush on our clumsy Curly-kun. Both of their passion for what they do seem to be getting affected by the relationship they established. Curly-kun’s mum wants him to focus on studying, and Akane’s dad, on the other hand, pales at every word of ‘boyfriend’ he hears.
Love is intoxicating, especially the first time you experience it, but age makes the flavor duller. Among other reasons, growing up only made me realize that I had a lot more significant things to do than hold hands with a chic… but I guess that’s exactly why it’s love that gets the short end of the stick, huh? Whatever. I’m just speaking to myself.
Shingeki no Bahamut: Virgin Soul – Episode 6
Horny Nina’s not so horny anymore after that date with Chris. If that didn’t spoil me for what’s going to happen next episode then color me surprised.
Little Witch Academia (TV) – Episode 18
C9 and TSM? The Wild Hunt and their boat? Looks like someone from Trigger is playing too much video games. Fantastic episode though! That sweet smile from Constanze at the end was hnnnnnnnggggg~
Eromanga Sensei – Episode 6
I don’t get why people didn’t react to Megumin aggressively commenting on the d*ck of someone she just met (which, from my perspective as a man, counts as a sexual harassment), yet when they saw Megumin getting lewd stares from Sagiri they started white knighting the hell out of her.
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¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I’m not implying that sexually harassing a girl is right (when has it ever been?), it’s just amusing to see the contrast in how the audience reacted and their perspective between the two.
Shuumatsu Nani Shitemasu ka? Isogashii desu ka? Sukette Moratte Ii desu ka? – Episode 5
I’m not sure what was the point of that detour (read: filler) was but hey, an okay episode.
Re:Creators – Episode 6
Wooo! Some action, finally.
Weekly Weekly-chan
Hmm. Nothing much to say here. Maybe I should at least let you know that I’m planning on getting Nier by the end of this month so yeah — another stuff that’s going to keep my schedule busy. Not that I hate it.
Nichi Nichi-chan 