The new anime film Kimi no Iro (The Colors Within), directed by Naoko Yamada, delves into the life of a high school girl with synesthesia, along with her two friends, as they navigate their identities and bond through music. Yamada has garnered significant attention both in Japan and internationally for her unique storytelling.
Released in theaters on August 30, the film follows Totsuko (voiced by Sayu Suzukawa), a high school student who experiences the world differently by perceiving others’ personalities and emotions as colors. Totsuko forms a band with Kimi (Akari Takaishi), a classmate, and Rui (Taisei Kido), a passionate music lover. Together, they rehearse in a church on a remote island while confronting their individual struggles.
The film’s emotional depth is accentuated by a visually stunning watercolor-like aesthetic. In an interview, Yamada shared her creative vision behind the film.
Exploring Adolescent Sensitivity
Totsuko’s gift allows her to see the colors of others, yet she remains unable to discern her own. Yamada reflects on how the character embodies a blend of sensitivity and adolescent vulnerability, influenced by her observations of the youth around her.
“I noticed that they often communicate with others in very nuanced ways, trying to use words that don’t hurt feelings,” Yamada explained. “I aimed to portray today’s young people, rich in originality, through a lens that examines them closely rather than generalizing.”
The Reality of Performing
As Totsuko, Kimi, and Rui form their band, they grapple with external pressures and personal desires. Through music, they express their frustrations and connect with one another.
Yamada emphasized that despite the film’s teenage focus, it aims to highlight universal emotions, hoping to encourage viewers to embrace new beginnings, whether in forming bands or pursuing other passions.
A pivotal moment in the film is the trio’s debut concert. Yamada and her team meticulously crafted the sound design to replicate the energy of a live performance, transforming the cinema into a concert space. “I hope you will experience it in the theater,” she stated.
Inspired by Natural Beauty
The vibrant colors in The Colors Within, set against a picturesque hilly port city backdrop, draw inspiration from the sea surrounding Nagasaki. Yamada visited the area while preparing for the film, remarking on the extraordinary beauty of its waters. “These colors reflect the light and are rooted in the stunning hues of Nagasaki and the Goto Islands,” she noted.
The film’s driving force includes Reiko Yoshida, who penned the screenplay, and Kensuke Ushio, the music director and composer. Their collaborative synergy has been vital to Yamada’s previous works, including A Silent Voice: The Movie and The Heike Story.
Yamada explained that the title Kimi no Iro carries dual meanings: the colors of Kimi, the protagonist’s friend, and the phrase can also be interpreted as “your colors.” She hopes viewers will ponder their own identities, asking themselves, “What are my colors?”
International Acclaim
Yamada is recognized as one of Japan’s leading female animation directors, and her work continues to gain traction on the global stage. The Colors Within was featured in the competitive section of the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, the largest event in the anime industry, and received the Best Animation Film award at the Shanghai International Film Festival.
While Yamada excels in crafting ensemble dramas centered on adolescence, she has also explored ambitious themes in Japanese classical literature. Currently, she expresses a keen interest in “magical girls,” stating, “I’m fascinated by their enchanting world.”
Yamada, hailing from Kyoto Prefecture, made her directorial debut in 2009 with the TV series K-ON! while employed at Kyoto Animation Co. Her filmography includes K-ON! The Movie, A Silent Voice: The Movie, Liz and the Blue Bird, and The Heike Story.
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