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Animated drama

A Silent Voice (2017): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

A Silent Voice (2017) movie poster

A Silent Voice is a 2017 animated drama directed by Naoko Yamada, starring Miyu Irino as Shôya Ishida, Mayu Matsuoka and Saori Hayami. It is based on A Silent Voice Complete Series Box Set by Yoshitoki Oima. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $30.8 million worldwide. Critics gave it 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
95%
worldwide gross
$30.8M
Echo Score
88
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A Silent Voice (2017) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Director
Naoko Yamada
Genres
Drama , Romance , Animation
Original language
Japanese
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is A Silent Voice About?

The premise of A Silent Voice without spoilers, adapted from A Silent Voice Complete Series Box Set by Yoshitoki Oima. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A former bully seeks redemption when he attempts to reconnect with a deaf girl he tormented in childhood. Years later, Shōya Ishida must confront his past actions and the pain he caused, while also grappling with his own struggles with isolation and self-loathing. The film follows his journey toward understanding and empathy, exploring the complexities of adolescence and the possibility of forgiveness.

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Cast & crew

A Silent Voice Cast & Characters

Miyu Irino leads the cast as Shôya Ishida, with Mayu Matsuoka as Young Shoya Ishida and Saori Hayami as Shoko Nishimiya. Directed by Naoko Yamada; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in A Silent Voice

· 6 more
From the director

More from Naoko Yamada

More films directed by Naoko Yamada, best-rated first: The Colors Within, Liz and the Blue Bird, A Silent Voice: The Movie and Tamako Love Story.

Full filmography
Ratings

A Silent Voice Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave A Silent Voice 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 78 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 88/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in sensory experience (80).

88 /100

A Silent Voice Echo Score Breakdown

In terms of its overall impact, A Silent Voice excels in merging emotional depth with a thoughtful narrative and striking visuals. The film’s direction and cinematography employ dynamic framing and painterly backgrounds to underscore the protagonist’s inner turmoil. Characters are rendered with subtle expressiveness, while the story’s measured pacing unfolds a redemptive arc grounded in realism. Sensory details in sound design and animation further enhance the immersive experience. These combined elements yield a resonant, repeat-worthy anime with a lasting impression.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of visual craft, A Silent Voice demonstrates inventive direction and meticulous production design. The use of dynamic camera angles and painterly backgrounds creates a real sense of place and visual cohesion. Elements like the superimposed purple Xs and measured editing underscore character psychology. Overall, the film’s artfulness consistently supports its emotional narrative.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, A Silent Voice offers nuanced portrayals of its protagonists. Expressive animation conveys internal states without reliance on dialogue, while attention to subtle gestures and facial cues reveals depth. The narrative’s focus on redemption and empathy generates genuine emotional resonance. In sum, character work forms the emotional core of the film.

  • Story & Flow 82

    In terms of story and flow, the film presents a coherent redemption arc that explores bullying, self-loathing, and the search for forgiveness. Measured pacing balances introspective scenes with key narrative milestones, though some viewers may find the emotional investment demanding. Plot progression remains engaging through expert narrative weaving and a clear sense of stakes. Overall, the story offers a satisfying and authentic journey.

  • Sensory Experience 80

    When it comes to sensory experience, A Silent Voice excels in sensitively crafted audio and visual design. The sound design and score subtly underscore emotional beats, while the delicate animation style offers a cohesive and sensuous atmosphere. Visual details, including subdued color palettes and focused framing, enhance mood without overwhelming the narrative. Overall, the film delivers an immersive sensory environment.

  • Rewatch Factor 90

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s emotional depth and thematic resonance encourage repeat viewings. The layered narrative and character evolution reveal new subtleties on subsequent watches, while the immersive audiovisual design reinforces the experience each time. Viewers frequently report lingering reflections and a renewed appreciation for the film’s craft. In sum, A Silent Voice offers strong lasting appeal.

Plot

A Silent Voice Plot Summary

What happens in A Silent Voice from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

An elementary school student, Shōya Ishida, along with his friends, cruelly bullies Shōko Nishimiya, a new classmate who is deaf. As the bullying escalates, the principal learns of the situation, but in a twist of fate, Shōya’s friends turn on him, framing him as the primary instigator. This leads to a confrontation between the two, ultimately causing Shōko to transfer to another school, while Shōya keeps her notebook as a memento.

Full summary

The whole story of A Silent Voice, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

A Silent Voice Box Office

A Silent Voice grossed $30.8 million worldwide. $1.1 million came from the US and Canada and $29.7 million (96%) from the rest of the world.

2017 box office

Worldwide gross

$30.8M

US & Canada
$1.1M
International
$29.7M
US & Canada 4% Rest of the world 96%
Videos

A Silent Voice Trailers & Videos

9 videos: 6 trailers, 1 teaser and 2 clips.

All 9 videos
UK Official Trailer
  • Trailer US Official Trailer
  • Trailer AU Official Trailer
  • Trailer US Official DUB Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer [Subtitled]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know A Silent Voice?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the main struggle of Shōya Ishida in the film?

Details

A Silent Voice Also Known As

27 alternative titles, including “The Shape of Voice” and “聲之形”.

Also known as
  • The Shape of Voice
  • 聲之形
  • Eiga Koe no Katachi
  • 声之形
  • Koe no Katachi
  • Uma Voz Silenciosa
  • 聲の形
  • Una Voz Silenciosa
  • A Voz do Silêncio: Koe no Katachi
  • รักไร้เสียง
  • Форма голоса
  • A Voz do Silêncio
+15 more
  • La forma della voce
  • Sesin Şekli
  • 목소리의 형태
  • Форма голосу
  • Dáng Hình Thanh Âm
  • Koe no Katachi – A Silent Voice
  • צורתו של קול
  • Тихият глас
  • 電影版 聲之形
  • Koe no katači
  • صدای خاموش
  • الحزن الصامت
  • Tichý hlas
  • Klusa balss
  • Tylus balsas

Seen A Silent Voice?

FAQ

A Silent Voice FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of A Silent Voice, each answered in a sentence.

How long is A Silent Voice?

A Silent Voice runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was A Silent Voice released?

A Silent Voice was released on October 20, 2017.

Who directed A Silent Voice?

A Silent Voice was directed by Naoko Yamada.

More films by Naoko Yamada

Who is in the cast of A Silent Voice?

A Silent Voice stars Miyu Irino as Shôya Ishida, Mayu Matsuoka as Young Shoya Ishida and Saori Hayami as Shoko Nishimiya, among 10 credited actors.

How much did A Silent Voice make at the box office?

A Silent Voice grossed $30.8 million worldwide ($1.1 million domestic, $29.7 million international).

How is A Silent Voice rated?

A Silent Voice has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, 78 on Metacritic and 84% on TMDB.

Is A Silent Voice based on a book?

Yes. A Silent Voice is adapted from A Silent Voice Complete Series Box Set by Yoshitoki Oima.

Does A Silent Voice have a post-credit scene?

No. A Silent Voice has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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