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September 10, 2026Sources cited
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A Silent Voice

A Silent Voice is a 2016 Japanese animated film based on Yoshitoki Ōima's manga Koe no Katachi.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 10, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A Silent Voice is a 2016 Japanese animated film directed by Naoko Yamada and produced by Kyoto Animation. Based on Yoshitoki Ōima's manga Koe no Katachi, the film follows Shoya Ishida, a former bully, as he seeks to reconnect with Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf girl he bullied in elementary school, while dealing with guilt, forgiveness, and bullying.

Plot

The film begins with Shoya Ishida as a withdrawn teenager reflecting on his past. Flashbacks show his bullying of Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf classmate, and the consequences that follow, before the story shifts to his attempt to apologize and change.

Production

A Silent Voice was directed by Naoko Yamada, written by Reiko Yoshida, and produced by Kyoto Animation. It adapts Yoshitoki Ōima's manga Koe no Katachi into a feature-length animated film.

Themes

The film explores bullying, disability, social isolation, mental health, remorse, forgiveness, and friendship. It is often described as a coming-of-age drama with psychological elements.

Release and runtime

The film was released in 2016 and runs about 2 hours and 9 minutes. It was distributed internationally under the English title A Silent Voice.

Key facts

  • The film is a coming-of-age psychological drama centered on bullying, disability, guilt, and forgiveness.
  • Its main characters are Shoya Ishida and Shoko Nishimiya, a deaf student whom he bullied in elementary school.
  • The story follows Shoya years later as he tries to make amends and rebuild a connection with Shoko.
  • A Silent Voice was directed by Naoko Yamada and produced by Kyoto Animation.
  • The film is an adaptation of Yoshitoki Ōima's manga Koe no Katachi.
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Canadian context

The film has been released and discussed in Canada as part of the wider international anime market, and Canadian viewers may find it on region-specific streaming, rental, or library platforms.

Frequently asked questions

What is A Silent Voice about?
It is about a boy who bullied a deaf girl in childhood and later tries to make amends as both characters deal with guilt, isolation, and healing.
Where to watch A Silent Voice?
Availability varies by country and streaming service. It has been listed on Apple TV, and viewers should check current local streaming or rental platforms for access.
Is A Silent Voice on Netflix?
Netflix availability varies by region and changes over time. The provided sources do not confirm a current global Netflix listing, so viewers should check their local Netflix catalogue.
How long is A Silent Voice?
The film's runtime is about 2 hours and 9 minutes, or 129 minutes.
Who created A Silent Voice?
The manga was created by Yoshitoki Ōima. The film adaptation was directed by Naoko Yamada and written by Reiko Yoshida.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Silent_Voice_(film)
    Supports: Plot, themes, original title, and film overview.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5323662/plotsummary/
    Supports: Plot summary and character names.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/a_silent_voice
    Supports: Synopsis, director, and runtime.
  4. Apple TV — https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/a-silent-voice-the-movie/umc.cmc.282ki73q0ozcam7a76c50mizk
    Supports: Availability on Apple TV and runtime.
  5. Anime News Network — https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=16661
    Supports: Film summary and core production credits.
  6. Common Sense Media — https://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/a-silent-voice-the-movie
    Supports: Director and film description.