An Emotional and Human Work: Koe no Katachi

Synopsis

Shouya Ishida was a trouble making young boy who was bored with everything. But upon receiving a new classmate who is deaf, he finds a target to relieve his boredom. Day after day he would find a new way to pick on her, from yelling in her ear to throwing away her ear piece. But the day after she transfers away he finds himself on the receiving end of the bullying and grows up with deep regret in his heart. As he contemplates the purpose of his life as a teen, he suddenly comes across the young girl turned young woman he used to torment. This is the tale of his redemption,

The Good

This is a tale that not only gives a realistic perspective to human emotion but also gives it through the perspective a hero going through redemption. Multiple times there have been stories were the deep seated emotion involving guilt is glossed over but not here and that is what makes the work so striking.

When it comes to the concept of forgiveness, the guilty party either ends up walking away or being forgiven to easily, but here, that does not happen. Here we have a young man who has set himself into a long and difficult journey and all told through his perspective.

And this is another point that makes the series so interesting, the fact the it is told through the eyes of the protagonist. No matter how much you read the series, there is no truly bad character but no truly good character either. There is so much human quality to be found with this series and it is not enough in words to express the emotional journey that this series will bring you.

The Bad

As well done as the characters may be, it does not mean that there are not flaws with them, and not the realistic kind even. For one character, as a child she had a crush on the protagonist, but the way it was executed was in no way smooth. Then there are also the sudden impulsive actions that happen with them. With how much emotional impact that this series has brought, little negativity can be said about it. To be fair, the art is not all that striking, but for the most part, little can be said.

Conclusion

This is the type of tale that one must be prepaid for before fully immersing into the story. With well developed characters, truly fleshed out emotional moments and frankly rather human development with the characters, there is much to be said on the impact that this series has left. There is little flaws that can be found with this series, bt that does not mean there are none. Simple put, prepare tissues.

Rating: 9/10