Romance

The Story of 

Silent voice

(Koe no Katachi) 

     As a wild youth, elementary school student Shouya Ishida sought to beat boredom in the cruelest ways. When the deaf Shouko Nishimiya transfers into his class, Shouya and the rest of his class thoughtlessly bully her for fun. However, when her mother notifies the school, he is singled out and blamed for everything done to her. With Shouko transferring out of the school, Shouya is left at the mercy of his classmates. He is heartlessly ostracized all throughout elementary and middle school, while teachers turn a blind eye.Now in his third year of high school, Shouya is still plagued by his wrongdoings as a young boy. Sincerely regretting his past actions, he sets out on a journey of redemption: to meet Shouko once more and make amends.Koe no Katachi tells the heartwarming tale of Shouya's reunion with Shouko and his honest attempts to redeem himself, all while being continually haunted by the shadows of his pastThe concept of karma always arises, Shouya "deserves" his punishment for what he has done to Shouko. Shouko's Mom "deserves" to have a deaf child and Shouko "deserves" to be deaf for something they might have done in a past life.In Buddhism one of the main believes is reincarnation, your next life is determined by your actions in your current and past life.  With this in mind Shouya begins the story as a bully but, later on attempts to make amends for what he has done. But, during this he learns that he can never give Shouko the happy childhood that he had taken away from her. He can not take away the scar he gave Shouko on her ear from when they were kids.

     He will still never truly understand Shouko even after learning sign language. It is an attempt to try to understand how she feels but, no one will ever know how she feels. Even Shouko doesn't understand how others feel. She is always smiling as if she was wearing a mask. She is also apologizing. She does not want her family to be hurt by what she is going through but, she does not understand the confusion this is putting on them and the people around her.The only scene that she shows her true self is when Shouya throws her notebook into a pond, she returns home crying. But why? This notebook is Shouko's most valued item in the world, it is her voice to the world. Shouko would write in ink, during the bullying others would write mean things, though she still carried it around for hopes of communication with others.This is why when Shouya gave her back the book she was very accepting of him. He had given her voice back to her, this is why when she had lost the book again in the river she jumped in for it. She did not want to lose her voice again.

After this scene, the story follows Shouya and Shouko's thoughts about suicide, as we see them always meeting at the bridge with the Koi fish. There is a legend about a Koi fish that turned into a dragon after climbing a waterfall. Strength to over come things is the Koi fish symbolism. In the beginning we see Koi fish swimming in a river, each fish represents a character in the story.

     Ueno is similar to Shouya but, her efforts never come close, the only difference is that she loads and acts impulsively. She does not try to change but, try's to change others.Mashiba try's to create justice but, it's false justice because he was bullied as a kid. This is shown when it is found out that Shouya had bullied Shouko as a kid, and he punches Shouya at the bridge (Manga).

     Sahara is the first Koi fish to swim away, she runs when there is conflict and hides from her problems. Though over time she does face her fears.Kawai is just the antagonist...she thinks she is the pretty girl and has done nothing wrong. She does not see what others see, a faker.The last Koi fish represents both Shouya and Shouko as their actions throughout the story turning into a dragon...Though Shouya never stops thinking about suicide throughout the story but, is pushed back by other characters like his Mom. He decides that he will live to make Shouko happy, though he still can not understand her. Shouko had done this as well, she does understand this has a backlash to the world and people around her that is why she is always smiling, always apologizing. She doesn't want to make anyone sad, that is also a reason for feeding the Koi fish, she does this to make them happy. Similar to Shouya trying to make her happy.

     After a while Shouko's smile slowly fades, she can not keep her mask on any longer. She feels that she only creates pain for the people around her. She decides to end her life to make everyone happy. In the beginning she jumps off a bridge to get her notebook and Shouya couldn't reach her, not only is this foreshadowing but, it explains that he can not reach her yet or understand her. Shouya finding her about to jump, grabs her hand and prays to replace Shouko, to die in her place. Once he saves Shouko he can no longer hold himself up and falls. Shouko crys but, is not heard. Her voice has been taken away. Shouya's Mom can not forgive her until Shouya wakes up.

   
     In Shouko's dream she views messages from Shouya in the way as he would write it in her notebook, she finally understands why he has been doing all these things for her. Shouya wakes up, reincarnated, he is given a second chance to write his wrongs. To move forward with Shouko. Beginning his new life he is still off with the world but, now Shouya and Shouko understand each other. The X's on people's faces fall off. He is able to enjoy his new reincarnated life with the help of Shouko and his friends around him.The light at the opening scene...is two people holding hands, walking forward ready to face anything in their path, pain is a part of life, being able to accept the pain allows you to move forward toward a brighter future. Though it is easier to walk toward the light when you have someone beside you.