Product Info

Studio

Toho

Director

Naoko Yamada

Genre

Animation, Drama, Music

Rated

PG

Theatrical Release Date (NA)

Jan 24, 2025

Film Length

1hr 41min

Purchase From

The Japanese animated film The Colors Within is a drama about misfit teenagers coming together as a musical group. Although it is a beautiful production, it doesn’t quite feel complete.

Banding Together

© 2024 KNIFP or © 2024 Science SARU / STORY / TOHO / JR Kikaku / Lawson Entertainment

The film mostly follows Totsuko, a teenager in a Christian boarding school. She is a synesthete who can see colors from people. Growing up, she felt like an outcast due to her ability to see people differently than others.

Totsuko finds the most interesting color from a classmate named Kimi, who drops out of school to live with her grandmother and work at a local bookstore. Fascinated by her color, Totsuko searches for and eventually confronts a guitar-playing Kimi at the bookstore. Both girls are confronted by Rui, a quiet teenage boy and music enthusiast, who overhears the two talk about music. The three join together to form a band, create their own music, and become friends.

All three have their own situations in their teenage lives and all feel like misfits in society. Kimi’s a dropout, Totsuko has synesthesia, and Rui is more interested in music than in becoming a doctor and running his family’s clinic. Despite their personal circumstances, the trio’s easy-going personalities mesh well together. Watching the band collaborate while working around real-life situations is interesting because the audience cares about the characters and their deepening bonds. For example, Totsuko fakes a sickness to keep from going on a field trip just so she can hang out with Kimi. 

Still, for a film that’s one-hundred minutes long, the pacing can feel slow, but the time spent mostly pays off when the trio’s hard work is showcased at a live performance at Totsuko’s school.

More Colors

© 2024 KNIFP or © 2024 Science SARU / STORY / TOHO / JR Kikaku / Lawson Entertainment

The Colors Within is not an overly dramatic film. Instead, it’s more laid back, tackling day-to-day situations for better or worse. When the audience is introduced to Totsuko’s ability and shown how the colors are seen from her perspective, it appears as if this trait will become important. However, when it more or less doesn’t, it feels unsatisfying. Thematically, her ability serves a purpose, but it isn’t equally matched by external events, which is why a film named after colors feels a little disappointing.

The film itself is animated beautifully. From the vibrant scenery to the light coming through windows and the simplistic character illustrations, it has a carefree style. The colors as seen through Totsuko’s viewpoint are portrayed as an animated watercolor on canvas, and the effect is nicely done. The score accompanying the visuals is calm and relaxing throughout, and the lyric-based music by the band is entertaining, with the last piece being the most memorable. It won’t disappoint.

The Final Color

The Color Within is a beautifully animated film that’s more about characters growing than seeing actual colors. Its pacing may not captivate everyone, but if you’re looking for a laid-back film, this is the one to see.

An early screening provided for this film. The Colors Within arrives in theaters on January 24, 2025. Tickets are available through the official website.