K-On! Creator Just Released a New Hit Anime Movie – It Already Has 93% on Rotten Tomatoes

The Colors Within is a new feature film by Naoko Yamada, who has established herself with projects such as K-On!, A Silent Voice and The Tale of the Heike. In the world of Japanese animation, Yamada is a rare example of a woman who has managed to achieve widespread recognition.

Naoko, both as a screenwriter and a director, excels at dissecting human souls and clearly showing all the facets and subtleties of the characters. The Colors Within is no exception – it received a near-perfect 93% and 91% from critics and viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

What Is The Colors Within About?

Since childhood, Totsuko Higurashi has had an unusual ability – she sees the colors of those around her. The girl attends a Catholic school and usually hides her peculiarity, but sometimes it breaks out.

For example, when she meets Kimi Sakunaga, a classmate whose color seems particularly fascinating. When Kimi stops attending class, Totsuko goes looking for her – and finds her in a bookstore where Kimi learns to play the guitar in her spare time.

The girls also meet Rui Kagehira, a quiet young man who dreams of making music, and the three of them form a band. Each has their own secrets, but together they are capable of more – mixing their colors through creativity.

The Anime Uses the Main Character's “Superpower” to Talk About Simple Truths

The story of a girl who sees colors coming from people is not exactly fresh and original. In the video game Life is Strange: True Colors, the main character used her superpowers to scan and gradually expose the inhabitants of a mining town.

Naoko Yamada is not interested in the science fiction potential of the story or the everyday usefulness of superpowers. The main character will not use her gift to gain the trust of new friends or to manipulate people.

Almost immediately, the girl admits she doesn't see one color – her own. Thus, the anime is first and foremost a story of self-determination, or becoming aware of one's own value and purpose.

The Colors Within Is a Very Detailed Work

The attention to detail in The Colors Within is off the charts. This is clearly evident in the Catholicism of the setting.

Bible quotes are constantly flashing, the choir sings famous Christian hymns, and even the young dancers practice the dance from The Sound of Music, a movie especially beloved by Catholic families.

The Colors Within is a pleasant reminder of the importance of being yourself and the value of human relationships. Simple in its message and elegant in its form, the anime leaves an incredibly warm and pleasant aftertaste – something that is more necessary than ever in our troubled times.

Where to Watch The Colors Within?

The Colors Within is now in theaters.