The Colors Within

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2:02

The Colors Within

PG

Released Jan 24

1h 50m

Drama

Anime

Music

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

93%

Tomatometer

46 Reviews

91%

Popcornmeter

100+ Verified Ratings

Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the 'colors' of others. Colors of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a color she treasures as her favorite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful color of all. Although she doesn't play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, a quiet music enthusiast they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. As they practice at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forming friendships and stirring affections. Will they discover their true 'colors'?

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Critics Consensus

Exuberant in both its palette and sound, The Colors Within gets the band together to deliver a kaleidoscopic celebration of human connection.

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Tara Brady

Irish Times

There are no big dramas, save for a call up to the office for skipping a school trip. Reiko Yoshida’s script instead foregrounds sincere friendship and the joyful mechanics of songwriting.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 28, 2025

Full Review

Josh Slater-Williams

Little White Lies

The film’s finale absolutely hits with the power of a dodgeball to the face that still makes you beam uncontrollably.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 24, 2025

Full Review

Ben Travis

Empire Magazine

There’s amazing beauty to be found in Naoko Yamada’s aural odyssey – even when a film about matters of the heart gets a little caught up in its own head.

Rated: 4/5

Feb 4, 2025

Full Review

Allyson Johnson

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Observational and deeply empathetic, the film unravels with a steady, rhythmic beat.

Rated: 10/10

Mar 29, 2025

Full Review

Nate Tinner-Williams

Black Catholic Messenger

For the anime fan, it’s perhaps an unexpected foray into uncharted territory. For the music fan, it’s a compelling story of experimentation and determination. For everyone else, it’s just a darn good movie that tugs the heartstrings much like a guitar.

Rated: A+

Mar 21, 2025

Full Review

Ricardo Rosado

Fotogramas

...[The Colors Within] will intoxicate anyone who lets themselves be carried away with a light that will accompany them beyond the movie theater. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 4/5

Feb 21, 2025

Full Review

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Gabriella

Beautiful movie with beautiful music. The animation is really pretty and crisp. Nothing about the movie I didn’t enjoy (:

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/17/25

Full Review

Luis G

Beautifully animated, wonderful story and music. A must see!!

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/02/25

Full Review

Shreya

Loved it! Great music.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

Full Review

Philip A. Jones (SonicPAJ)

Great wholesome movie. Slow paced but the likeable characters and their journey was worth it. The art direction and surprisingly great music really sell this as a unique experience. Good dub too. The main character sounded like my little cousin.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

Full Review

Susan

Uplifting storyline, beautiful colors and characters!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/31/25

Full Review

Jacob Alarcon

naoko yamada is a treasure and must be protected. she is easily one of my favorite directors right now. 3 back to back 5/5s what a legend. we are taken through the journey of a young girl who struggles internally and strives to figure out her true self who sees people a beauty colors. and is a captivating journey. part of this colorful journey is finding a group of friends that acts as support for each other in finding hidden strengths and being able to be vulnerable with each other. truly such beautiful piece of animation. such a vibrant and alive film. friendship, vulnerability, and embracing your true self. some scenes with beautiful burst of colors that symbolizes acceptance and peace. great storytelling portraying the beauty of empathy, the importance of connection, and the journey of self discovery. and the scene when the band finally performs i was mesmerized the whole time. not only was the music good but it was a powerful moment of the group finally embracing themselves and sharing music with the world which all created a euphoric feeling from start to finish. i’ll be listening to the soundtrack all year:)

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/25

Full Review

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Naoko Yamada

Director

Sayu Suzukawa

Totsuko Higurashi

Akari Takaishi

Kimi Sakunaga

Taisei Kido

Rui Kagehira

Yui Aragaki

Sister Hiyoko

Yasuko

Saku Momochi

Awards Leaderboard: Best Movies of 2024

The Colors Within: Trailer 1

2:02

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Synopsis

Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the 'colors' of others. Colors of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a color she treasures as her favorite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful color of all. Although she doesn't play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, a quiet music enthusiast they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. As they practice at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forming friendships and stirring affections. Will they discover their true 'colors'?

Director: Naoko Yamada
Producer: Yoshihiro Furusawa, Genki Kawamura, Eunyoung Choi, Wakana Okamura, Kohei Sakita
Screenwriter: Reiko Yoshida
Distributor: GKIDS
Production Co: Story Inc., Science Saru
Rating: PG (Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre: Drama, Anime, Music
Original Language: Japanese
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 24, 2025, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 1, 2025
Runtime: 1h 50m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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