Danica Davidson
October 23, 2024 
The anime movie The Colors Within (a.k.a. Kimi no Iro in Japanese) did really well at LA’s Animation Is Film festival over the weekend. For starters, it received its North American debut at the festival. Then, in terms of awards, it took home the Audience Award, along with the Australian movie Memoirs of a Snail. On top of that, it nabbed the Special Jury Prize. It did not, however, win the Grand Prize, which instead went to the European movie Flow.
The festival was put on by GKIDS, Annecy, and Variety.
The Colors Within was produced by studio Science SARU, with A Silent Voice director Naoko Yamada helming the project as director. Its screenplay was written by veteran writer Reiko Yoshida, whose credits include Violet Evergarden, K-ON!, and Ride Your Wave. The music was composed by kensuke ushio, who, besides working on A Silent Voice, is also known for Liz and the Blue Bird and Chainsaw Man. The theme song is titled “in the pocket” and performed by Mr. Children. The main Japanese voice cast consists of Totsuko Higurashi as Sayu Suzukawa, Kimi Sakunaga as Akari Takaishi, Rui Kagehira as Taisei Kido, and Sister Hiyoko as Yui Aragaki.
GKIDS, which partly put on the festival, also licensed The Colors Within for North America. It gave this description for the story:
The Colors Within Plot
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’?
Source: ANN
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Danica Davidson is the author of the bestselling Manga Art for Beginners with artist Melanie Westin, plus its sequel, Manga Art for Everyone, and the first-of-its-kind manga chalk book Chalk Art Manga, both illustrated by professional Japanese mangaka Rena Saiya. Check out her other comics and books at www.danicadavidson.com.
