The director behind one of anime’s saddest films is here to break my heart again with this 2025 release

When you buy through links in our articles, Future and its distribution partners may earn a commission.

The Colors Within, a new anime film from A Silent Voice director Naoko Yamada, will hit theaters in January.

The coming-of-age story finds high school student Totsuko struggling with her unique talent: she “sees” people and their emotions represented by a color – not unlike Alex’s ability from Life is Strange: True Colors, all told.

After meeting a girl – Kimi, who is portrayed in a vivid shade of blue – she soon follows her passions and starts a band with fellow loner Rui. As each of them finds happiness in their new hobby, they begin to deal with the looming shadow of growing up and finding their place in the world.

As you can see in the trailer above, it’s all accompanied by a fine, dreamlike animation style that merges with color and music to create something truly special.

This should come as no surprise, given the talent involved: director Naoko Yamada is best known for her work on A Silent Voice, an intensely emotional film that involves a deaf woman reconnecting with her school bully after he contemplates suicide.

The Colors Within also includes “original music” from Kensuke Ushio, who composed the soundtrack for A Silent Voice, and the likes of Chainsaw Man. To top it off, Science Saru (who is currently showing off his skills in Dan Da Dan) is working as an animator.

Fortunately, this feels a little more affirming and a lot less devastating than A Silent Voice – a film that holds pride of place alongside Grave of the Fireflies as one that is probably Too sad for me to watch again.

The Colors Within hits theaters on January 24th.

For more information, check out our guide to new anime – and dive into the latest on Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 and the Dragon Ball Daima release schedule.