The manga adaptation of Naoko Yamada and Science SARU’s film, The Colors Within (Kimi no Iro), is drawing to a close, with its fourth and final volume slated for release on June 10, 2025. Sanami Suzuki, the artist behind The Kajiki Chef: Divine Cuisine, launched the manga adaptation on Kadokawa’s Comic Newtype platform. The adaptation concluded with its 15th chapter on April 11, 2025.
What is The Colors Within About?
The Colors Within is a 2024 Japanese animated drama film directed by Naoko Yamada and produced by Science SARU. It tells the story of Totsuko, a high school student who can see the “colors” of emotions in people’s hearts. She is particularly drawn to the color she sees in her classmate, Kimi.
Plot Details
After following Kimi to a used bookstore, Totsuko inadvertently implies she can play the piano. This leads her to join a band with Kimi, who plays guitar, and Rui, a boy who collects musical equipment and plays the theremin. As they write music and deal with issues in their personal lives, the trio’s friendships grow.
Production and Release
Naoko Yamada mentioned in an interview in November 2022 that she was working on a film with Science SARU. The title was revealed in December, along with the announcement that Reiko Yoshida would write the screenplay and Kensuke Ushio would compose the music.
The Colors Within was initially scheduled for release in Japanese theaters in Q4 2023 but was later delayed to 2024. The film premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in June 2024 and was released in Japan on August 30, 2024.
Internationally, Encore Films released the film in India on November 22, 2024. GKIDS released an early screening of the film in IMAX on January 23, 2025, in North American theaters with an English dub, followed by standard screenings on January 24, 2025. Anime Limited released the film in the United Kingdom on January 31, 2025. The film also won the Best Animation Film award at the 26th Shanghai International Film Festival in June.
Themes and Style
The Colors Within explores themes of human connection, balancing personal desires with external expectations, and finding solace in others. Yamada’s direction focuses on atmosphere and sensory experiences, emphasizing sound and music to convey the characters’ emotions. The film diverges from typical coming-of-age anime by minimizing melodrama and focusing on the protagonists’ internal struggles.
Yamada’s Signature
Naoko Yamada’s filmography often features stories related to music. She believes music allows people to communicate and share feelings without words, crossing borders through sound. The Colors Within is her first original feature script, not based on an existing manga or anime.
Visual and Auditory Elements
The film uses shifting animation styles, incorporating watercolor and colored pencil effects to represent Totsuko’s ability to see people as colors. The sound design and music play a crucial role in creating a vibrant and immersive experience, with the soundtrack enhancing the visual elements and characters’ emotions.
Other Works by Sanami Suzuki and Naoko Yamada
Sanami Suzuki is also known for The Kajiki Chef: Divine Cuisine, which was serialized on Shonen Jump+ and ended in April 2023. Naoko Yamada’s notable works include K-On!, A Silent Voice, and Liz and the Blue Bird.
Manga Adaptation Details
Sanami Suzuki launched the manga adaptation of The Colors Within on Kadokawa’s Comic Newtype on July 17, 2024. The manga ended its serialization on April 11, 2025, with the final compiled volume set to release on June 10, 2025.
Reception
The film has been praised for its nuanced portrayal of emotions, its focus on the beauty of everyday moments, and its innovative use of sound and color to convey the characters’ inner worlds.
