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Poster for The Colors Within

The Colors Within

Seen it?

2024 | 101 min | Animation, Drama, Music

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for animation lovers. If you loved The Breakfast Club or The Virgin Suicides, start here.
The mood
Feel-good.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 41 min.
What might put you off
  • Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
  • It's in Japanese, so expect subtitles (or a dub).

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.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 76 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesNot counted

    Not measured yet: not enough ratings

  • AwardsNot counted

    No major awards or nominations

  • Box office & staying powerWeak

    $2 million worldwide

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 55K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Naoko Yamada

  • Sayu SuzukawaTotsuko Higurashi (voice)
  • Akari TakaishiKimi Sakunaga (voice)
  • Taisei KidoRui Kagehira (voice)
  • Yui AragakiSister Hiyoko (voice)
  • Aoi YukiShiho Nanakubo (voice)
  • YasukoSaku Momochi (voice)
  • Minako KotobukiSumika Yatsushika (voice)
  • Keiko TodaKimi's Grandmother (voice)