In Naoko Yamada’s beautiful anime The Colors Within, teenage wallflower Totsuko (voiced by Sayu Suzukawa) experiences life in colour. While this trait helps her identify someone’s true personality, she admits how difficult it is to fit in or be vulnerable. A difference that acts as a personal beacon for Totsuko as she navigates her high school career at an all-girl, Catholic institution.

Totsuko finds herself attracted to the colour emitted by Kimi (voiced by Akari Takaishi), another meek student at her school. Toying with the idea that these new feelings could be romantic, Totsuko sparks a shared interest in music with Kimi and suggests they start a band. Call it a coincidence, but this also attracts the attention of another, eavesdropping teen, Rui (Taisei Kido). Between classes and during rehearsals, the bandmates get to know each other more.

Despite the uniqueness of the film’s synesthetic lead, The Colors Within is bound with clichés and, too often, reminds us of similar coming-of-age stories. One has to wonder if screenwriter Reiko Yoshida is a big Sing Street fan, considering the last act is almost an exact copy. Yet, The Colors Within still stands out.

This coming-of-age, perfectly tuned to pre-teens, has a special fluency: through the story, its characters, and its animation. The latter not only speaks to the movement of Yamada’s characters, but also during sensitive scenes – where a sombre stare or a side glance speaks volumes. Arguably, the animation peaks during a final concert where the activity on stage; during which the film proves that rotoscoping and motion-capture may not be the only types of animation that can impeccably convey realism.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie