Colorful Review

A recently departed soul is stopped on the way to what lies beyond and is given an opportunity for reformation. The soul wakes up in the body of suicide victim Makoto and must use its existence in Makoto’s life to remember the secret of the great sin it committed in its previous life and to determine why Makoto committed suicide.

Colorful is a deep, thought-provoking work of art that examines several of the difficult truths of life via the details of everyday, mundane existence. The characters are more tragic for how genuine and flawed they seem, and realistic struggles are given clarity through the lens of “Makoto”‘s supernatural situation. The lasting effect of past mistakes is merely one of the important themes layered throughout. This was hard to watch in parts, but all the more powerful and real for it.

The animation is incredible and every bit the equal to the story. The backgrounds evoke Japan wonderfully and shine particularly during the countryside scenes. The characters match the style perfectly and are suitably expressive in facial expressions, body language, etc.

Colorful is a fantastic movie and it’s heart-wrenching, perceptive narrative well worth experiencing for yourself.