A Silent Voice Review 

Well boys! We did it, we turned her into a weeb.

"I want to love her and protect her" Welcome to being a weeb 😉

The movie is so insanely good too, 100% recommend

Merphy: *screaming at Shoku's mom** Merphy: *deep breath* Merphy: ok i need to calm down Merphy: *another deep bre-* Merphy: OH WAIT

Fun fact: the "real" title of this manga is called "the shape of voice", written as "聲の形". 聲 represents "voice". If you look closely, this word is composed with 声(voice), 殳(hand),耳(ear). You may realize the word 聲 and 声means the same thing, but the reason the author uses 聲 instead is because she wants the audience to interpret this title "the shape of voice" as "the shape of communication". And communication is more than just voice or sound; it is full with struggle and pain like this manga, but we should never stop trying to understand each others.

Pov: you're in a grocery store with a bookworm shirt and Merph corners you to talk about Silent Voice

I've only seen the movie, but holy shit just thinking about it makes me want to cry again

I can feel a deep primal fury when she speaks about Shoko's mother.

I'm glad it's not a One Piece review so I can still pretend I'll catch up to Merphy in One Piece lol But also, it's now time to slowly push Your Lie in April and March Comes in Like a Lion to Merphy so she can cry more *laughs evilly*

I'm so glad that you read A Silent Voice and One Piece because these are my top 2 favourite manga of all time. Also I apologise for the One Piece fans they can be a bit too passionate sometimes.

One thing I feel doesn't get mentioned enough is that Shouko's mom was actually the biggest bully in her life. Having a parent who continually silences you, ignores you, doesn't even try to communicate effectively with you, and pushes you way too hard without taking your disability into account does way more damage than being picked on at school. It also goes a long way to explaining why Shouko was so quick to internalise other people's mistreatment of her. Make no mistake: it was at home that she first learned to think of herself as a burden who didn't deserve affection.

Interesting how you barely mentioned Kawai at all, considering how a lot of readers see her as being, like, Top 2 Most Hateable People material for her *pathologic inability* to see any fault in herself, and being the only one who doesn't seem to feel any guilt over Shoya's accident despite *causing* the falling-out that led to said accident happening in the first place.

I love how angry Merphy just showed up out of nowhere because that was me half the time reading knk 😂

TBH I think it's more entertaining to watch you be fresh and emotional than structured and calm, so don't worry about structurally not well put together review. PS: I just love it when your emotional about these stories.

The video did not start with- okay so. I am shocked...😂

I reccomend To Your Eternity is a shounen by the Author of The Silent Voice.

WOOOOOOO GUYS WE ALL JUST EXPECTED A FEW BIG CLASSICS LIKE ONE PIECE BUT WE GET FUDGING SILENT VOICE?!?!?1 MERPHY GOD BLESS U-

Silent Voice is such a great manga, so honest and human in ways that people don't associate with manga but while many manga and anime are crazy and zany they often have some real human moments that you dont expect

Merphy reviewing more manga? Yes please! It would be great to see you review the movie if you get a chance to watch it!

I'm not much of a reader, and I had never read any manga before. But when I watched the movie (based on this manga), I was completely overwhelmed with so many emotions. I was so fascinated that I have started reading this manga (my first one ever). I'm so hyped for this one! The best thing about the movie is its soundtrack and how it uses similar audio tracks for similar moments to bring out certain emotions. It's so good that you won't notice it until you try to figure out why you feel that certain way during the movie. It was an amazing watch 😍

It's so cool to see Booktube go further into anime/manga outside of the standard shonen stuff. Here's hoping Merphy will get into Light Novels and Read Haruhi suzumiya (or watch the anime) 🤞

When you watch the movie, Nao beating up Shouko and figgting her mom will make you cry. The voice acting in the scene is remarkable. Especially in the english dubbed

I haven't read the manga but the movie is one of my favorites of all time.... Glad you experienced it too!!!

The transition between young and happy shouko in bed and young adult shouko crying is heartbreaking

That scene by the end, in which she apologizes to shoya's mother... I cried like a bitch the first time I saw... and then proceeded to do the same the next 2 times I saw that scene... And would probably do the same the fourth time I see the movie...

I cried while reading silent voice

I absolutely loved the movie as well, probably my favourite anime movie of all time

A Silent Voice was a really emotional read for me. I am someone who reads at least 10-15 different manga and webtoons per week and ASV is one of the few that I still find to be very touching and beautiful. It reminded me a bit of the time back in elementary school when I used to bully this kid who was on the spectrum. I didn't understand how horrible I was being at that time, other students were also in on it and even the teachers acted like he was invisible/irritating. How I wish I could have apologized to him when I understood what I was doing. This manga is definitely one I've reread multiple times and will reread again in the future. I was a bit frustrated with the movie which had to be much more condensed for obvious reasons and in case of anyone who has only seen the movie I would definitely recommend reading the manga as it has so much more depth and richness.

Murphy reviewing A silent voice while it's creators another series to your eternity is getting an anime? Is this JoJo- sorry, I mean coincidence.

Yes it's on the list for a watch party ..... I just need to read it first. I'll bump it up on my tbr :)

It's funny to see Murphy going deeper into anime/manga after starting one piece.

Your Name is where boys cried A Silent Voice is where men cried

I'm a One Piece fan, and I can't express my love for the series but Silent Voice is the Perfect manga for me. I loved what one movie critic said," Disney can't imagine making something like this".

It sounded like you needed a hug after this one Merphy.

"Middle school is when bullying potentially and likely gets bad." For me, middle school was actually the beginning of an improvement. I was severely bullied in the 4th and 5th grades. No friends. Middle school when when I finally met some other oddballs willing to be my friends and also that was when the "ignore them and maybe they'll go away" strategy actually started to work decently well against the bullies. Middle school certainly wasn't perfect for me, but way better than 4th/5th grades. Also, I never understood why all the movies for some reason depict bullying as being a high school thing. By then, most of my bullies got way bored of bothering me or they finally grew a conscience and apologized to me. High school was probably the best time of my school experience, if I'm honest. I was pretty much always left alone to enjoy my time with good people who actually treated me right.

now watch the movie, it didnt go as deep; cuz duration, but it still carry a punch and weight with the power of animation and heavenly soundtrack

I can't help but recommend Blue flag. It's a manga that focuses on 2 childhood friends who as they grew up drifted apart realising that they are changing and one friend helps a girl who has a crush on his friend. It's about how everyone has problems that they hide, everyone is confused and tries their best and it can hurt others accidentally and just it's a truly wonderful story . Also FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS , MÀLE FRIENDSHIPS FRIENDSHIP FOR ALL

I loved a silent voice, the movie is really good too. The author has also written another series that is just starting to air now on Crunchyroll (To Your Eternity). The first episode hit me hard. I'm definitely thinking of picking up the manga. May be another series to consider!

This really was a surprise video. This has just helped me procastinate studies even further . Thanks merph. By the loving tha manga and anime content 💯🔥

Imma watch this whole thing later (I have classes so I'm in the final thoughts), but I'm so glad you loved it 😭😭 it's one of my favorite mangas of all times.

I have yet to read the manga but I watched the movie and I've never in my life cried so hard. 15 minutes in and I was a sobbing mess until the end. Now, even when I think of certain scenes, like the balcony scene, I'm very close to tears. This story is so incredibly emotional without it ever feeling exaggerated. It's just depressing in the most honest way possible. Life with a disability is so damn hard and it's never talked about. I'm so grateful that this story exists, I think this can teach many people to have more empathy.

I saw your post on Instagram about this series and then I read the description of the series on Wikipedia. After that I wanted to read it so I bought all seven volumes. So far I’ve read first two volumes and I’m loving it.

I'm so used to people reviewing the movie that it feels so refreshing to hear a manga review. I remember reading this during its serialization. It felt like every week I was just waiting to read the next chapter, which is crazy to think back on it because it was my last year at college. Truly, it was such a pleasure to read. Mangas like this can be hard to come by, and I'm glad you were able to experience it.

Glad you loved the manga. More suggestion for similar manga is march comes in like a lion. It is about a found family with Rei the mc who is a professional Shogi player living a pointless life until he meets a local family. It tackles depression, abuse and bullying.

Once you have watched the movie go and check out 'Under the scope's' analysis on it (titled: Koe no Katachi: How we communicate I A silent voice analysis), the video made me appreciate the story and the way it was structured, down to the smallest scenes and actions of the characters, its a truly beautiful story both in content and structure.

I'm glad that you love reading Silent Voice (聲の形). It's one of my most beloved manga of all time. The story is not just a simple "bullying is bad, don't be a bully", instead the author try to look into why could this happened, what the thought process that lead each and everyone involved do what they do, and how each and every action they did (including Shouko herself) have a weight in creating this situation. For example, there are no single person that hate Shouko at all when she first introduced to the class. Naoka (which most people consider just an asshole and a bully) is actually the first one to try to get close and help Shouko to get used to the class, help her taking notes, explaining the teacher, and all. But as time progressed things of course getting harder and harder for her to keep these going on as she also have her own burden as a student (which in the manga implied how it affects her school performance). Shouko's needs then little by little become quite a burden for other students as well, which in turned make little Shoya's hate her for disrupting his friends (remember, he is a just child too). Little things keep happenings that affect Naoka relation with Shouko, which pilled up and turned into hatred and attempting to distance her self from Shouko. Questions then arise, is it really fully Naoka or other students responsibility to take care of Shoko's special need? Why don't the teacher accommodate for the disabled? then, is it really the teacher's fault to not accommodate for the disabled? Then what about other normal student that the teacher also need to take the responsibility of? Does he have to sacrifice the other students convenient to accommodate for one? Then what about her mom? She know she is disabled and in need of special treatment which normal public school can't provide, why does she still decided to put her there and put the pressure on Shouko to adapt there? The answer is after all is not that simple and not black and white. In the end, no one is without a flaw, and that show a more honest side of a human story (I like to consider this manga telling a "human story" instead just a "bullying story"). It doesn't condone for the horrible things that happened, but it also doesn't try to pretend that these thing happened without reasons. However, this too is only one moral part of the story, there also things about redemption, parenting, social acceptance, and much more which all delivered in what i consider as simple but honest way. Overall, this manga is exceptionally good in my opinion, and i love that you also like it. If you like this manga, i would like to recommend Oyasumi Punpun by the author Inio Asano (which the tone and the story are nothing the same with Silent Voice, however the 'humane' and 'honest' aspect of the story you might like). It is more mature and darker, and sometimes even kind of whimsical, but i think you should at least give it a try especially if you want to see the other more serious and mature side of the medium can offer.

Any updates on your adoption? Could you bring your daughter home yet? :)

Man I love your explanation of different manga’s and Anime’s, it’s amazing how you word and explain it. It’s like mind blowing!! Keep up the great work!!

I haven't read this, but as someone who has chronic pain and has since I was in 6th grade (now almost 24 years old), I relate so much to her struggle. I was bullied for just existing as an honest version of myself. Which was struggling with pain management and struggling from 6th grade to senior year to finally figure out what my diagnosis was. And everyone in my school was always trying to prove I didn't have something wrong with me, calling me an attention (insert bad word here) for coming to school with various braces, etc. It wasn't until college that people weren't like that anymore and it sucked. I'm so glad there's media out there that shows an honest portrayal of this because that is SO rare.

Another great finished! Thank you Merphy!

I screeched when I saw the title. "A Silent Voice" is my favourite anime movie and the manga only adds to it's beauty. I've read it a long time ago, so I can't really remember all the nuances that were skipped in the movie bc of time constraints. Maybe I should read it again sometime soon

One of my absolute favorite stories I've ever experienced. Loved it! Thank you!

This is one of the few works of art that I think has genuinely made me a better, more understanding person.

Shoko's mom doesn't scream at her because she doesn't know sign language or how to communicate, but because she was frustrated. Her mom is also super busy so it's not like she's just deciding not to learn it. I mean, she's actually a lot better in the movie, so.

I AM SOOOOOO HAPPY THAT YOU'RE INTO MANGA NOW. There are soooo many great mangas out there and I'm sure you'll love the medium more and more as you start discovering it. Hope to see more manga reviews in the future!

Yes, yes, yes, I am so happy you are making a review for this manga/film

One of the reason I fell in love with manga and anime industry in general.

I cannot stress enough how much I love this manga, and the anime is about as good an adaptation as you could hope. It's also a really good way to get an anime fan pissed off by reminding them that the anime wasn't nominated an Oscar... but Boss Baby was.

im thankful you made this video

Great review! And such an amazing series, it's an amazing read.

To Your Eternity is another series by the author/mangaka of A Silent Voice and it just got its anime tv series adaptation that's airing right now.

Watched your video, and I was so surprised because I concluded with A Silent Voice when I saw you did post this, I had to comment

The author has another work called To Your Eternity and that one is also amazing, and it's more of a sci-fiesque tone

I would also like to point out another detail about Shoya. I think what also brings Shoya so much self doubt is the fact that her own father and his family rejected her and left her mother because of her deafness which for any child can be tramatizing leading up to so much self hate.

Thank you for this. I have read the manga so many times and it makes me cry everyone, I love it so much. So when you started reviewing it, it brought back the same emotions that were evoked when I read it the first time. I was balling the entire review. Thank you. I will say that this series needs to be read when your in the right head space, as it can make you more depressed

There is also an anime movie that is a really good adaptation. Also is made by Kyoto Any so it's very beautiful. March comes in like a lion and Your Lie in April are also quite good and similar to A silent Voice both in manga and Anime format.

I’m so glad that you read this! I just watched the movie a few months ago and it became my favorite movie. Then I went and bought the manga because I loved it so much. Overall this is one of the best books/ movies ever. (Also Shoko’s little sister is named Yuzuru and she’s the best)

I love this series so much. All the characters are so real and interesting. Flawed but relatable. Like actual humans.

Wow! I never expected to see you review A Shape of Voice. A very pleasant surprise! Thank you! I also read the manga before the movie but both are really great! If I were to suggest any other series it would be Pandora Hearts! It's a fantasy, shounen, but I feel it's the kind of story you would enjoy. Thank you again~

Great reaction, very fun watching you get passionately flustered talking about characters you connected with and others you hated.

As many I've found your channel a few times in the past, but people experiencing manga for the first time is darn magical to see and I'm glad you enjoy this section of literature. That being said, I can't help myself, but to recommend one more: green blood This gem only has 5 issues and is a take on the wild and certainly brutal west. The art is stunning and while the story is simple, it's an emotional tale. Take care!

Among many reviews, this is the best.

Oima is an indredible author. I was just as enamoured as you are with this. I highly recommend reading her other series, To Your Eternity. Its an incredible exploration of what it means to be human when you are not, the way we interact with both the world and other people, and how exactly does one grow into a person? The anime also just started airing but I would obviously recommend the manga over it.

I'm so happy you enjoyed A Silent Voice, it's one of my favourites mangas ever ❤ and Merphy, if you want to read something with a similar vibe, March Comes In Like a Lion is amazing (both the manga and the anime adaptation) ❤

You might enjoy "My Last Summer with Cass". It is not manga, but it is an american comic book by Mark Crilley. It is an interesting story about friendships and making mistakes and handling life and such. I really enjoyed it. It is a standalone book.

Great Video Merphy! Loved it, A Silent Voice is one of my favourite stories. I have watched the movie multiple times and I cried every time! I hope you watch it you make a review and it would be interesting to hear about the differences between the two!

I was thinking the other day wondering when the next One Piece review would be...but this is so much better. I loved this movie to the point where I wrote like 10 pages trying to talk about it. I never read the books but I’m glad you loved it as much as you have. If you want another look into a group dynamic like that among kids I’d suggest Anohana on Netflix. Awesome video though you made me start to feel all the stuff I felt watching it

My absolute favorite manga! So glad you found this one 💚💚💚

OMG I just watched a silent voice a couple days ago!

Wow, I've forgotten just how much I loved this manga, so thank you for reviewing it! I feel like I re-lived the experience through you 😂🧡

Damn, with this review of A Silent Voice (I should watch the movie too), I can only recommend you to read Fruits Basket (a relative bought you the first ones I think). It's not what you expect, it's very mature, it goes into deep territory about really important and serious issues... The drawing can seem weird for the first volumes but it's because the author had an issue with her hand and she had to get an operation, the drawing improves later on. (And it's a 90's manga with the culture and way of life of Japan which isn't the most progressive country.) You'll love once you jump on it. You're going to hate a lot of parents and want to adopt a lot of children and teenagers, though. I can't recommend the new anime rebooted in 2019 that's going to adapt the whole story. It's a masterpiece.

The video has not even started yet and I am already typing... A Silent voice is a great manga/movie and I am glad you picked it up :) keep beeing awesome

This was an awesome review. Decent in terms of content, but I loved your reactions. Another great sign of a good story that it can make you feel so many different things and so strongly.

don't worry about your "rambling" i watch your videos for your energy when you talk about things, it's great hehe

I love this series and I thoroughly enjoyed your rambling feelings and thoughts, that's exactly how I felt right after finishing the manga, can't wait for you to watch the movie, it's quiet loyal and beautiful and the music is extraordinary too

After hearing your thoughts on this I want to recommend March Comes in like a Lion. I think it would be something you would greatly enjoy. You can do either the anime or manga they are both awesome.

10/10 Fantastic video! Thank you!

Love this hope you continue to do manga

There are some series I often go back to just for a cathartic cry and this series is definitely one of them. Clannad After Story is another. Really enjoyed your review and your thoughts.

I love this story. The world simply must know it exists. I keep telling everyone about it.

I think you would truly enjoy these manga -my brother's husband ( a man's twin brother moves to Canada and after some years dies. His Canadian husband comes to Japan in hopes of learning about his husband's life) -Our dreams at dusk ( a boy is outed at his school, out if desperation he beggins to crimp a rail to jump off a clif but stops when he sees a person flying ) Houseki no kuni / Land of the lustrous( a race of gem people live on an island billions of years in the future where the only life is them and their teacher. Every day creatures from the moon come to hunt the gen people and one gem person phosphoplilite a very weak gem begins to learn the truth about the world they live in) I HIGHLY suggest the anime because it's AMAZING Children of the whale( humanity now lives on arcs that are giant living rocks that travel in a sea of sand. There is nothing but the life on their moving home until they learn the dark origins of their powers and are attacked by a different arc, the first they have ever seen other than their own)

Yesssssss! So glad you read the manga I love both manga and movie so much, the manga for exploring more of the characters troubles and the movie for the perfect soundtrack. Next i would suggest reviewing the anime/manga Your Name.

I’m so glad you read the manga! The anime movie adaptation cut so much manga content and I was so sad about that

You revealed things I didn't even realise the first time. Gotto rewatch the movie now!

You pick my book!!!! I had commented/ suggested this book over two year ago because I said this book was sad to read (I was reading volume1 at the time, I'm living with disabilities, and got bullying all thoughout the school), but I felt like it was a really good recommendation because it talks about important issues

Was about to place an order for death note because of you, soooo I’ll expand that order now I guess 🤭

I love this series so much! And it's amazing to see such an authentic portrayal of disability! It's amazing and I'm glad you love it!

I seriously didn't know The Silent Voice was available in a book form! 😯🙈 I watched the anime adaptation and I was in tears ngl! Now that I know it's something I can have in my mini library, I'm gonna get a copy for myself. For sure. Thanks Merphy 🧡

Pls do "When Marnie Was There" next. It's one of the best underrated anime ever. But I loved a silent voice but it was so sad 😞

Anime und Manga ist getting more and more popular that's crazy.. love it