The Colors Within

The recent LEGO-animated music documentary Piece by Piece depicts subject Pharrell Williams’ ability to see colors when listening to music. Certain sounds visualize themselves in specific ways, a trait that allows him to assemble the unique beats that become the basis for his songs. The Japanese anime The Colors Within relies on something similar, as its central character is able to see colorful auras outlining the people she comes in contact with. It seems more like a gimmick here, despite the obvious desire to make a statement about human emotions.

Totsuko is the shy Catholic high school student with the gift. She is particularly drawn to the color of Kimi, a classmate who gets kicked out for misbehavior and ends up working in a small bookstore on the edge of town. Kimi plays guitar, which inspires Totsuko to suggest they start a band together, despite her own lack of musical ability. A multi-instrumental boy named Rui also joins the group. They practice diligently inside an old church. Over time, their colors begin to evolve as feelings develop between the members and various life situations affect them.

Weirdly, The Colors Within is presented with a muted color palate. Maybe that was meant to have the characters’ auras “pop” onscreen, but it still renders the majority of the movie visually drab. Not enough is done with the concept in any event. We’re allowed to glimpse the colors Totsuko sees around her friends. They provide little insight into Kimi and Rui, however. And as for the developing bonds between the group, we can see them taking place without the auras, so what’s the point? The film has a clever idea it doesn’t quite know what to do with.

Equally weird is the refusal to let us hear any of the songs before the big finale. We’re led to believe that the creation of these songs is a melding of the trio’s personalities, and while there are scenes where they share compositions or musical riffs, the opportunity to observe how the songs come together is denied. They’re catchy when they finally arrive, although their impact is dulled because we only get extremely brief snippets during their evolution.

The Colors Within contains a lot of promising elements, including the relationship Totsuko has with a secretly progressive nun at her school. (A scene where they discuss what constitutes a hymn is especially good.) The movie introduces these things yet never figures out how to tie them into a meaningful whole. Consequently, it’s a film you watch passively. The surging, life-altering emotions the characters experience don’t sweep you up the way they’re meant to.


out of four

The Colors Within is rated PG for mild thematic elements. The running time is 1 hour and 41 minutes.


© 2025 Mike McGranaghan