Photo/Illutration A scene from “The Colors Within” ((c) 2024 “THE COLORS WITHIN” FILM PARTNERS)

Director Naoko Yamada chose the theme of “music and girls” for her latest animated film in the same vein as some of her representative works, such as “K-On! The Movie” and “Liz and the Blue Bird.”

But “The Colors Within” captures the subtle, transient feelings of teenagers who are on a path toward experiencing growth and romance.

The story follows Totsuko, a senior high schooler attending a Catholic boarding school, who can see the “colors” of other people since her childhood.

She is attracted to Kimi, her classmate who gives off the beautiful color of “blue,” and she meets a music enthusiast named Rui at a used bookstore.

Totsuko abruptly forms a band with the two, creating conflicts internally and externally.

Totsuko feels out of place. Kimi drops out of school without telling her family. Rui keeps his music activities a secret from his family because he is under pressure to take over his family clinic.

While each has a troubled mind, the trio finds comfort in practicing at a church on a remote island.

A typical story will tell how things grow awkward as they fall in love and become at odds over their performance style, while they have conflicts with their parents and teachers.

But the entire story of “The Colors Within” is filled with calm tenderness from beginning to end.

“I thought it would be no problem to tell a story that feels like a lull, and I turned my eyes toward the passage of time that develops into anger and a seed of emotion that grows into sorrow,” Yamada said. “They are children who are yet to realize what their feelings are at the time.”

The film was written by Reiko Yoshida, who Yamada worked with on “K-On!”

It was produced by Toho Co., which also is handling the distribution.

Genki Kawamura, who played a crucial role in Makoto Shinkai’s rise as a major filmmaker with “Your Name.,” served as producer.

“The Colors Within” is currently showing across Japan.

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