The Colors Within Blu-ray SteelBook Review

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

Director and Studio Vision

Directed by Naoko Yamada (A Silent Voice, Liz and the Blue Bird) and animated by Science Saru (Devilman Crybaby), The Colors Within (2024) is a poignant exploration of human connection, blending Yamada’s signature sensitivity with the studio’s bold visual experimentation. The film follows Totsuko, a high schooler who perceives people as swirling hues—a metaphor for emotional depth—and becomes entranced by the enigmatic “color” of her classmate Kimi. 

Narrative and Premise 

When Totsuko stumbles into a makeshift band with Kimi (a guitarist) and Rui (a theremin enthusiast), their musical collaboration becomes a lifeline amid personal struggles. Yamada weaves their home-life tensions—implied but never overstated—into the fabric of their creative process, using songwriting as both refuge and reckoning. The trio’s dynamic oscillates between harmony and discord, mirroring the film’s thematic dance between vulnerability and self-discovery. 

Visual and Auditory Identity 

Science Saru’s animation elevates Totsuko’s synesthetic visions into a kaleidoscope of metaphor: Kimi’s radiant hue contrasts with muted backgrounds, while Rui’s theremin emits visual ripples that mirror his introverted nature. Overall, the animation and artwork are a beautiful canvas of pastels and tapestry of unique character designs. The score, blending indie-rock warmth with the theremin’s ethereal whir, acts as a narrative heartbeat, grounding the story’s whimsy in raw, acoustic intimacy. 

Themes and Emotional Resonance 

At its core, The Colors Within interrogates how art bridges isolation. Totsuko’s color-perception evolves from curiosity to empathy, reflecting Yamada’s knack for framing quiet moments as emotional crescendos. Kimi’s guardedness and Rui’s technical obsession unravel through shared melodies, offering a tender commentary on the courage it takes to be seen—and to see others truly. 

The Video

The Colors Within is presented on Blu-ray in a 1.85:1 AVC 1080p HD encodement. The image is beautiful with nothing to complain about. The. Pastel colors come through gorgeously, there is no digital noise, the line art is crisp without aliasing, and fills are free from banding.

The Audio

The original Japanese audio and English dubs are included in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The mix is well-balanced and dynamic with clean sound. The musical performances fill the soundfield and spread through the base channels. There is a good sense of spaciousness in the mix with lots of ambient effects used in the surrounds.

The Supplements

Housed in a beautiful SteelBook with some spot gloss effects, the release comes with a number of interviews and featurettes. I particularly like the crate diging featurette with director Yamada.

Bonus Features:

• Garden of Remembrance (1080p; 00:17:48)
• Starting a Band with Kensuke Ushio (1080p; 00:09:39)
• Live Talk & Drawing with Naoko Yamada (1080p; 00:38:06)
• Crate Digging with Naoko Yamada (1080p; 00:03:38)
• Photowalk with Naoko Yamada (1080p; 00:06:37)
• Scene Breakdowns (1080p):
  • The Candelit Church Sequence (00:12:41)
  • The Final Performance (00:07:57)
  • Totsuko’s Flashback Sequence (00:07:20)
• Color Palette Featurettes (1080i):
  • Interview with Director Naoko Yamada (00:09:18)
  • Interview with Music Creator Kensuke Ushio (00:08:37)
  • Interview with the Cast (00:11:55)
  • Behind the Scenes with the Cast (00:06:10)
• Teasers & Trailers (1080p; 00:06:38)

The Final Assessment

A testament to Yamada’s mastery of subtle storytelling, The Colors Within is a lyrical ode to the messy, beautiful process of finding one’s voice. While its pacing may test those craving plot-driven action, its rich character layers and sensory innovation make it essential viewing for fans of introspective anime. A delicate balance of whimsy and heartache, this film lingers like the final note of a beloved song.

The SteelBook Blu-ray (a standard Blu-ray release is also available) from GKIDS/Shout! Studios is a magnificent release that presents the film beautifully on home video. Highly recommended for fans of anime feature films and animation in general.

The Colors Within is out on Blu-ray SteelBook May 27, 2025 from GKIDS/Shout! Studios

Details

• Rating Certificate: PG (for mild thematic elements)
• Animation Studio: Science Saru
• Distributors: Toho | GKIDS | Shout! Studios
• Director: Naoko Yamada
• Written By: Reiko Yoshida
• Run Time: 101 Mins.
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Video Format: AVC 1080p
• Primary Audio: Japanese DTS-HD MA 5.1
• Secondary Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1
• Subtitles: English SDH | English for Original Language Version | Spanish for Original Language Version
• Street Date: 27 May 2025