Story

Totsuko (voice of Libby Rue) is a high school student at a Catholic girls boarding school in Japan. She has the unique ability to see people as colours, which she interprets as their nature.

Totsuko is particularly fascinated with Kimi (Kylie McNeil), who has the most beautiful colour of all. When Kimi drops out of school, Totsuko looks everywhere for her. She finds her working in a bookstore. A boy called Rui (Eddy Lee) also enters the shop, looking for musical inspiration. He plays the theremin and asks the girls whether they play instruments too. Totsuko replies that she is learning the piano and Kimi can play the guitar.

Together Totsuko, Kimi and Rui form the White Cat Hall Band and go on to perform at the school’s Valentine Fest.

Themes

Adolescence; family issues

Violence

The Colours Within has very little violence. An example is when Totsuko gets knocked out by a basketball during practice.

Sexual references

The Colours Within has some sexual references. For example, it shows some attraction between teenagers.

Alcohol, drugs and other substances

There’s no use of substances in The Colours Within.

Nudity and sexual activity

There’s no nudity and sexual activity in The Colours Within.

Product placement

The following products are displayed or used in The Colours Within: Yamaha and Casio.

Coarse language

There’s no coarse language in The Colours Within.

Ideas to discuss with your children

The Colours Within is a Japanese animation that highlights gentleness, kindness and empathy.

There’s nothing scary or violent in The Colours Within, but its themes of adolescence mean it’s best suited to older children and teenagers. It’s also subtitled, although an English dubbed version is available too.

The main messages from The Colours Within are to adapt to change and make connections with people who share your ideals.

Values in The Colours Within that you could reinforce with your children include empathy, kindness, compassion and serenity.

The Colours Within could also give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues like the following:

• Kimi initially lies to her grandmother about quitting school but eventually realises the importance of being honest.
• Totsuko also lies about where she has been to her teachers. She questions herself about this and is ashamed of it. What could she have done differently?