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A Silent Voice (2017) movie poster

Timeline

A Silent Voice (2017) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 130 min · Japanese
Echo score 88
JustWatch #14,011 7
Directed by
Naoko Yamada
Starring
Miyu Irino, Aoi Yuki, Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Megumi Han, Mayu Matsuoka, Kenshô Ono

A former bully seeks redemption when he attempts to reconnect with a deaf girl he tormented in childhood. Years later, Shōya Ishida must confront his past actions and the pain he caused, while also grappling with his own struggles with isolation and self-loathing. The film follows his journey toward understanding and empathy, exploring the complexities of adolescence and the possibility of forgiveness.

Drama Romance Animation Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 The book behind the movie
  5. 5 Movie threads
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch A Silent Voice (2017)

Where can you watch A Silent Voice? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Crunchyroll, Amazon Video and Apple TV Store: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

A Silent Voice Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of A Silent Voice (2017) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Bullying Begins

    Shōya Ishida and his friends begin to bully Shōko Nishimiya, a new classmate who is deaf. The cruelty escalates over time, causing significant distress to Shōko and leading to serious consequences for everyone involved.

    Where
    Elementary School

  2. Principal Discovers Bullying

    The principal learns of the bullying situation affecting Shōko. However, in a twist, Shōya's friends turn against him, framing him as the main instigator of the bullying, which leads to further isolation for Shōya.

    Where
    Elementary School

  3. Shōko Transfers Schools

    As the bullying takes its toll, Shōko decides to transfer to another school to escape the torment. This leaves Shōya with her notebook as a haunting reminder of his actions and the pain he caused.

    Where
    Elementary School

  4. Haunted by the Past

    Transitioning into middle school, Shōya is marked by the stigma of being labeled a bully. This negative association leads him into a deep loneliness and depression, compelling him to contemplate suicide.

    Where
    Middle School

  5. Journey of Redemption

    Determined to find redemption, Shōya embarks on a journey to mend relationships and apologize to those he has wronged. This quest leads him to seek out Shōko and return her notebook in person.

    Where
    Sign Language Center

  6. Meeting with Shōko

    At the sign language center, Shōya encounters Shōko, who is still very reserved and lonely. This reunion opens the door for a potential friendship, despite the emotional scars from their past.

    Where
    Sign Language Center

  7. Friendship with Tomohiro

    Shōya forms a friendship with Tomohiro Nagatsuka, another outcast who appreciates Shōya's efforts to confront past bullies. Together, they support each other while navigating their struggles with acceptance.

  8. Conflict with Yuzuru

    Shōya tries to help Shōko find joy, which leads to friction with her younger sister, Yuzuru. A misunderstanding intensifies when Yuzuru captures a moment of Shōya jumping into a river to retrieve Shōko's notebook, leading to severe backlash.

    Where
    River

  9. School Suspension

    The incident with Yuzuru results in Shōya facing suspension from school, adding to his feelings of shame and isolation. This setback challenges his motivations for making amends and feeling accepted.

    Where
    School

  10. Reconnecting with Friends

    Shōya works to reconnect Shōko with former friends, including Miyoko Sahara and Naoka Ueno, whose history is filled with complexity and past conflicts. These interactions reveal deeper truths that test their bonds.

  11. Amusement Park Outing

    Shōya invites Shōko to an amusement park with friends, hoping to create joyful memories. However, the outing leads to heightened tensions, culminating in a fallout that strains their evolving relationship.

    Where
    Amusement Park

  12. Fireworks Festival Incident

    During a touching fireworks festival, Shōko experiences a moment of despair, contemplating a drastic decision. Shōya rushes to her side to stop her from jumping, which results in him being injured and falling into a coma.

    Where
    Fireworks Festival

  13. Shōya's Dreamlike Encounter

    In a surreal dream, while in a coma, Shōya meets Shōko. He finally expresses his regrets and reassures her that she should not feel guilty about his struggles, emphasizing the importance of moving forward.

    Where
    Dream

  14. Awakening and Confrontation

    When Shōya awakens, he is faced with the reality of his past actions. He seeks out Shōko at the bridge where they last had a heartfelt encounter, hoping to apologize and find a path toward reconciliation.

    Where
    Bridge

  15. School Festival Reunion

    Shōya returns to school, experiencing overwhelming joy upon reuniting with his friends. Their support and love signal a new beginning for him, as they head to the school festival together, tears of gratitude flowing.

    Where
    School

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 12:12

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Timeline questions answered

A Silent Voice Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of A Silent Voice (2017): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Shōya's friends turn against him and frame him as the main bully?

When the principal discovered the bullying, Shōya's friends panicked and blamed him to protect themselves. They knew Shōya had been the most aggressive participant, so they collectively shifted all responsibility onto him. This left Shōya isolated and labeled as the sole perpetrator, while the other students avoided accountability.

  • shoya ishida
  • friends betrayal
  • bullying
  • elementary school
  • principal
Q2

Why did Shōko transfer schools after the bullying?

Shōko decided to transfer because the constant bullying from Shōya and his friends had become unbearable. The cruelty escalated to the point where she felt she had no choice but to leave to escape the torment. Her transfer was meant to give her a fresh start away from the pain she experienced.

  • shoko nishimiya
  • transfer school
  • bullying
  • deaf student
Q3

What motivated Shōya to seek redemption instead of continuing his path of self-destruction?

Shōya was driven to seek redemption because the stigma of being labeled a bully in middle school led him into severe depression and loneliness. He reached a point where he contemplated suicide, but instead chose to use his remaining time to apologize to those he had harmed. His motivation was to make things right before ending his life, though this gradually evolved into genuine atonement.

  • shoya ishida
  • redemption
  • suicide
  • depression
  • atonement
Q4

Why was Shōko still lonely and reserved years after transferring schools?

Shōko remained lonely because being deaf created a significant communication barrier that made it difficult to form connections. Even at the sign language center, she stayed reserved and struggled to open up to others. Her past traumatic experience with bullying also made her wary of getting close to people, leaving her isolated despite changing environments.

  • shoko nishimiya
  • loneliness
  • deaf
  • sign language
  • isolation
Q5

What caused the conflict between Shōya and Yuzuru at the river?

Shōya jumped into the river to retrieve Shōko's notebook, which held sentimental value for him. However, Yuzuru, Shōko's younger sister, misinterpreted his actions and took a photo of the incident. She used the photo to frame Shōya, causing his suspension from school. Yuzuru was protective of her sister and viewed Shōya's presence as potentially harmful.

  • yuzuru nishimiya
  • river
  • notebook
  • suspension
  • misunderstanding
Q6

Why did the amusement park outing cause a fallout among friends?

The amusement park outing became tense because the group was still navigating complicated emotions from their shared past. The weight of Shōya's past bullying and the strain of rebuilding relationships created friction. Emotions boiled over during the visit, leading to a confrontation that caused friends to fall out with each other.

  • amusement park
  • friends
  • fallout
  • conflict
  • group outing
Q7

Why did Shōko contemplate suicide during the fireworks festival?

Shōko was overwhelmed by guilt and believed she was a burden to everyone around her. She felt responsible for Shōya's injuries and the chaos that had erupted in their friend group. The emotional pressure from the past and present combined, leading her to the bridge during the fireworks festival in a moment of despair.

  • shoko nishimiya
  • fireworks festival
  • suicide attempt
  • guilt
  • bridge
Q8

What happened during Shōya's dreamlike encounter while in a coma?

While in a coma after saving Shōko, Shōya appeared to her in a surreal dream. In this encounter, he finally voiced his deepest regrets and assured her that she should not feel guilty for his struggles. He told her to move forward and live, releasing her from the burden of responsibility she had been carrying.

  • coma
  • dream
  • shoya ishida
  • shoko nishimiya
  • regret
Q9

How did Shōya and Shōko reconcile at the bridge?

After Shōya awakened from his coma, he went to the bridge where Shōko was grieving. In a heartfelt exchange, he sincerely apologized for all the pain he had caused her since childhood. Shōko accepted his apology, and they vowed to support each other moving forward, beginning their journey toward genuine reconciliation.

  • bridge
  • reconciliation
  • apology
  • shoya ishida
  • shoko nishimiya
Q10

Why did Shōya's friends forgive him and support him after everything?

Shōya's friends realized that he had genuinely changed and was making serious efforts to atone for his past actions. His willingness to confront his mistakes, apologize sincerely, and risk his own life to save Shōko demonstrated his transformation. Their forgiveness came from seeing his genuine remorse and the lengths he went to make things right.

  • friends
  • forgiveness
  • shoya ishida
  • support
  • redemption

Movie threads

More Movies Like A Silent Voice, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes A Silent Voice tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Redemption arcs like in A Silent Voice

Character-driven stories about deeply flawed people seeking to atone for past mistakes. If you liked A Silent Voice's exploration of guilt and atonement, you'll find similar narratives here. This list features movies about characters seeking redemption, focusing on emotional growth, confronting past wrongs, and the challenging path to forgiveness.

  • redemptive
  • emotional
  • introspective
  • melancholic
  • hopeful
  • guilt-ridden
  • Tone: melancholic, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative follows a character who has caused significant harm, often fueled by their own pain. The story tracks their gradual awakening to the consequences of their actions, their struggle with self-loathing, and their attempts, often clumsy and painful, to repair the damage and find a path forward.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a specific character arc: the journey from a state of guilt and self-hatred towards redemption and healing. They share a heavy emotional weight and a tone that balances melancholy with hopeful, hard-won progress.

Dealer/Healer movie poster

Dealer/Healer

2017
Reminders of Him movie poster

Reminders of Him

2026
Forever Strong movie poster

Forever Strong

2008
Least Among Saints movie poster

Least Among Saints

2012
Vellam movie poster

Vellam

2021
The Shawshank Redemption movie poster

The Shawshank Redemption

1994
Bella movie poster

Bella

2007
The Tearsmith movie poster

The Tearsmith

2024

Emotional journeys like A Silent Voice

Stories that navigate profound sadness and trauma but ultimately arrive at a place of light. For viewers who appreciated the emotional depth and hopeful ending of A Silent Voice. This collection includes movies that tackle heavy subjects like bullying and mental health, but ultimately guide the audience toward a sense of peace, connection, and positive change.

  • emotional
  • hopeful
  • melancholic
  • cathartic
  • atmospheric
  • introspective
  • Tone: heavy, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, atmospheric
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative begins in a place of pain, isolation, or conflict, often exploring dark themes with sincerity. The plot steadily builds, introducing moments of connection and understanding that slowly counterbalance the despair, culminating in a conclusion that feels earned and uplifting without dismissing the weight of the journey.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped by their unique emotional blend: they are unflinchingly honest about pain yet fundamentally optimistic. They share a high sadness score balanced by a hopeful tone, creating a cathartic experience that affirms the possibility of healing after hardship.

Hope movie poster

Hope

2013
All Together Now movie poster

All Together Now

2020
According to Greta movie poster

According to Greta

2009
The Sky Is Falling movie poster

The Sky Is Falling

2000
The Tearsmith movie poster

The Tearsmith

2024
Colorful movie poster

Colorful

2010
I Cannot Say ‘Farewell’ movie poster

I Cannot Say ‘Farewell’

1982
Aurora Borealis movie poster

Aurora Borealis

2006

Every angle

A Silent Voice (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about A Silent Voice in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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