First off, the story is brilliant. Its so true to reallife with a lovely art style despite being a debut work.

However, 90% of the one-shot's content is so depressing that the sweet ending cant save it, I'm sure I will never going to read this story 2nd time. There is nothing more pathetic than bullying a deaf girl knowing she cant even fight back (I had my share of being bullied during school years, trust me I know the feeling).

Then comes the serialized version, I picked the first chapter up half-expecting it be a sequel of the duo's high school time, where the boy stood up to defend his girl. I was wrong, it was just an extension of the original story.

So still not recommended, despite the 10 mark from me.

edit: the serialization took a new direction, expanded on the later life of the 2 main characters. Its standard 'atonement' route with a lil bit of twists, so its good. I ll keep my 10 points for now.

... Last updated on November 19th, 2013, 7:32pm

I have no idea why this is such a big deal. I mean, it's JUST bullying. It happens, it's real, and so what? My point of view is... bullying is insignificant. That is, on a moral point of view.

Other than that, this manga is well... real. But that's about it. I should say, it's good because that's all it is. I don't really see what the big deal is. Bullying will not make it better or worse in my eyes. In conclusion, it's simple, real, good. But other than the apparently rare bullying, it has nothing to it. I was not touched, mad, and I cannot sympathize enough with the girl or boy.

On the other hand... the art isn't the greatest. Feels like debut work or something like that. So in the end, it's not something worth recommending, nor is it something that I would refrain from recommending. The focus of the story didn't shine.

I'm never going to read this again.
Which doesn't mean it's bad. I can only recommend it.

Well... I expected... a nice cute oneshot about lots of friendly kids who accept this poor little deaf girl. What I got wasn't what I wanted. It was too truthful. It was like it really could happen (most of it at least). And I really, really didn't like it. Because it does happen. It's not some fantasy, not some bad dream, it's reality. And heck, this manga doesn't close its eyes on this topic just to look better.
The mangaka knew what he was creating.

Please read this oneshot. Even if you - just like me - won't ever read it for a second time, it's worth reading it.

This is honestly the best manga I've ever read. It is so touching and a pleasure to read both for the story and for the art. I'd recommend it to anyone. Both the other reviewers have said a lot of what I want to say already - it's so effective because it's a oneshot, it's honest, not sentimental but uplifting. I'd also say it's good because it's sympathetic towards the bully as well as the victim. I wouldn't call it brutal though; if anything it's gentle and an easy read but it doesn't waste time beating around the bush.

Most of all, I would recommend this story because it doesn't feel like reading a fictional manga, it feels like looking at any classroom - or just looking right at yourself!

... Last updated on May 19th, 2013, 2:26am

bullying is the main problem, even when you're at school it can happen,
in the view of bullies, it's fun without thinking the consequence
moreover it's about money, nobody want to take the responsibility

it's quite common story, but come at right time when most of manga tell about magic and love-dovey, and it become shine

the story itself pretty common, bullying, betrayal, and responsibility
with an happy ending

... Last updated on March 5th, 2013, 12:48am

I will start off by saying my 10 rating is from my immediate sentiment that this is a frighteningly brave topic to show in honest detail. It works as a short story, it is jarring and pause-worthy because of the pace involved in a short story, it is in my opinion forever memorable because it was wrapped up as a short story.

Poignant, brutal, but sublimely human in its portrayal on the effect of apathetic mob mentalities, Koe no Katachi still leaves this afterglow of shame and hope in me after slowly flipping through its 60 or so pages. I'm ashamed to say this series struck a chord with me because I've bullied and also been bullied, sometimes acceptable (underclassman hazing as a rite of passage in school sports in the name of Esprit de Corps) and unacceptable (picking on the new kid who has no friends). Alas, even as a fully grown adult who's grown out of a bigoted, prejudiced shell formed from adolescent ignorance, this story moved me in ways I never thought the internet was capable of after years (almost decades for me) of jaded, overloaded media absorption.