Yoshitoki Oima

So. It's hard to begin with this, but let's see if I can get through the review without crying (I was crying in the middle of the BN as I read this so don't hold your breath).

Bullying. It's a concept that is both underestimated and overused depending on the situation, context and person. People are quick to label things as "bullying", and in a lot of cases they're not wrong in the abstract. However there's a fine line between teasing and bullying that as we emphasize it clouds the issue.

I was bullied in HS. It was physical and I didn't talk about it, but it was a near daily facet of my life. Since then I've read A LOT of stuff about bullying, being a bully, and those who have been bullied. it's odd but bullying is a strong part of manga/anime--whether it's the resident school "Prince's" fan club picking on the heroine or the hero being extorted by hooligans for being "different", it's astounding how large a part and accepted it is.

But rarely do you see the actual effect. Oh the hero rallies or the heroine's friends protect her but there isn't lasting damage. Not like in real life.

So for me A SILENT VOICE was both personally hard to get through and stunning to read. This volume focused on Shoya--his rise to infamy such as it were and his downfall and "karmic justice" as he found out how it felt.

It was hard to read the evolution of Shoko's mistreatment especially as it wasn't completely Shoya's doing. Yes he instigated but the class were just as culpable and indeed the school as well. His classmates may have been more passive--choosing to complain about the problems Shoko posed behind her back with increasing disdain, but they WERE at fault.

Same for the teacher(s), really only one teacher attempted to educate the kids on what it meant to be Shoko and she was slapped down verbally by another teacher in front of the kids. That teacher meanwhile said the "right things", but it was superficial sentiments.… (meer)