Physical Appearance

Shōya has an unruly head of dark hair, almost spiky, that tends to sweep back and upward. His eyes are round but given a sharper, more intense look by his angled lashes and underlines. His irises are comparatively small, with their color differing between adaptations—dark brown or black in the manga, and green in the film.

As a Child

At twelve, Shōya often looked scruffy, frequently returning home with clothes damp or dirtied. He was of average build, though slightly taller than his friends Kazuki Shimada and Keisuke Hirose. His face, while shorter than in his later years, already showed the pointed chin and angular features that would become more pronounced as he grew.

His most typical childhood outfit was a simple black t-shirt, beige cargo shorts, and either sneakers or school shoes. On school days, he sometimes layered a red and blue striped long-sleeve shirt under his black t-shirt. One distinctive habit carried over from childhood is his tendency to leave the tag of his shirt sticking out from the back of his neck, an endearing and consistent detail over the years.

Shōya in student uniform full appearance.

As a Teen/Young Adult

In his teenage years, Shōya has grown considerably taller, now standing at around 6 feet, making him noticeably taller than most of his friends. This height, combined with his slim build, gives him a somewhat lanky appearance. The only peer who comes close to his height is Miyoko Sahara, who stands at 5’11”.

Shōya’s casual wardrobe is understated and consistent, usually featuring similar pieces. His go-to look is a black t-shirt with beige cargo pants and sneakers, although he occasionally opts for a long-sleeve shirt or shorts. For school, he wears the standard uniform: a mocha-brown blazer, dress pants, a white dress shirt paired with a black tie, and dark brown dress shoes. When he’s more casually dressed, he might wear just the shirt and pants without the blazer.

Despite his growth, Shōya retains a slightly disheveled appearance, often with tags sticking out from his shirts or one side of his shirt partially untucked. This unintentional messiness reflects his ongoing struggle to understand himself and his place among others.

During his childhood, Shōya often battled against boredom, frequently engaging in rowdy and mischievous behavior to entertain himself. While he wasn’t inherently malicious, his relentless quest for amusement led him to become the main tormentor of Shōko Nishimiya in sixth grade. At that time, he lacked the ability to empathize with her or comprehend the impact of his actions, particularly in light of her hearing impairment.

As a result of the repercussions from his bullying, Shōya entered his late teens feeling isolated and filled with self-loathing. He grappled with profound regret over his past actions, believing he was unworthy of happiness. Even as he developed a friendship with Shōko, he struggled with self-doubt, questioning whether his feelings were sincere or merely a means to soothe his own guilt. His emotional responses could be intense and unpredictable, manifesting as sudden outbursts of anger or tears, often without clear reasons.

Despite these internal conflicts, Shōya is inherently kind and empathetic. He forms unexpected and meaningful connections with those around him, showing a deep passion for the well-being of his friends. His willingness to put others before himself is particularly evident in his relationships with Shōko and her sister, Yuzuru Nishimiya.

Though he continues to grapple with self-forgiveness, Shōya is learning to trust both himself and those around him. He gradually reopens to the world, allowing his better nature to emerge through the meaningful relationships he cultivates. Through these connections, he has significantly evolved from the troubled child he once was, embracing the possibility of redemption and growth.

Primary and Middle School

Shōya Ishida’s life begins to change dramatically with the arrival of Shōko Nishimiya. Initially, he becomes an active participant in the bullying directed at her, showing no remorse for the pain he inflicts. At one point, he mocks Shōko by writing on the board that Miyoko Sahara, a classmate who had befriended her, left school because of her. When Shōko reads his cruel words, he feigns surprise and erases the message, leaving her confused as she thanks him. Shōya escalates his bullying further, ultimately attempting to violently snatch away her hearing aids, a tipping point that leads to serious consequences. The school principal intervenes after Shōko has mysteriously lost or broken eight hearing aids in just five months.

Upon realizing the financial burden this places on his family, Shōya becomes anxious. He faces the wrath of his classmates and, in turn, becomes a target of bullying himself. Despite this, he never offers an apology to Shōko, and when his mother meets with the Nishimiya family to compensate for the damaged hearing aids, Shōya avoids encountering Shōko. Later, while witnessing her cleaning her desk, which is littered with insults directed at her, he fails to grasp the significance of her actions. Annoyed by her kindness, he confronts her, but soon after, Shōko transfers to another school. It dawns on Shōya that her cleaning efforts were meant to help him, leading to a profound sense of regret over his past actions. He begins to face bullying in return and feels utterly alone as he navigates middle school without his former friends, especially after Kazuki Shimada publicly reminds everyone of his past cruelty.

High School

In high school, Shōya finds himself increasingly isolated, introverted, and plagued by social anxiety. He struggles to make eye contact with others, often envisioning their faces marked with crosses. Despairing, he contemplates ending his life but ultimately decides he must see Shōko one last time to return her communication notebook that he had kept since elementary school. When he gives it back to her, Shōko is surprised to discover that he has learned sign language. Tears fill her eyes when he signs his wish to be friends—an offer he had previously failed to understand. Embarrassed by his sudden impulse to ask for her friendship, Shōya nonetheless begins to forge a bond with her.

Despite his lingering guilt about the past, Shōya becomes determined to restore the happiness he took from Shōko during their childhood. He reconnects her with Miyoko Sahara, introduces her to new friends, and encourages her to embrace self-love, gradually helping her understand her own worth. As their friendship deepens, Shōko becomes a vital part of Shōya’s life; he cannot envision his future without her. As he starts to build a circle of friends, he also faces the shadows of his past. When reminders of his earlier mistakes surface, he fears losing the connections he has worked hard to establish, which leads him to withdraw and spend more time with Shōko.

In a harrowing moment, when Shōko contemplates ending her life, Shōya is ready to sacrifice himself to save her, vowing to change her perspective on life. In a twist of fate, he takes her place and falls from a building. After emerging from a coma, all he desires is to see Shōko again. When they finally reunite on a bridge, he asks her to help him find the will to live.

During a high school party, Shōya confronts the lingering stares of his peers but manages to reconcile with them, promising to listen to others and be more aware of their feelings. This pivotal moment marks the beginning of his recovery from social anxiety, allowing him to reclaim a sense of serenity and happiness. In the manga’s coming-of-age ceremony, Shōya and Shōko take a step forward together, hand in hand, symbolizing their shared journey of healing and growth.