Anime of the Week
Ocean Waves or Umi ga Kikoeru is a 1993 film produced by Studio Ghibli. Directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, is an underrated Ghibli Film. The film is a coming-of-age story set in the coastal town of Kōchi, Japan. The film draws inspiration from the novel of the same name, which Saeko Himuro wrote.
Ocean Waves is the first Studio Ghibli film that was not directed by either Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata.
The film was basically an opportunity given to younger staff to create a cheap film quickly. Additionally, it has a runtime of 72 minutes. However the film was released late, and went over budget.
Synopsis
As he journeys back from Tokyo to his hometown of Kōchi for a high school reunion. Taku Morisaki recounts his memories of his high school days. He remembers in particular a love triangle that developed between him and two of his friends. Taku’s best friend Yutaka Matsuno, and the new transfer student from Tokyo, Rikako Muto.
Cast
- Taku Morisaki voiced by Nobua Tobito
- Rikako Muto voiced by Yoko Sakamoto
- Yutaka Matsuno voiced by Toshiko Seki
Nobua Tobito and Toshiko Seki still work in the anime industry to this day. I could not find any information on Yoko Sakamoto, her IMDB shows she has only worked on this film.
Anime Trailer
Ocean Waves Review
What I Liked
The Story
I would consider this a light romance film as well. But the love triangle between Muto, Morisaki and Matsuno is an ambiguous one. From the beginning of the film we know that Matsuno has a thing for Muto.
We know how Matsuno feels, but we don’t know how the other two feel. We never learn about their feelings until the end of the film. So, the in between is what is ambiguous. Muto and Morisako just fight and it seems like they don’t get along at all.
Until they take a trip to Tokyo. They get some alone time and get to understand each other on a one on one level. This is probably where the love triangle actually starts.
Other than the love triangle plot point, as mentioned, it’s a coming of age story. The main characters are in their final year of high school, getting ready to apply for college. We then see character growth with the main trio, as they graduate high school and come back for this high school reunion.
This film is poles apart from other Ghibli films, there’s no fantasy or a child atmosphere to it. Ocean Waves is a teenage coming of age story kind of similar to Only Yesterday and Whisper of the Heart. But we truly see the coming of age aspect in this film. Since in the other films mentioned we don’t see that, they stay as children or teenagers.
The Story is Realistic
I have always been a fan of coming of age stories and light romance. Especially because they are mostly realistic.
In this film you see the awkwardness of high schoolers, the effects of having a broken family, how high schoolers fight. We even see high schoolers drinking. These are all realistic experiences most people have.
Art & Animation
For a film that was given to the younger production staff, the animation looks great for 1993. It looks on par with the other Ghibli Films at the time.
The art looks like a typical Studio Ghibli film. There are a lot of memorable still shots and scenes from the film. Furthermore creators usually use these scenes in lofi videos and anime music videos or AMV’s.
Soundtrack
Many of the classic Ghibli films have great soundtracks. This film is no different, it has that summer soundtrack to it, which is perfect for the coastal setting the film has. The soundtrack might be the best part of the film, you can listen to it on Spotify.
Ocean Waves has a couple good piano soundtracks. I love listening to piano, as I used to play a lot.
What I Thought Could Have Been Better
Trivial Matters
The voice acting could be better I think. I haven’t watched a lot of classic anime films or series. Since this film came out in 1993, audiences might have considered it good at the time. The voice acting did not age well I think.
Would I Recommend You Watch This Underrated Ghibli Film?
Ocean Waves is my personal favorite Studio Ghibli film. I think it’s the most underrated Ghibli film. Lastly, on a scale of 1 to 10, I’d give it a rating of 9.
If you’re a fan of coming of age or light romance stories this is a film to watch. The love triangle feels so real it hurts. I personally can say that I’ve experienced what the main trio went through. Fighting with your friends, to a girl you like picking someone else, to family problems. They are realistic problems to me, and why I like Ocean Waves a lot.
I would place it Top 3 on my Studio Ghibli films. For more Studio Ghibli check out our CEO’s ranking of Studio Ghibli films directed by Hayao Miyazaki.
