Such events are a poignant reminder of the passing of time, and the bittersweet way in which Ocean Waves unfolded conveys this complicated blend of emotions excellently. One cannot help but feel for Taku as he was being manipulated by Rikaku, but plot points like this are what drive the slow-burning story forward, providing our characters with opportunities for growth.Īs the film tiptoes towards its end, we are treated to everyone’s favourite high school reunion, an electric mix of alcohol and fond memories. The overarching schoolhouse drama is punctuated by various memorable scenes, with Taku and Rikaku’s spontaneous trip to Tokyo being the undoubted highlight. Loyalty between friends is put to the test, as are the morals of our protagonists as they struggle with the turmoils of coming-of-age. Ocean Waves is very much a tale of missed opportunity, the all-too-familiar consequence of not following one’s true desires. It’s truly fascinating to see such astute nuances being portrayed in animation, even more so given that the film’s commitment to hyper-realism doesn’t extend to character design. All three of our protagonists are dusted with lifelike quirks, and the supporting cast is also surprisingly effective in framing the story. There’s a brooding intensity to her that almost leaps off the screen, and it’s this complexity in individual characters that makes up for the generic storyline. Rikaku is shrouded in mystery for much of the film, but her inclinations are gradually made clear. A stereotypical love triangle emerges when they meet Rikaku, a transfer student from Tokyo. The stern, self-assured Yutaka serves as the perfect foil for Taku, whose youthful naivety is apparent throughout the story. We are introduced to Taku’s best friend, Yutaka, early on. The film opens with Taku briefly catching sight of a familiar face across a train platform, before we’re quickly whisked away to the past. The coastal town of Kōchi serves as the primary backdrop for much of the film, and it’s here where we meet Taku, our budding romantic. However, if you’re able to look past the jaded and predictable storyline, Ocean Waves opens up a captivating slice of reality that’s moving in spite of its simplicity. It’s easy, then, to dismiss this film as an arts showcase, a convenient excuse to display the talents of Ghibli’s greenhorns. Warm summer tones are expertly weaved with haunting instrumentals, the former paired expertly with the latter, always without fail. The main attraction here isn’t the one-dimensional plot, but rather the gorgeous hand-drawn snapshots of 90s Japan. Not that the film needs any additional time to convey its story – there’s precious little to be told. It gently serenades you over the course of its brief seventy-two minute runtime, moving along at a leisurely pace. Heavy-handed use of melodrama is absent, as is any sprinkling of childlike magic often found in a Ghibli production. Ocean Waves (1993) remains an oddity in Studio Ghibli’s vast catalogue of fantastical tales.
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