Ocean Waves is a 1993 Studio Ghibli film directed by Tomomi Mochizuki and written by Kaori Nakamura. It is a coming-of-age story about three high school students: Taku Morisaki, Rikako Muto, and Yutaka Matsuno. Taku and Rikako are best friends, but their friendship becomes complicated when Rikako begins dating Yutaka.
Ocean Waves is a beautiful and atmospheric film that captures the feeling of summer perfectly. The animation is stunning, and the film’s soundtrack is one of the best in the Ghibli library.
The Animation in Ocean Waves
Ocean Waves is one of the most visually beautiful Ghibli films. The animation is fluid and detailed, and the film’s backgrounds are simply breathtaking. The film’s opening sequence is particularly stunning, as it shows the characters swimming in the ocean and riding their bikes around town.
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack to Ocean Waves was composed by Shigeru Nagata, who is known for his work on many other films, including Greenwood and Shingurusu. The soundtrack is a perfect mix of upbeat and melancholy melodies, and it perfectly captures the mood of the film. It definitely makes up for an album that defines the summer of youth.
The Story
Ocean Waves is a coming-of-age story that deals with themes of friendship, love, and loss. The film is relatable to anyone who has ever experienced the pain of growing up and losing touch with old friends.
The film’s protagonist, Taku, is a kind and caring young man. He is also very insecure, and he often feels like he doesn’t belong. Taku’s best friend, Rikako, is a beautiful and outgoing girl. She is also very popular, and she is often the centre of attention.
When Rikako begins dating Yutaka, Taku feels betrayed and abandoned. He also feels jealous of Yutaka, who is everything that Taku is not. Over the course of the film, Taku learns to let go of his insecurities and to move on from his past. He also learns to appreciate the value of friendship and love.
The Feeling of Summer
Ocean Waves is set during the summer vacation, and the film perfectly captures the feeling of those carefree days, quite similar to Only Yesterday. The film’s characters spend their days swimming in the ocean, riding their bikes around town, and hanging out with their friends.
It feels like a slow and never-ending poem of images that promise bitter heartbreak and slow recovery. That maybe one day you’ll relate to the poems about being in love and being loved back and not the ones about longing for it like it is something distant and unattainable for you.
Conclusion
Ocean Waves is a beautiful and heartwarming film that will make you fall in love with summer. It is a film that will make you crave the sweet nothings in life. Watch it here!