By: Abeeha Shahid
Ocean Waves is one of Studio Ghibli's lesser-known films, which is a realistic reflection of adolescent love, shown with smooth flashbacks and fantastic illustrations. It was the first film by the studio that was not directed by Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata, but by their protégés. Originally known as “I Can Hear The Sea” in Japan, it was directed by Tomomi Mochizuki and written by Kaori Nakamura. The film is adapted from a novel by Saeko Himuri, which comes across heavily in the narration by our protagonist- a teenager named Taku.
The movie begins with Taku, a young man, standing on a Tokyo train platform and glimpsing a familiar face across the train tracks. Blinking in and out of sight that Taku can’t tell if he’s actually crossed paths with his teenage crush or it’s a result of his own wishful thinking.
It is then that the flashbacks begin and the rest of the story is told in the form of memories evoking a keen sense of nostalgia. Starting out two years ago in the town of Kochi, the first part is about Taku and Yukata, high school boys who bond when they protest their school's suspension of a class trip. Taku’s first introduction of Rikako is through his friend, Yakuta’s eyes who has a crush on her. And thus the stage is set for a classic love triangle, governed by irrational impulses of teenage logic and paced with the unevenness of memory.
Despite it being a love triangle, the story still shows the growth and progress in Taku and Yukata’s friendship as they struggle with their feelings. It was heartwarming to witness their friendship persist through the years and how they both mature in the two years.
Other than nostalgia and friendship it is a movie about people, how they think, and how they change. Steering away from fantasy worlds and elements it is a movie that focuses on reality, on growing up and learning to accept feelings. Even if the people aren’t particularly interesting, they are alive. The soft precision with which Mochizuki renders Taku’s memories with all its mundane aspects gives a realistic yet wholesome feel to the film.
Visually, Ocean Waves takes a more minimalistic approach with more emphasis on small gestures, vocal inflections, and finely drawn landscapes. The attention to detail and beautiful animation adds its own magic, therefore, proving to be another one of Studio Ghibli gems.
Ocean Waves is a heartfelt slice of life movie that makes for a great comfort watch. With a run time of 72 minutes it’s a relatively short film with a simpler plot but still manages to enthrall the viewer. And this is a completely unrelated and random picture of Taku because his red jacket was really cool.
(All images were taken from the movie: Ocean Waves)
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