Watch Ocean Waves

Ocean Waves is a 1993 animated film directed by Tomomi Mochizuki and produced by Studio Ghibli. The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Saeko Himuro. Ocean Waves follows the life of Taku Morisaki, a high school boy who goes on a trip to visit his friend Yutaka Matsuno in Kochi. On the journey, Taku reminisces about his past and the story of his friendship with Yutaka, which centers around a girl named Rikako Muto.

The movie begins with Taku, who is now in college, pondering about his past when he received a wedding invitation from Yutaka's sister. This triggers a flood of memories for Taku, and the story soon flashes back to when he and Yutaka were in high school. The two boys were inseparable friends, and they did everything together. But their friendship was put to the test when Rikako Muto, a new transfer student, entered their class.

Rikako was a confident and outspoken girl who soon caught the attention of most of the boys in the class, including Yutaka. Taku, on the other hand, found Rikako annoying and was put off by her behavior. As time passed, Yutaka and Rikako started spending more time together, leaving Taku out of the loop. This caused a rift in their friendship, and Taku started to distance himself from Yutaka and Rikako.

The story takes a turn when Rikako asks Yutaka to accompany her on a trip to Tokyo. Yutaka agrees, and Rikako builds a close bond with Yutaka's family during the trip. Meanwhile, Taku is left behind, feeling left out and jealous of Yutaka's closeness with Rikako. When Yutaka and Rikako return from Tokyo, Taku discovers that Rikako is pregnant, and Yutaka is the father. This revelation shakes up the entire story, and the characters are forced to confront their feelings and the consequences of their actions.

Ocean Waves is a coming-of-age story that explores the complexities of teenage relationships and emotions. The film shows how peer pressure and misunderstandings can affect even the strongest of friendships. Taku is a relatable character that many viewers will recognize as he struggles with his place in the changing dynamics of his friend group. The movie also tackles sensitive issues such as teen pregnancy, abortion, and family dynamics with sensitivity and grace.

The animation in Ocean Waves is typical of Studio Ghibli films – beautifully detailed, with lush colors and vivid imagery. The film's setting in Kochi, Japan, is depicted with breathtaking accuracy, from the streets to the school buildings.

The soundtrack of Ocean Waves is simple yet effective, with gentle piano melodies and easygoing instrumentals. The music adds to the movie's overall charm, enhancing each scene's mood and emotion.

One of the things that make Ocean Waves truly special is how it captures the small moments of everyday life that are so easy to overlook. Simple actions like the sound of the wind, a bike ride under the stars, or a conversation with a teacher are given weight, reminding us of how these little moments shape us as individuals.

Overall, Ocean Waves is a heartfelt and artful film that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it. The movie's themes of love, friendship, and growing up are universal, making it relatable to people of all ages and backgrounds. The animation is stunning, and the music is beautiful, providing a sensory experience that matches the subtle brilliance of the story itself.

Ocean Waves is a 2017 special interest movie with a runtime of 545 hours.