Ocean Waves is an attempt by Ghibli to create low-budget films for training their younger employees. Assembled solely for the purpose to be delivered through television, it ultimately went over-budget and over-schedule. Simple can be the word to describe this particular piece of work.

Details

• Directed by: Tomomi Mochizuki
• Produced by: Nozomu Takahashi, Toshio Suzuki, Seiji Okuda
• Written by: Kaori Nakamura
• Music by: Shigeru Nagata
• Studio: Studio Ghibli
• Licensed by: AUS Madman Entertainment; NA GKIDS; UK StudioCanal UK
• Original network: Nippon TV
• Released: May 5, 1993
• Runtime: 72 minutes

Synopsis

From MyAnimeList:

Ocean Waves is a high school love story set in Kochi, Japan. Morisaki Taku and Matsuno Yutaka are best friends when a girl from Tokyo named Muto Rikako transfers to their school. Excluding herself from group activities, she's eventually labeled a snob. Matsuno has a crush on Rikako, so it's no surprise that he gets a little jealous when Morisaki and Rikako start spending more time together. The rumors around school get worse, but Morisaki still insists there is nothing between him and Rikako.

Story

At first glance, Ocean Waves is just like another love story. The main protagonist and his love interest are at first distant and through certain events, they begin to get closer until they realize they have fallen in love witch each other. While this is true most of the time, Ocean Waves offers somewhat development which gives us certain closure. Yes, it is quite predictable right from the start. Even the film is told in a flashback narrative so we are sure what happens in the end. But, certain things happen along the way which make me some kind of feeling guilty for enjoying it. Concerning the love triangle that people have said, I don't think it is strongly represented rather as thing to spice up the film a bit. In reality, it's just simple love story. No sophisticated writing or dialogue. It's just a plain drama with antics and intrics. The humour contained enough to make me smile, but not enough to make it kinda sloppy or awkward.

While Porco Rosso is also on the verge of reality and fantasy, Ocean Waves takes place in real locations, with a more modernized setting like Only Yesterday.  That's why it's just like watching a live action drama with animated characters. In regards to that, the conflict, the plot, and the twists are all the old ones, lacking any surprise. That's why the ending doesn't take much to guess. So, I guess it's just a feel good film. I can't get myself to hate it, but I don't really have strong positive opinion on this. It's somewhat normal and just screams Dr. Feel Good.

Visual

Nothing out of the ordinary. That doesn't mean it is lackluster though. Given the realistic style, the characters and the locations are brought to live thanks to Ghibli's magic. Instead of the usual realistic route, Ghibli tries to make it cartoon-like but doesn't force it too much resulting in a consistent mix of style. If there is something peculiar about the film, it is the background which is painstakingly drawn using washed out color, giving it such a nostalgic feeling.

Audio

Also somewhat normal. There are times where the soundtrack is humourous and all of the sudden it changes to serious and moody. It's blending with the surrounding, so that's a good thing. The acting can be applauded though with the Taku's dialect and how Rikako's voice swinging from a condescending tone to a patronizing tone. However, I feel the whole thing can be quite funny because of the soundtrack. With a joyous sound, it lightens the mood making the whole tension gone.

Characters

Interaction between Taku and Rikako can be amusing. They are fighting against their better judgement, even though deep down in their hearts they can feel lingering attraction. Taku's realization ultimately affects his views on certain things. He is also forced to admit his feelings which he had discarded long ago for the sake of his friend, even if he didn't really understand. An interesting development nonetheless. Rikako is a early prototype of what we would call tsundere today, with a heart as cold as the icy snow and warm as the morning sun. Even if the characterization can be somewhat shallow and often characters are only introduced just to fill in the slot, Ocean Waves succeeds in bringing the best out of them.

Conclusion

I am at least entertained even with the silly jokes and typical approach to the genre. Ocean Waves is ultimately best viewed on television because it fits the profile of stereotypical drama. Nevertheless, it is still what I consider a watchable film and if you watch it with expectations of a Ghibli film, you will be disappointed because it truly is a separate body of work.