![]() ![]() However, that doesn’t mean I was miserable watching it. Studio Ghibli has done other slice-of-life animes (most notably Only Yesterday) but those movies are charming where this just isn’t. There is even a scene where the two of them slap each other in a fight. The problem is Rikako is kind of a jerk and doesn’t treat anyone around her including Taku with much respect or love, so it is hard to root for the couple much. He then proceeds to tell us about his associations with her and how she just might be the love that slipped from his fingers. ![]() A man named Taku sees a girl he knew in high school named Rikako at a train station. It’s all pretty soapy and filled with unlikable characters. It focuses on an older teenage demographic than most Ghibli films and it feels like an episode of The OC or Beverly Hills 90210. The film is slow, and arguably not for everyone - but it shouldn’t be dismissed simply because its way of storytelling is unconventional.The story is where Ocean Waves is not very strong. It is in its simplicity that Ocean Waves can be appreciated. The audience can watch as Taku slowly tries to learn and understand those around him. Many of us have had to learn how to understand other people’s experiences and perspectives, and Ocean Waves portrays these growing pains. When I watch Ocean Waves, despite shaking my head at these characters’ actions, I can remember fondly, that I too, was once a teenager, whose world revolved around my own immediate problems. The film is messy, and in that aspect, feels more real than most other Ghibli films I’ve seen. Ghibli films are known for their fantastical worlds and driven characters, but Ocean Waves doesn’t have either of these things - and that’s OK. I think part of this is due to the Ghibli expectation. Ocean Waves has not received many kind reviews it holds a 6.7 on IMDb. Ocean Waves takes its viewers on a ride: they observe the lulls and stirs of daily life, emulating the unsteadiness of ocean waves themselves. While the characters have trouble understanding one another, it’s much simpler for an older audience to sympathize with how they feel. ![]() But the film perfectly captures the rush of an awkward, confusing, and frustrating youth. Main characters, Taku, Rikako, and Yutaka, react poorly to conflict, and at times, they’re unlikeable and inconsiderate. It’s filled with nearly nothing more than surges of petty drama in otherwise mundane lives. It explores the nature behind social relations and how people react to one another. However, where Ocean Waves succeeds is in its portrayal of the lives of high schoolers. The plot doesn’t seem to have a particular goal, nor does it appear to be working towards anything. The film is set in Kōchi, Japan and follows the lives of a few high school students, told from the perspective of the main character, Taku. The 1993 film, directed by Tomomi Mochizuki as a part of a project for new animators, is overshadowed by many of the classic Ghibli staples - don’t let that stop you from tasting one of the most underrated Ghibli delights. However, one of the Ghibli films that has come to Netflix is a smaller one called Ocean Waves. You can now watch Ghibli classics like My Neighbor Totoro, Spirited Away, and Kiki’s Delivery Service as you please. Studio Ghibli films have finally arrived on Netflix Canada. Though Ocean Waves is rougher around the edges than other Studio Ghibli films, this quality is what makes it feel more real. ![]()
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