As a result, Tomomi Mochizuki’s feature sidesteps the overkill of a typical soap opera or shoujo manga in favor of an understated slice-of-life. In so doing, “Ocean Waves” rolls on by calling upon a collective past, inviting the viewer too to revisit memories of their first romance. Instead of an animated fantasy promised the silver screen, Mochizuki’s characters make the most of the still. “Ocean Waves” laces the common drama of high school life with the nostalgia of analog media. Shigeru Nagata’s frequent low-bit, citypop tinkle echoes a VHS playback shudder while establishing shots emulate thickly-framed polaroids.
A frame rate reminiscent of commercial TV anime appeals to painstakingly controlled character expressions the lack of frames parallels the feelings unsaid. However - or more like, as a result - “Ocean Waves” has the liberty to experiment with atmosphere. The love triangle is not novel by any means. By graduation, Taku must make the ultimate coming-of-age decision: should he honor his friend’s feelings or pursue his own passions? Should he chase his first love or stay true to his childhood comrade? While Yutaka showers Rikako with movies and books, Taku receives all of her clandestine requests while Yutaka hankers after Rikako from the start, Taku ends up being the object of her affections.
However, when the fiery, Tokyo-born Rikako Muto (Yoko Sakamoto) descends upon the sleepy town of Kochi, her presence strains the boys’ friendship. Here, independent student council member Yutaka Matsuno (Yoshihiko Seki) and kind-hearted, but clueless Taku Morisaki (Nobuo Tobita) have been friends since middle school. Make no mistake though: “Ocean Waves” is a must-see hidden gem of Asian animation. Instead of theatrical release, “Ocean Waves” only planned to air on TV - and ended up being Ghibli’s first, and last, foray into TV-film. Instead of the studio’s usual 18-frames-per-second, “Ocean Waves” maximizes upon 12. This subtle, poignant and wonderfully detailed story of. Instead of Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata, the film was directed by the much younger Tomomi Mochizuki. Los Angeles Premiere OCEAN WAVES (UMI GA KIKOERU), 1993, Studio Ghibli, 72 min. Studio Ghibli’s “ Ocean Waves” ( Tomomi Mochizuki, 1993) seems like the ugly duckling in the studio’s fantastical oeuvre.