Umi ga kikoeru

Plot synopsis:
At Kichijōji Station, Tokyo, Taku Morisaki glimpses a familiar woman on the platform opposite. Later, as his flight to Kōchi Prefecture takes off, he narrates the events that brought her into his life. The story is told in flashback.
In Kōchi, two years prior, Taku receives a call from his friend, Yutaka Matsuno, asking to meet at their high school. He finds Yutaka at a window, watching an attractive female transfer student whom Yutaka was asked to show around. The boys discuss their upcoming school trip to Hawaii. At the school gates, Taku is introduced to the new girl, Rikako Muto. She thanks Yutaka for providing directions to a bookstore. Taku teases Yutaka about his infatuation.
Rikako is academically gifted and good at sports, but also arrogant. Taku believes she is unhappy about leaving Tokyo. His mother learns from gossip that a divorce brought Rikako's mother to Kōchi. In a phone conversation with Yutaka, he discovers that Rikako is living away from the family house.
The school year ends, heralding the Hawaii trip. Taku, suffering from an upset stomach, is stopped in the hotel lobby by Rikako. She explains that she has lost her money and asks to borrow some. As Taku has a part-time job, he lends her ¥60,000. Promising to repay him, she warns not to tell anyone. As she departs, Taku sees a stern Yutaka and feels compelled to explain. Later, Rikako admonishes him for telling Yutaka about the money, saying that he also loaned her ¥20,000.
Back in Kōchi, the third year begins with Rikako making a friend, Yumi Kohama. Rikako hasn't returned Taku's money and he wonders if she has forgotten. Out of the blue, a distressed Yumi calls Taku, explaining that Rikako had tricked her into coming to the airport on the pretence of a concert trip, only to discover that their real destination is Tokyo, tickets paid for with Taku's money. He races to the airport, sending Yumi home, saying that he will accompany Rikako.
Upon arrival, it appears that Rikako has not forewarned her father, interrupting his planned trip with a girlfriend. Her father thanks Taku, repays the loan and arranges a room at the Hyatt Regency hotel. Later, Rikako explains that when her parents were fighting, she'd always sided with her father, but had now discovered he wasn't on her side. Comforting her, Taku offers his bed and attempts to sleep in the bathtub. The next morning, Rikako seems back to her normal self and kicks Taku out so that she can change clothes to meet a friend for lunch. Taku wanders around the city. After catching up on sleep at the hotel, Taku receives a call from Rikako asking to be rescued from former boyfriend, Okada, who is not as she remembered him.
Returning home, Rikako ignores Taku, but doesn't hide from others that they spent a night together. Taku discovers this from Yutaka, who had earlier confronted Rikako to confess his feelings toward her, but had been rebuffed. Taku confronts Rikako in class for hurting his best friend, calling her "The worst!". She responds by slapping him and he slaps her in return.
The autumn school cultural festival arrives and Rikako, who has been avoiding Yosakoi dance rehearsals, becomes more distant from the other girls, many of whom openly dislike her. Confronting her behind the school, Rikako stands firm as one girl, believing that Rikako was flirting with her boyfriend, attempts to strike her but is held back. Taku, who has seen all, approaches Rikako and comments that he is impressed with the way she handled herself. She slaps him. Yutaka confronts a somewhat stunned Taku, who tries to explain. Yutaka punches him to the ground and walks away. They do not talk for the rest of the year.
In the present, Taku's plane lands and he is offered a lift home by Yutaka, who explains he punched him because he'd realized Taku had held back his feelings for his sake. At a class reunion, former student president Shimizu mentions she had met Rikako earlier. She explains that as Rikako was attending Kochi University, she had flown to Tokyo for her school break, missing the reunion. Taku realizes that Rikako was the woman he'd seen at the station. Walking home, Yumi tells Taku that she too had met Rikako, explaining she couldn't make it to the reunion and that she wanted to meet someone, but wouldn't say who... just that he slept in bathtubs.
In Tokyo, Taku again sees Rikako across the platforms, but this time runs to find her. As the train pulls away, he finds Rikako and realises that he had always been in love with her.

Tags: psychedelic, romantic, flashback

Review:
If you appreciate a fine subtle authentic slice-of-life story of high school romance, this is as good as it gets.Its told from the point of view of a male student.
By the end of the film lessons are learned and the heart strings are pulled.This movie doesn't try to do too much; it simply focuses on the main characters and tells their story honestly.
First off let me say that this is my top 3 favorite films from Ghibli Studio (the other two being Castle in the Sky, and My Neighbor Totoro).
And the more I watch this film and the older I get, the more I appreciate it.It's a shame that this little gem is often underrated, under-appreciated and neglected by Ghibli fans, because it's so not like anything Ghibli or Miyazaki has done so far (which, ironically, is one of the reasons why I love it so much).
Instead, it just tells a simple (yet highly-effective) coming-of-age story about an ordinary high school teenager in a realistic and sincere way.
And it helps a great deal too if you also know a thing or two about the Japanese culture and life in small town there.Truth to be told I never really enjoyed all those Miyazaki extravaganzas such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, which of course isn't to say that they are not great.
Don't get me wrong, I can see why they are great masterpieces and why people would love them, but personally I just couldn't connect with any of those movies nor can I relate to the characters.
But with "The Ocean Waves/Umi Ga Kikoeru", I felt like I was the main character and his story was my story.
It might be an animated TV movie, but to me it felt more real than most of the live-action TV dramas out there, because everything shown in that movie seems so realistic and familiar and therefore gives you a similar warm and nostalgic feeling that you also get while watching movies like My Neighbor Totoro.
I've heard it said that it's the small things in life that make living wonderful (or something like that), and I think this best describes how I feel about "Umi ga Kikoeru".If you're into big epic/fantasy movies like Spirited Away or Howl's Moving Castle, chances are you probably won't like this one.
The knowledge that Ocean Waves is a TV movie put me off watching this 'lesser Ghibli' until I'd covered the rest of their catalogue.
It's not quite in the same league as The Grave of the Fireflies, Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away, Akira, My Neighbor Totoro, Whisper of the Heart, Only Yesterday, or a few other excellent anime I have had a chance to see, but it is easily better than 99% of the rest of the animated films out there.
Perhaps what caught my attention was that the staff that animated the movie were all in their 20s and 30s, coming into their own since being recruited for "Only Yesterday" two years earlier, when Hayao Miyasaki and Ghibli decided to cultivate their own animators rather than delegating to external studios.Upon first viewing this film exceeded my expectations, and the energy and enthusiasm of youth simply surged throughout its ~72 minutes.
I feel more connected to this film than some other Ghibli works mainly because the it involves characters in their late-teens to 20s living in the 90s, has a male protagonist, and also because the characters are so exquisitely deep and textured, and are the heart of the piece.
And as with all Studio Ghibli films; no matter who composes it, the score is first-rate, working in concert with the visuals to create the whole spectrum of moods and emotions exerted by the cast.In all, "The Ocean Waves" was a brilliant success on the part of the young animation team  deserving of a 10 in my humble opinion - and proof that Studio Ghibli is just as proficient portraying real life in the present-day time settings as it is at creating sublime works of fantasy.
The story involves a boy who tries to find true love in high school.
Ocean Waves is a Studio Ghibli's production for TV, made by the young artists in the studio, that tells a charming story of love and friendship during High School in the small town of Kochi.
The main characters are Taku Morisaki and his friend Yutaka Matsuno, and the quirky opinionated newly-arrived-in-town girl they like - Rikako Muto.The movie tells a simple story of growing up and becoming adults, and shows all of the dramas surrounding teenagers, but it is well narrated and animated.
The animation is not as impressive and detailed as others Ghibli's movies, but it has Ghibli's quality stamp on it, and is very realistic and beautiful.The mood of the movie is great and captures with great mastery the spirit of a small town and its people, and also the spirit of summertime in those years in High School, with all the activities, romances and friendships that we experience during our teen years; it really transports the viewers to their High School days.
The characters are well drawn, psychologically and emotionally believable, and very likable.A very enjoyable animation movie perfect for teenagers and adults, not for children..
Beautiful high school romance story from Studio Ghibli.
Slowly, but surely, we start to understand each of the actors and the story comes full circle after graduation, at the first highschool reunion.I've learned so much about Japanese culture from animes, but the ones from Ghibli make me understand the people.
The stories often have what is missing in not only animation, but real actor movies as well: people that you can empathise with, because they are like you (or rather, like you would like to be, but not in infantile fantasies, but in your hopeful dreams).Really nice movie, it certainly worth seeing..
Being the first Studio Ghibli creation directed by Tomomo Mochizuki, Ocean Waves (also known as I Can Hear the Sea) comes as a very well-structured, exceptionally beautiful, intensely emotional picture, which shows that this acclaimed Japanese animation studio is able to produce not only marvelous, fantasy-filled movies, but also ones that carry a deeply realistic overtone, and are set cleverly in real-life locations.When you think about it, the story shown in Ocean Waves is so authentic that it could have been made into a feature film as well.
While Taku seems to be getting closer to Rikako, because of an unexpected journey to Tokyo, he still isn't able to work out what's really happening in the girl's confused mind.The movie is told in retrospective, with an insightful narration, provided by Taku, the protagonist of the whole story, making it look even more like a regular feature of flesh and blood.
The pitch-perfect art direction brings out all the magically colorful landscapes, whether it's in cities like Kochi and Tokyo, or on sunny Hawaiian beaches, and gives them an incomparable charm.While some people might say that nothing really happens, or that the movie lacks a steady storyline, Ocean Waves proves to be a wonderful character-driven experience, rather than a plot-driven one.
Even though the movie runs for only 72 minutes, the characters are all well developed, which makes it easy for the viewer to get to know them and recognize their true feelings.
All in all, if you want to get a glimpse of the magnificence of the other, more realistic than fantastical, Studio Ghibli you should watch Ocean Waves right away.
So those who aren't familiar with Japanese High School culture might be a little confused.This TV movie is very good to see.
I saw Ocean Waves as a big fan of Studio Ghibli and their films.
The animation is stunning, not quite as sophisticated or as detailed(understandable seeing as it is a TV movie, and even then it is a million miles beyond some of the other TV movies I've sat through) above as some of their films such as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and Castle in The Sky, but it still has the ethereal backgrounds and beautiful colouring.
The characters behave very realistically, they feel much more humane than those in similar slice-of-life movies.
This movie is a hour-and-a-quarter long contemplation, a travel into the past - just like the main character, you will catch yourself wondering about loves, friends and memories long gone.
The two movies share a common feel and theme (great reunions, evaluating your roots, and a change of life), and while I think "Only Yesterday" somewhat works better, "Ocean Waves" is an otherwise unrivaled choice for gloomy Sunday afternoon homecinema..
Although it can be fairly predictable and having a similar story as Only Yesterday (due to the backwards and forwards time line, in my opinion), Ocean Waves has a sweet and simple story focusing around the friendship of Taku and Rikako.
Produced by Studio Ghibli, Ocean Waves first aired on Japanese television in 1993.
The 1 hour and 10 minutes film is very underrated, as the more well-known and 'greater' Studio Ghibli films are pushed into the limelight moving the focus away from small gems like Ocean Waves.
Its a basic film and if you want to watch a short movie with a 'romance' based theme don't pass up the chance!
"Ocean Waves" is likewise a hidden gem in Studio Ghibli's catalogue.
The film has received little attention, being the studio's only made-for-television film, but despite its lower budget, "Ocean Waves" is far from a minor effort.The film's main strength is found in its characters: Adolescents actually act and talk like adolescents would, which is unfortunately rare for an animated film.
And seeing them growing up and reuniting in the final scenes is genuinely touching, reflecting on the development these characters have gone through, gently smiling at the thought that so much more is awaiting them.As should be the case, the most interesting character is the protagonist, Taku, who struggles with his feelings for the new girl in school, Rikako, who happens to be his best friends' crush as well, and seems to be using him.
There is a certain dark comedy to be found in the near-existential struggle between Taku's reason and emotions, and how he fails to determine what either of those dictates in the first place, as he lets himself be dragged from one undesirable situation into the other.Rikako is, contrary to most anime crushes, an interesting character of herself.
Like the best of stories, there is room for interpretation, but the film acknowledges beside this, that sometimes people, and especially young people, just do stupid things.As delightful as the interaction between characters may be, the film is not without its flaws: The narration is superfluous and ironically only distracts from the narrative, and flashbacks are outlined by frames of increasing and decreasing size, a very obnoxious visual device, which (to put it simple) just feels weird - perhaps a lesson should have been taken from Takahata's marvellous "Only Yesterday", produced only two years earlier."Ocean Waves" is nonetheless notable for brushing aside many genre conventions in its execution and presenting the audience a remarkably interesting and darkly funny character study in the mould of a love triangle story, animated with the expected talent and devotion of the Ghibli team.
Really well animated film, especially knowing it came from Ghibli's "junior" producers.
Two observations about Ocean Waves: The first is that it comes from Studio Ghibli – and it shows.
The second is that it is not the work of Hayao Miyazaki or of Isao Takahata – and that shows, too.Ocean Waves was made for TV and released in 1993 by young staff members of Studio Ghibli as a kind of apprenticeship piece.
The technical quality of the film maintains the high standards expected of the studio – animation and design are exemplary and the film is a visual feast.
It concerns his relationship with his high school friend Yutaka, and their rivalry for the affections of Rikako, a beautiful but rather condescending and manipulative girl who has transferred from a school in Tokyo following the breakup of her parents' marriage.
Other Ghibli films which have explored the world of school days and coming of age are Only Yesterday and Whisper of the Heart.
In no way does Ocean Waves approach the complexity and subtlety of these beautiful films.
That does not mean that this film is bad, it isn't by a long way, but we do expect rather more from this studio.
I've made a deliberate effort to see as much as I can from Japan's Studio Ghibli, makers of such wonderful films as "My Neighbor Totoro", "Spirited Away" and "The Wind Rises".
The animation is nice...but the story left me completely flat.The story is told from the viewpoint of Taku, a high school boy who becomes infatuated with a girl who has just transferred to his small town school from Tokyo.
As the film progresses, however, you wonder WHY does he like this girl so much.
Ocean Waves was Studio Ghibli's attempt to allow its younger staff to showcase their movie-making talents and although what they manage to put on screen is a fascinating & surprisingly mature take on high school romance, it lacks the refined quality that could have hurled it into the leagues of the studio's best works.Based on the novel of the same name, the story of Ocean Waves follows a young college kid who's returning home after his first year at university but after glimpsing a familiar girl at the train station, recalls his senior year of high school when that same girl transferred to his school from Tokyo and turned his life upside down.Directed by Saeko Himuro, the plot is always focused on the characters & their relationships, all of which is portrayed in a very subtle & authentic manner.
The story is grounded & lifelike, and it never tries to do more than it can handle.Of the three people caught in the love triangle, it is the character of Rikako Muto who exhibits the most interesting arc.
However, despite being only 72 minutes long, the film still feels somewhat stretched out.On an overall scale, Ocean Waves is a gentle meditation on teen relationships and is brought to life with sufficient care, affection & sincerity.
Working as both an intriguing coming-of-age drama & a muted love story, Studio Ghibli's first & only TV feature still remains their least seen work and even though it is no match to their greatest efforts, it nonetheless deserves a watch or two..
Despite being predisposed towards liking this movie (I stubbornly held out hope until the end credits, despite all rationale,) I consider the time I spent watching it as waste, and here's why: The story wanders around aimlessly, with zero surprises (you can't twist what's not there, I guess) and reaches a conclusion that the viewer basically makes during the first 5-10 minutes of the film.While the movie is supposed to be a "slice of life" type of film, it's too bad the life being sliced is a boring one.
There are many missed opportunities where something exciting could have happened, or something could have been revealed to add depth to the main characters (and thus increase the chances of the viewer developing some hint of empathy with them.) Open your window at home, and spend 70 minutes watching passersby instead of this film.
I had heard it about it online because I am also a fan of many other studio ghibli's films such as Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Ponyo and The Cat Returns.
How can I call myself a true Otaku if I do not love the good anime with the bad, right?
Not that Ocean Waves is a bad movie overall.
It was a sweet story about reconnecting with those you care about that you lost contact with, and coming home.But the animation seem like a waste of time.
It was a story that could have easily been told in live action and most likely would have taken less time to produce (but maybe it would cost more, I don't know).So while it's a nice story, I can't help but to be so disappointed because that animation did nothing for the story and that is what I expect from my anime.It may be more fair for me to watch the movie again now that the shock of the animation being the bare minimum has taken it's toll.
It's a nice romantic slice of life film as it is, but definitely not the anime I like.http://cinemagardens.com.
The Ghibli film that this reminded me of the most was "Only Yesterday" in that it contains no fantasy elements but instead concentrated on the ordinary lives of ordinary people.The protagonist is a high school student called Taku and the story follows his life after Rikako Muto, a girl from Tokyo transfers to his school.
Music is interesting,like waves of ocean.
Slight but engaging character tale from Studio Ghibli.
OCEAN WAVES is one of the lesser films from the Studio Ghibli studio, thanks in part to a more simple and straightforward story set in the contemporary world and the lack of a director of Hayao Miyazaki's calibre.
The most popular Ghibli movies tend to be the brash and moving fantasy epics about saving the environment and quirky creatures and the like, whereas OCEAN WAVES is all about high school life and romance.In many ways it's a simple two hander charting the relationship between an awkward high school student and the hot-headed girl he loves.
The voice actors are very good although the quality of the animation is more basic than usual for a Ghibli movie.
If I was Taku, the main character in this dreck, I would have absolutely NO nostalgic feelings for any of the events that occurred, let alone for the SURELY bi-polar Rikako.That H.
And on top of that the main character wonders several times about her manners and (bad) upbringing.