The emotion and reviews of "Ocean Waves": Reassessing a Studio Ghibli masterpiece

"Ocean Waves": A mix of youthful brilliance and nostalgia

■Overview of the work

"Ocean Waves" is a TV special animation produced by Studio Ghibli that aired on Nippon Television in 1993. It is based on the novel of the same name by Himuro Saeko, and was directed by Mochizuki Tomomitsu and animation director Kondo Katsuya. This was Studio Ghibli's first TV special, and it also attracted attention for not being involved with Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata. The broadcast time is 72 minutes, and it consists of 3 episodes.

■ Story

Taku Morisaki, who has entered a university in Tokyo, returns to his hometown of Kochi for his class reunion during his first summer vacation. On the way there, Taku remembers Muto Rikako, who transferred to his school from Tokyo out of season, and reflects on her existence. Rikako is a beautiful girl who moved to her mother's hometown of Kochi in August of her second year of high school. She is a perfect character, with beautiful looks, excellent academics, and an all-around athlete. Through his encounters and interactions with Rikako, Taku feels the brilliance of youth and nostalgia.

■Character Introduction

Rikako Muto

Rikako is a girl who moved from Tokyo to her mother's hometown of Kochi in August of her second year of high school. She is a perfect character with three qualities: beautiful appearance, excellent academics, and all-around athletic ability, and is highly regarded by those around her. Her arrival greatly changes Taku's daily life. When Rikako is reassigned to a new class, she becomes friends with Kohama Hiromi, and the friendship between them is also depicted.

Taku Morisaki

Taku is the protagonist, who attends a prestigious private school in Kochi that provides a combined junior and senior high school education. Although he is an honor student, he is by no means a stickler for integrity, and has a rebellious spirit that allows him to assert his own opinions. Through his encounter with Rikako, he looks back on his youth and is depicted as growing up. Taku's best friend, Yutaka Matsuno, also plays an important part in his youth.

Yutaka Matsuno

Yutaka Matsuno is Taku's best friend and secretly has a crush on Rikako. His presence plays an important role in further depicting the relationship between Taku and Rikako. Yutaka's pure love symbolizes the bittersweetness of youth.

Hiromi Obama

Hiromi Obama is Rikako's friend, and they become close after they end up sitting next to each other when classes are reshuffled. Her presence is important in portraying Rikako's relationships more realistically. Her relationship with Tadashi Yamao, who has feelings for Hiromi, is also depicted.

Tadashi Yamao

Yamao Tadashi is a boy who has a crush on Obama Hiromi, and his nickname is Asashio. His presence plays an important role in depicting the love affairs of youth. Tadashi's pure love enhances the youthful feel of the entire work.

Akiko Shimizu

Akiko Shimizu is Taku's classmate and a typical class representative type girl. Her presence is important to portray Taku's school life more realistically. Akiko's seriousness and sense of responsibility symbolize the brilliance of youth.

■Production background and staff

"Ocean Waves" was based on a novel by Saeko Himuro. It was directed by Tomomitsu Mochizuki, with Katsuya Kondo as animation director, Kaori Nakamura as scriptwriter, Naoya Tanaka as art director, and Atsushi Okui as director of photography. It was Studio Ghibli's first TV special, and it also attracted attention for not being involved with Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata. The film was praised as a new challenge for Studio Ghibli.

■Cast

The cast of this work is Yoko Sakamoto as Muto Rikako, Nobuo Tobita as Taku Morizaki, Toshihiko Seki as Yutaka Matsuno, Kae Araki as Hiromi Obama, Hikaru Midorikawa as Tadashi Yamao, and Yuri Amano as Akiko Shimizu. Each cast member's performance plays an important role in bringing out the individuality of the character. Yoko Sakamoto's performance as Rikako is especially indispensable in expressing her beauty and kindness.

■ Theme songs and music

The theme song for this film is "Umi ni Naretara" (If I Could Become the Sea), with lyrics by Tomomitsu Mochizuki, music and arrangement by Shigeru Nagata, and vocals by Yoko Sakamoto. This song is an important piece that symbolizes the brilliance and nostalgia of Rikako and Taku's youth. Yoko Sakamoto's beautiful singing voice enhances the atmosphere of the entire film.

■ Evaluation and impressions

"Ocean Waves" is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth. It was praised as a new challenge for Studio Ghibli and received support from many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth captured the hearts of many viewers. Additionally, Yoko Sakamoto's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku, and the scenes that depict the bittersweetness of youth, have touched the hearts of many viewers. In addition, Yoko Sakamoto's beautiful singing voice and the song "Umi ni Naretara" are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the entire work.

■ Recommendation points

"Ocean Waves" is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the entire work. "Ocean Waves" is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth and is a work that is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the entire work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.

This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work. This is a beautiful work that depicts the brilliance and nostalgia of youth, and is loved by many viewers. In particular, the relationship between Rikako and Taku and the scenes depicting the bittersweetness of youth have captured the hearts of many viewers. Furthermore, Sakamoto Yoko's beautiful singing voice and the song "If I Could Become the Sea" are also important elements that enhance the overall atmosphere of the work.