Whale Leaping Glassy Ocean - A review that explores the beautiful ocean and its depths

Leaping Whale Glassy Ocean - Leaping Whale Glassy Ocean

■ Public Media

theater

■ Original Media

Picture books

■ Release date

November 14, 1998 - November 28, 1998

■Distribution company

Media Box

■ Eirin Number

26447

■Frequencies

23 min

■ Number of Episodes

Episode 1

■Original Story

Tamura Shigeru

■ Director

Tamura Shigeru

■ Production

If there's love, everything will be alright

■Works

©1998 Shigeru Tamura/Bandai Visual

■ Story

One day, an old man living in a sea of ​​glass encounters a whale leaping. In this area where the time speed is different, the splashes turn into beautiful glass beads, and the whale's leap appears to freeze in the air. The half-day leap of the whale reminds the gathered spectators of the sound of the lost waves and the melody of the soothing stars.

And the old man's forgotten memories begin to come back to him...

■Explanation

Beautiful, warm illustrations and smooth 3D CG blend together to create a never-before-seen glass poem...
A full CG work by filmmaker Shigeru Tamura, who has fans all over the world.
"The emerald green is so clear it's like the color of the ocean I saw in my dreams."
☆Winner of the Grand Prize in the Animation Division at the 1998 Japan Media Arts Festival, organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs

■Cast

Narration: Masatoshi Nagase The man who had a dream: Tsuyoshi Toshishige Boy: Taketo Ogasawara Painter R: Noboru Mitani Old man: Ichiro Nagai

■ Main staff

・Director, original story, script, illustrations: Shigeru Tamura (original book "The Whale's Leap" published by Media Factory)
・3D visual direction / Shinya Kato ・Produced and directed by Mitsuo Shionaga ・CG animation and effects / Eri Moriizumi, Yoshimichi Nagatobi, Akira Furukoori, Tetsuya Hasebe, Naoki Hayashi ・Music: Yuto Teshiumi ・Animation producer / Akemi Ueda, project team Sarah ・Animation / Rie Oshima, Kyoko Kashiwagi, Etsuko Tomita ・Sound design / Kazutaka Someya ・Production / If there is love, everything will be fine

■ Related works

A Piece of Phantasmagoria: The Fish of the Galaxy

■ Theme songs and music

・IN
・Period/1
・Water People song ・Lyrics by Shigeru Tamura ・Music by Masumi Hara ・Arrangement by Kazuto Shimizu ・Singer by Masumi Hara

Review and Recommendation

"Glassy Ocean" is a short animated film directed by Shigeru Tamura that was released in 1998 and captivated many viewers with its beauty and unique worldview. Through a simple story of an old man living in a glassy ocean who encounters a leaping whale, this work depicts the flow of time, memory, and the beauty of nature.

First, let's talk about the visual aspects of the work. "Glassy Ocean: The Leaping Whale" is a visual poem that combines beautiful, warm illustrations with smooth 3D CG. The setting of a glassy ocean evokes a sense of transparency and tranquility, and the scene in which the leaping whale appears to freeze in mid-air visually expresses a world where time flows differently. In particular, the scene in which the whale's spray turns into beautiful glass beads is visually striking and symbolizes the beauty and transience of nature.

As for the story, the development in which the old man relives his forgotten memories through the leap of the whale deeply moves the viewer. The scene in which the old man recalls the lost sounds of the waves and the melody of the soothing stars together with the onlookers depicts the relationship between nature and humans, and the importance of memory, and is very moving. The narration and the acting of the cast are also important elements that enhance the atmosphere of the work. Nagase Masatoshi's narration gives a deep understanding of the theme of the work, while also realistically conveying the emotions of the old man played by Nagai Ichiro.

Music is also an important element that enhances the appeal of "Glassy Ocean." Teshiumi Yutoro's music expresses the tranquility of the glassy ocean and the grandeur of the whale's leap, and combined with the visual beauty, it deepens the worldview of the work. In addition, the theme song "Water People's Song" and Masumi Hara's singing voice further enhance the theme of the work.

"Glassy Ocean: The Leap of the Whale" won the Grand Prize in the Animation Division at the 1998 Japan Media Arts Festival organized by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, and has been highly praised for its artistic quality and technical perfection. The fantastical worldview shared with director Shigeru Tamura's other works "A Piece of Phantasmagoria" and "Galaxy Fish" offers viewers a new perspective and has the power to heal the soul.

The reason I recommend this work is because of its high level of artistry, which combines beautiful visuals with profound themes. This work, which depicts the beauty of nature, human memory, and the flow of time, will move and soothe the viewer. In addition, the fusion of 3D CG and illustrations gives a sense of visual freshness and expands the possibilities of video expression. I highly recommend this work to anyone who is interested in nature and art, and who wants to find healing in their soul.

"Glassy Ocean" is a work that is packed with deep themes and beautiful visuals in a short time, and you will find something new no matter how many times you watch it. Please feel the silence of the glass ocean and the grandeur of the leaping whale through this work.