6.9/10
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29 user 31 critic

Ocean Waves (1993)

Umi ga kikoeru (original title)
PG-13 | | Animation, Drama, Romance | TV Movie 5 May 1993
Ocean Waves Poster
Trailer
1:19 | Trailer

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As a young man returns home after his first year away at college he recalls his senior year of high school and the iron-willed, big city girl that turned his world upside down.

Director:

Tomomi Mochizuki

Writers:

Saeko Himuro (novel), Keiko Niwa (screenplay) (as Kaori Nakamura)

Stars:

Nobuo Tobita, Toshihiko Seki, Yoko Sakamoto | See full cast & crew »
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Cast

Credited cast:
Nobuo Tobita ... Taku Morisaki (voice)
Toshihiko Seki ... Yutaka Matsuno (voice)
Yoko Sakamoto Yoko Sakamoto ... Rikako Muto (voice)
Yuri Amano ... Akiko Shimizu (voice)
Kae Araki Kae Araki ... Yumi Kohama (voice)
Jun'ichi Kanemaru ... Okada (voice)
Ai Satô Ai Satô ... Taku's mother (voice)
Aya Hisakawa ... Girl (voice)
Tomokazu Seki ... Minarai (voice)
Hikaru Midorikawa ... Tadashi Yamao (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Rin Mizuhara Rin Mizuhara ... Additional Voices (voice)
Sumi Shimamoto ... Additional Voices (voice)
Reiko Suzuki Reiko Suzuki ... (voice)
See full cast »
Edit

Storyline

The main character travels to his hometown for his high school reunion. During the trip, he recalls the memories of the days in high school. Friendship, subtle love, a trip to Tokyo and so on all came back to him as the film evolves. Written by Cary Wong <phoenix@globility.com>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

studio ghibli | two word title | love | friendship | high school reunion | See All (23) »

Genres:

Animation | Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some thematic material | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Details

Country:

Japan

Language:

Japanese

Release Date:

5 May 1993 (Japan) See more »

Also Known As:

Ocean Waves See more »

Filming Locations:

Kochi, Japan See more »

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nippon Television Network (NTV), Studio Ghibli, Tokuma Shoten See more »
Show more on IMDbPro »

Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1
See full technical specs »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Toward the end of the movie, a poster for Studio Ghibli's previous film, Porco Rosso (1992) appears. See more »

Connections

Featured in JesuOtaku Anime Reviews: Ocean Waves (2012) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Much underestimated TV Ghibli
16 November 2004 | by Balibari – See all my reviews

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. Whilst it may not have the wide appeal of Miyazaki masterpieces like Totoro, Porco Rosso and Spirited Away etc., it's a surprisingly successful film. The subtleties of the relationships and characters are so beautiful and rewarding that the film is elevated way beyond its TV roots.

In short, if you want a gentle meditation on teen relationships and love, this is as good as it gets. And if you like Ghibli but the subject material doesn't sound too interesting (it didn't to me), it's still worth a look as it might surprise.
39 of 43 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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