The younger team of Miyazaki Hayaos Studio Ghibli presents the delightful animated feature Ocean Waves, based on Himuro Saekos novel. Director Mochizuki Tomomi ( Here is Greenwood) delivers a nostalgic coming-of-age story that revolves around a simple premise of boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, & boy gets girl. Flooded with memories of the past, the story centers on Taku, a university undergraduate who travels from Tokyo to his rural hometown of Kochi to attend his high-school reunion. Taku takes the audience back in time to his high school years when he first met Rikako, a transfer from the urban Tokyo.
Taku befriendles the pretty & somewhat reclusive Rikako but her snobbish big city attitude drives him nuts, & the two always find themselves bickering with one another. But beneath his tough surface, Taku begins to develop feelings for this sassy girl
- though he keeps them buried for the sake of his friend Matsuno who has a major crush on Rikako. A beautiful portrayal of youth & its innocence, Ocean Waves charms with beautiful, translucent watercolor images & a pleasant soundtrack, delivering a genuine & warm feeling along the way.