Waste of time

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

When exploring an old curiosity shop, or attic (much the same in my case, I fear), one tends to be pleasantly surprised from time to time, finding a precious item behind a set of boxes; previously oblivious of its existence, now wondering how one could ever live without. "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. They make mistakes, think about sex, emotionally manipulate each other, and sometimes no resolution will be found for their problems. Never do they, however, cross the line between being flawed and being unlikable; their flaws, so typical for the age, only make the them more human. 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. Fortunately, the commonplace love triangle is underplayed, in behalf of character building. 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. She is endearing in her pubescent hubris, as she tries to be more adult than those around her, yet continuously fails, because of her emotional immaturity. Note the scene where she invites Taku to lunch with her ex-boyfriend, in order to make both of them jealous, yet without reason, only harming her own position by doing so. It makes one wonder what is really driving her: her parents' divorce can only partially explain her behaviour, and much of her past remains unknown. 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. The hidden gem from your attic may seem old and dusty, but invest that hour and a quarter, and you will be surprised by its polish.

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". I always have enjoyed their animated films...though "Ocean Waves" (also known as "I Can Hear the Ocean") is a first...a film I didn't particularly enjoy. 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. Often, she is self-absorbed, snobbish and kind of a jerk. As a result, the film is much more teen angsty than other Ghibli films and this is the main problem for me. The worries that the main characters had all seemed trivial and unimportant...and the characters didn't seem particularly likable as a result. And, at the end, when there was a nostalgic quality to the film you were left wondering why...why look back at this period when any sort of fondness? Overall, very nice animation...and a story that would probably appeal to man teens but which left me bored and a bit confused.

I saw Ocean Waves as a big fan of Studio Ghibli and their films. Ocean Waves is an absolute treasure, one of their most beautiful and moving works but sadly one of their most under-appreciated. 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 score is reflective in a suitably understated sense, and the story and character relationships while purposefully and beautifully meditative are incredibly subtle and truthful, no clichés or hokeyness in sight. And you genuinely feel for the characters, so compellingly real they are. The film is perhaps too short, but with a film so beautiful, charming and subtle such as Ocean Waves, that is easy to ignore. 10/10 Bethany Cox

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.