Do you remember your adolescence? You know, the formative years; restlessness, mood swings, nobody knows what they want. Good times! Well just in case the memory is a little fuzzy, Studio Ghibli’s 1993 film Ocean Waves is coming soon to remind us of how crappy being a teenager can be. Finally being brought to U.S. shores for a limited theater run by GKids on December 28 (DVD/Bluray in 2017), Ocean Waves touches on all of the awkward parts of growing up.
What They Say:
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.
The Review:
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers)
Our tale of teenage romance begins with main character Taku standing on the platform of Kichijoji Train Station when he spots somebody familiar. It’s only a glance, so it escapes Taku’s mind until he is on his flight back home, when he begins to share his experiences regarding who he may have seen. The framing device used to begin and end the opening little scenes is a unique little touch that I enjoyed; especially when jumping over a few parts in the timeline. It reflects how I always felt people leaf through their memories, almost like a slideshow of sorts, and Taku is picking out what is most emphatic to his senior year of high school.
Two years prior, Taku’s first experience with this girl is not actually of his own action, but of his close friend and classmate Yutaka. Being summoned to the school to check out this pretty young transfer student, Taku lays his eyes on Rikako for the first time. Being from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo (as compared to podunk Kochi, his hometown) and possessing an independent and strong-minded attitude, Rikako is exotic. She brings a mysterious background with her that immediately captures the eyes of Yutaka, which does not go unnoticed. At first glance to us American viewers, there honestly isn’t a lot to like about Rikako, she is stubborn, antisocial, and willing to do what it takes to get what she wants. BUT keep in mind that this isn’t the United States and the whole world shifts. Japan’s societal constructs have always been built on harmony, fitting in with the group above any individual wants or gains, and Rikako represents the exact opposite. She gets great grades, yes, but doesn’t join any clubs, has no seeming desire to make friends, and is overall perceived as being arrogant. Over here in the states, you can pick dozens of people like that, individualism is encouraged while fitting in is less so. Understandably this is attractive to both our boys, which is where my childhood (unfortunately) begins to intersect with theirs.
Throughout the story, beginning with Taku’s class trip to Hawaii, Rikako consistently toys with and manipulates him. From borrowing money under false pretenses to making him sleeping in a hotel bathtub, Taku is practically walked all over in his efforts to curry her favor. His willingness to be taken advantage of for the sake of curiosity and (not yet realized) love reminds me of a young self; willing to do whatever felt necessary in order to satiate this feeling in my heart I couldn’t quite personify. That turned out to be a mistake in the end for me, but maybe for Taku it turns out differently. He certainly gets his first taste during a surprise trip to Tokyo…
Remember that borrowed money I mentioned? Well, we soon learn that this money was for airline tickets to Tokyo for two; Rikako and a lucky friend. Wanting to move back with her father and escape the incredible mundanity of Kochi, she escapes to Tokyo with Taku in tow. Unfortunately, Rikako shares a life that many an American child (including myself) can relate to, divorced parents. Feeling that her father was on her side she flies to see him, only to find her room repainted and her presence not really wanted. This is a sympathetic point for Rikako and her reaction shows a body language displaying more than her words ever could. She proceeds to invade Taku’s room at the hotel purchased for him and gets pass out drunk on his bed (hence the bathtub bed for Taku). Yet when she wakes up the next day her whole demeanor seems changed; mature, calm, accepting of her circumstances during this trip, even matter-of-factly admitting that it must not have been fun for either party. This is one of the beautiful subtleties of Ocean Waves, that many of the key interactions are voiceless; a glance here, a slap there, and all that needs to be said is said.
Upon return to Kochi however, Rikako becomes even more secluded and isolated from her classmates. This reaches its crescendo on the day of a school festival, in which she is cornered by a bevy of schoolgirls and practically interrogated. “Don’t you support class harmony?” “You better stay away from this boy!” “Why don’t you ever speak to anyone?” These questions push Rikako over the edge into lashing out against these girls, with Taku in earshot. Impressed by her individuality, he compliments her on her steadfastness…which only results in a slap from Rikako and a killer hook from Yutaka. Once again that body language and subtlety comes into play here; Rikako’s self-inflicted isolation is not due to some pride or introverted motivation but because she is miserable and lonely. The trip to Tokyo should’ve revealed that to Taku, yet he just stands by and witnesses her being accosted and forced to put up that front. Taku speaks to neither Rikako or Yutaka again until we flash forward to the present day.
Touching down in Kochi for what we learn is a class reunion, Yutaka picks Taku up (in a sick Honda CR-X, I believe) from the airport. They catch up and reminisce a little, Yutaka apologizes for the punch, and the relationship seems back up to snuff. The reunion goes swimmingly, with drinks quaffed and friends rekindling old flames…except for Rikako. Turns out, she wasn’t attending Kochi University as previously thought but back in Tokyo. This explains the woman at the train station he thought was so familiar! It is this night that Taku finally realizes what his heart knew all along, that he was in love with Rikako. Sadly, he let her escape on the train and who knows when he would see her again. LUCKILY, this is a movie so that is exactly what happens! Once again witnessing this woman at the train station, he races to the other side of the tracks, and finds Rikako, his first love, waiting for him there.
In Summary:
A (sometimes uncomfortably) relatable coming of age tale, Ocean Waves triumphs in its subtle, down to earth storytelling and beautiful artwork. A tale of adolescence, independence, and growth, Taku slowly takes the long bumpy road to young Rikako’s heart and learns a great deal about himself in the process. This movie may actually be more relevant today than when it was originally released back in the early 90s, I know it was for me.
Content Grade: B+
Released By: GKids
Release Date: 12/28/2016
Running Time: 75 minutes (incl. credits)
