Studio Ghibli’s Ocean Waves (JP: 海がきこえる, Umi ga Kikoeru) will be revived in theaters across Japan for a limited three-week run starting July 4. To commemorate the occasion, a brand-new poster visual has been released, featuring a memorable scene of Rikako and Taku facing each other on the platform at Kichijoji Station.

New Trailer Brings Youthful Nostalgia to Life

A new trailer has also been unveiled, showcasing delicately drawn scenes accompanied by a gentle, emotive score. The footage encapsulates the tender and fleeting moments of youth that define Ocean Waves, evoking both nostalgia and freshness.

A Unique Ghibli Production from 1993

Originally broadcast as a TV special in 1993, Ocean Waves was adapted from the novel serialized in Animage magazine, written by Saeko Himuro. The film was animated by a group of young staff at Studio Ghibli, offering a fresh perspective distinct from the studio’s more mainstream works. Set between Kōchi and Tokyo, the story tenderly portrays the emotional turmoil and personal growth of three teenagers on the verge of adulthood.

With its realistic depiction of complex relationships and subtle emotional shifts, Ocean Waves continues to be beloved by longtime fans while captivating new and international audiences alike.

Creative Team and Cast

Directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, known for youth dramas like Kimagure Orange Road: I Want to Return to That Day and Here is Greenwood, the film’s visuals were overseen by Katsuya Kondō, who also worked on Laputa: Castle in the Sky and Kiki’s Delivery Service. Kondō also illustrated the original novel. The detailed and atmospheric depiction of 1990s Japan by Studio Ghibli’s young animators remains vibrant and emotionally resonant even today.

Staff & Cast

Original Story: Saeko Himuro
Screenplay: Kaori Nakamura, Keiko Niwa
Director: Tomomi Mochizuki
Music: Shigeru Nagata
Theme Song: Yoko Sakamoto
Production: Studio Ghibli Young Creators Team
Voice Cast: Nobuo Tobita, Yoko Sakamoto, Toshihiko Seki

Synopsis

Taku Morisaki, now a university student in Tokyo, spots a familiar figure on the opposite platform at Kichijoji Station. As the figure vanishes aboard a departing Chūō Line train, Taku is struck by the resemblance to Rikako Muto—whom he believed had enrolled in a university in Kōchi. As he boards a flight to Kōchi, his thoughts drift back to the summer two years ago when he first met Rikako.

Rikako was a brilliant and athletic beauty, admired by many—including Taku’s best friend Matsuno. Although Taku initially saw her as nothing more than the object of his friend’s affection, a school trip to Hawaii during their final year of high school began to unravel his assumptions and emotions.

Source : ORICON NEWS