OCEAN WAVES - Studio Ghibli's Most Underrated Movie (Film Analysis)

[@NicholasOon]

Have you seen Ocean Waves? What are your thoughts and would you see the movie if you had the chance?

[@seanthezon7594]

Maximum Hype I love Ocean Waves, it’s definitely in my top 5! I enjoyed watching it so much

[@NicholasOon]

It's very rare to find someone who has the film in their top 5! Good on ya, and thanks for leaving a comment.

[@ramonbarrios4740]

I enjoyed the film

[@NicholasOon]

@@ramonbarrios4740 very glad you did!

[@jeffreygao3956]

I watched it and even as a huge Studio Ghibli fan, I wasn't pleased. It would've been far better as a nature documentary about seagulls.

[@arun-fy2sy]

i like ocean waves because it’s not your typical love story, more a story of growing pains and a realistic look at the foolishness of love

[@NicholasOon]

Couldn't have put it better myself. Sometimes the most realistic things are irrational and foolish. Thanks for the comment.

[@arun-fy2sy]

@@NicholasOon thanks man. i love your channel

[@NicholasOon]

@@arun-fy2sy Many thanks. Look forward to more

[@sukhbaatarbyambasan5920]

Very confusing that i wanted bl

[@naji_moarmy6808]

*I think the only 2 parts that I found the MOST interesting is the one where the guy slap the girl back and the both guys were standing and looking at the sunset with such romantic music 😂*

[@NicholasOon]

Those were pretty interesting scenes indeed!

[@Ally_Ayl]

EXACTLY WHY I LIKE IT

[@DrMeikoHayakawa]

That seemed pretty sexist

[@notfamous221]

@@DrMeikoHayakawaso it’s ok for a girl to slap a guy? It’s perfectly ok to slap a girl back with double the force cause she deserves it for slapping the guy for doing nothing. If you disagree then you’re sexist brother.

[@carlo1736]

Ocean Waves feels like an Indie movie! I really like slow paced slice of life movies! It just shows the progress super clean and neat!

[@NicholasOon]

Interesting angle! Would totally agree it feels indie, if not for the Ghibli name attached to it. Good shout.

[@jdcv17]

They should make it into a live action film.

[@Krzysiek1118]

I agree yet I think Ghibli made a better movie in this slow paced style (From Up on Poppy Hill)

[@Debbie-xi1we]

at first I didn’t really like the movie, I thought it was decent but compared to the other studios movies it wasn’t their best. But recently I saw a video of changing the view of the movie, where it’s a queer movie and a lot made sense. Afterwards I rewatched it with that thought and I enjoyed it and heavily related.

[@NicholasOon]

Hey thanks for the comment. Glad you saw a different perspective of the film and I saw that video too. To be honest I'm still not convinced about the queer angle but I can see why many people would think so. I think the movie is good already without considering the queer angle, but to each his or her own I suppose!

[@mikhailstewart]

@@NicholasOon I dont think it is queer but it does make for fun headcanon.

[@notfamous221]

⁠​⁠@@NicholasOonyes i agree with you, it’s not queer film at all, the movie is definitely good without any made up queer angle stuffing into this film. It’s not a queer film, people these days over analyse films and add their own irrelevant stuff into it. The both guys were just really good friends in the film that’s it :) btw i love your video brother, i needed this and I’m saving this!!!

[@snoot6629]

@@notfamous221 "people these days over analyze films and add their own irrelevant stuff into it" being involved in art is an amazing experience that enhances society and everyone mentally - as it helps people's critical thinking and appreciation of art and makes people participate in the making of it

[@sambalandra8293]

The reason i think Ocean Waves is one of the best anime movies is because of one thing, the time they grew mature, they realized that they've thought that the world was small, because of them knowing that, they've realized that they need to grow up, hence the ending that the female character matured and wanted to meet the mc.

[@NicholasOon]

It's very true and many of us can't see that. And I guess it's very relatable the closer you are to your high school days.

[@captainhowlerwilson508]

I absolutely disagree. It is no where near one of the best anime movies. It has an important message, but the way they convey it is so distasteful and not at all touching in any way like Studio Ghibli should be.

[@jeromecortez6386]

Ocean Waves is by far my favorite Ghibli film. I like how it's a realistic depiction of highschool drama that we thought were the biggest problems of our lives, only to look back at them in the future and realize how petty we once were. The subtle melancholy of the film with the interactions of Taku and Rikako/Yutaka reminds me of Haruki Murakami's earlier shorts. Whenever I rewatch it, I feel at peace. A story doesn't have to be driven by plot, it can be driven by its characters.

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for sharing and I totally agree. That reflective element is what many viewers miss out on or dismiss. I've only read Kafka on the Shore but never Murakami's shorts. Maybe it's time to do some further research...

[@jeromecortez6386]

Maximum Hype His collection of short stories called Men Without Women includes some of my favorite shorts such as Kino and Sheherezade. I highly suggest the entire collection since it made me reflect on a lot of aspects of my life also.

[@NicholasOon]

@@jeromecortez6386 sounds incredibly philosophical and that's even more appealing to me now!

[@captainhowlerwilson508]

I still disagree. Realism does not guarantee a good film whatsoever. This movie again lacks so much of the emotional magic that makes Ghibli films so great.

[@shucklerocks7242]

Great video! I consider Ocean Waves my favorite Studio Ghibli movie because of the sense of realism it conveyed. It's different from other Ghibli movies as there's no deeper meaning behind the story, no magical stuff leading the way of the story. It's a simple story two friends falling in love with the same girl while navigating the complex situation they are in. Other people might call it boring, but I feel a deep sense of attachment to a movie that premiered years before I was born.

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for watching! You bring up some great points. I'd even say that there is quite a deep meaning behind the movie, especially in the end when they have the reunion and are talking about what life used to be like.

[@Littlemissstardust]

Although I do not agree with your point in the magical part of Studio Ghibli movies, I recommend Only Yesterday (1991), if you more into realism.It is one of the greatest studio Ghibli movies I have ever seen.

[@priontibarua4283]

Omg at last someone thinks like that too!

[@kindashin]

SO TRUE!!❤️❤️❤️😭😭

[@captainhowlerwilson508]

Absolutely disagree. It is no where near the best film by the studio. There are so many better films they have made, and while this one wasn’t bad, I could not get into these characters, due to how obnoxious and unlikable they get, just to send some message about past reflections. It should have been touching at the least by the end. Also, I am constantly getting tired of people saying that something is the best because of realism, and stuff. It works on films that require it, but Ghibli rarely ever does. This movie lacking so much of the magic and deeper meanings of other Ghibli movies I think is one of its detriments. It is not just fantasy magic, it is emotional magic, which is slightly more important and makes most of the films by the studio.

[@hgxnorton1986]

This is by far my favourite Ghibli film, I am glad it's getting some positive traction nowadays. I never understood why people said the story was unsatisfying, I usually think that people who hold that opinion either missed something in the story or just misunderstand it entirely.

[@NicholasOon]

I feel you! I think much like the characters in the movie, sometimes you only realise the quality of something when you look back, and I feel that this time especially is a time for reflection.

[@hgxnorton1986]

It reminds me of a Gundam OVA called 'War in the Pocket', very similar vibes to this movie but with mech.

[@NicholasOon]

@@hgxnorton1986 I've not heard of that but I'm sure there are parallels. Thanks for the recommendation

[@cannonballz8341]

Yeah I love this movie aswell

[@captainhowlerwilson508]

I disagree. This is no where near Ghibli’s best movies. It is by far one of my least favourites. I disliked the ending because it felt like a spit in my face. This movie lacks the magic that makes Ghibli so great. The message is there, but the way this movie conveys it is so distasteful. Making characters who are supposed to be relatable in any way be so unlikable throughout the film’s runtime is not a good way to draw the audience in.

[@LaFaveBros]

This was phenomenal dude. I could tell there was something special about this movie. The whole thing reminded me of an 8th grade class trip I took to Catalina Island. The point about little high school events seeming big and significant is so true. It's perfectly captured. "A Girl's Thoughts" has such a memorable musical silhouette, I can't imagine why this movie gets passed over. Not every piece of art should be sensational and grand. Quiet and atmospheric have their place.

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for your thoughts! Agree that there is always a place for the smaller, more slice-of-life pieces, and I appreciate that you could see the value in that for this film

[@ABAMTV12]

To be honest with you this film is probably my most favourite. It just shows the realism of life and the amount of appreciation you give when u think about the past.

[@NicholasOon]

I believe you've got the point of the film spot on! Thanks for sharing.

[@janmelchie66]

The message the movie was trying to portray is nice but they failed to deliver it. All I can say is how the frick did Taku ever fell in love on the spoiled brat Rikaku. All I'm seeing is romanticising the toxic trait of Rikaku being likable? Lol. Just my opinion though..

[@NicholasOon]

A fair opinion. The message was a hit rather than a miss for me. You're defo not alone in having the falling in love with a brat criticism. To me, it's really irrational as well. But humans are irrational and whether the filmmakers intended it or not, I think the film really speaks to that irrationality through the literal immaturity of the characters. Like, even the older versions of the characters are just college students, so we shouldn't trust that they can make very sensible decisions. But they THINK that they can, and that feeling of growth after just a few years of youth is very relatable to me.

[@Emerardo]

Its about a realistic relationship, falling for someone that may not be the best for you. I think it does a great job of portraying the highs and lows of falling in love

[@soragranda]

Because she's cute and he is teen, he realizes she was a selfish teen too and he didn't try to understand how her problems were. It happens XD.

[@witherton8340]

They would definitely break up after two months lol

[@captainhowlerwilson508]

@@Emerardo But it fails to make nice characters you can get behind. Realism does not automatically make a film great.

[@lilwaterpump3289]

This was a really well done video. I personally dislike the movie but you communicate very clearly why you like it and I can see your perspective

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks very much! I'm happy you could enjoy the video without feeling like I'm telling you how to feel.

[@blub4265]

I never thought that I’d find someone with my same opinion. I honestly loved the music and still listen to it whenever i’m biking or feeling reflective. It just felt so perfect and reminded me of my middle school and high school days when I had no idea what to do and just followed anything I could grasp. I understand why it isn’t liked. This definitely isn’t for everyone, but I honestly love the themes and ideas it brings up

[@NicholasOon]

Glad I made a video you could relate to, thanks for sharing your experiences!

[@Rukiman_no16]

For as much as I think Ocean Waves doesn't work as a studio Ghibli film, there's this feeling in which I'm probably alone, that there has been very few movies that depict the feelings of teenagers and young adults in a better way. The relationships of the characters, their growing pains, their vivid drama, their arguing and conflict, the nostalgia they feel torwards times that weren't even the best, the reminiscence of deep emotions that have left their mark, it all feels much more realistic, compeling and builds a much stronger relationship than most films I've ever seen. When the characters mature, it shows that they are not the same, they understand and look back to that bittersweet memories. And the last scene is very good too, it marks the start of a new chapter, to let the past be and look at the future with optimism. It's far from perfect, but for a film made by the b-team for a tv special, it's a much better work than expected.

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for sharing your deep thoughts on this! Can definitely acknowledge its shortcomings while also acknowledging how much value it has. Agree with its depiction of youth. Was quite refreshing the first time I saw it!

[@yorandeprez8696]

Great video and analysis! Amazingly edited as well. Ocean Waves is one of my favorite movies and I love seeing people acknowledging that it's underrated as hell, instead of just discarding it as a bad movie.

[@NicholasOon]

You're a rare and unique person, my friend. It's really refreshing to see your comment and am super grateful you decided to do so. Look forward to more from me soon! Oh, and have a great rest of the weekend as well.

[@Vivi-wb1pz]

You defended the music, the nostalgia and the animators, all things every ghibli fan already appreciates in this movie, but you probably agree with the reasons people don't like it: Horrible love interest that's barely understandable but still impossible to relate to, and overall uninteresting plot with an ending that enables abusive relationships. Compared to other ghibli movies it definetly does not deserve to be in the top ten or near it.

[@NicholasOon]

Very interesting comment, thanks! I understand why people do not like it. I don't agree with some of it. Let me address the love interest, and the plot. 1. Don't think it's the worst love interest I've seen for sure, for the simple reason that Rikaku is memorable, if nothing else. I can't fully relate, but teenage angst is rather complex and often irrational, so I wouldn't dismiss it until I understand what the writer was thinking about when writing the character. 2. The plot was interesting enough for me. It helps that it's only an hour long. Agree that the ending may open up the possibility of an abusive relationship. Remember that Rikaku was said to have changed towards the end of the film, so it's up to our imagination what happened after the final season. Feel free to share your thoughts. As you can tell, I actually enjoyed the film quite a bit. Not saying you should too, but I'd like to understand your viewpoint as well.

[@joshuatoledo6232]

I can see where people find the love interest unlikable but she’s definitely not unrelatable. In fact I think she’s more realistic than many of the other studios depictions of girls and women. It’s more raw and closer to life in my opinion. Also in the end it’s hinted that she’s changed and matured so the abuse relationship going forward seemed 50/50 to me. But I still do think her treatment of Taku during HS was manipulative and abusive. Still an interesting movie that deserved more attention I believe.

[@watchforever1724]

I wouldn’t say it’s criticized as much but underappreciated by the public especially since most of the studio gblili films usually have a fantasy setting and interesting setting for this movie it’s more of a coming of age/romance drama film

[@NicholasOon]

Underappreciated is appropriate. I'd say most critics don't like this film for the reasons you stated and also the slower pace in Ocean Waves.

[@watchforever1724]

Maximum Hype the pacing was fine but when compared to the other films like Yesterday from studio gblili that’s how I would say it

[@SSketchii]

maximum hype - youtube's most underrated channel

[@NicholasOon]

That's awfully nice of you! Thanks, and have a great rest of the weekend. If you have anything you want analysed, feel free to let me know

[@devangaphukan7484]

Personally, I don't believe it's a queer movie. I can very much relate to it and people who can actually relate to it might feel nostalgically beautiful and quite peaceful. I really enjoyed it and yeah it's criminally underrated for sure.

[@NicholasOon]

I personally agree with you, but I respect the people that do think it's a queer movie, nothing wrong with that. I appreciated the film nonetheless!

[@LordJagd]

I agree, it's a headcanon sort of thing. Probably adds a lot to the film for some people, but doesn't seem intended.

[@britknee3019]

Yeah I think alot of people dont understand close male friendships and perceive it as gay, really an antiquated view.

[@MikaFaye.]

@@britknee3019 ive had many close relationships with my homies, even growing up in a predominantly conservative town. I typically deemed them as brothers and would do anything for them, also showing love vocally. In our 20s they really appreciated my openess and have since then implemented the open love to others they meet now a days. All i gotta say though is, this movie is a vibe. But pretty boring at times

[@koushika4555]

Same here, I don't see how the guys liked her each other in a romantic way but everyone can have their opinions

[@SilasHaslam]

I think Ocean waves has some flaw in its plot but thats part of its charm. like you said, it was a film about fragments of memory with some nostalgic feel which, IMO, has to be blurry and somewhat "Flawed" in some ways. I'm not a Studio Ghibli fan in general (only watch 5-6 of their films) but this film is right at the top alongside with Only Yesterday, Princess Kaguya or Wind rises

[@NicholasOon]

Very interesting thoughts and I do agree. A film can be great even when it is flawed.

[@stingfly974]

Bro watch whisper of the heart

[@behindthemaestrosdesk]

This movie truly is underrated.. the art and aesthetic in this movie is.. just.. something I can’t even comprehend. The music seems so unique.. and I love it! Almost this vagueness I get from this movie. Just makes it so good. Just an ordinary life set in Japan. About a boy... and see where his struggles and hopes protrude to. A space of time, filled with emotions. So dull... but characters which make colours. Yes, this might not be my favourite movie. But I’d rank this way higher then what most may do, maybe the story could’ve done better. But I think the overall message of this film is about realising struggles and what unfortunate events protruded to. And where everyone went wrong in the world. The young creators who worked together to bring this movie to life. Made this film to share life’s of when they were teens. Where love triangles commenced, judging someone from how they walk pass you. Someone spending your own money! This film is about experience.. and when you grow up to know what it protruded to. “Ocean Waves” to a metaphor of how we all felt nervous at times. As whirls went down are spine, almost as are stomachs were turning! Like you said, they actually changed the movies name to Oceans Waves after. It was originally called “I Can Hear The Sea”. And this is the metaphor of hearing life’s call. A realisation to look up to. But overall.. the art.. the aesthetic.. the music.. the message. Just a true masterpiece.

[@NicholasOon]

Loving the passion in your comment! Thanks for contributing your thoughts and I think your view is super well articulated.

[@behindthemaestrosdesk]

@@NicholasOon Aww Thank you! I really appreciate it... this movie really is underrated. And tbh you shouldn’t be thanking me, because your the one that showed me that! You should leave all the thanks to you! You deserve a pat on the back man!! Great job! 😊💖👍

[@AlbyGhana]

As you brilliantly pointed out, the film was a project led and delivered by younger ghibli employees. To me, this explains both its main flaw but also the greatest strength of the film. On one side we find a maybe incomplete and uninteresting plot which, paired with a short duration make me think of a work which was quickly wrapped up at the end. Nevertheless, the movie shows unparalleled precision when portraying both the turmoil of feelings of the young characters and the nostalgia for those simpler times. In this flawless execution we can find the real value of a film that can be easily watched multiple times and that, perhaps thanks to its loose plot, allows the watcher to wander through the memories and experiences of his or her youth.

[@NicholasOon]

That last point about the loose plot is something I find super interesting. In some ways, the film is like a canvas, or a vessel for us to project our own schoolgoing memories, complete with irrational drama and feuds with our classmates. The nostalgia the film helps us tap into is another reason it's underrated, in my view.

[@anonymoususer01234]

I like this film sm. Everything is so aesthetically pleasing and it feels real. Its not some cringey stuff. I really felt what taku was trying to portray. It's foolish love. This film shows how love can make us foolish. Instead of crazy plot twists, this film portrayed a love story that is common in our daily lives. It might not be your love story, but I know someone, somewhere, they will relate to this story. This film makes me adore every part of it. The art, the music, everything. It's so simple yet so beautiful.

[@NicholasOon]

Very well said. The part I most agree with is that 'it might not be hour love story'. I feel people are too quick to classify human reactions as nonsensical if they haven't experienced it themselves.

[@Hahshdhbcbcyoutube]

To me te character are just boring

[@goodmanid4335]

The most realistic high school love story ever told in film

[@NicholasOon]

Can't tell if you're being sarcastic there, bud! 😄

[@goodmanid4335]

@@NicholasOon I'm not being sarcastic, because i have experienced that kinda love story.

[@NicholasOon]

@@goodmanid4335 well in that case, thank you for sharing your insight and I feel a lot of people here should see your comment as well! Sorry if you had a rough time in your own story, hope it's in the past now...

[@lambreta8807]

The thing i like about this movie is that if you look the story as a whole doesnt make sense at all, but if you just feel the moment its so nostalgic

[@NicholasOon]

Strangely I do think the movie made sense and it is indeed nostalgic

[@namqulmikah9853]

A classic story about life, love, youth, & growing up. I kinda feel the character's nostalgia after their reunion.

[@NicholasOon]

A very concise summary of what the film's about. Thanks+

[@Lagghy]

In my opinion this film is one of the most mature in the ghibli films roster. it clearly talks to an older audience. The film is made by the youngest animators in the studio and is one of the most realistic, its not a coincidence. Actually the factor that made this film so disliked it’s the realistic aspect, there is nothing left to the dream, miyazaki himself criticized this film because it doesn’t represent the reality as how should be but actually represents the reality as it is. There is nothing left to the dream, there is not an epic love story, it’s not a story about how the protagonist gets the love of the girl he dreams of. The film also finishes without giving any confirms about anything, the trama is also not linear as in other films/anime ecc. This is the most pure slice of life film you can get, it really represents life as it is, it’s not a fable. And this is the strongest element of the film in my opinion, you just have to understand it. I watched this film for the first time 2 years ago, it was my first ghibli film and I wasn’t impressed at all. Now that my culture has grown i finally get it and has became one of my favorites with only yesterday. Sorry for my English, I usually don’t comment but in this case I had to. Peace ✌️

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for your very detailed and personal comment. I love how deeply you reflected on this film and to an extent, I do agree about the reality you spoke about. Take care!

[@Primebeatz50]

I‘m so happy that this was recommended to me. Even though I watched the movie again a few months ago your video really reminded me of why I love it so much. I watched the movie a few years ago when I was 15 for the first time and since then my opinion hasn‘t changed. I was still a kid going to middle school. The only thing that has changed is how I view this movie I think. Growing older and having more experience, the movie really hits different. I still remember that my first thoughts about this movie were that the soundtracks and characters are amazing. Nowadays the story also hits more because like I said after growing older and making my own experiences in life I can comprehend it better. It‘s one of the Ghibli movies I watch at least once a year. Definitely one of my favorites. Thank you for your work and effort, I‘m glad that there are other people that think the same way about the movie like I do :D

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for sharing your story. Glad I could validate some of your feelings while still acknowledging the subjectivity of the film itself. Stories like yours are why I love interpreting movies

[@iliketoeatsoap6843]

This is one of my favorites, I don't know how this is bad, this made me want more and got me hooked

[@NicholasOon]

Films are always subjective, and I'm happy you got to love and enjoy this one. I like to say that it's a privilege to love a movie when many others don't.

[@DoCoqueiro]

The movie is great! The soundtrack, animation and styling are so elegant. Taku is so relatable to almost every men who were a closeted gay adolescent in the 90s and had to the deal with all the emotional mess that comes with it, the cofusing feelings over your straight friends, etc. Great video, keep the good work!

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for the kind comment. Am happy that you related to the film.

[@yuuut-y5k]

その解釈は完全に間違いです。アメリカのポリコレに毒されすぎです。これは単純に高校生の不慣れな恋愛を描いただけです。もちろん友情も表現されます。高校生ですから。

[@pmfr1013]

Great video! I loved ocean waves as well and it's nice to see someone exemplify why I loved it so much. Keep working and you'll be famous!

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks, friend. It's something i felt strongly about ever since seeing the film. Look forward to more!

[@MonisMon]

Consider and respect what you did and your thoughts on this anime, but you're not convincing me on loving it and thinking it as a "not bad" film. The content of the film is bland, it's wandering and not to the point. Moreover, it's sort of "off" and not clear on its message that the film wanted to deliver. But I love your work, I can see a better side of it after watching your video, how the animators put effort to it and the music, too. Not agree on the message thing, though.

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for your honest and polite comment, and of course you can like or dislike the film however you want, I respect that too. The film worked for me, so the video is my way of explaining why.

[@dy2290]

im not even gonna lie, you are an extremely underrated youtuber. This analysis was amazing and you earned a sub no cap

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you very much, friend. I appreciate the thoughts and am grateful I have a viewer like yourself. Let me know what you want to see more/less of moving forward.

[@DrMeikoHayakawa]

The thing about Ocean Waves was it lacked depth unlike other Studio Ghibli movie plots, like Spirited Away, and Princess Mononoke, I get that it was produced by Animators who weren't as experienced as Hayao Miyazaki or Isao Takahata, but its Animation was not bad, and had a quite retro Japanese Animation vibe.

[@NicholasOon]

That’s a fair assessment. I appreciate the film a lot for what it is. While still acknowledging that there are far better films in the Ghibli world from a story standpoint

[@antoniopaiva4059]

few weeks ago, youtube just struck down some studio ghibli's brazilian videos. we lost so many good movies analyses :( quelle chance vous avez!

[@NicholasOon]

I heard about that and was afraid it would happen to me too. It's a huge shame because obviously for us we want to share our love and opinions and get more people to watch these movies as well.

[@myfriendscallmebern]

Really well articulated points! Please keep making content, it would be a shame to lose such an effectively analytical voice.

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks a lot, friend. There is definitely more content on the way.

[@myfriendscallmebern]

@@NicholasOon I watched some of your older videos and it's great to see how far you've come. I like how you haven't completely dropped the SEAsian accent but modulated it to suit broader appeal

[@NicholasOon]

@@myfriendscallmebern Glad you said that about the accent! I'm a bit more confident now that how I speak in this video is how I speak in real life too. And thanks for checking out some of my older stuff. Hope you like where the channel is now than where it was a year ago. 🙂

[@hinab.5132]

i love this video! i think your points were really well made! i especially love what you said about the music, especially the repetitiveness of it. this movie is one of my favourite ghibli movies and it's so sad that I'm in the minority when it comes to that. as someone who lived in a small town for a good majority of my life, i think this movie really shows what it's like for young people in those environments. when you're closed off from everything and solely focused on your own little world, things become bigger than yourself. taku, to me, is someone i can relate to and i especially love the lgbtq+ undetones some may see in the movie! i also think many people from that community can relate to the story itself because it's a story about discovering life and experiencing love, even if it's not 'good' love. when we're teens, we think our problems are just so big and this movie really emphasizes on that. i also think that this movie wasn't made to be something huge or revolutionary. people sometimes tend to forget that movies can be just entertainment, with no deeper meaning. movies don't need intricate lore or plot twists. though, what i do dislike is that the translations for each language are very, very different! i first watched it in french and some lines were delivered completely differently from the english versions. i remember being disappointed because the english line just didn't really tell as much as the french one did (thought i wouldn't be able to give any specifics). this movie, i think, is a gorgeous piece of art and it was crafted very well. this movie is about growth, maturing and experiencing life. it's about the stillness of everything and teens. thanks for your video!

[@AbdulAziz-cj4hg]

im with you! this is my favorite ghibli! tho im not a lgbtq ocean waves theory believer, i kinda agree that bromance happened, and theres always that one kind of a girl that a guy can never reach, but we are all matured eventually!

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for the lovely comment. That's a very interesting insight about the translations too. Glad you enjoy the movie as well as the essay!

[@tubeyou89119]

I love the music at the platform so much.... can't explain why. It just plucks my heart.

[@NicholasOon]

It was very good, wasn't it? Felt like a climax where nothing is happening but a lot of invisible feelings are passing us by.

[@stevet6975]

I could cry every single time i hear ocean waves ost. That motiff of first impression, i was going to say it somehow depicts the teens feelings. And u just slayed it. Spot on.

[@NicholasOon]

Many thanks for the kind comment. It’s a pretty memorable ost that hits in many ways!

[@foxdown]

I first met this movie on a bus trip over 10 years ago, but I didn't know the end because the movie was interrupted. I saw the end of the movie about five years later. I don't know why this movie looked so natural and innocent to me, and I see it again every spring. I think it's because I've had problems with two friends and a girl in between. This movie will never be old for me

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for sharing your story. I love how the film has touched lives like yours in a way that no one else can understand but you.

[@colin_ur_phone]

I didn't know how I felt about this movie at first because I didn't understand the message or importance of it. I was expecting a movie that would fill me with awe and wonder like the other Ghibli movies but this was so much different from those and so different from any movie ever. I didn't know how to interpret it but the more I reflect on the movie and understand it the more I appreciate it.

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for sharing your experience, Colin! I agree that the film would be much more difficult to appreciate if you watch it expecting the fantasy and wonder of other Ghibli movies, but I'm glad you can appreciate it better now

[@youtubedav]

Love the review! I have always found the movie intriguing but I could never pinpoint why. Your explanation summed up my feelings pretty well!!! I'll probably rewatch the movie sometime soon haha

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for saying so. Glad I could indirectly encourage you to watch the film again

[@EricMontreal22]

This is sooo well done. I've long been a big defender of this film. Now I know I can just send anyone who wonders if they should watch it, this video.

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you, friend. Much appreciated.

[@rimjhimdhusiya699]

I wanna add my own thoughts since it looks like a place where the movie is liked. I loved Ocean Waves , It stands at the top of my list but I also agree with ppl who think otherwise ( tho it hurts a lil ) . Now I watched this movie at 4 am , I was in a slumber-ish mood , I wasn't able to go back to sleep and this movie just called out to me , and it did a fantastic job of making me look back at my own life and that's what makes it special to my heart , it's simple , it's just a simple movie talking about realistic things. It's a movie that makes you think of your own good times and bad times but doesn't make you sad , it doesn't make you regret things you haven't done or mourn over the good times , it just gives you peace , it makes it look so small. It makes you realise that you as a whole and your life as a whole is much greater than the simple events of your life. You realise that things that happens to you are like ocean waves , they seem big when they are coming or happening but it does dies down at the end of the shore. Things come and go and that's the beauty of it , your life is an ocean much larger than the waves , the waves are the simple things that make the ocean a lil bit more beautiful. The characters , my favourite about all characters is that they feel real , like if someone says that Taku, Rikako, Yukata or any other of the side characters actually exist or existed , I wouldn't be surprised , because they feel so real. I can see as to why ppl think they are uninteresting but it's just how actual ppl live , I am a quiet girl , I barely speak with anybody so I usually end up just observing ppl and Taku , Yakuta and Rikako are just like real ppl, like real teenagers. Struggling with feelings , having a tough time around but also a simple time too since their world isn't so big. They aren't heroic, they aren't villains they are real ppl and act like one. Some may argue that Taku is heroic since you know he goes out of his way to Tokyo with Rikako but I still feel it was his feelings for Rikako that made him go , the scenes which are considered as subtle hints to Taku not being straight can also be interpreted in a different way as well . Like how he takes Yakuta as better than his other friends cuz Yakuta doesn't seem to be how his other friends act like , he's different he's like him , so he has a higher value for Yakuta compared to other friends , that can be taken romantically but I wanted to look at it without a biased eye , Taku is just a nice person and he cares about respect. He could have not ran out at the call of Rikako's best friend but he did cuz it was a call for help , it could also be for his feelings for Rikako and that he cared so he went. Taku doesn't care about the girl with the big breast either when the boys point out to look at that girl , why he doesn't care can be interpreted in two ways a) he's not interested in girls and b) because the boys around him have said the same thing to him so many times that he just doesn't care. This is also a reason why he likes Yukata more. The reason why he says in the movie that Rikako will never value him right because of the brohood, I read a comic which had a boy who got angry when he found out that one of his friends got a gf, he wasn't angry cuz he was single , he got angry because he thought that , that friend won't hang out with him anymore and just stay with his gf so I can say Taku is like that guy from the comic. Now , I may sound like a homophobic person trying to reason why it's platonic but I am not , I am just showcasing the other side of the coin and my personal stand is that Taku is gay but because I had these reasoning with me as I was watching the movie , I actually didn't get upset and at the prior scene I in fact didn't predict what Yakuta would say cuz it was very two ways . I feel the movie had a lot to say but since it was steered by young ppl , they didn't really hit it right , I feel if supervisions by Miyazaki had been there the movie would have been a hit. Rikako is an interesting character but her potential has been downplayed a lot , some more scenes with Yukata would make Yukata as a character a lil bit more clear , maybe some actual good scenes with Rikako actually could have helped in the progress of the romance. There's so much more I wanna talk about but the comment is too long , if anyone read this I hope you liked what I said , all in all I think this movie is a masterpiece and I think only certain ppl can see it's beauty and enjoy it .

[@NicholasOon]

Many thanks for sharing your thoughts. I see you, and I gotta say this is the best and most detailed comment I've seen today. And I appreciate the attempt at an unbiased view as we are all influenced by our biases although we often try not to be. I actually agree with most of what you said and it shows that films are open to so much interpretation, and it's just a matter of how well you can relate to what you've seen or experienced in the past. Thanks, and take care.

[@blue.orangeade]

Saw the title and had to like it 😤😤😤

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks friend!

[@ight6651]

wow you are underrated! when I watched this amazing video, I went to subscribe expecting you to have at least a hundred thousand 😂. keep making videos!! your so good at it.

[@NicholasOon]

Your comment made my day, thank you so much. When I reach 100k, you can say you were there early! 😂

[@shivamuchiha7]

Finished watching the movie, few mins before only, and came to youtube for the exact message. I agree with all that you have said, thank you 🙌

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for coming on to say this! Appreciate the kind words, and look forward to more.

[@pianism30]

Really liked the movie and your vid too ! Watched Ocean Waves like just days ago. Yes, Certainly a departure from the usual Ghibli films but i watched it after like the magic ones of ghibli (one or two ) and Makoto Shinkai ones (4-5 , which are great btw) so this felt like a good change of genre . The music is certainly one that struck me as beautiful and very 90s (considering am in final year of hs so twas before my time) . I was kinda thinking it odd when the 'first impresions' track which was like a not-sure-about-what-to-do vibe played at the end to but with your vid i realised Taku felt a bit like that at the end too. Coming to the plot it did feel relatable about the foolish and stupid little fights and irrational feelings and impulsive decisions that is kinda hitting this last year of hs , so yeah it was a really nicee watch. People compare with other movies but I usually think about each movie as a single unit while rating it . Overall, its for the nostalgia , this one.👌

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for sharing! Really love how you related to this film and appreciate that you enjoyed the video too

[@pedrofaria6236]

FINALLY someone who agrees, Ocean Waves is so good. Great work bro, since the apresentation until the edition, the quality of the video is amazing. Continue doing more videos like this!! (Others than ghibly too)

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you Pedro! Appreciate the comment and i do have some content in the works

[@kcjinny]

watched the movie before reading/realising that there was so much hate toward it. ironically, all the critiques about pacing, poor dialogue, lack of plot were what gave it so much realism and charm. the tedium of our teen years, time going by so slowly, adolescent angst...all set against a soundtrack that washes it in a melancholic sheen. plus the (possible) queer coding was not lost on me. i daresay this is one of those movies to be rewatched at different stages in your life. there are new lessons, reflections and layers to be found each time ☺️

[@NicholasOon]

You're likely in the same frame of mind as myself and a few other video essayists. I would add that we like to criticise films for being unrealistic from a plot perspective, without realising that real life is sometimes stranger than fiction.

[@clappedclanger4751]

i actually felt exactly the same way about ocean waves, i think people really miss the point because it's not a fantasy film. this probably my favourite studio ghibli film overall.

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for the thoughts! Pretty rare to see someone putting Ocean Waves at number one! But i can't disagree that many people miss the point of the film.

[@_marcobaez]

I think my number one too, and Ponyo :D

[@danielbernas2293]

I remember being shocked when I looked up the soundtrack after watching the film and saw how little attention it has. It might be my favorite Ghibli score. When I went to Tenerife it was the first thing I listened to on the bus, and it's become a go to album for when I want to romanticize my life a little bit.

[@NicholasOon]

It's got a great score! Thanks for highlighting it and I may now add this to my playlist next time i go to the beach!

[@takumorisaki2828]

my top 1 ghibli film, just love how this film is so ambiguous yet nostalgic… and the fact this is so underrated among the ghibli films makes me feel like a treasure. 🥺💖

[@NicholasOon]

Glad to hear your thoughts! Nostalgic indeed.

[@captainhowlerwilson508]

I disagree. There is absolutely no way this film is at all near the top of Ghibli’s filmography considering how creative, whimsical, touching and beautifully animated most of their other films are compared to this one. It is by far one of their weakest outings to date. I get the themes its trying to tell, but that doesn’t mean making the characters so unlikable to the point where you barely get to sympathise with them.

[@Psychlych]

I actually really enjoyed the animation for this movie. I'm a fan of old 90's animes. The setting was also different to the other studio ghibli movies I've seen as their usually a fantasy style story, but with Ocean waves it's a slice of life drama which I feel I can relate to much better than Ghibli's other films/

[@NicholasOon]

That's fair! That slice of life-ness was something few Ghibli fans were used to when this film came out

[@AbdulAziz-cj4hg]

to me, this is the best ghibli film, its kinda “boring🤪”, its calming, and lazy, thats the point of high school. the music makes the protagonist highschool reunion feels SO NOSTALGIC, everytime i met my friends from high school, i remember this anime. i have 2 modes of watching a movie, the "serious and technical" one, and the "lazy calm, just rewatch it" one, this film feels like its unfinished, AND THAT'S THE POINT, i waste my time to rewatch it, and it feels great! it touches my heart the plot is very realistic, your life is still unfinished, u r confused, nostalgic, and yea, its a perfect slice of life. its beyond relatable

[@NicholasOon]

That's a great point! Some movies are great at portraying things unfinished in the story. For some that would be horrible and for others it would be perfect. Thanks for bringing it up

[@joeco9513]

just watched this, ngl might be one of my favorites from the ghibli canon now.

[@NicholasOon]

Glad you liked the film!!

[@funfunfun275]

A good way of putting why Ocean Waves is good in a nutshell is it makes a fantasy feeling world in real life and is perfectly subtle in doing so. Good music, relatable characters, and it has that mystical mood that you feel on a particularly nice and cool day outside when everything feels overly real. (not sure if everyone else has had a moment like that in a day when things feel sort of fanciful in the calmness around you)

[@NicholasOon]

You've hit the nail on the head, in my opinion!

[@jeffreygao3956]

I think it would’ve been far better had it just focused on the seagulls.

[@NicholasOon]

It would certainly be the best seagulls movie I'll see in my life

[@kalpparashar5017]

This film single handledly stands with before sunrise, YI YI , brighter summer day, call me by your name because all of these are melancholic smooth films of all time

[@NicholasOon]

I wouldn't put Ocean Waves in that list, though i would agree that it's a melancholic, smooth film for sure

[@joshuatoledo6232]

I think this movie is given such a bad rap bc Rikaku’s attitude. I think she is rude but that’s her appeal to me. She’s a young girl, she’s not meant to be mature and level headed. You call her unlikeable I call her interesting. She’s a teenager going through the motions and makes questionable and irrational decisions. That’s what being a teenager is like. Also I could see how ppl may not understand why Taku fell for her but that’s kind of the point I think. Humans are irrational... love doesn’t have a formula, especially in high school. The movie reminded me a lot of my own HS melodrama and that’s why I love this film.

[@NicholasOon]

This is a pretty accurate reflection of how I feel as well. If you've gone through a bunch of teenage drama before, then the film will be infinitely relatable. It's understandable if people don't like the character tho.

[@rafaelcamacho3015]

I have my problems with Ocean Waves, but I really enjoyed it (a lot more than most people, it seems). Though I would like to add my favorite scene in the movie (since no one really mentions it): When Rikako was getting bullied by the other female students. Not because I liked seeing Rikako getting bullied, but because it felt realistic and crude. I could actually feel pain and uncomfort in that moment, and it's the first time I've felt like that in a bullying scene in a long while. I have other factors that make this movie great for me, but I'll leave it there since my comment will get a bit long... Great video! :)

[@NicholasOon]

Many thanks for the comment, Rafael. Interesting take on the bullying scene.

[@jamesheufve5265]

This movie made me think to a mix between your name and bunny girl senpai (even though it released way before) and it feels like perfection to me

[@NicholasOon]

Perfection is a strong word indeed. I can see some Your Name in there although the story is completely different. Haven't seen Bunny Girl Senpai but I'm sure there are parallels

[@jamesheufve5265]

Main parrallel w bunny girl senpai is the tsundere/save me behaviour of the girl

[@antonpang2894]

I liked ocean waves the sound track was really calming and the general theme of the movie has a sense of realism compared to other movies they've created, it talks about school life and nostalgia and situations interlinking with other people. Overall really enjoyed it

[@NicholasOon]

Glad you liked it and gave a shoutout to the soundtrack. I agree with everything you said and that's why this film has a special place in my soul. Thanks for leaving a thought!

[@cyborgboy08]

I feel the same way when you said first impression is really suitable to depict how Taku feels when he get caught in an awkward situation with Rikako, that's just perfect right? I found someone on reddit who thinks it's trash to use the track in such a sad moment since the melody is quiet playful, like... come on

[@cyborgboy08]

Anyway every time someone asks me what my most favorite instrumental album, I'll undoubtedly say Ocean Waves by Shigeru Nagata. Literally no bad songs there!

[@NicholasOon]

Very interesting to hear your thoughts! I wouldn't call it my favourite score of all time but I do agree it's a very good one

[@cuartosflocz3670]

me suscribo. ah ya estaba suscrita! jajaja great video, you helped me to understand the reasons why I love this movie so much.

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for the sub, Cuartos. Look forward to more, and glad you enjoyed this video!

[@tingachhakchhuak6083]

Don't know critics would hate it, i really enjoyed it. Loved all Ghibli movies btw (haven't watched Earthsea tho)

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for leaving a comment and yea I enjoyed it too. I hope you dont have to change your love for 'all' Ghibli movies once you watch Earthsea.

[@tingachhakchhuak6083]

@@NicholasOon Thank you. Enjoyed your video so much btw 🙏

[@iamnobody1507]

The thing about ranking movies is that something must be at the top and something must be at the bottom, a lot of people seem to place this movie at or near the bottom. I'm interested in what you think this movie beats among the Ghibli films for it to be included in the top 10.

[@NicholasOon]

Good question. As it happens, I also have a video ranking all Studio Ghibli movies. So check it out if you haven't.

[@iamnobody1507]

@@NicholasOon Hi I just watched that vid! It surprised me because mine is very different with yours! It's amazing how each person has a very unique take on the movies and yet we still all agree that Ghibli films are awesome and everyone will surely love at least one (or ten) of their movies!

[@NicholasOon]

Love your comment. Ultimately we each have our own viewing experience and we interpret all these movies differently. Your opinions are different from mine, but have just as much value.

[@micaelaargv.3933]

It was a good review, I came looking for an opinion in Spanish but I only found it in English. I suscribe 😊

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you very much for the sub. Lo siento but I know very little Spanish from my time in school. However if you want to create spanish subtitles for other Spanish speakers, I would be very grateful for that as well! Cheers

[@Tomas_02.25]

I kinda hated Rikako... But again weren't we all like that when we were teenagers?! 😄😄😄 It's a beautiful movie. Very nostalgic ❤️

[@NicholasOon]

Not many of us can relate to Rikako as a character, but you're absolutely right about the angst and irrationality of teenagers. Not an easy concept to grasp

[@blaue_sophie1317]

I quite liked the movie when I was a teenager. Now I don't hate it but I realised that the relationship between Rikako and Taku is weird. It would have made so much more sense if Yutaka and Taku got together. Taku never liked Rikako. I like these kind of slow slice of life stories but I could think that actually the relationship between Taku and Yutaka resonated with me the most in the movie.

[@NicholasOon]

Fair comment. That would have been an interesting angle to approach from. I think there's still a lot to appreciate even though I'm an adult, but i get where you're coming from

[@adibyss]

good analysis. this is one of my favourite ghibli. and for me the no 1 factor is the music. it really brings me back to the nineties. flutes are quintessentially 90s lol.

[@NicholasOon]

Interesting point! Music is so important in capturing the vibes of an era

[@nvrlndJay]

I honestly loved Ocean Waves the first time i watched it and i listen to First Impressions like everyday, idk why i just love it so much (i like the rest of the soundtrack too but first impressions is my favorite). This is honestly one of my favorite movies. Not gonna lie, I thought it was an lgbt movie because of the way Taku acted towards Yutaka and i don’t even get how Taku fell for Rikaku. Other than the ending I just really loved the movie, it was slow paced/ kinda simple and i loved that.

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for the comment! I never saw the film as an LGBT movie but I totally get why others do. I appreciated the slow, nostalgic pace as well, and yes First Impressions is pretty memorable. Such an underrated film.

[@rushfudge62]

This gives me another perspective of the film💕 Thank you

[@NicholasOon]

I'm so glad it did!

[@rushfudge62]

Maximum Hype stay safe this quarantinee💕💖

[@NicholasOon]

@@rushfudge62 you too!

[@lilyh1470]

The animation and music is gorgeous! Certainly doesn't have that wow factor like other Ghibli flims but it's a slice of life. I don't expect too much (simplicityis the word you're looking for). The plot didn't have hole so much as I had problems with Rikako( and her character). She' s a typical book/ flim trope character of a new lonely girl- stuck up, 2-D (flat character),has baggage, detached (flakey) disconnected isolated. Obviously she has some trust issues too. But what I hate most is our main protagonists gets screwed and gets hurt constantly but her but still in love with her? I would've prefer the bromance with him and the best friend instead of her dragging him into her problems. But ghibli had to be cautious.

[@NicholasOon]

Hello Lily, thank you for the comment. I understand a lot of the hate around Rikako and her relationship with our protagonist. I would say that, at that age, people do a lot of irrational things and it's something I myself can relate to. I think by the end of the film, we find that Rikaku has changed so it brings it back to a more reasonable place.

[@psixi2668]

What a lovely video; if I get the chance to see Ocean Waves, I'll definitely do so! (And I immediately liked this video the moment 1:40 came on; _gold._ )

[@NicholasOon]

Hey, thanks so much for the kind comment. Appreciate it loads and if you happen to have a netflix account, Ocean Waves is available there unless you live in the states, in which case I think it'll be on HBO Max

[@mitsumi-8578]

THIS MOVIE IS AMAZING I LOVE IT ✨

[@NicholasOon]

It's amazing you think it's amazing! ❤ Not many people can relate to it very much.

[@Ruchaaaaaa]

I love how you explained this video 💗✨

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you for the kind comment. Look forward to more!

[@neonpop80]

This film looks amazing! Looks like postcards and slice of life drama with nostalgia colors. Cant wait to watch! Im schocked its not a staple for Vaporwave

[@NicholasOon]

It definitely has a vaporwave vibe!

[@sambhavnath6668]

The best studio ghibli film for me I dont care about critics or others this is the best ghibli film for me

[@kendawg_mcawesome]

Can't say I totally agree. However, I love the animation in that movie, at least the everyday objects, character animations are a much more mixed bag. The way items of everyday life are represented with such obvious care, but in such an understated way is why I think people often clip the movie to GIFs or stills, it just looks lovely without any sense of ostentation. You sold me somewhat on the music too. In terms of the narrative and themes, I can appreciate on an intellectual level, but the sad reality is that the way it plays out is a slow slog with characters I either don't care anything about, or actively dislike in a way that isn't conducive to me investing in the film.

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts. Think it’s a great example of how film hits us in different ways.

[@DiogoMaia2]

Great video, but I still think this picture isn't that good, mainly because of character development, specially the girl, Rikaku. Anyway, IMO the most underrated movie of Ghibli is Only Yesterday, slightly ahead of Arrietty. They are not my favorite animation of this studio, but both of them are overlooked by the press and even by the fans.

[@NicholasOon]

I get it. That character is not anyone's favourite. There's a lot of irrationality in this movie and strangely, I think that's what makes it good. But thanks for sharing your thoughts and I think Only Yesterday is an expertly crafted film as well.

[@joelgutheil4292]

Brother from another mother you are indeed - I must be the only person in the world with an Ocean Waves tattoo, no joke. Favourite Ghibli movie of ALL TIME. Yes numero uno, not in the top ten. And you nailed the reasons why.

[@NicholasOon]

An Ocean Waves tattoo? Thats cool! Whats the design specifically? I'd dare say you might be the only one in the world for sure.

[@joelgutheil4292]

@@NicholasOon take a look, they’re a part of a collage I have on both arms 😛 www.dropbox.com/sh/ucp9j7k0puzgn8l/AABclQ79jQ_Fo_WIGDOjlwCLa?dl=0

[@NicholasOon]

@@joelgutheil4292 pretty sick! Thanks for the share

[@NEIL-sc6wx]

Music scoring got me. It makes me feel that I'm part of the scenes

[@NicholasOon]

The score definitely is a highlight!

[@Leonardomourao]

Totally agreed with you! Thank you for posting it.

[@NicholasOon]

Thanks for sharing your appreciation! Glad to have covered this movie for you

[@mymother6229]

It would have made so much sense if they had just established that it's queer. I would have understand if they were trying to play safe but constantly misguiding the audience into where the story is really heading to. All in all, the movie could have been better if they just tried to lead us to somewhere and not into oblivion making us depend mostly on our own assertions and predictions about the what if's they left for the audience. Anyway I really enjoy these types of video, diving into a movie and putting your own understanding. It gives us other audience the shovel to dig deeper and explore the depth of the story in another's person perspective.

[@NicholasOon]

I appreciate the comment! To be honest it made total sense to me even without the queer angle, so I feel it really depends on your personal experience

[@brendanmatelan2129]

This film overall is not very good, but I wouldn’t consider it the worst. I personally like it just a little bit, mostly because of the slice of life aspect and I find moments that are relatable. Taku is like all of us; once a teenager with lots of confusing/conflicting thoughts and emotions. I also like to think Rikako is a good woman at her core, but was experiencing a lot of hardship during the movie. Once again, very relatable. I might be a bit blinded by whatever I find appealing about this movie, but I’m willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. Doesn’t quite deserve the torch unlike other movies, Ghibli or Non-Ghibli.

[@NicholasOon]

A very balanced observation! Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

[@sodikhidayat1696]

I used to said that All of Ghibli Movie is "Mid" But expect this movie, its really Masterpiece and i can say that this the bes ghibli movue, and i dont know why Ghibli Fans hate this Film hahaha 😂

[@NicholasOon]

You’re in a very small minority of fans but that’s what I love about this comment. Really highlights how subjective art is. Thank you for sharing

[@karaelders1546]

I know a lot of people don't like the movie because of the characters being dislikable or the pacing but those aren't really my issues with it. Don't get me wrong I agree with the characters being dislikable especially Rikako but they're realistic. Rikako is a teen girl who on top of going through everything a normal teen is going through also has to deal with her parents divorcing, moving to a new area much different than she's used too, and feeling like she can't lean on either of her parents because she doesn't want to burden her mom and her dad is too busy dealing with his new woman. Yes she's bratty but we can see by the way her dad pays off Taku and puts him up in a hotel like it's nothing that he's probably spoiled her a good bit growing up. And again she's going through a very emotionally taxing time which even a lot of adults would have a hard time dealing with much less a teen. Not to excuse her actions but just to say they were very realistic for the context. The other characters while usually being less outright obnoxious also had noticeable character flaws that made them seem more human. I actually appreciated all of this because it's not often that we get to see characters like this that aren't villains for (valid considering the feedback on this movie)fear of the audience not connecting or empathizing with the character and thus losing interest. I also agree that the pacing was pretty slow and the scenes kind of jump around a bit in awkward ways. But I partially write this off as inexperienced directors and partially agree with the take of it promoting a sense of mundanity that the film was going for. So that didn't bother me too much either. What DID bother me was the ending! As the movie plays out we see quite a bit the drama, friendship, trials, and growth that happens during adolescence. We see how much Taku cares for Yutaka. See everything that Rikako is going through. And we see everybody get dragged into messy situations with the miscommunications and misunderstandings that happen when you have people interacting. What at least I personally don't see is any sort of romance bud between Rikako and Taku. They are constantly pissing each other off and don't have any sort of chemistry to turn that into romantic tension. When he first takes an interest in her unlike the other boys it doesn't seem to have any sort of romantic or sexual connotation to it. He seems to be more interested in her strength and smarts and as the story progresses her relation to Yutaka. It feels more like a general intrigue of a new person who's seems to be outshining their peers rather than a romantic interest. Then as he begins interacting with her her attitude and behavior seems to grate on him and at several points he expressly states that she's annoying or he finds her rude. Which I know some people still hold faith in the whole "They're mean to you because they like you" and find bickering to be romantic and I could see it if there were any moments to actually indicate some sort of attraction. Even when he accompanies her to Tokyo though he seems only to do it to try and get back his money and to bail Yumi out because he's a decent guy. And on the trip when she's crying in his arms which would be a perfect scene to show some feelings that could be growing, instead of putting an arm around her or looking at her with concern he looks exasperated and complains about it being like a drama. Then gripes about her being shallow after she calls him to show off in front of her ex. I could maybe see her having feelings for him after all this but it really just feels more like she's using him to get through all of the things she's got going on in her life. Even at the end Taku seems to understand the other girls being fed up with Rikako and only praises her for standing up to them because it demonstrates that same strength that he appreciated about her in the first place. I think the film would be a lot more enjoyable to me if it didn't try to force a romance that just wasn't there. Had it stuck to just exploring what it's like to be youthful including the tribulations that come with it and how we look upon it as we grow I thinking it would have been a lot more interesting and the message would have hit home a lot more. Good job on the analysis though!

[@NicholasOon]

Thank you very much Kara! I appreciate the effort and thought put into this comment, thanks for articulating your opinion the way you did. I understand your point about the romance although the lack of more action between the two leads didn't bother me as much. Have a great week ahead!

[@karaelders1546]

@@NicholasOon Thank you for giving me the space to articulate my opinion! After watching the movie I was itching to discuss the way it ended and your analysis made me think of some things in ways I hadn't before so thank you 🙂 I can understand why it didn't really bother you and I'm glad you enjoyed watching the movie. I honestly didn't mind the lack of romance between the leads either until it got to the end and I found out we were supposed to be invested in their relationship. It felt almost like a betrayal of the rest of the movie I had watched and I was completely baffled as to how I was suppose to believe Taku suddenly loved Rikako. But I also watch a lot of romance stories and so if I'm told two characters are in love I expect the content of the story to reflect that. Studio Ghibli had also been good in my experience before this in creating subtle but believable romance in their films. Some of my favorite examples being Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, Tales from Earthsea etc. So to have this one come from so far out of left field it was a little disappointing. But thank you for the reply and you have a good week as well!

[@hamadalkaabi2160]

Tbh I loved this movie and think it’s one of the best of the studios job but I was surprised when I saw the hate on it I see that people didn’t see the movie as I saw it like it’s message to people was different then mine so let me explain what I learned from this movie at first taku sees the girl and likes her you can see that from the teenis scene but does not try to make any moves knowing that his friend who told him about her in the first place likes her too for which he values his friendship more then her so this is about the two guys alright now let’s go to the girl the girl puts her life problems on others where she thinks her life problems are bigger then others you can see it from the scene where she rejects taku friend harshly bc she thinks her not being in Tokyo is more important then this guy confessing his love and you see the scene where she took money from taku and from the scene where she dragged her friend to come with her to Tokyo she sees her problems are bigger and are more important then the life’s of the people she’s around the other boys and girls see that but don’t speak bc she’s a pretty girl she’s a perfect girl but taku didn’t shut up where he when he heard of how harshly she reject his friend he knew that she didn’t care about other people she didint care that she tricked him she didn’t care that she dragged him to Tokyo and then he bursted and slapped and told how much of a bitch she’s been where he didint say that before bc his friend liked her but then the second slap which she does with the girls is out of frustration of not seeing how dumb she was acting and embarrassed by her action but she’s ok with it after the years bc as time passes you start to see things as being normal and that goes for his friend to he punched bc he held back he knew he liked but did not make a move bc he liked her and after going to college and comes back he realized his frustration and apologized to him and that’s why I think this movie is soo good idk about you guys but please tell me why you hate or like this movie 🎥

[@NicholasOon]

Wow, this is a legit review. I agree with most of what you mentioned. It really has a lot to do with emotional maturity at that age. Glad you liked the film as well.

[@hamadalkaabi2160]

Maximum Hype sorry I just kinda get in the mode some times and just write what’s on my mind 😅

[@kathanprajapati8956]

People compare this movie to other Ghibli films, but fail to see that it is still better than like half of Pixar's films.

[@NicholasOon]

Half is a big number! As a big Pixar fan as well, I would hesitate to say it’s as good as that, which says a lot about Pixar’s consistency in output.

[@Ardit-kq4bt]

I recently watched the movie and I loved it. So relaxing and pleasing to watch

[@NicholasOon]

It was very chill, wasn't it?

[@Unhygienicuser]

Not bad like others saying ,it's really a beautiful movie!

[@NicholasOon]

I think so as well! Thanks for the comment Ashu

[@HydraSpectre1138]

The film gives me heavy (500) Days of Summer vibes in terms of the plot and how it's presented. Ocean Waves is possibly an early predecessor to the mumblecore indie film, and I love it.

[@NicholasOon]

That’s an interesting comparison! I can see why you might think that in terms of whether the couple ends up together or not, though I feel the journey there is quite different!

[@HydraSpectre1138]

@@NicholasOon Yeah. Thanks! ❤️

[@backalleyproductions3127]

I love thia movie Beautiful art and sense of love. I like the sense of love between the characters. Especially between the girl (cant never spell her name right lmao) and taku and yukta bromace of true friends. Good movie. Very good movie

[@aishaexo-l611]

My goal is that when i get old (If I get to that age) I'm going to ask my grandchildren to send me copiea of Studio Ghibli in my home care shelter so I can enjoy my childhood once again.

[@NicholasOon]

Hopefully there are many more great Ghibli movies to come that your grandchildren can enjoy as well!

[@Think0Like0Cheese]

Other than some of the relationship dynamics that I didn't always get, I really enjoyed this. The nostalgic, melancolic atmosphere is just memerizing. I could watch it all again just for the feeling it brings me. And I personnally thought the animation was beautiful. I don't understand why that aspect was so badly rated.

[@NicholasOon]

It was probably very different from everything studio Ghibli made, which brought with it some inevitable inertia

[@Vectone]

I love this movie because it is just normal story about people. Thats why in super hero movies I like when they are just sad or doing nothing and feeling hopeless.

[@NicholasOon]

The quieter, more introspective moments of movies are always my favourite

[@liv8021]

I watched the movie for the first time yesterday and absolutely loved it. Totally agree would not be in my top 5, but in my top 10 favorite Ghibli movies.

[@NicholasOon]

We're aligned on that one!

[@bugietonight3045]

i love how this movie has a lot of rawness in it

[@NicholasOon]

Raw is a good way to describe. A lot of feelings only certain people will understand

[@HydraSpectre1138]

That emotional rawness is what makes me love Studio Ghibli films. Most, if not all of their films are that great.