Studio Ghibli’s 1993 anime Ocean Waves (Umi ga Kikoeru) is making its theatrical debut in Japan with a new poster and trailer released ahead of its nationwide run. The film will screen for three weeks starting July 4.
The new visual highlights the film’s protagonists, Taku and Rikako, reflecting the story’s nostalgic tone. Set in Kochi, the film follows high schooler Taku as he recalls his past and the arrival of transfer student Rikako from Tokyo, leading to a series of emotional events that unfold during their school days.
Originally based on the novel by the late Saeko Himuro, Ocean Waves was serialized in Animage and later adapted into this made-for-TV anime. The film was directed by Tomomi Mochizuki (Ranma ½, Kimagure Orange Road) and written by Keiko Niwa under the pseudonym Kaori Nakamura. Longtime Ghibli collaborator Katsuya Kondo, known for Kiki’s Delivery Service and From Up on Poppy Hill, handled character design and illustrated the original novel. Music was composed by Shigeru Nagata.
The voice cast includes Nobuo Tobita, Yoko Sakamoto, and Toshihiko Seki.
The Ocean Waves franchise also includes a live-action TV drama and a 1999 novel sequel, Ocean Waves II: Ai ga Aru kara. Both novels were re-released in updated editions in 2022 and 2023. A visual collection book for the anime was published in October 2024.
The upcoming theatrical release offers a new opportunity for fans to revisit or discover this quieter gem from Studio Ghibli’s catalog on the big screen.
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