It’s hard to find a fan of Studio Ghibli who has not watched the entire catalog of movies animated by the now-legendary studio founded by Hayao Miyazaki, Isao Takahata, and Toshio Suzuki. However, Ocean Waves may just be the exception. Aired in 1993 on Nippon TV, Ocean Waves is a rare Ghibli movie that never appeared on the big screen in Japan, at least until now.
As reported by @MangaMoguraRE on X, Ocean Waves will air in Japanese theaters for the first time starting on July 4, 2025. This touching, coming-of-age romantic drama explores themes that are not usually the focus of Ghibli movies, with adolescent characters going through high school and university.
Ocean Waves Is a Hidden Gem in Ghibli’s Catalog
The Made-for-TV Movie Was Created by Ghibli’s Younger Staff
Ocean Waves has a peculiar history. It was the first Ghibli movie not directed by Miyazaki, and it was an attempt to give the studio’s younger staff a chance to showcase their talents. Directed by Tomomi Mochizuki and written by Keiko Niwa, and based on the novel of the same name by Saeko Himuro, the movie depicts a love triangle between two longtime friends and a new girl who transfers to their small-town school from Tokyo.
The movie was supposed to be produced quickly and cheaply while not giving up on quality, but the attempt failed, and Ocean Waves went both over budget and over schedule. It also never appeared in Japanese theaters, while receiving several home video releases. North American audiences, however, got a chance to watch Ocean Waves in cinemas when GKIDS released it in a limited run between 2016 and 2017.
Still, few Ghibli fans around the world can say they had the privilege of watching this hidden gem in movie theaters. If Japanese screenings go well, Ocean Waves may also get an extended international release, which will be a great chance to experience a unique entry in Ghibli’s catalog.
Source: @MangaMoguraRE (X)
Ocean Waves
- Release Date
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October 7, 1994
- Runtime
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72 minutes
- Director
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Tomomi Mochizuki
- Writers
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Keiko Niwa
- Producers
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Nozomu Takahashi, Shinichiro Maeda, Michio Yokoo
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Nobuo Tobita
Taku Morisaki (voice)
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Youko Sakamoto
Rikako Mutou (voice)
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Toshihiko Seki
Yutaka Matsuno (voice)
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Yuri Amano
Akiko Shimizu (voice)
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