On May 5, 1993, Studio Ghibli's standalone feature film Ocean Waves premiered on Japanese television. While the film is considered one of the studio's lesser-known works, it will soon get its chance to shine in a new commemorative art book titled Ocean Waves: The Visual Collection.
One of the few Ghibli productions not directed by studio co-founder Hayao Miyazaki, Ocean Waves is a touching coming-of-age romance directed by Mochizuki Tomomitsu (Maison Ikkoku, Mysterious Disappearances). According to Comic Natalie and Mantan Web, Ocean Waves: The Visual Collection presents a condensed version of the anime story using 30 animation stills selected by Director Tomomitsu. Additionally, the editors take readers behind the scenes with original color illustrations, character backgrounds, and other conceptual material created during the show's production. Some images from the upcoming book can be seen below.
Studio Ghibli's Most Underrated Film Finally Gets Its Own Art Book
Ocean Waves is based on a novel written by Himuro Saeko. Kondo Katsuya, who produced the illustrations, later served as animation director for Ghibli's television adaptation. The book was originally serialized by ANIMAGE, the same publication that was famous for Hayao Miyazaki's Nausicaa manga before creating the 1984 film version. Notably, Ocean Waves: The Visual Collection traces every part of the story's history. According to Comic Natalie, it will include 140 manga-style illustrations by Katsuya, including character sketches created before the novel was officially serialized. Towards the end, an ending gallery will also feature various promotional materials, including “posters, flyers, and images of [Ocean Waves] “The Goods.” Each section is accompanied by in-depth interviews with members of the anime's production team, including director Tomomitsu, producers Takahashi Nozomu, and Kondo Katsuya.
Ocean Waves is being rediscovered as a Ghibli masterpiece in Japan
Set in modern-day Kochi and Tokyo, Ocean Waves revolves around high school classmates Taku Morisaki and Yutaka Matsuno, whose friendship struggles after they both develop feelings for a transfer student named Rikako Muto. While the special was well received when it first aired on television, it has since become relatively unknown compared to globally popular Ghibli films such as My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, and Whisper of the Heart. However, Japanese audiences are said to have “rediscovered” the special through the internet, leading to a sudden resurgence in popularity. In March 2024, this particular film was re-released at the Bunkamura Le Cinema Shibuya Miyashita in Tokyo's Shibuya area, resulting in a surge in viewership of the anime often referred to as Ghibli's “ghost masterpiece”.
Japan-based publisher Two Virgins will release Ocean Waves: The Visual Collection nationwide on October 25, 2024. As of August 29, it is unclear whether the art book will be released internationally. However, viewers in the United States and Japan can stream Ocean Waves on Max.
Source: Comic Natalie, Mantan Web
