Is this the vibiest Ghibli film to date?

I've recently re-watched Studio Ghibli's Ocean Waves and it got me thinking about what is it that makes me coming back to it. I knew it isn't as complex or as rich as some of the other Ghibli animations, yet for some unexplained reason, I've always felt the strongest about this particular film. Consequently, I ended up making a short appreciation video where I try to figure out and explain my feelings for this little forgotten gem.

Created for TV by Ghibli’s junior team, this quiet, hour-long story drifts through a high school boy’s memories in a way that feels more like slipping into a daydream than watching a movie. There are no monsters, no flying castles—just a sleepy summer, a few complicated friendships, and the soft ache of youth remembered.

This video is my small tribute to one of Ghibli’s most overlooked gems. It’s a reflection on how sometimes, we don’t need a story to go somewhere big. Sometimes, we just want to sit inside it and let it wash over us.

With all the craziness surrounding Ghibli-style AI and ChatGPT I thought this would be a decent moment to discuss one of my all-time favorite studio Ghibli animations :)

Thanks for watching.
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🎞️ Movie: Ocean Waves (海がきこえる - Umi ga Kikoeru)

🎧 Music used:
1. Shigeru Nagata - First Impression
2. My quickie guitar attempt at the Ocean Waves theme song because the original got blocked :(

Subscribe please :)

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