Ocean Waves (1993) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
At Kichijōji Station, Tokyo, Taku Morisaki glimpses a familiar woman on the platform opposite boarding a train. Later, her photo falls from a shelf as he exits his apartment before flying to Kōchi Prefecture. Picking it up, he looks at it briefly before leaving. As the aeroplane takes off, he narrates the events that brought her into his life...
Rated PG-13 • 1993 • 1h 12m
Ocean Waves received its PG-13 rating primarily for its mature thematic content and a few brief but startling moments of teen violence. The film, a melancholic romance told in flashback, deals with adolescent alienation, peer conflict, and the emotional fallout of divorce. The violence consists of characters, including the female protagonist Rikako, slapping and punching each other in anger. Language is very mild, and there is brief… Sign up for the full guide
Cast
Is Ocean Waves appropriate for kids?
Ocean Waves received its PG-13 rating primarily for its mature thematic content and a few brief but startling moments of teen violence. The film, a melancholic romance told in flashback, deals with adolescent alienation, peer conflict, and the emotional fallout of divorce. The… Read more — free account
Content severity in Ocean Waves
What happens in Ocean Waves, moment by moment
- 0:05 🔥 Mature Themes 3/10
- 0:15 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- 0:26 🔥 Mature Themes 5/10
Sex and nudity in Ocean Waves
Content in this category is very mild. A core plot point involves the two teenage leads, Taku and Rikako, spending a night in the same hotel room, but it is explicitly non-sexual as he sleeps in the bathtub. This event is later used for gossip and innuendo among classmates, but nothing is shown. There is no nudity or sexual activity.
Violence and gore in Ocean Waves
There are a few brief but startling moments of physical conflict between teenagers, driven by intense emotion. In a heated argument, Rikako slaps Taku, and he slaps her in return. In another scene, Rikako slaps Taku again. Near the end, Taku's friend Yutaka punches him out of frustration. These acts are not graphic but are emotionally charged and central to the characters' conflicts.
Language in Ocean Waves
Language is infrequent and mild. Based on typical subtitle translations for the material, viewers can expect some insults like 'idiot' and potentially mild exclamations like 'damn' used during heated arguments between the teenage characters. The profanity is not pervasive.
Drugs, alcohol, and smoking in Ocean Waves
Substance use is minimal and incidental. During a class reunion scene, adult characters are shown drinking alcohol socially in the background. There is also a brief depiction of an adult character smoking a cigarette. There is no focus on substance use or abuse.
Mature themes in Ocean Waves
The film's primary focus is on mature and complex adolescent themes. It explores feelings of loneliness and alienation, particularly through Rikako, a transfer student struggling to fit in. The story deals with the pain of parental divorce, unspoken romantic feelings, jealousy among friends, high school gossip, and the long-term regret of missed opportunities. The overall tone is nostalgic and melancholic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ocean Waves appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests Ocean Waves is best for ages 13+. It's rated PG-13. Ocean Waves received its PG-13 rating primarily for its mature thematic content and a few brief but startling moments of teen violence. The film, a melancholic romance told in flashback, deals with adolescent…
What age rating does Ocean Waves have?
Ocean Waves is officially rated PG-13. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 13+.
What is Ocean Waves about?
Ocean Waves received its PG-13 rating primarily for its mature thematic content and a few brief but startling moments of teen violence. The film, a melancholic romance told in flashback, deals with adolescent alienation, peer conflict, and the emotional fallout of divorce. The violence consists of characters…
Is there sex or nudity in Ocean Waves?
Content in this category is very mild. A core plot point involves the two teenage leads, Taku and Rikako, spending a night in the same hotel room, but it is explicitly non-sexual as he sleeps in the bathtub. This event is later used for gossip and innuendo…
How violent is Ocean Waves?
There are a few brief but startling moments of physical conflict between teenagers, driven by intense emotion. In a heated argument, Rikako slaps Taku, and he slaps her in return. In another scene, Rikako slaps Taku again. Near the end, Taku's friend Yutaka…
Is the language in Ocean Waves appropriate for kids?
Language is infrequent and mild. Based on typical subtitle translations for the material, viewers can expect some insults like 'idiot' and potentially mild exclamations like 'damn' used during heated arguments between the teenage characters. The profanity is…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking shown in Ocean Waves?
Substance use is minimal and incidental. During a class reunion scene, adult characters are shown drinking alcohol socially in the background. There is also a brief depiction of an adult character smoking a cigarette. There is no focus on substance use or…
What mature themes appear in Ocean Waves?
The film's primary focus is on mature and complex adolescent themes. It explores feelings of loneliness and alienation, particularly through Rikako, a transfer student struggling to fit in. The story deals with the pain of parental divorce, unspoken romantic…
How long is Ocean Waves?
Ocean Waves runs 72 minutes, directed by Tomomi Mochizuki, released in 1993.
Where can I read the full Ocean Waves parent guide?
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