Ocean Waves: A Novel

The classic coming-of-age drama that inspired the Studio Ghibli film, about a young man and his wayward first love who unexpectedly reunite, finally available in English.

After leaving his coastal hometown of Kochi for college in Tokyo, Taku Morisaki makes a surprising discovery. Rikako Muto—who had been a transfer student at his senior high school and from whom he had grown distant after a certain incident—has rejected an offer from a local university and flown back to Tokyo. Despite his efforts to look towards the future, Taku can't help but feel nostalgic. He is flooded by high school memories of the beautiful and complicated girl who flustered and fascinated him.

When Rikako arrives at school, she quickly becomes the center of everyone's universe. Academically and athletically gifted, she's also arrogant, antisocial, and erratic. But no one can deny her magnetism; she's an "it girl" whether she wants to be or not. Taku begins to fall for her, as does Yutaka, his mature and cool-tempered best friend. Not wanting to threaten their friendship, Taku tries to suppress his feelings. But once he enters Rikako's unpredictable (and irresistible) orbit, he can't escape. From an unforgettable school trip to Hawaii to a surprise visit to Tokyo in search of Rikako's father, the two grow increasingly close—until a misunderstanding tears them apart. As time passes, the little older and wiser Taku and Rikako cross paths again by chance, leaving Taku to wonder if their fleeting connection may be fated for more.

Breezy yet bittersweet, delicate yet dazzling, Ocean Waves beautifully explores the bumpy road between adolescence and adulthood, first love and heartbreak. The inspiration behind the Studio Ghibli film, Saeko Himuro's classic novel is available in English in this pitch-perfect translation by Yui Kajita, and features gorgeous watercolor illustrations by Katsuya Kondo, the iconic Ghibli character designer.

Translated from the Japanese by Yui Kajita