The OU animation society continues its series of films tonight with I Can Hear the Sea, a touching Japanese animation film.

I Can Hear the Sea is like a cross between an anime film and a John Hughes movie. That really isn't a bad thing, but people expecting science fiction or fantasy elements will be surprised to find a teen-age drama. It sounds crazy, but it works. It's a nice quiet piece about friendship, love and a bit of idealism.

The film is set in a small Japanese village and chronicles the lives of best friends Taku and Matsuo from the beginning of high school to their first year in college.

Things begin to grow sour for the best friends when a new female student from Tokyo moves into town. Muto seems troubled and quiet, and all of the students immediately ignore or insult her.

Except Matsuo, who immediately chases after her, while Taku hides his feelings for Matsuo's sake. Tension arises between the friends when Taku slowly begins to form a friendship with Muto, which leads Taku to follow Muto to Tokyo. Taku soon falls in love with her, even though he keeps it hidden. Needless to say, more than a little tension arises between the two friends over Muto.

It's odd that an animated film would be so quiet and intimate, but it ends up being just as good or better than if it was a live-action film. By the end of the film, the characters don't seem like mere drawings, but living, breathing people. The filmmakers did an excellent job.

Even though the film doesn't try to spellbind the viewers with the animation, it's still superb. There are so many nice little touches throughout the film, it really warrants more than one viewing.

The only real problems don't come from the film itself but from the importing of the film from Japan. Viewers not used to anime may find the dialogue very literal and a bit odd. Stick with it though, and the film will grow on you.

Also, the characters are a little more flawed and human than fans of She's All That and Varsity Blues may be used to. By American standards, the characters might be deemed unlikable. To be honest, it's a nice touch that makes the characters seem more life-like than many other teen-age films.

I Can Hear The Sea is a nice and touching film that is sure to please viewers, even if they are not big fans of anime. The film is showing at 8 p.m. tonight in Dale Hall 128 or 103. For more information please call 573-4096.
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