In the times where unnecessary heroic acts and student protests were all the rage among school children, We see Umi Matsuzaki hoist flags every day that convey the message “I pray for safe voyages” which overlooks the sea with tugs and ships to give them luck.
She changes the message according to the occasion, something she learnt from her father. Umi lost her father, who was a ship captain, to a sea mine and made it a point to carry on hoisting flags every day because he once had told her that it shows him the way home. A very sweet sentiment.
The uptight Umi who doesn’t stray from her house and schoolwork find herself in the “Latin Quarters” of the school, A pre-war club activity building, to get the sign of the school heartthrob and senior, Shun Kazama, for her sister.
Beautifully written. Your words capture the beauty Miyazaki stuffed this movie with.