See You There, Beyond the Ocean feels like a critical examination of how a relationship can change your life. After following two third graders and their budding friendship, both through ups and downs, we see how heavily the good and bad times shape one of them following the two bonding over common interests. And because of
Part of what makes See You There, Beyond the Ocean so emotional and touching is the series lures a reader in with sweet, lovey moments. There’s Hsiao-jung being unable to resist touching Ko-wei’s ponytail in class. Ko-wei convincing Hsiao-jung to watch a magical girl cartoon series so she can talk about it with her. Ko-wei, when she sees Hsiao-jung retreating, being silly with her and talk about what she “can’t talk about” in cat speak, resulting in the two just being together, supportive and meowing. The two taking part in their “comics class” together. And, most importantly, Ko-wei starting to create Voice of the Ocean and telling Hsiao-jung she can see it when it is finished.
From there, we get to see the more dark and unsettling moments that can define a relationship. One is jealousy. When the two were in the same class at their school, they could spend all their time together. There was constant reassurance of their bond, which was defined as “best friends” at that point. But when they’re placed into separate classes, there’ a divide. Hsiao-jung sees her with others and even purposely ignores her to try and make Ko-wei hurt and feel the way she does.
All this means when we do get the more tragic and heart-wrenching moments, it hits harder. Hsiao-jung’s reactions feel more meaningful since we experience how she’s affected by certain events. While we never see her outward anger, it comes through in her art. When she considers what she wants to do in the future, her relationship with Ko-wei leads to her deciding to go overseas for school. I don’t want to get into too many spoilers, but we see how Ko-wei changed her life.
See You There, Beyond the Ocean is a perfect example of cause and effect, with the highs and lows of a relationship shaping a life. We watch how the two first connect. We see moments that build that bond up both in the main story and a critical bonus side story at the end. Then we see how that carried over to affect Hsiao-jung for the rest of her life. It’s very comprehensive.
See You There, Beyond the Ocean is available in English via Yen Press.
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Author: 360 Technology Group
