TITANIC OCEAN

(director/writer: Kostantina Kotzamani; cinematographer: Raphael Vandenbussche; editors: Vincent Tricon, Livia Neroutsopoulu; music: Kid Moxie, Patricia Ferragud; cast:
Arisa Sasaki (Akame, Deep Sea), Masahiro Higashide (Kotaro), (Miss Etsuko), Kotone Hanase (Yokohama Blue), Haruna Matsui (Eternal Sunset); Runtime: 139; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Maria Drandaki, Nina Frese, Luisa Romeo, Keisuke Konishi, Hiroto Ogi;  Homemade Films; 2026-Greece/ Germany/Romania/Spain/Japan/France/UK/USA/Cyprus-in Japanese with English subtitles)

“An absurd coming-of-age sci-fi fantasy film.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

An absurd coming-of-age sci-fi fantasy film by Greek filmmaker Kostantina Kotzamani (“Electric Swan”/”Limbo”) that tells a quirky tale about girls who desire to be performers in an aquarium glass tank.

 

At an elite Japanese boarding school that trains teenage girls to become professional mermaids the 17-year-old Akame (Arisa Sasaki), who takes the name Deep Sea, learns the craft (such as breathing exercises and to live like a mermaid) from her coach Kotaro (Masahiro Higashide).

The headmistress, Miss Etsuko (Sei Matobu), reflects the school’s creed: “You’re not a mermaid on shifts.”

Deep Sea relates well to Yokohama Blue (Kotone Hanase), but develops a rivalry with Eternal Sunset (Haruna Matsui).

The training effectively uses classic siren song mythology in a way that becomes both relaxing and unsettling.

The set designs and production values are top-grade. The off-beat film is appealing for taking its weird story so seriously. It’s fine escapist entertainment. You might even find it enchanting, though I found it only cutesy and silly.

It played at the Cannes Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 6/6/2026  GRADE: B-
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