Ride Your Wave is a Japanese animated romantic fantasy film directed by Masaaki Yuasa and produced by Science SARU. The movie premiered in Japan in June 2019 and had its international release in February 2020. The film features vibrant animation, a catchy soundtrack, and a heart-warming story that explores love, loss, and the power of music.
The movie follows the story of Hinako, a college student who moves to a small seaside town to pursue her love for surfing. She quickly falls in love with Minato, a handsome and brave firefighter who saves her life when a fire breaks out in her apartment building. They soon become inseparable and spend most of their time surfing and enjoying each other's company.
Unfortunately, tragedy strikes when Minato loses his life in a heroic rescue mission at sea. Hinako is left distraught and unable to come to terms with his loss. She becomes so scared of the ocean that she cannot even look at it, let alone surf. But one day, when she sings a song that reminds her of their time together, Minato appears in the water in front of her.
Hinako soon discovers that she can summon Minato's spirit in any watery surface by singing their song. Together, they continue to surf and spend time together, but Hinako knows that their time is limited. She must eventually confront her grief and decide whether to let go of Minato's spirit or hold on to their love forever.
Throughout the movie, there are several touching moments that showcase the power of music to heal and bring people together. The soundtrack includes catchy pop songs, emotional ballads, and even a cute rap number that showcases the film's quirky sense of humor. The animation style is vibrant and colorful, featuring a mix of traditional 2D animation and computer-generated 3D visuals.
Overall, Ride Your Wave is a touching and heart-warming film that explores themes of love, loss, and the power of music. It is a must-watch for anyone who enjoys romantic fantasy movies or Japanese animation.