(L) Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara (Ride Your Wave)

[Stark700]

Anime director Masaaki Yuasa announced his new film Kimi to, Nami ni Noretara at Tokyo International Film Festival on Sunday. The English title has not been finalized, but the tentative version is "Riding a Wave with You." It will open early next summer.

The original story is a simple romantic comedy between a young woman who loves surfing and being in the water, and a firefighter. Yuasa said that the film will have a lot of exciting scenes, with contrasting elements of water and fire.

Distributor TOHO provided the official synopsis:

Upon entering universtity, Hinako moves to a coastal town. She loves surfing, and when she's on the wves she's fearless, but still feels uncertain about her future. When a fire wreaks havoc in the town, Hinako encounters young firefighter Minato. As they surf and spend more time together, Hinako feels drawn to someone like Minato who devotes himself to helping other people. Hinako also holds a special place in Minato's heart.

ANN source
https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/new...retara/.138738

[MeoTwister5]

I see Masaaki Yuasa, I get on board.

[Last Sinner]

Definitely one to keep tabs on. Yuasa is in good form.

[Stark700]

New info revealed

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/new...etails/.142047

[Last Sinner]

Decent hook. Michiru Oshima doing music. More to look forward to.

[MCAL]

https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/new...e-song/.144350

TRAILER

[LG-MAX 2.o]

Interesting. rather daring of Yuasa to create this kind of story where the fate of the MC is already disclosed in various information released on twitter. Curiously this is what made the series gain a certain popularity.

Full sinopse

The love story follows Hinako, a college student who moves to a coastal town. She loves surfing, and when she's on the waves she's fearless, but on land she has trouble riding the waves of life. When a fire wreaks havoc in the town, Hinako encounters a firefighter named Minato. Minato can handle almost any task on land, but is a beginner at surfing. As they surf and spend more time together, Hinako feels drawn to someone like Minato who devotes himself to helping other people, and the two start a relationship. However, Minato loses his life in an accident at sea. Despondent, Hinako sings a song about their memories together, and Minato appears again from the water.

[MeoTwister5]

This actually feels more like Shinkai's territory than Yuasa's, and yet I can't help but be intrigued about his take on this kind of story.

[LG-MAX 2.o]

review: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture.../#.XQp-G9JKjIU

[Last Sinner]

Saw this film on the weekend. In Australia, cities are getting one or two screenings through film festivals. Fortunate my state did get hold of it.

I would say that the review linked above is fairly accurate. I personally give the film 7.5/10. It was a good film, but not great. A title has to be in my top 100 of all time list to get an 8/10 from me. But I certainly have no regrets seeing this. It was certainly a far better experience than Weathering With You was.

Spoiler for Notes I took as summary while watching:

- The perspective bike ride that Hinako takes is cool. The perspective angles and gradual shifts used during travel scenes were immersive.
- That firework fire...it certainly set a tone for the wacky level of coincidences/catalysts in this film. So given they were consistent and didn't go to the levels of suspending disbelief that Weathering With You did, I could handle the ones here. Particularly with the foreshadowing in this scene on more than one level.
- The chemistry between the two leads is just great. Minato and Hinako are one sweet couple.
- Michiru Oshima really nailed some tunes in this movie. The one with a flute focus, backed up by a summery guitar and gentle piano, which totally fits in with a beach/ocean vibe is just genius. Top level composer.
- Perspective car ride. Fun fun fun.
- Coffee and cafes....things I really am not into at all...but the cafe had a good atmosphere, I'll give it that.
- 'Brand New Story' - that silly sappy love song. It certainly works well the first time and some times after....but is SO OVERUSED....there is no understating that....
- Things happen so damn fast in this film. Scenes last for mere seconds. You learn next to nothing about people or places. Which I guess had a purpose. But it was hindering at times.
- Oh, Youko....man, she really is the spanner in the works...but given the overall light nature of most people, she was an awesome character in the long run! Blue-ringed octopus...wow, that was a really harsh comparison! Foreshadowing of her and Hinako being friends later on was laid on thick, even if it was one-sided at this point.
- Christmas date was sweet. Violins track was wonderful.
- Minato drowned OVER THAT....this was a tough one to tolerate.....
- Well, that's a pretty clever way for Minato to reappear. Time for fun visual moments with water.
- And there was the most foreshadowed confession ever...followed by more foreshadowing and coincidences....
- Man, Youko really has become one of the best things in this film.
- That said, Hinako's trials are believable and it's becoming clear that while Minato was initially made to look like the more capable one, that Hinako has more potential once she realises it.
- What is with all these scenes with brewing coffee outdoors....Someone must really like coffee
- Who the hell discusses an event this dodgy in a place like that....but the way it was overheard is priceless!
- Are these numbskulls trying to get themselves killed....who the hell would fire off something potentially fatal in that way.
- That wave scene is godly.
- Overall message is something worth hearing.
- Bittersweet ending is appropriate.
- Hinako and Youko really are crucial for this movie to work. Minato is cool but somewhat basic. As for that kouhai....well....he tries at least....

But all that said, Penguin Highway's take on magical realism was far more evocative. It had the writing as well as the production. Ride Your Wave is definitely simple and sappy. But that doesn't mean its message is irrelevant. To see a cast of adults was refreshing, to see a message relevant to adults and life was welcome. Certainly hope others get the chance to see it. Definitely one of the easier titles Yuasa has been involved in but that certainly doesn't act as a negative.

[Cosmic Eagle]

Finally watched it.

Spoiler:

It was simple and at times artistically not as refined as other shows this year.....but that's all nitpicking. Because I enjoyed it a lot regardless. The story still communicates well and every one of the cast is loveable in their own right. Especially Yoko....She's easily the best char in the whole show. Come to think of it, we need more movies where one of the characters is a dead spirit and the focus is on the living's relationship with them. I feel it'll be beneficial for these times

The OST needs more variety though, seriously.

[Last Sinner]

Originally Posted by Cosmic Eagle

The OST needs more variety though, seriously.

Overall, not really. But they use 'that certain song' about every 5 minutes and it wears thin by the end.

[Cloudedmind]

Couldn't find a thread for this.

Spoiler for My thoughts:

Anyway, I saw the movie last night, and quite enjoyed it. Story wise it was nothing ground breaking, but I did like how the main pairs relationship developed. They did actual couple stuff. I say this kind of jokingly, but really how often do we get an anime or even an anime movie where the main characters are actually dating, and do stereotypical date stuff. So, Hinako's loss is pretty palpable. Minato isn't just some guy she hangs out with and likes. They were actually together, and thinking about their futures with each other.

My main gripe though is actually about the voice actor for Minato, he just sounded to robotic and monotone to me. It felt more like he was just trying to get through his lines in time, and not really acting.

Then some of the scenes and transitions didn't flow as well as they could have. But, over all I did enjoy the movie. Not super deep, but relatable.

[Kanon]

I didn't know the BD had been out for almost two months now.

I have to admit I expected better, but it was a good movie all around. I really liked the voice actress for Hinako, the part where she was singing the song and laughing early in the movie sounded super natural. My favorite character was by far Youko, she had a really strong personality. I'm happy to see others found her appealing.