BLOG 7: Ride Your Wave (2019)

 

Ride Your Wave (2019)

SPOILERS AHEAD!!!!!!!

I suggest watching Ride Your Wave(2019) first, then return to read my review and check out my rating for it!

Now let's get into this crazily emotional film that'll trigger some emotional memories!

Official IMDB page

The Plot:

"Ride Your Wave" is a heartbreaking anime film that tells the love story of Hinako, a passionate surfer, and Minato, an expert firefighter. Hinako falls completely in love with Minato after returning to her hometown for college and being saved in a fire. Their romance takes a horrific and unsettling turn when Minato drowns on Christmas Day while practicing surfing trying to impress Hinako for when she returns. Devastated by sorrow, Hinako finds an unusual ability that allows her to summon Minato's spirit near water by singing a song they shared.

As Hinako grieves the death of her love, the film delicately focuses on the specifics of sorrow and discovering oneself. Their supporting relationship, as well as the genuine depiction of loss, give complexity to the story. Hinako learns profound lessons about love, despair, and the enduring power of memories as she handles the difficulty of moving on.

"Ride Your Wave" draws in viewers not just with its emotionally effective story, but also with Masaaki

Yuasa's unique animation style. The illustrations complement the narrative, resulting in a moving and

soothing movie experience. The film cleverly connects themes of love, grief, and finding one's purpose

in life, giving a compelling and sympathetic message to its viewers.

My Rating

9/10

Originality of Story/Characters: The plot of the film is very very VERY unique in that it covers something that not many movies do well because it's so difficult to truly capture the emotions of losing a loved one. the only other amazing example I can give is in the film from 2013 "Instructions Not Included." However that film spends most of the time building up to tragedy while this one lets it strike withing the 1st third of the film!

7/10

Animation: Amazing anime piece however I can't give it higher with movies like "Suzume", "Zootopia", and "Spirited Away" blowing it out of the water.

7/10

Soundtrack Use: Very memorable song that gives the sadness another level given that the song is one the couple resonated with. However it's only 1 good track.

6/10

Re-watchability: This really sits in a gray area because of how sad the movie is and it may or may not be an experience you want to feel all over again.

My Overall Rating: 7.25/10

(470 words)