Episode 722 - Ride Your Wave (2019)

Hi everyone!

Today, we’re welcoming back Christina Eldridge, aka Durara Reviews, with her take on another domestic GKIDS distribution, their first of 2020, entitled RIDE YOUR WAVE. As always, Christina will give you her thoughts on the film, but be sure to check out her recent reviews for KLAUS (Episode #708) and her first review at One Movie Punch for another GKIDS distribution, WEATHERING WITH YOU (Episode #687). Both films are well worth checking out.

Before the review, we’ll have a promo from our good friend Rory Mitchell, from the Mitchell Report Unleashed podcast. They were gracious enough to have yours truly on as a guest recently, which you can check out in Mitchell Report Unleashed Episode #173. You can follow Rory on Twitter @officallyrory, on Facebook @mitchellreportunleashed, and on Instagram @re3684. You can also subscribe to the podcast at anchor.fm/rory-mitchell8. Don’t miss a single episode of his insightful interview-driven show.

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Here we go!

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<< MITCHELL REPORT UNLEASHED PROMO >>

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Hello, everyone!

This is Christina Eldridge with Durara Reviews (a part of One Movie Punch). Since my last review of KLAUS, I’ve been trying to get my name out there via social media. So if you’re not following me @Durarareview, or @OneMoviePunch, go do it! I promise to continue to bring you the latest and greatest of anime movies the day they release!

Today’s movie review is RIDE YOUR WAVE (2019), or by its original Japanese title, KIMI TO, NAMI NI NORETARA. Masaaki Yuasa directed this effortless romantic drama, produced by Science Saru Inc. and is distributed to the United States by GKIDS. RIDE YOUR WAVE is about a carefree college student and a hardworking fire fighter trainee who fall in love under simple circumstances that lead to complex situations, and what it really means to RIDE YOUR WAVE. This review is spoiler free.

Hinako Mukaimizu (Rina Kawaei) moved to a seaside town to attend college, or so she told her parents. Her real motive is to be able to live as close to the water in order surf to her heart’s content. Her style is admired by Minato Hinageshi (Ryota Katayose), who watches her surfing from the fire station rooftop. A chance fire at her apartment building finally brings them together. The pair start to date seriously while she tries to teach him how to surf. After some time, Minato offers to move in with Hinako. As the two are preparing to launch their lives forward, disaster strikes, leaving Hinako alone and left to ride her own wave.

Anyone familiar with Yuasa-san’s work may be a bit surprised as to how plain this movie is. His projects usually infringe on the weird and avant-garde. The DEVILMAN CRYBABY (2018) series was a visual orgy of gore that involved the ultimate battle of good and evil. THE TATAMI GALAXY (2010) series centers around parallel universes that make the viewer feel like they’re the one who’s traveling dimensions. A simple romantic story involving grief and the difficult process of moving on seems a bit off kilter for a fan of Yuasa-san. The art style and frequent point of view scenes do make it his own so fans won’t feel completely alienated.

The film was released in 299 theaters in Japan on June 21stof 2019. Despite high publicity efforts, it debuted at 9thplace at the box office, bringing in a disappointing 80 million yen. Compare this figure to the ALADDIN (2019) movie that hit number one the same weekend, bringing in 5.51 billion yen. Yuasa-san’s previous release, LU OVER THE WALL (2017), also didn’t debut hot but it won a Cristal for Best Feature Film in 2017 and an Ofuji Noburo Award in 2018 so RIDE YOUR WAVE isn’t in the can just yet!

RIDE YOUR WAVE is about perseverance through grief and learning how to let go. Hinako’s journey from lost college student to grieving girlfriend to an empowered, contributing member of society is a progression of pure delight. If you decide to watch this one, make sure to bring some tissues.

Rotten Tomatoes: 82%

Metacritic: NR

One Movie Punch: 8.0/10 Baby Turtles

RIDE YOUR WAVE (2019) is not rated and will be played in select theaters.

Minasan, domo arigatou!

Be on the lookout for my next review of the Wuxia action packed film SHADOW (YING) (2018) next month.

Until next time!