Ride Your Wave

About Ride Your Wave

Ride Your Wave is a 2019 animated film from Japan directed by Masaaki Yuasa. The film tells a romantic and emotional story revolving around a young woman named Hinako Mukaimizu who falls in love with a firefighter named Minato Hinageshi. Following a tragic accident, Hinako discovers that she can summon Minato in any form of water after singing their favorite song. As a result, she struggles to handle her grief while realizing that she must learn to move forward with her own life.

Making / Production

Masaaki Yuasa, known for his unique and emotionally driven narrative styles, directed the film. It was produced by Science SARU, a reputable animation studio in Japan. The film was released in 2019 and has garnered a significant amount of attention both locally and internationally due to its engaging plot and visually stunning animation.

Actors

• Rina Kawaei as Hinako Mukaimizu- Rina Kawaei's performance as Hinako is heartfelt and genuine, effectively capturing the character's joy, grief, and resilience.
• Ryota Katayose as Minato Hinageshi- Ryota Katayose brings a sense of earnestness and charm to his role, making Minato a truly lovable character.
• Honoka Matsumoto as Yoko Hinageshi- Honoka Matsumoto brings depth and complexity to her role as Yoko, Minato's younger sister.
• Kentaro Ito as Wasabi Kawamura - Kentaro Ito provides comic relief and sincerity in his portrayal of Wasabi, Minato's best friend.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The movie was directed by Masaaki Yuasa, who was awarded at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival for his outstanding contributions to animation.
• The director has stated in interviews that he wanted to make a "simple love story" for a change, which became Ride Your Wave.
• "Brand New Story" by GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE, used as the film’s theme song, actually plays a significant plot role in the movie.

Quotes

• "If I can't see you when I want, then tell me, how is that any different from being dead?" - Hinako Mukaimizu
• "It's fine. After all, I'm always saving you when you're in trouble, right?" - Minato Hinageshi

Music / Soundtrack

• "Brand New Story" by GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE - A highly emotive and impactful song used multiple times in the film, adding emotional depth.
• "Fireworks Festival" - An instrumental piece that highlights the joyful and loving moments in the film.
• "Meeting Again" - This melancholic instrumental track captures the grief and longing felt by the characters.