Title: Lu Over the Wall (Yoake tsugeru Rû no uta)
MPAA Rating: PG
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Starring: Christine Marie Cabanos, Shôta Shimoda, Kanon Tani
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

What It Is: Kai (Shimoda) is a very depressed middle schooler dealing with his mother leaving. He’s also a rather talented musician. When he’s invited to join a friends band they go to a little island to practice. The music attracts the attention of a tiny mermaid named Lu who’s fins turn into legs with the music and who’s singing voice leads people on land to dance uncontrollably.

What We Think: This is a beautiful looking film. Yuasa also directed another 2018 anime film in Night is Short Walk On Girl. Both feature a style similar to 1970’s animes like Lupin the Third it’s a really sweet look. This is something Toho has been using to great effect. Structurally the film doesn’t tread on too much new ground. The voice acting from what I can tell is good. It’s an enjoyable adventure that’ll probably have you leaving the theater smiling, and that’s really quite important, isn’t it? There’s a real sense of fun behind the entire thing that sees itself permeating throughout the film.

Our Grade: B, Hard to say whether this is better than Yuasa’s other film since I wasn’t the one that reviewed it. What I can say about this film is that it is a very good time and I’m going to go ahead and give a recommendation. If you can get past the subtitles this Japanese film is worth your time. It’d almost two hours long and doesn’t at all feel like it. If you can find this one, and that’s kind of a big if it is worth your time. Also this is one I think kids will certainly enjoy so if you have them feel free to let them check it out with you!