Nov 21, 2017
U N D E R R A T E D, is what I would describe Yu Over the Wall.
In an industry saturated with a consumer culture bent up on their attachment to overused cliches, character archetypes, and meta-humor, it becomes more and more difficult to find something that truly stands out from the crowd and expand the appeal of the anime medium. Yu Over the Wall (YOtW) is one of the debut works of the new studio, Science SARU, formed by the renowned director, Masaaki Yuasa (directed works such as Ping Pong the Animation and the Tatami Galaxy), and producer Choi Eunyoung. I personally found
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YOtW to be a brilliant piece of creative work lead by a group of very passionate, and talented people. The film touches upon themes of youth, community, and the generational gap in Japan in a very subtle, yet meaningful way, and is a great film for both anime newcomers and veterans alike.
Story (8): The story of LOtW may seem conventional at first: a mysterious, yet adorable creature brings joy to the life of a gloomy adolescent, and together they try to gain the acceptance from their community that opposes the existence of such creatures. It's a time-tested formula that is sure to bring about a lot of feels, yet LOtW manages to give a fresh new take on this genre of storytelling with its clever integration of its modern setting, Hinashi Town, a rural Japanese fishing town built on a history with certain "mermaids." With spoiling anything, I felt like lore of the setting was very original and really gave the plot some backbone to deliver its narrative.
Art (9): A lot of people might disagree with on this, but I find that the unconventional style of Yuasa's works to be brilliant and helps progress anime a more diverse art form. Even though the animation of LOtW isn't as avant-garde as the Tatami Galaxy or even Ping Pong the Animation, the influence is definitely there. LOtW sports an expressive and bombastic style, embodied within the main character of the show, Lu, who was a sheer joy to watch splash and dance around the screen. The beautiful renderings of Hinashi Town and the fluidity of the water and character animations is truly something to behold.
Sound (9): The soundtrack of LOtW is simply put, incredible. Very rarely does the music of an anime give it so much personality, and possibly even define its identity as a whole, with the only other example I can think of being FLCL. Each and every song performed in this film is both memorable and amazingly executed within the given scene as to not feel ham-fisted. I will without a doubt get the OST for this anime as soon as it gets released, and hearing every track never fails to bring a huge grin on to my face.
Character (7): While the main protagonist and his friends of LOtW: Kai, Kunio, and Yuuho, appear at first to be a trio of cliche cardboard-cutout archetypes, it will later be revealed that are actually more deep and intricate than they initially appear. This is thanks to Yuasa's incredible attention to detail when presenting these character's mannerisms, conversations, and backstories. Lu, without a doubt, is the highlight of this animated feature. Her energy and pure charm is infectious, and it is always a joy whenever she is in the spotlight. Much of my surprise, many of the background characters and townspeople of Hinashi Town were also given unexpected characterization and development. My only complaint is that Kai's development towards the end of the film was a little rushed as the plot started to take center stage, but I won't complain too much since this is a film and things like this is inevitable with only a 2-hour runtime.
Enjoyment (9): Lu Over the Wall was a blast for me to watch. I love shows and movies that have a distinct and consistent atmosphere and tone, so LOtW immediately immersed me into its world of child-like wonder and spectacle, with occasional tints of melancholy. I couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia whenever each song plays paired with a stunning shot of Hinashi Town or the vast sea with the sunset in the distance. This feeling especially takes on when the main song, Utautai No Ballad, plays, reminding of my own childhood days that have long passed.
Even though I know that not everyone will enjoy the same appreciation that I have for this anime film, I still believe that more people should at least know that this anime exists, and give it chance. You might even be pleasantly surprised, or blown away like I did :)
Overall (8.7/10 - Great)
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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