Review of Ride Your Wave

I try to keep it vague but there are spoilers. You've been warned Have you ever felt like you're lost in this world? Like you don't know what you want for your life? Like you aren't good at anything? Have you ever list someone? A family member? A pet? A lover? If you have Ride Your Wave may be the movie for you. It can be hard to keep your head above water. To not be dragged down by your screw ups or losses. But we have to keep trying. To find what we're good at or passionate about. To move on from our losses. This is thestory of Hinako, a girl who has to overcome these things and ride her next wave into a better tomorrow. While she is on her own journey and it is the central point of the movie, the other cast members all have to move on with her.

Kawamura has to stop chasing his best friend's memory and be himself. Youko has to learn own her feelings and uncovers her dream is to honor the person she lost by brining their dream to life. Minato spent his whole life trying to and failing and trying again until he succeeded in his goals. He wants to honor the person who saved him by saving others.

The film uses powerful imagery centered around surfing and marine life such as sea turtles. The theme reflected predominantly through the recuring song of the movie, Brand New Story. I encourage you to pay attention to the lyrics of the song and to look up the translation. It's a beautiful song with a powerful message. The song itself is used as a magic spell of sorts to summon Minato to Hinako. It's a special song for them that played in key moments of their history.

The animation is also fantastic. The water and surfing imagery is gorgeous. While this is foremost a character story, surfing is an important device in showcasing the characters. And water is a central component to this, to fire fighting and of course for Hinako to summon Minato.

Hinako is struggling to keep her head above water, both figuratively and literally. While the water and waves are representative of life's struggles and drowning in depression, Hinako also literally leaps into the water, submerging herself multiple times to be with Minato. But she can never hold on to him or physically feel his presence. And she can only hold her breath for so long before she has to come up for air. Rather symbolic for her struggle with her grief.

It is not until she learns of her childhood connection to Minato that she is able to begin moving on and uncovers her true purpose in life. This discovery leads to her finally unlocking his phone, symbolizes her finally unlocking her path forward. The movie climaxes with her sacrificing her connection to Minato in order to save a life. In that moment she is finally able to be true to herself and move on from her loss. She rides that wave all the way back to the ground and forward into her new life.

But even when she can no longer see Minato he will be there for her. Represented by her receiving one final message from him as the movie ends.

This movie has a powerful message and it may be able to reach you if your lost. Open your heart to the possibilities and ride your next wave into a new chapter.