Lu Over the Wall

Synopsis

In the coastal town of Hinashi, Kai Ashimoto's grandfather follows a local belief that mermaids live around Merfolk Island, posing a threat to people. Music is thought to attract these beings and caused the death of the elder's wife, so it is mostly forbidden in the Ashimoto home. Despite this rule, Kai secretly enjoys composing electronic beats on his computer and sharing them online. Although Kai appears quiet and melancholic, his upbeat friends Kunio and Yuuho Ebina discover one of his tracks and suggest he join their rock band. Initially uninterested, Kai eventually agrees to practice with them on Merfolk Island, where he encounters something strange. One night, while creating music in his room, a mermaid suddenly appears. Dancing to his melodies, she introduces herself as Lu, a friendly creature in search of companionship. Lu shows remarkable abilities like controlling water and sprouting legs when music plays. As their bond grows, Kai and Lu begin to show their true selves, slowly dismantling the social barriers that have silenced the lively atmosphere of Hinashi Town.

Background

In 2017, Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta became the first Japanese production in over 22 years to win the "Cristal for a Feature Film" award at the 27th Annecy International Animation Film Festival. In the same year, the film won the Silver Prize for Best Animated Feature at the 20th Fantasia International Film Festival. In 2018, the movie received the Ofuji Noburo Award at the 72nd Mainichi Film Awards and the Grand Prize at the 21st Japan Media Arts Festival. Director Masaaki Yuasa has acknowledged that some elements of Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta were inspired by Hayao Miyazaki and his work, particularly from the 2008 film Gake no Ue no Ponyo as well as Isao Takahata's Panda Kopanda. The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on February 5, 2019 by Shout! Factory.