Runtime: 112 minutes
Genre: Animation/Fantasy
Film Language: Japanese
Director: Masaaki Yuasa
Screenplay Writer: Reiko Yoshida, Masaaki Yuasa
Editor: Ayako Tan
Lu Over The Wall is an animated fantasy film directed by Masaaki Yuasa. It is an unconventional story of those who find their identities in music. Set in the town of Hinashi, a seemingly dull fishing village, the plot majorly focuses on the townsfolk’s fear of the unknown and their hostility towards it.
The story revolves around the members of a town band ‘SEIRÈN’ named Kai, Yuho and Kunio. Kai is the brooding, sullen, pessimistic yet talented son of a former musician and the grandson of the town’s respected Umbrella maker. The Umbrellas are very significant in the plot of this movie as the Sun is seen as a destructive force. On the other side of the story are the fish, semi-vampire mermaids and merdogs. Lu is a beautiful and talented mermaid that can enchant crowds in dancing to her music.
Yuho is distinctly marked as the popular one, destined for greatness and fame. In one of the initial scenes of the town’s middle school, Yuho can be clearly distinguished from all the others because of her fiery orange hair. She is characterized as the one who has money and years for fame and love. This desire is simply displayed when she becomes jealous of the movie’s titular character, Lu. In a town where she is well-known because of her family and adored because of her playful personality, she is upstaged by the innocent and much more attractive Lu.
Lu’s talent and allure become the subject of Yuho’s jealousy, turning Yuho into a considerably darker character.
While both Kai and Yuho have detailed and consistent character traits, Kunio has been completely left out to serve as a filler.
His scenes are easily forgotten and never impactful. Kunio mainly serves as Yuho’s stereotypical sidekick who is secretly in love with her, hence agreeing to her every whim.
He sees no wrong in Yuho and is only actually noticeable as a source of comic relief.
Apart from the lack of detailing of Kunio’s character, the narrative changes direction too many times, which can leave the audience confused. The significance of many incidents, for example, the trio’s altercation with poachers or the fate of Yuho’s father, are never truly explained. While the narrative resolves most sub-plots, it leaves more than plenty to the audience’s imagination.
The soundtrack is catchy and thoroughly enjoyable. Lu’s voice is distorted yet enchanting in the dance sequences.
The background score is predominantly cheerful and very memorable. This is good because the movie itself is about music and art as a way of connecting people and the fantastical species present in Hinashi Town.
The various dance sequences in the movie are so upbeat and energizing that it is difficult not to tap your foot along the beat as you watch them.
The animation is mesmerizing with effortless transitions from flashbacks in bright neon colours to the dull and soft colours of the present.
Though the shadows of people are often misrepresented relating to the time and position of the Sun in the movie, this minor detail can be overlooked when the big picture of the creative direction of Yuasa is considered.
The movie is a beautiful display of art and music that can captivate the audience’s attention with its beauty, only if it doesn’t lose it with the complicated and ever-changing storyline.