[Lee Jong-gil's Film Reading] Conveying a 'Brand New Story' through Water Colors and Waves

Japanese Animation Film 'If I Can Ride the Waves with You'

Movie still cut from 'If I Can Ride the Wave with You'

"The surface you are looking at is shining brightly, changing colors little by little, and keeps glowing. Sometimes fate seems to test us by pointing the way, and we just stand still. But if we overcome that pain, yes, the moment you open your eyes, a brand new story will begin. With the step you take, let's open your path to reach the promised place."

The Japanese animated film If I Could Ride the Waves with You repeatedly plays the song "Brand New Story" by the local dance and vocal group EXILE. This is to support the dreams and ideals of young people facing harsh realities.

At first glance, it seems like an ordinary romance. College student Hinako Mukaimizu (voiced by Rina Kawaei), who fears an uncertain future, and the justice-driven firefighter Minato Hinageshi (voiced by Ryota Katayose). The love between the couple, which seemed eternal, vanishes like bubbles when Minato is swept away by waves while rescuing lives. Left alone, Hinako sinks into sorrow, staring blankly into the void.

Movie still cut from 'If I Can Ride the Wave with You'

What seemed like a story ending in bittersweet emotion transforms into a fantasy coming-of-age tale as the pure nature of water is highlighted. When Hinako hums "Brand New Story" in the bathroom, Minato appears in the stream of the sink. Wherever there is water, she can sing "Brand New Story" and meet Minato?by the river, in a water bottle, even in the rain...

Director Masaaki Yuasa often depicts the world of water. His representative work is Lu Over the Wall (2017). Kai (voiced by Shota Shimoda), who moves to a declining port town after his parents' divorce, meets the lovely mermaid Lu (voiced by Kanon Tani), who appears when she hears his singing, opening his tightly closed heart.

Water plays a major role in conveying the emotions of Kai and other main characters. Director Yuasa makes full use of water’s shapeless nature. He boldly arranges distorted and exaggerated animation to express characters’ emotions in detail and vividly.

Movie still cut from 'If I Can Ride the Wave with You'

The color of water is also richly painted. Emerald hues highlight excitement and curiosity, deep green evokes fear and sadness. Yellow-tinted waves suggest warm and pure harmony. This reflects the film’s theme of coexistence between humans and nature. The blue hour (the twilight time at dawn and dusk) is created as a world where reality and fantasy blend, breaking down even the boundary between life and death.

The strong personality of water is also prominent in If I Could Ride the Waves with You. Director Yuasa paints the waves crashing on the Oki beach in golden tones to emphasize Minato’s sacrifice. Meanwhile, puddles and waves are overlaid with gloomy colors to stress Hinako’s longing and sorrow. Those colors become clear and transparent as Minato is reflected in them. They emerge as a symbol connecting past and present and pointing to an uncertain future.

"Wasabi Kawamura (voiced by Gentaro Ito). " "Why him?" "He likes me." "So, what about you?" "I like you, Minato..." "I can’t hold your hand. I can’t hug you. I can’t even kiss you. Wasabi is a good person. Honest and kind." "Why do you say that? I like it this way. If I sing, I can meet you, and even if we can’t hold hands or hug, we’ll always be together, right?" "Listen to me. New waves keep coming endlessly. Sometimes when the waves aren’t good, you just let them pass, but if you only hide underwater, you won’t be able to ride the waves."

Movie still cut from 'If I Can Ride the Wave with You'

The person who taught Minato to surf was none other than Hinako. Surfing is a sport where you move the board by feeling the waves. The most important attitude is to accept the flow of water as it is. Hinako knows this but remains stuck, going against time. However, after reuniting with Minato, she faces reality and gains the courage to get back on the board. She seems unbothered even if the next wave comes with fierce breath. She understands that the waves ripple differently each time?just like our lives...