Note: There is a spoiler in this review regarding a plot element that is actually also spoiled in most of the film's marketing materials and pitches. I think viewers are best off going into this film blind.

Masaaki Yuasa does it again (at least in my humble opinion). Him and the rest of the creative team were really able to bring the core cast of Hinako, Minato, Wasabi, and Youko to life. Strongly defined and identifiable characters in anime films are so hard to come by because efficient film economy isn't something seen too often in anime storytelling and screenwriting. So, the plot is nothing to write to your undergrad philosophy professor about and not something sophisticated to analyze, but the creative team took care of the film's character writing and progression, which is the most important thing in mainstream storytelling.

Yuasa's really gotten more consistent as his career has progressed. I remember "Kemonozume" and "Kaiba" losing me towards their respective ends. "The Tatami Galaxy" really dragged in the last third for me, before finishing on a really great closing episode. But ever since "Devilman Crybaby," I've noticed that I am more consistently engaged by his works. "Devilman Crybaby," "Lu Over The Wall," "The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl," and now, "Ride Your Wave" never really dragged for me through any sizable stretch.

Now, for "Ride Your Wave" itself, I found this is one of the better depictions of a romantic relationship in anime form. I knew a montage was coming to summarize Hinako and Minato's short physical relationship to set the audience up for Minato's death and I was ready to find the montage cliche and hackneyed, but the soundtrack was just so damn effective that my heart melted and I was sold on their relationship. Having Hinako and Minato do the sing-along with Hinako breaking into laughter was just a gorgeous, gorgeous thing. The PDA and physical couple play between Hinako and Minato was depicted in such a relatable and fuzzy manner as well.

Not to the extent of the "high-concept" of "Snakes on a Plane," but the title of this film essentially captures its premise. A girl whose identity is anchored in surfing and "riding waves" experiences a major tragedy and then learns to overcome it. This is not a thematically or narratively complicated film that will challenge your pre-existing conventions and notions through deliciously meaty plot lines (which is hard to do and perhaps best avoided in a 90 minute film format, anyways), and that is okay because of the aforementioned character writing. The plot serviceably moves the characters along in their development, but to offer some criticism, there are some clunky contrived aspects of the plot that the enjoyable character actions effectively distract from. The rhythm of the plot sputters in the last third of the film as Hinako tries to move on from Minato, and as the narrative flags from the lack of dynamic conflict and new introduced, the climax is introduced as this big, simple, and perhaps too convenient way for Hinako to move forward. The final conflict of the climax is corny and cheesy (mmm, cheese-dipped corn-dog) and repetitiously re-summons the illegal fireworks bros that helped to bring Hinako and Minato together in the first place. The execution is a little dumb, as it demands some convenient idiocy from Youko, but I forgave the cheesiness because it results in a column of water ridiculously moving up a skyscraper and a glorious and cathartic collaborative surf session with Hinako and Youko down the side of that skyscraper.

Ultimately, I found "Ride Your Wave" to be a well-executed and straightforwardly earnest film that is filled with warmth and humor. "Ride Your Wave" had the best humor I've seen in some time for an anime, and that really helped the characters feel more dynamic and personable within the short run-time of the film. I highly recommend this film as a way to book-end a date night on a loving and affirming note.

Oh yeah, Michiru Oshima does another kick-ass soundtrack. No anime-associated composer does better at evoking feelings of nostalgia and poignancy. The combo of Yuasa and Oshima or Yuasa and Kensuke Ushio more often than not results in sonic glory.