Synopsis

At just 19, college student Hinako moved to a coastal town basically just to surf, with zero plans for her future. One night her apartment catches fire, and she's rescued by Minato, a young firefighter who's everything she's not, focused, driven, someone who knows exactly who he wants to be. They hit it off, she teaches him to surf, and their romance unfolds against gorgeous ocean scenery animated by Masaaki Yuasa's team at Science SARU. The water animation alone is worth watching this movie for. it moves with this fluid, almost dreamlike quality that feels completely alive. But here's the thing: this isn't just a straightforward love story. There are supernatural elements woven in that shift the whole emotional landscape of the film in ways I can't really get into without spoiling it. What I will say is that it becomes a story about learning to stand on your own, about grief and growth and figuring out who you are when the person you leaned on isn't there anymore. If you liked the emotional gut-punch of Your Name or the quiet sincerity of A Silent Voice, this hits a similar nerve. It's maybe closest to Weathering With You in how it blends romance with fantastical elements tied to nature. The soundtrack by Michiru Oshima ties everything together beautifully. It's a single movie, so it's a low time commitment for something that might genuinely make you cry.

Episode Guide

Oshimeter0-5960-7980-100Upcoming

Characters

Minato Hinageshi

21-year-old firefighter Minato: dependable, strong, and always striving for excellence.

Richter Joey

Hinako Mukaimizu

Hinako is a skilled 19-year-old surfer, bright but insecure about her future.

Kino Hina

Community Feed

enokifordinner★★★★★EP 11 mo

I'm not sure how to explain it, but it is such a beautiful movie. I don't think I regret watching it. I was kinda worried when I realized the pace of the romance was too fast. But I think I was wrong, this story is not only about their lovey-dovey, but it is also about how they perceive grief, memories, attachment, and admiration. How they portrayed and mixed joy and sorrow was really heartbreaking, yet heartwarming at the same time for me. Each character shows so much pure emotion, especially for both of the main characters. I love how pure their interactions were when they were singing the soundtrack in the movie. The visual animation is also really uniquely stunning. The story and each character are also well written. The soundtrack was amazing, and it was really memorable.

babyolie★★★★★EP 11 mo

Beautiful visual perspective and relaxing coastal line sea atmosphere that makes you want to spend time on the ocean, whether swimming or simply listening to the waves. The relationship between Hinako and Minato develops, full of patience and genuine care. When the tragic moments arrive, the emotions hit hard.

agape2401★★★★★EP 11 mo

I couldn't give this movie a complement high enough for giving me one of the most emotional ride I ever felt watching a love story. It was both wholesome and heartbreaking, which I never thought could work in any way, but it did. Without leaning much to one or the other, they managed to mesh them together so well it provided a unique ambiance for this anime. Moving on; that was the central subject of this narrative, and the movie embraced it all the way through, in the sad moments, the funny moments, and the weird moments. It also helps that both the animation and music elevated the feels even further as it went on. But, I think the best part of all this is the comforting message it delivers to the audience, that amidst the losses we take in life, there is always another opportunity, another wave we can catch to keep on going. Congratulations to the production team, this film truly deserves its accolades.

miyukineveahbless★★★★★EP 11 mo

Honestly, I am not usually a fan of fast-paced romance, but this movie hooked me as the narrative built into a deeply interesting, poignant story that instantly pierces your heart. The plot carries a profound emotional depth, resonates flawlessly with real-life situations, and showcases the characters' mature growth and coping mechanisms after an abrupt situation, which perfectly portray their exact raw emotions. Moreover, the impressively stunning visual aesthetics and color settings, paired with great compelling music, make the moments feel gentle, heartwarming, and spectacularly cinematic, even when it gets emotionally painful. It is 100% worth watching!!!

ejayexp★★★★★EP 11 mo

The shift from pure joy to grief hit me like a truck 😭 The animation from Science Saru is gorgeous—the water scenes are so fluid. The song gets stuck in your head immediately. The fantasy element where he appears from water is both heartbreaking and beautiful. Hinako learning to let go while holding onto love is so well done. The final surfing scene had me crying. Bring tissues for this one.

live_areesha★★★★★EP 15 mo

This movie is so heartbreaking. I couldn't stop crying at the ending. The way grief is explored through the personification of the ocean and water is so beautifully written. It gives an insight how grief can be overcome and grief persists until we let go of it. Truly phenomenal.