We continue our series of reviews chronicling all of the (non-Studio Ghibli) animated films distributed by GKIDS Films – some of the most original and breathtakingly beautiful animated films from around the world – and how they hold up for a young American audience.

The entire retrospective is found here, and this time we’ve got…

Lu Over the Wall (2018): Masaaki Yuasa, director

What’s it about?

Lu Over the Wall is the latest film from Masaaki Yuasa (Following 2017’s Night is Short, Walk On Girl and the groundbreaking 2004 film Mind Game) and is based on the classic tale of The Little Mermaid.

In this inventive tale, Kai is an introverted teenager who composes beats and uploads them online anonymously. When some classmates discover the source, they invite Kai to join their fledgling band. What they don’t realize, however, is that together their music attracts a mermaid named Lu who becomes their lead singer. The connection with such a fantastic creature yields marvelous results, but it also comes with some dreaded consequences when two worlds collide.

What are the cultures at play? And how about the languages?

Since Lu Over the Wall is a Japanese reimagining of Danish author Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid, there’s no defined cultural folklore, but Japanese culture is present throughout. This particular story takes place in a fishing village in modern times, so architecture and imagery from long-held traditional cultures are next to, and in stark contrast of, modern conveniences such as digital music players, vending machines, and more. Both the original Japanese audio track and a (decent) dubbed version are available. For those who choose to watch the English dub, some subtitles pop up when Japanese-language signs are shown on screen.

Will my kids like it?

Probably. I would refrain from telling your kids the connection to The Little Mermaid storyline, because if they go in expecting that familiarity, they may be disappointed. The story is so unique that almost the only connection to that famous tale is that a mermaid and a human form a relationship. The modern touches certainly make it seem relevant to today’s kids, and the story seems fresh.

I hate to make the comparison, but since most Americans use Miyazaki movies as a standard-bearer, you will be disappointed if you are expecting a Ponyo or a My Neighbor Totoro. Lu Over the Wall is really good, but it doesn’t transcend age like Studio Ghibli movies tend to. This one (to me) had a bit more action involved and a sense of danger, so I think my 13-year old daughter enjoyed it more than my 9-year old. However, that also may be because she’s closer in age to the main protagonists.

All that being said, there are only a small number of scenes that might frighten younger viewers. I specifically asked my 9-year-old if there were any scary scenes, and she reminded me that during a flashback that shows what caused the disappearance of a character, a character has an intense reaction to light that can be hard to watch. (Sorry for being so vague, but it’s an important plot point I don’t want to spoil.) Several characters also receive intense bites by underwater creatures, but the artwork is somewhat comical, so the only shock comes from being startled that it happens. Both of my kids’ favorite scenes were when the band played music together.

Will I like it?

Animation fans, in general, will really enjoy this movie. It’s an inventive tale that feels fresh despite the loose ties to the dated source material. One fun thing is that there are scenes where the animation style completely changes and injects some additional fun into the story.

There’s plenty of generational family conflict and action and mythos to keep adults interested. It also doesn’t hurt if you’re a fan of music. Also, how often do you get to enjoy a “fish out of water” movie that’s literally about a fish out of water? There are some themes you can choose to delve deeper into with your kids if you see fit, but mostly this is just a fun film to enjoy.

Is there anything objectionable for young kids?

Nope. Not that I am aware of.

Lu Over the Wall alternates between vastly different animation styles at times.

How can I see it?

The film is available on Blu-ray and DVD courtesy of Shout Factory, and it’s available to purchase from the usual places including Amazon. Special features to the Blu-ray include commentary with the filmmakers, an interview with the director, some trailers, and more.

Final word?

It’s good, but not great. I loved the animation, and it’s a great story for isolated individuals to identify with. I thought it meandered a bit at times, but it ultimately found its footing. Visually, it’s great. Whether you’re a completionist or not, this is a great addition to the GKIDS family of films.

(Disclaimer: I received a copy of this film for review purposes. All opinions are my own.)