Lu Over the Wall

In a quiet fishing town where the harbor smells of salt and fish, Kai, a reluctant middle schooler, trudges through days that feel taped to a routine he can’t escape. He keeps his thoughts to himself and bets no one notices him until a splash of color arrives from the sea. Lu, a mermaid with a fearless grin and a voice that echoes across the water, emerges from the breakers and treats Kai to a world he never dared imagine. Her songs pull him into spontaneous adventures, from improvised concerts on rooftop roofs to late night swims beneath lantern light. The town rhythms reel back with humor and surprise as Kai and Lu learn to trust one another, sharing stories of fear, longing, and the feeling of belonging that music brings. The film uses bright animation and punchy humor to show how friendship can loosen the grip of loneliness and spark a kid to step into the light.

Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, with a screenplay by Reiko Yoshida, the film is an original story rather than an adaptation. The voice cast includes Shota Shimoda, Soma Saito, Minako Kotobuki, Kanon Tani and Akira Emoto.

Box office figures are not provided in the available data, so the film's commercial performance outside this information cannot be confirmed here.

Critics noted Yuasa's signature fluid animation and lively humor, while the story examines friendship across differences, finding courage in self expression and the pull of music. The film balances whimsy with reflections on adolescence and belonging in a small community. Its warmth lingers long after the last frame.

Lu Over the Wall offers a visually inventive take on a seaside slice of life, mixing fantasy and song in a way that fans of Yuasa remember. Its playful visuals and warm tone emphasize creativity as a social bridge.