Lu Over the Wall (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Lu Over the Wall is a 2018 animated comedy directed by Masaaki Yuasa, starring Shôta Shimoda as Kai, Akira Emoto and Minako Kotobuki. It runs 1 hour 52 minutes and earned $161,253 worldwide. Critics gave it 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 52m (112 min)
- Director
- Masaaki Yuasa
- Original language
-
Japanese
- Studio
- GKIDS
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Lu Over the Wall About?
The premise of Lu Over the Wall without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After moving back to his rural hometown, Kai, a shy middle schooler, finds comfort in music and online connections. His world brightens when he encounters Lu, a spirited mermaid whose voice perfectly complements his own. Their growing friendship sparks joy but also unease among the townspeople, who hold deep-rooted superstitions about the dangers of mermaids and the potential for misfortune. Kai must then navigate his feelings and protect his new friend from those who fear her.
Lu Over the Wall Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- cell phone
- f rated
- female writer
- written by director
- title written by female
- female written
- co written by director
- title co written by female
- friendship
- teenager
- father son relationship
- grandfather grandson relationship
+38 more Show fewer
- love
- flashback
- family relationships
- concert
- parasol
- sea urchin
- rock band
- band
- guitarist
- bassist
- musician
- singer
- boy
- computer
- wave
- waving
- fear of sunlight
- sunlight
- bright light
- killed by sunlight
- video sharing site
- burnt by sunlight
- youtube
- notebook
- music computer
- electronic music
- synthesiser
- synthesized music
- shark
- anthropomorphic shark
- anthropomorphic fish
- island
- rock
- pug
- supernatural power
- seaside village
- supernatural fantasy
- original anime
Lu Over the Wall Cast & Characters
Shôta Shimoda leads the cast as Kai, with Akira Emoto and Minako Kotobuki as Yuho. Directed by Masaaki Yuasa; 13 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Masaaki Yuasa
-
Shôta Shimoda as Kai -
Akira Emoto -
Minako Kotobuki as Yuho -
Daigo as Esojima
Also Starring in Lu Over the Wall
· 9 more- Kanon Tani Lu
- Christine Marie Cabanos
- Soma Saito
- Yutaka Aoyama Granny Octopus
- Chô President
- Brandon Engman
- Shin'ichi Shinohara Lu's Father
- Nobuyuki Hayakawa
- Sôichi Abe
More from Masaaki Yuasa
More films directed by Masaaki Yuasa, best-rated first: The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, Ride Your Wave, Inu-oh and Mind Game.
Lu Over the Wall Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Lu Over the Wall 78% on Rotten Tomatoes and 62 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in sensory experience (85) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).
Lu Over the Wall Echo Score Breakdown
Lu Over the Wall excels in its visual and auditory design but is offset by its inconsistent narrative drive and character depth. Most reviewers praised the film’s colorful, off-kilter animation and lively soundtrack, noting the imaginative imagery and playful direction. However, many pointed to a meandering plot, uneven pacing, and limited character development as detractors. Despite its striking style, the film’s storytelling shortcomings prevent it from achieving enduring resonance on subsequent viewings.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 75
Visual craftsmanship stands out through its vibrant animation and imaginative backgrounds. In terms of direction, the film showcases playful framing and inventive compositional choices, while its cinematography often employs an expressive, hand-painted style. Some critics noted intermittent scrappy textures and budget limitations that momentarily undercut the production design and editing. Overall, the striking visual palette and bold imagery deliver a compelling aesthetic despite occasional technical roughness.
- Character & Emotion 55
Character and emotional engagement are uneven, with some relatable moments overshadowed by limited depth. When it comes to acting, Lu elicits charm and emotional warmth, but several protagonists are perceived as archetypal and underexplored. Emotional resonance falters in places where dialogue is overly direct, reducing nuanced interaction among characters. In the end, the film’s modest character development constrains its capacity to foster deep emotional investment.
- Story & Flow 50
Story and pacing exhibit notable originality but suffer from uneven structuring and coherence. In terms of plot flow, the film offers inventive folklore elements and surprising tonal shifts yet often feels disjointed, with midsection digressions that slow momentum. Engagement wanes when narrative devices appear overly obvious and convoluted, detracting from thematic cohesion. Ultimately, the film’s intriguing premise is undermined by irregular pacing and a fragmented storytelling approach.
- Sensory Experience 85
Sensory experience is a principal strength, marked by a dynamic soundtrack and immersive sound design. When it comes to score and sound, the film employs lively melodies and rhythmic compositions that reinforce its folkloric themes. Visually, the cohesive color palette and off-kilter animation style provide an engaging backdrop to musical sequences. Overall, the combination of vibrant audio elements and distinctive visual flair creates a richly stimulating sensory experience.
- Rewatch Factor 45
Rewatch value is modest, limited by narrative and character constraints. In terms of replay appeal, the film’s visual inventiveness and catchy musical moments offer intermittent enjoyment on subsequent viewings. However, the uneven pacing and shallow character arcs reduce lasting engagement, causing the experience to feel less compelling over time. In summary, while the distinctive style may warrant a second look for some, the storytelling inconsistencies inhibit strong rewatch appeal.
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IMDb 6.8 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 78% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 66%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 62 Metascore
User score 6.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 71% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.7 /5
88 ratings
See on Letterboxd
Lu Over the Wall Plot Summary
What happens in Lu Over the Wall from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Kai Ashimoto (足元カイ, Ashimoto Kai) is a solitary and pessimistic ninth grader residing in Hinashi Town (日無町, Hinashi-chō) with his grandfather, who is an umbrella maker, and his father. He is part of a rock band named “SEIRÈN,” formed alongside his friends, Kunio and Yūho.
Full summary
The whole story of Lu Over the Wall, scene by scene
Lu Over the Wall Box Office
Lu Over the Wall grossed $161,253 worldwide. $109,857 came from the US and Canada and $51,396 (32%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$161.3K
- US & Canada
- $109.9K
- International
- $51.4K
Lu Over the Wall Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Official Trailer
How Well Do You Know Lu Over the Wall?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What is the name of the town where Kai lives?
Lu Over the Wall Also Known As
17 alternative titles, including “Lu's Song that Announces The Break of Dawn” and “Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta”.
- Also known as
-
- Lu's Song that Announces The Break of Dawn
- Yoake Tsugeru Lu no Uta
- 宣告黎明的人鱼之歌
- 告知天亮之路
- 새벽을 알리는 루의 노래
- Lou et l'île aux sirènes
- 宣告黎明的露之歌
- 夜明け告げるルーのうた
- Lu a través del muro
- Lu e la città delle sirene
- Світанкова Пісня Лу
- Песнь Лу, что возвещает рассвет
+5 more Show fewer
- Lu Está Livre
- Yoake Tsugeru Rû no Uta
- เงือกน้อยจอมป่วน
- 宣告黎明的人魚之歌
- לו מעבר לחומה
Seen Lu Over the Wall?
Movies Like Lu Over the Wall
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Luca, Over the Moon and Children of the Sea.
Lu Over the Wall FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Lu Over the Wall, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Lu Over the Wall?
Lu Over the Wall runs 1 hour 52 minutes (112 minutes).
When was Lu Over the Wall released?
Lu Over the Wall was released on May 11, 2018.
Who directed Lu Over the Wall?
Lu Over the Wall was directed by Masaaki Yuasa.
More films by Masaaki Yuasa Who is in the cast of Lu Over the Wall?
Lu Over the Wall stars Shôta Shimoda as Kai, Akira Emoto and Minako Kotobuki as Yuho, among 13 credited actors.
How much did Lu Over the Wall make at the box office?
Lu Over the Wall grossed $161,253 worldwide ($109,857 domestic, $51,396 international).
How is Lu Over the Wall rated?
Lu Over the Wall has 6.8/10 on IMDb, 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.
Does Lu Over the Wall have a post-credit scene?
No. Lu Over the Wall has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Lu Over the Wall in?
The original language of Lu Over the Wall is Japanese.
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