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Animated comedy

Lu Over the Wall (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Lu Over the Wall (2018) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes
78%
worldwide gross
$161.3K
Echo Score
64
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Lu Over the Wall (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 52m (112 min)
Director
Masaaki Yuasa
Genres
Adventure , Fantasy , Comedy , Music
Original language
Japanese
Studio
GKIDS
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

From the director

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.

Full filmography
Ratings

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).

64 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$161.3K

US & Canada
$109.9K
International
$51.4K
US & Canada 68% Rest of the world 32%
Videos

Lu Over the Wall Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Lu Over the Wall - EXCLUSIVE Official Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
Quiz

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

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of the town where Kai lives?

Details

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
  • 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?

FAQ

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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