July 2, 2019

GKIDS Acquires North American Rights to “Ride Your Wave”

GKIDS ACQUIRES NORTH AMERICAN RIGHTS TO

“RIDE YOUR WAVE”

FROM ACCLAIMED DIRECTOR MASAAKI YUASA

 

GKIDS, the acclaimed producer and distributor of animation for adult and family audiences, announced it has acquired the North American distribution rights for the animated feature RIDE YOUR WAVE, which recently premiered at the Annecy film festival in competition. The film will receive a theatrical release early next year.

RIDE YOUR WAVE marks GKIDS’ fourth title from visionary director Masaaki Yuasa, following local releases of Lu Over the Wall, The Night is Short, Walk On Girl, and Mind Game. RIDE YOUR WAVE tells the complicated love story of a surfer named Hinako and a firefighter named Minato. Their bond is tested after Minato tragically loses his life in a rescue attempt, only to reappear from the water to Hinako whenever she sings their favorite song. GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt and Fuji Creative Corp’s Yoshiko Nakayama negotiated the all-rights deal.

“We are huge fans of Masaaki Yuasa, and are always excited to see what he will do next,” said GKIDS’ President David Jesteadt. “We were charmed and moved by his characteristically unique and uplifting take on a romantic story, including a music hook that you won’t be able to get out of your head.”

SYNOPSIS

From visionary director Masaaki Yuasa (The Night is Short, Walk on Girl, Devilman Crybaby) comes a deeply emotional new film that applies his trademark visual ingenuity to a tale of romance, grief and self-discovery.

Hinako is a surf-loving college student who has just moved to a small seaside town. When a sudden fire breaks out at her apartment building, she is rescued by Minato, a handsome firefighter, and the two soon fall in love. Just as they become inseparable, Minato loses his life in an accident at sea. Hinako is so distraught that she can no longer even look at the ocean, but one day she sings a song that reminds her of their time together, and Minato appears in the water. From then on, she can summon him in any watery surface as soon as she sings their song, but can the two really remain together forever? And what is the real reason for Minato’s sudden reappearance?