Ride Your Wave

(Science SARU, GKIDS)

Director: Masaaki Yuasa

Release Date: February 19, 2020

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%

Synopsis: A young surfer falls in love with a young firefighter, who previously saved her life, and after his drowning finds his spirit in the waves.

Director Talk: “It’s a story about our instincts with regards to water. While it’s a movie about surfing, the main theme is really ‘riding the waves’ … the waves of life.” — Masaaki Yuasa

The Word: “It doesn’t constitute Yuasa’s top effort, but it’s inviting enough to persuade audiences unfamiliar with him to dip their feet and then fully dive into the profundity of his imagination, where wonder awaits.” — Carlos Aguillar, The Wrap

Nomination Chances: Fair at best, since it would have to break through a plethora of highly regarded anime films this year.