Yoake Tsugeru Ru No Uta (aka Lu Over The Wall) (2018)

In a small Japanese fishing village, a sullen boy (Shota Shimoda) lives with his father and grandfather. He has a passion for music which his father and grandfather disapprove of. The village is also superstitious and fearful about the "merfolk" reputedly living in the coastal waters. Allegedly they eat people but when the boy meets a friendly mermaid (Kanon Tani), he finds out that she wants to be friends. She loves music and when she hears it, she not only grows legs but when she sings, people suddenly start dancing even if they don't want to! Directed by Masaaki Yuasa, this charming piece of Japanese anime is a product of Toho and not Studio Ghibli. The animation lacks the imagination and color of the best of the Ghibli vehicles. It's rather flat and simplistic actually but the loopy narrative compensates for any deficiency in the animation department. It has a family friendly fairy tale quality that might appeal to youngsters (it's also being released in an English dub) but there's an adult smartness to it that makes it more than a kiddies movie. Released last year in Japan and Europe and finally getting a U.S. release this month. Not a particularly showcase example of Japanese anime but quite enjoyable nevertheless.