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Ride Your Wave (2020) movie poster

Timeline

Ride Your Wave (2020) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2020 · 95 min · Japanese
Echo score 82
JustWatch #14,139 5
Directed by
Masaaki Yuasa
Starring
Honoka Matsumoto, Joey Richter, Kentarô Itô, Merit Leighton, Michael Johnston, Rina Kawaei

In a quiet seaside town, Hinako experiences the joys of love and the pain of loss. She develops a passionate relationship with Minato, a brave firefighter, but tragedy unexpectedly tears them apart. Through the power of a shared song, a unique connection forms, allowing them to find a way to reunite and navigate the complexities of life, loss, and enduring love.

Drama Fantasy Comedy Romance Animation Family Cast, crew & box office
On this page (6)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Events in order (15)
  3. 3 Timeline questions answered
  4. 4 Movie threads
  5. 5 Movies like Ride Your Wave
  6. 6 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Ride Your Wave (2020)

Where can you watch Ride Your Wave? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on HBO Max, Hoopla and Google Play Movies: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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15 events in order · contains spoilers

Ride Your Wave Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of Ride Your Wave (2020) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Hinako Moves to Coastal Town

    19-year-old Hinako Mukaimizu relocates to a picturesque coastal town filled with dreams of college and a passion for surfing. Embracing her new life, she is motivated to pursue her interests and see what the future holds.

    Where
    Coastal Town

  2. Fireworks Display Disaster

    During a lively fireworks display, Hinako's apartment building is set ablaze due to an unfortunate accident. This terrifying event marks a drastic turn in her life, leading her to a surprising encounter with a local hero.

    Where
    Hinako's Apartment Building

  3. Rescue by Minato

    As Hinako struggles to escape the flames, she is heroically rescued by 21-year-old Minato Hinageshi, a firefighter known for his unwavering sense of justice. This moment sparks a connection between them that begins to develop.

    Where
    Burning Apartment

  4. Learning to Surf

    Hinako begins to spend more time with Minato, drawn to his strength and skill. He teaches her how to surf, and their bond deepens as they enjoy the thrill of riding the waves together.

    Where
    Beach

  5. Tragic Accident

    The next day, Minato ventures out alone to surf, believing that the best waves will come after Christmas. Unfortunately, he tragically loses his life while trying to save a jetskier, leaving Hinako devastated.

    Where
    Surfing Location

  6. Hinako's Grief

    Overcome by sorrow from Minato's untimely death, Hinako decides to move away from the beach, seeking to escape the memories that haunt her. Her emotional turmoil begins to isolate her from her dreams.

    Where
    Coastal Town

  7. Revival Through Song

    In a surprising twist, Hinako discovers that singing their special song, 'Brand New Story,' brings Minato's spirit to her in the water. The bond between them transcends the boundaries of life and death, allowing them to reconnect.

    Where
    Beach

  8. Minato's Encouragement

    Minato, now aware of his ghostly form, encourages Hinako to move on with her life. Although she struggles with his advice, this moment highlights her growing dependency on him and the challenges of letting go.

    Where
    Hinako's Reflection Place

  9. Discovering the Past

    During a visit to Minato's home, Hinako speaks with his sister Yōko and learns poignant details about Minato's inspiration to become a firefighter. The revelation that she had saved him during their childhood profoundly impacts her.

    Where
    Minato's Home

  10. A Call to Independence

    Hinako uncovers a drafted message on Minato's phone urging her to 'ride her own wave.' This revelation motivates her to enroll in a lifeguard training course, seeking independence and a new direction in life.

    Where
    Lifeguard Training Center

  11. Yōko and Wasabi's Relationship

    Yōko, Minato's sister, explores her own feelings and relationship with Wasabi, who had previously supported her through bullying. Their bond serves as a parallel to Hinako and Minato's more complex connection.

    Where
    High School

  12. Confronting Danger

    Hinako and Yōko uncover a plot by individuals responsible for the fireworks incident, intending to replicate their actions. Their detective work leads them into a perilous situation that puts their lives at risk.

    Where
    Abandoned Building

  13. Desperate Call for Help

    During a crisis as the fireworks ignite the abandoned building, Hinako desperately calls upon Minato's spirit. He responds to her need, conjuring a wave of water that saves them both from being trapped in the fire.

    Where
    Abandoned Building

  14. Minato's Final Farewell

    After rescuing Hinako and Yōko, Minato's spirit shares tender goodbyes, imparting last words of encouragement and love. His spirit then ascends peacefully, finding the closure he sought after tragedy.

    Where
    Burning Building

  15. A New Beginning

    A year later, Hinako, Yōko, and Wasabi reunite to celebrate Hinako's lifeguard certification at Chiba Port Tower. Although Minato does not appear, she finds a heartfelt message from him, inspiring her to embrace life anew.

    Where
    Chiba Port Tower

Last updated: November 16, 2024 at 15:03

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Timeline questions answered

Ride Your Wave Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of Ride Your Wave (2020): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why did Minato die trying to save the jetskier?

Minato died because he went surfing alone the day after Christmas, believing the best waves come after the holiday. While out surfing, he attempted to rescue a jetskier in distress and tragically drowned. This aligns with his character trait of having an unwavering sense of justice and his inability to ignore someone in need.

Foreshadowing: Earlier, Minato is established as a firefighter known for his strong moral compass and willingness to help others.

  • minato death
  • firefighter
  • jetskier rescue
  • drowning
Q2

How does Hinako bring back Minato's spirit?

Hinako discovers that singing "Brand New Story", a song that held special meaning for both of them, summons Minato's spirit to appear in the water. Only Hinako can see him; everyone else sees nothing. This magical connection allows them to spend time together despite his death.

  • brand new story song
  • minato spirit
  • summoning ghost
  • water appearance
Q3

Why does Minato want Hinako to move on with her life?

Minato realizes that Hinako has become too dependent on his spirit, preventing her from truly living. When he sees that his colleague Wasabi has feelings for Hinako, he understands that she needs to find happiness in the living world. He encourages her to let go because he wants her to experience life fully, even though he loves her.

Foreshadowing: Minato's growing awareness of his ghostly situation and his concern for Hinako's wellbeing.

  • moving on
  • letting go
  • minato's wishes
  • independence
Q4

What childhood connection did Hinako have with Minato?

Hinako had previously saved Minato from drowning when they were children. This life-saving act inspired Minato to become a firefighter himself. When Hinako learns this from Yōko, it deeply affects her and helps her understand why Minato was drawn to her.

  • childhood memory
  • drowning
  • minato firefighter inspiration
Q5

What does "ride your own wave" mean in the movie?

"Ride your own wave" is a message Minato drafted on his phone, encouraging Hinako to live her own life and find her own path. It refers to surfing metaphorically, moving forward with her life rather than staying stuck in grief. This message motivates Hinako to enroll in lifeguard training.

Foreshadowing: Minato teaches Hinako to surf, establishing the wave metaphor throughout their relationship.

  • ride your wave
  • metaphor
  • independence
  • moving forward
Q6

How does Minato's spirit save Hinako and Yōko from the fire?

When Hinako desperately calls upon Minato's spirit during the burning building crisis, he responds by conjuring a wave of water that extinguishes the flames. They escape on a backboard carried by the wave, similar to how they surfed together. This is the final act of assistance Minato provides before ascending to heaven.

Foreshadowing: The movie establishes that Minato appears in water when Hinako sings, and their connection is strongest near the ocean.

  • fire rescue
  • water wave
  • burning building
  • spirit powers
Q7

Why does Minato's spirit finally ascend to heaven?

Minato finds peace after being able to help Hinako one last time during the burning building incident. By saving her and Yōko, he completes his purpose and can finally let go. His farewell with Hinako, Yōko, and Wasabi gives him the closure he needs to move on.

  • heaven
  • afterlife
  • peace
  • closure
  • spirit ascent
Q8

Why doesn't Minato appear when Hinako sings at the end?

Minato doesn't appear because his spirit has finally found peace and ascended to heaven. Unlike previous times, he cannot return because he has let go of his attachment to the living world. The message left on the tower is his final gift to Hinako.

Foreshadowing: After the burning building rescue, Minato says goodbye and ascends, signaling he will no longer be able to appear.

  • fountain scene
  • final goodbye
  • no appearance
Q9

What is the message Minato left on the tower?

The tower bears a heartfelt message Minato had prepared the previous year, though the exact words aren't shown in the summary. This message, combined with his earlier text urging her to "ride her own wave," serves as his final encouragement for Hinako to live fully and happily.

  • tower message
  • final letter
  • encouragement
Q10

What motivates Hinako to become a lifeguard?

Hinako decides to become a lifeguard for two main reasons: discovering the drafted message "ride your own wave" on Minato's phone, and learning that she had saved Minato from drowning as a child. These revelations inspire her to take action and pursue a path that honors his memory while gaining independence.

  • lifeguard training
  • inspiration
  • independence
  • minato's memory

Movie threads

More Movies Like Ride Your Wave, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Ride Your Wave tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about grief and magical realism like Ride Your Wave

Stories where magical elements help characters process profound loss and find hope. If you liked the way Ride Your Wave used a magical connection to explore loss, you'll find similar stories here. These movies blend the real pain of grief with elements of fantasy, creating a unique and tender viewing experience about learning to live again.

  • magical
  • grieving
  • hopeful
  • tender
  • dreamlike
  • reflective
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, reflective
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Movies in this thread typically follow a character who suffers a devastating loss. A supernatural or fantastical intervention then occurs, providing a unique channel for the character to process their grief. The narrative arc moves from denial and despair toward acceptance, with the magic serving as a bridge between the past and a future where hope is possible again.

Why they belong together: These films are grouped together because they share a specific emotional recipe: they tackle heavy themes of loss with a tone that is ultimately hopeful, using magical elements to soften the blow of reality without diminishing the emotional weight. The pacing is often steady, focusing on the internal, reflective journey of the protagonist.

Come Away movie poster

Come Away

2020
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2004
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2020
Big Fish & Begonia movie poster

Big Fish & Begonia

2018
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2021
Windstruck movie poster

Windstruck

2004
Starlight Promises movie poster

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2018
Romantic Heaven movie poster

Romantic Heaven

2011

Bittersweet coming-of-age stories about loss like Ride Your Wave

Young adult stories where a major loss forces a painful but necessary maturation. Find movies similar to Ride Your Wave that explore how young people mature through grief. These stories focus on the painful transition into adulthood triggered by a tragic event, resulting in a journey that is equally sad and empowering.

  • grieving
  • coming of age
  • bittersweet
  • nostalgic
  • reflective
  • hopeful
  • Tone: bittersweet, reflective, tender
  • Pacing: steady, linear
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern begins with a relatively carefree protagonist whose life is irrevocably changed by a sudden loss. The central conflict is internal, as they grapple with sadness, anger, and confusion. The plot follows their struggle to integrate this loss into their sense of self, ultimately culminating in a new, more resilient understanding of life and love, though marked by permanent change.

Why they belong together: These movies share a core focus on a specific type of character arc: one driven by grief as a formative experience. They have a heavy emotional weight balanced by a tone that acknowledges the pain but also the possibility of growth. The pacing is character-driven and steady, allowing the audience to sit with the protagonist's emotional evolution.

Dying Young movie poster

Dying Young

1991
Never Ending Story movie poster

Never Ending Story

2012
Don't Say Good Luck movie poster

Don't Say Good Luck

2026
Look Both Ways movie poster

Look Both Ways

2006
My Oxford Year movie poster

My Oxford Year

2025
Life in a Year movie poster

Life in a Year

2020
Keith movie poster

Keith

2008
So B. It movie poster

So B. It

2017

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Every angle

Ride Your Wave (2020) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

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