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Ride Your Wave
The novel version of the acclaimed anime film about surfing, summer love, grief, and a hint of magic. Carefree Hinako moves to a small seaside town to surf. When her new apartment catches fire, she’s rescued by Minato, a gentle firefighter with a heart of gold. The two soon begin surfing together, and before they know it, they’re falling in love. But their young romance comes to an abrupt halt when tragedy strikes. Now Hinako is determined to rescue Minato, just like he once saved her. A moving tale of love and yearning based on the award-winning anime.
320 pages, Paperback
Published February 16, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 1, 2022
Actually finished this late last night and didn’t take time to mark it. Quite good and interesting. A mystery part to it, which was good. Played through my head as I read it-in anime fashion! Haha! Recommend to those who are interested in such genre. 🐾
February 18, 2021
This is my disclaimer that I haven’t seen the anime movie itself and while I do plan to, I want to talk about this book from the perspective of someone who hasn’t seen it before.
On the first impression, the page count for the light novel is way shorter than it appears to be. I was actually able to read this in an entire night but that could be because of how engrossed I was in the story itself. Unfortunately, you can absolutely tell this is the reverse - instead of the anime movie adapting the novel, this is the novel adapting the anime movie. While I did enjoy this story, I wanted to get it clear out of the way that it really felt that this book was describing what’s on the screen instead of “behind the screen”.
It’s almost a very surface level of describing certain emotions. Please don’t misunderstand - I really did enjoy this book a lot! But I wanted to talk about this first before I start talking about the rest of the book itself. I think this is my problem with novels as adaptations versus the other way around. When I read the original source, the rawer emotions are there and are easily digestible - this is probably one of the reasons why adaptations are usually not done very well. It’s hard in a visual medium to show the inner workings of a character unless you know everything about it. And I think that repeats itself in the novel-writing adaptation. Because everything is already set up in the anime movie itself, which I haven’t seen yet, everything feels very surface level. Perhaps the novel did give me more insight into the characters’ thoughts during the scene itself and that’s not a bad thing, but I feel it was almost a teasing of those emotions. Again, everything feels very surface level. This was written like a movie.
However, that didn’t mean that I wasn’t attached to the characters. With the exception of the side characters, I cared very much about the main couple and rooted for them the entire book, except when the magic hijinks started. When Minato “came back to life”, I was hoping that it wasn’t one of those stories where the lead would try to “join” him in the afterlife but then things happened that causes Hinako to realize she’d need to move on eventually, thankfully. I’ve noticed that there’s a lot of stories like this lately where the main couple will have wonderful romance only to be torn apart by tragedy, and they must learn a lesson.
And then it doesn’t consider someone who might’ve missed them the most - their family. Minato has a sister, Youko, who is “foul-mouthed and blunt”, but considering she was also dealing with her brother’s drowning, she didn’t really seem to like Hinako for some reason. But, Youko didn’t seem to like Hinako even before the drowning. It hardly seemed that her brother’s death affected her as much as it affected Hinako. And this is why the adaptation frustrated me for her character - she’s a one-note character who doesn’t seem to feel anything until the end when it finally focuses back on her.
This is the biggest problem of adapting in a novel format. There’s actually more freedom to explore certain relationships, emotions, repercussions, and more but because this is clearly more for fans of the anime movie, it fell short for me. I cared about Hinako very much as a lead and even teared up when she realized the truth about both Minato’s wish and why he called her hero. I cared about her journey and I cared about how was she going to move on (and her inability), but anyone else who knew Minato wasn’t “as sad” as Hinako was.
It could very well be a plot issue than an adaptation one; this makes it sound that I don’t enjoy it as I seem to pick on plot issues and other problems in the story’s narrative. Keep in mind - I’ve never seen the anime movie itself so the only way for me to have any attachment to the characters is through this novel.
So, if I feel this way for the novel, why did I rate it this way? Because I loved the couple and it was a good snack to have. Light novels are often compared to junk food but I could easier compare this to a light fluffy cake. Even though there isn’t a lot of substance, there’s still a lot of flavoring and it’s sweet and light and fluffy. Sometimes, I don’t always want to deal with the deepness of grief. Sometimes, I want to see a girl see her ghost boyfriend in the water and try her best to push forward. And sometimes, I just want something light and fluffy… with a pinch of magic only a light fluffy cake could offer.
Absolutely, it could have been expanded upon more, and I can see the author (and translator, by extension) trying their best to go more into detail - but at the end of the day, this is about someone else’s work from their point of view.
This novel is fine for fans of the anime movie, especially if you do better with your own imagination, but this is also a nice treat for people who haven’t seen it yet. Just don’t expect too much from it and enjoy the free dessert given to you.
On the first impression, the page count for the light novel is way shorter than it appears to be. I was actually able to read this in an entire night but that could be because of how engrossed I was in the story itself. Unfortunately, you can absolutely tell this is the reverse - instead of the anime movie adapting the novel, this is the novel adapting the anime movie. While I did enjoy this story, I wanted to get it clear out of the way that it really felt that this book was describing what’s on the screen instead of “behind the screen”.
It’s almost a very surface level of describing certain emotions. Please don’t misunderstand - I really did enjoy this book a lot! But I wanted to talk about this first before I start talking about the rest of the book itself. I think this is my problem with novels as adaptations versus the other way around. When I read the original source, the rawer emotions are there and are easily digestible - this is probably one of the reasons why adaptations are usually not done very well. It’s hard in a visual medium to show the inner workings of a character unless you know everything about it. And I think that repeats itself in the novel-writing adaptation. Because everything is already set up in the anime movie itself, which I haven’t seen yet, everything feels very surface level. Perhaps the novel did give me more insight into the characters’ thoughts during the scene itself and that’s not a bad thing, but I feel it was almost a teasing of those emotions. Again, everything feels very surface level. This was written like a movie.
However, that didn’t mean that I wasn’t attached to the characters. With the exception of the side characters, I cared very much about the main couple and rooted for them the entire book, except when the magic hijinks started. When Minato “came back to life”, I was hoping that it wasn’t one of those stories where the lead would try to “join” him in the afterlife but then things happened that causes Hinako to realize she’d need to move on eventually, thankfully. I’ve noticed that there’s a lot of stories like this lately where the main couple will have wonderful romance only to be torn apart by tragedy, and they must learn a lesson.
And then it doesn’t consider someone who might’ve missed them the most - their family. Minato has a sister, Youko, who is “foul-mouthed and blunt”, but considering she was also dealing with her brother’s drowning, she didn’t really seem to like Hinako for some reason. But, Youko didn’t seem to like Hinako even before the drowning. It hardly seemed that her brother’s death affected her as much as it affected Hinako. And this is why the adaptation frustrated me for her character - she’s a one-note character who doesn’t seem to feel anything until the end when it finally focuses back on her.
This is the biggest problem of adapting in a novel format. There’s actually more freedom to explore certain relationships, emotions, repercussions, and more but because this is clearly more for fans of the anime movie, it fell short for me. I cared about Hinako very much as a lead and even teared up when she realized the truth about both Minato’s wish and why he called her hero. I cared about her journey and I cared about how was she going to move on (and her inability), but anyone else who knew Minato wasn’t “as sad” as Hinako was.
It could very well be a plot issue than an adaptation one; this makes it sound that I don’t enjoy it as I seem to pick on plot issues and other problems in the story’s narrative. Keep in mind - I’ve never seen the anime movie itself so the only way for me to have any attachment to the characters is through this novel.
So, if I feel this way for the novel, why did I rate it this way? Because I loved the couple and it was a good snack to have. Light novels are often compared to junk food but I could easier compare this to a light fluffy cake. Even though there isn’t a lot of substance, there’s still a lot of flavoring and it’s sweet and light and fluffy. Sometimes, I don’t always want to deal with the deepness of grief. Sometimes, I want to see a girl see her ghost boyfriend in the water and try her best to push forward. And sometimes, I just want something light and fluffy… with a pinch of magic only a light fluffy cake could offer.
Absolutely, it could have been expanded upon more, and I can see the author (and translator, by extension) trying their best to go more into detail - but at the end of the day, this is about someone else’s work from their point of view.
This novel is fine for fans of the anime movie, especially if you do better with your own imagination, but this is also a nice treat for people who haven’t seen it yet. Just don’t expect too much from it and enjoy the free dessert given to you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2022
3/5 Stars: ‘Ride Your Wave’ by Mika Toyoda.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Contemporary, Magical Realism.
→ Book Type: Light Novel.
Favourite Quote: ‘Just think of your life like it’s the ocean. Swim for a while, take breaks when you need to, and once you’re rested up, get back out there.’
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★★
→ Character Development: ★★
→ Setting: ★★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★★
→ Writing: ★★
General Comments: Translated by Molly Lee. The unabashed sentimentality never feels unbearable; its narrative takes several unexpected, leisurely paced turns that, in an unostentatious way, reflect intuitive attempts at finding closure when dealing with trauma and grief. The plot moves without a great sense of urgency, but only because the emotional turmoil is not a great conflict or tragedy. It is, however, as real as the private heartache we self-consciously wear on our sleeves. At times, it is too whimsical.
Time Read: Two Days.
→ Audiobook: -
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
Re-Read: No.
→ -:
→ -:
Trigger Warnings:
→ Death.
→ Drowning.
→ Grief.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Contemporary, Magical Realism.
→ Book Type: Light Novel.
Favourite Quote: ‘Just think of your life like it’s the ocean. Swim for a while, take breaks when you need to, and once you’re rested up, get back out there.’
In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★★
→ Character Development: ★★
→ Setting: ★★★★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★★
→ Writing: ★★
General Comments: Translated by Molly Lee. The unabashed sentimentality never feels unbearable; its narrative takes several unexpected, leisurely paced turns that, in an unostentatious way, reflect intuitive attempts at finding closure when dealing with trauma and grief. The plot moves without a great sense of urgency, but only because the emotional turmoil is not a great conflict or tragedy. It is, however, as real as the private heartache we self-consciously wear on our sleeves. At times, it is too whimsical.
Time Read: Two Days.
→ Audiobook: -
→ Audiobook Narrator: -
Re-Read: No.
→ -:
→ -:
Trigger Warnings:
→ Death.
→ Drowning.
→ Grief.
March 3, 2023
I enjoyed the story for the most part. Love, loss, discovering oneself, but in a short, quick-to-read package. Mika Toyoda did a nice job turning the movie into a novel (not that I've seen the movie yet to compare).
I liked it a lot. The characters are charming. The story is interesting, if a little odd sometimes. The artwork they included from the movie, including some of the production sketches, was really cool to look at.
I also liked that .
If I had one complaint, it's that Youko and Hinako were total idiots at the end. I know their actions were necessary for the really cool climax, but, like...
I am willing to forgive it, though, despite these characters being both old enough to know better because the ending this led to was pretty darn awesome. Ends justify the means here. I bet that scene is seriously impressive animated.
I liked it a lot. The characters are charming. The story is interesting, if a little odd sometimes. The artwork they included from the movie, including some of the production sketches, was really cool to look at.
I also liked that .
If I had one complaint, it's that Youko and Hinako were total idiots at the end. I know their actions were necessary for the really cool climax, but, like...
I am willing to forgive it, though, despite these characters being both old enough to know better because the ending this led to was pretty darn awesome. Ends justify the means here. I bet that scene is seriously impressive animated.
July 3, 2022
For such a little book, I managed to be emotionally broken.
While it is quite obvious that this book is a novel adaptation of a show, resulting in a lack of depth in character and plot development, it is still a cute (and sometimes heartbreaking) read.
While it is quite obvious that this book is a novel adaptation of a show, resulting in a lack of depth in character and plot development, it is still a cute (and sometimes heartbreaking) read.
May 24, 2022
no words atm. will try to come up with at least a sentence after i absorb everything.
July 27, 2021
Definitely it's one of my favorite stories ever, the Movie and the novel! I really LOVED that the novel has some details that the movie doesn't tell us! I absolutely Love the journey Hinako makes through the whole story, it's inspiring and it can help people too! I cry every time tho'. Loved the novel! I hope I can buy soon the spin off manga! 100/100
March 28, 2023
I had not expected this to break my heart so much as I went in completely blind. My fiancé is Japanese and this part of Japan is his home so I could picture so much of it. The start of the relationship and personalities also reminded me of us.
Going in blind was not good after connecting so well to the couple I was absolutely shocked that he passed. I spent nearly the second half of the story balling my eyes out as she coped with an unbelievable loss of her first love and what they could have had.
This story will stay with me for a long time. It also reminded me of the loss and emptiness I felt when one day my father didn’t come home. While I have healed I can still remember that pain and loss. Putting myself in her shoes and imaging my soon to be husband being the focal of that loss was unbearable. But it was beautiful story of what it is to be human - so fragile yet so capable of beautiful things.
Going in blind was not good after connecting so well to the couple I was absolutely shocked that he passed. I spent nearly the second half of the story balling my eyes out as she coped with an unbelievable loss of her first love and what they could have had.
This story will stay with me for a long time. It also reminded me of the loss and emptiness I felt when one day my father didn’t come home. While I have healed I can still remember that pain and loss. Putting myself in her shoes and imaging my soon to be husband being the focal of that loss was unbearable. But it was beautiful story of what it is to be human - so fragile yet so capable of beautiful things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
WOW. This book was everything I wanted and more. I was in a reading slump/mood and this book did more then just pull me out it lifted me up. The book gave me so many feels. I love studio Ghibli style movies so really its no surprise that I loved this book. But for those romance readers out there this is a fun cute story that really just sucks you in.
It was a quick read. The characters were easy to relate to making the connection quick. There are a few twist and turns that are set in just the right place, making this an impossible to put down book. I read it in one sitting. No regrets there, who needs sleep when you have a good book to read.
You are following the events of 2 characters. Its a true boy meets girl love story on the surface but deeper its so much more!! Will this surfer girl put aside the water for a moment for a chance at love?
In Short:
Did I like it? OMG yes!
Would I recommend it ? YES YES YES! Read it , it's short, fun and worth it.
Would I read more by this author? If they do another Novel YES !
It was a quick read. The characters were easy to relate to making the connection quick. There are a few twist and turns that are set in just the right place, making this an impossible to put down book. I read it in one sitting. No regrets there, who needs sleep when you have a good book to read.
You are following the events of 2 characters. Its a true boy meets girl love story on the surface but deeper its so much more!! Will this surfer girl put aside the water for a moment for a chance at love?
In Short:
Did I like it? OMG yes!
Would I recommend it ? YES YES YES! Read it , it's short, fun and worth it.
Would I read more by this author? If they do another Novel YES !
May 20, 2022
This light novel is based on the love life of hinako abs minato ( chapter 67, 59,84,82). They go through hardships together. They were always together until an accident happens. They both have to learn to let go. This light novel was beautiful written. It left me heartbroken with an ending I never expected. The twist the ending gives you is emotionally manipulative. It not a book about moving on. It’s not a typical book with a happy ending. I really enjoyed it was one of the best light novels I have read. I would give this book 5 stars
January 8, 2026
I think the characters in this book had depth since all the characters showed a lot of emotions and thoughts. However, in some parts of the book I think that the emotions started to get a bit unrealistic. I think the plot itself was pretty well thought out and there were little to no plot holes. In my opinion, the book was paced quite well, and it wasn't too fast or slow. Overall I personally enjoyed the book, it is a nice book to read in your free time and the book keeps you interested throughout so I would recommend this book.
February 28, 2023
It was a nice little read. I liked the messages and descriptions of the surfing actually made me want to try. It is easy to read and I liked the main character and Wasabi. Would have loved it to be a little longer or for us to have explored the characters more, but overall was very enjoyable. It certainly makes me want to see the original movie, on which it it based, just to compare the feel and flow of the story, plus I want to see how the final fire scene is animated.
June 27, 2024
ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS NOVEL, THE MANGA, AND THE MOVIE. IT MADE ME CRY SO MANY TIMES ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.
I really really love the characters and how sad it was. It made me feel like I was actually there along with the female lead going through her grief as well as everybody else’s. Even though I did watch the movie first, the book really brought it all to life and it was amazing. 5/5
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS NOVEL AND NOBODY CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE, THIS WAS SO AMAZING 💞
I really really love the characters and how sad it was. It made me feel like I was actually there along with the female lead going through her grief as well as everybody else’s. Even though I did watch the movie first, the book really brought it all to life and it was amazing. 5/5
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS NOVEL AND NOBODY CAN TELL ME OTHERWISE, THIS WAS SO AMAZING 💞
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2021
You’re carried away by the waves in every chapter. And the saltwater waves of the sea will mix with your own saltwater tears.
Super quick read like a few hours quick, but stoked my neighbor shared it with me knowing I would enjoy the surfing and the love!
Super quick read like a few hours quick, but stoked my neighbor shared it with me knowing I would enjoy the surfing and the love!
September 22, 2021
Rating: 2.5/5
I like totally forgot when did I read this BUT it certain was around the first few months of 2021. Good story, I lowkey hate the protagonist but also love her at the same time. Loved the heart break as well and the eventual end.
I like totally forgot when did I read this BUT it certain was around the first few months of 2021. Good story, I lowkey hate the protagonist but also love her at the same time. Loved the heart break as well and the eventual end.
January 17, 2023
Read for the Japanese Novel and Light Novel Book Club.
I loved this manga as a movie as much as a novel and manga. It's a beautiful story about love and grief. It made me cry when I first watched the movie but here I was prepared when I read the novel. I just loved it even if it is a sad story.
I loved this manga as a movie as much as a novel and manga. It's a beautiful story about love and grief. It made me cry when I first watched the movie but here I was prepared when I read the novel. I just loved it even if it is a sad story.
March 9, 2023
It is quite clear that this is not the original source, but a novelization of the movie.
However, I have had a great time reading this.
Even if I could not feel like I was reading a book, it is okey.
I recommend it.
However, I have had a great time reading this.
Even if I could not feel like I was reading a book, it is okey.
I recommend it.
October 4, 2021
depression
November 5, 2021
I literally loved this book so much. I've seen the movie and read the manga and It literally just boosted my standards more than they needed to be boosted. 10/10
December 14, 2021
I loved this as much as the movie and it was a really fast read for me!
March 19, 2022
Abstract concept that made an interesting and lovely anime movie adaptation. Translation here is simple and yet still clunky.
March 25, 2022
This story was quite heartwarming and a great way of showing someones journey through grief. I think if the first half had been as strong as the second i would have given it 4 stars.
Read
June 28, 2022dnf like over 50% in but i read enough to have it as read
October 5, 2022
i bought this too see if maybe there were extra details that weren’t mentioned in the movie, but there werent. it was written just like a description of a movie and not a real novel. very nice
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2023
Simple slice of life. How do you deal with grief? I appreciate a book that brings out my own emotions. Quick read, basic but deep.
January 27, 2024
I loved the movie, and the book was just as heartwarming and sweet! ❤️
February 27, 2024
i mean sure
January 19, 2026
This novel adaptation feels lacking, might be because it's too short to give the characters/relationships any real depth. I wouldn't care about the characters if I didn't already know and loved them from the movie. The writing (or translation) is really simple - as another reviewer put it, like reading a script with dialogues. Disappointing, but at least I can cross this off my list.
November 17, 2025
read this if you want tears and snot in your mouth fr
December 15, 2023
and they say true love is dead
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews