Underwater Love (2011)

Pinku films often push boundaries, not just of good taste but of style and substance, keeping the spirit of experimentation alive in an industry that's well-known for strangling it at birth. UL embodies that experimental notion by merging Pinku with the musical, telling the story of a woman who works in a fish factory and of a kappa that's in love with her.
The insanely catchy music is by German duo Stereo Total. Songs aren't as integral to the plot as I'd have liked, but it's worthy of praise for even existing as it does. The enthusiasm of the female lead, Sawa Masaki, as she bursts into spontaneous dancing is wonderfully uplifting to watch. It has a distinctly handmade quality that makes me like it even more.

3½ revivals out of 5