there's no doubt youngsters will enjoy the trippy and exuberant visuals of this film; Yuasa's animation has a flowing style that complements the ever-present water and his use of strong colours in flashback works well
the theme of inclusiveness is pertinent, if not original, and the story is nothing out of the ordinary. But the animation techniques are imaginative and expressive, and enjoyable in their own right
Masaaki Yuasa's animation about a lonely, troubled teenage boy living at the seaside after his parents' divorce is overextended and self-conscious...at a lesser level it can look contrived, derivative and twee
Lu Over the Wall, demonstrates everything that makes Yuasa one of the best contemporary anime filmmakers. It's an energetic, frequently hilarious, always visually riveting ride
Lu is a charming story filled with fantasy and childlike wonder. Flash animation is used to conjure up the magic and breathe life into the characters; The ever-expanding imagination of Yuasa caters to those who crave magic, love and mermaids
by Peter Bradshaw [The Guardian ]
