Dolphins Dancing Hula

Sato, a third year high school student, lives with her father and grandmother. While everyone else is anxious about their career paths, she dreams of moving to Tokyo and entering the world of theater, however often leaving the theater club practice early to care for her grandmother, Shizu, struggling with dementia. Although it's difficult, the family lives together happily until recently as Shizu starts to dream about going somewhere by herself, to travel. Meanwhile, Sato is told that Shizu's physical condition has been gradually worsening and there's a possibility of her grandma soon becoming bedridden, which deeply shakes her heart. Sato discovers that it was Shizu's long-held dream to go on a trip to Hawaii, thinking it might be the last chance to create a family memory together, she plans a "pseudo-Hawaii trip'" to Zushi.

Directed by Aki Morita, Dolphins Dancing Hula leans on a strong ensemble — Hiyori Katada, Yuko Fukui — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2023.