Yoru no Kuni

This short anime is HEARTWARMING!

Coming to terms with one's grief and finding solace. Portrayal of light and darkness! and how looking at things from a different perspective, or putting it in a different setting might make you feel better, and letting you find a reason to move on!

What 'Night Country' tells... is a story about accepting reality after one's loss!

Night Country is a companion short anime of Aimer's new album 'Walpurgis', being released on Aimer's official Youtube Channel.

The first episode features in it 'Trill' which by itself is such a beautiful artwork, with soothing yet kinda sad music, and lyrics that is comforting and ... talking about coping with loss! It's hands down a masterpiece and my favorite from the album!

I gotta thank Aimer for spoiling us with so much content lately. It hasn't been long we got the awesome theme song 'Torches' from Vinland Saga, Fate Stay Night '[HF] theme songs, which are amazing beyond words.

And Thank You for making the time reading this review, hope it helped!

So...I basically had no idea this anime even existed until I randomly stumbled across it on a website where I often downloaded anime. I looked up info about it and decided to watch the first episode on a whim...and boy, am I glad I did! Seriously, what the hell is this anime?! Where did it come from?! And why is it so friggin' amazing?! Yoru no Kuni, meant to be some kind of animated promotional vehicle for the singer Aimer's newest album, directed by some dude named Ryo-timo (real name Ryosuke Sawa, who worked on shows like Noein and Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad), completely took ... me and a lot of other people by surprise. I, and many others, thought this would be 11-13 episodes at most, though the episodes came out at a rather slow pace, but that was okay with us. Buuuuut then the announcement came that Yoru no Kuni was only going to have three episodes. Seriously, what the fuck?! This anime deserves way more than just three episodes!! Who the hell decided that was a good idea?! In case you couldn't tell, I'm pissed off because this, to me, is a very strong contender for one of the absolute best anime that ever came out in 2021.

But enough bitching about this anime's short episode length, what's Yoru no Kuni even about? Well, in this anime, a mysterious avian being called Yoru inhabits the world of the night, and sometimes people get magically transported into his world while sleeping (Or Yoru goes into their dreams. The anime isn't very clear about it, and I think it's intentionally left to open to interpretation), and Yoru's job is to gently help them come to terms with whatever problem they're dealing with. It's basically like Infinity Train (The Cartoon Network show, not the Demon Slayer movie) in that the characters of the day have a problem, get transported to Yoru's dominion, and have to learn to come to terms with their problem, sometimes with Yoru's help, sometimes not. The story isn't very linear, but more episodic in nature, and each episode focuses on a different character, namely a little girl dealing with the loss of her pet, a middle schooler coping with jealousy over her friend wanting to expand their friend circle, and an adult woman who can't seem to hold down a job and is insecure about how her life will turn out.

Of course, the obvious thing that stands out about this anime is...well, the animation. There's this almost painting-like style to it, with crayon-esque shooting stars, picturesque watercolor hillsides, luminous butterflies, swirly trees, and so on. Not only is everything lusciously animated, from character movement to the dazzling spectacles on display when the characters of the day come to terms with their problems, everything has its own unique texture, and not once does the world feel sterile or like a cardboard cut-out. Yoru no Kuni is a series about dreams, and I think in that aspect, it succeeds in creating a perfect, dream-like atmosphere, and the bright visuals don't so much dazzle you as they do careess your eyes with its storybook-like animation. The music is pretty good here as well. There isn't a lot of it, contributing to the series' emphasis on ambience and atmosphere, and the insert songs are all well-timed, well-sung, and are always saved for just the right moment, allowing for stronger impact and emotional catharsis when the characters resolve their issues.

Being a shorter web series, Yoru no Kuni goes for a character-of-the-day approach, where every episode focuses on a different singular person, with the only main character among them being Yoru. While the human characters aren't exactly the most three-dimensional or layered, they feel realistic, and their problems are down-to-earth, relatable, and true to life, even within the context of the fantastical setting. Even Yoru, who we know the least about throughout the entire series, is likeable, as he's basically some kind of magical monster therapist who gives advice and helps when his charges ask, but never patronizes them and gently nudges them towards their resolution without being forceful or overbearing. He's simply there if they need him, and he helps them when they ask for it, acting as a sort of guide for them. The anime doesn't try to answer any questions about him, and there is a lot we don't know about Yoru. What is he? Where does he come from? What's his overall purpose? Why does he help these people? What does he even gain from helping them? Is he a cog in a machine, a part of something bigger, or does he help people because he wants to? Is it even out of genuine kindness or due to some ulterior motive?

The series, being relatively episodic, doesn't have much in the way of a grand narrative. It's just an avian monster helping people with their issues. It really says something when any flaws it has don't really have anything to do with its overall quality. I want to know more about Yoru, the people he helps, and his world, and three episodes isn't anywhere near enough to tell this kind of story. Again, the fact that it's so short is its biggest drawback. I don't know whether it's short length is due to it being cancelled, budget constraints, if Ryo-timo was made to cancel it or if he wanted to leave it this way, other stuff behind the scenes, or maybe it wasn't popular enough. Who knows at this point? Neither Ryo-timo nor Aimer have mentioned anything about the reasons behind its short length, and I'm admittedly still pissed about it, but whatever the case, I'm glad we got Yoru no Kuni at all. In only three episodes it's able to do what most anime that have twice as many, maybe even more, are unable to. All of its characters are compelling, the animation is striking, the story that we have is really nice, and it's just a good, wholesome time killer you can use to waste half an hour if you feel like it. This kind of concept has so much potential for exploration and other ideas, and it's a shame it ended its run so soon, as I feel like more could be done with Yoru no Kuni. Then again, that's what fan fics are for!

For what it is, though, Yoru no Kuni is a damn good piece of fine art that deserves way more appreciation than it gets. Please, do yourself a favor and watch Yoru no Kuni if you can. It's an absolute feast for the eyes and the heart.

The Night. With its darkness, it paves a path for the bright stars. With its darkness, man falls tried, ascending to the world of dreams, in hopes one does not face towards the nightmare realm instead. With its darkness, fears allude and tension arises. The darkness is scary after all.

Welcome to the Night World. Your friend, Yoru, is at your service.

'Yoru no Kuni' or 'Night World' is a short ONA that I found to have greater pleasures than I initially thought it could. It follows a 3 part story about individuals who have faced a loss (not necessarily death) in some shape or ... form. The TLDR of it is that Yoru here helps out these characters in their misfortunes and brings them towards a more lit path in life. I suppose there isn't a lot to feed of with, but for my 42nd iteration, I will once again say short and simple stuff is really good. The presentation here and execution is nothing short of profound, and the whole episodic narrative may not sound like a lot, but it is one that emphasises on feels more than anything else for it to be as great as it is. Overall, well-made stuff.

The audiovisuals are spectacular, nothing but fluid animation, great aesthetics that are coherent with this dreamy night world, somewhat cartoonish character design as well which I think makes it more appealing to all audiences. The selling point is Aimer amazing performances in this anime, from what I recall, it was great listening to what she had to sing. I loved it all around, and the other sounds that set the scene.

Overall, this anime is very enjoyable if you are in need of something quick to watch and easy to watch, it focuses a lot on feels, so if that is your go-to I'd have a look into this. Maybe you'd like to watch it as sleep material, I suppose it would work, after all, this is the Night World.

[Updated]
I just stumbled upon this hidden underrated gem, and oh boy I didn't regret watching it. I don't write reviews since I'm too lazy to write, but this anime needs some attention, so this is my first review. (it's not gonna be that long)

This is such a unique anime for me because it's not like any other mainstream anime such us today, and it's just shocking that it's not well known considering it's a short anime with such a fantastic narrative and heartwarming story.

The third episode hit me like a truck, It's just so relatable. Finding the path on what you'd love to do, you ... work hard to be the best, but realized you can't beat talent and being average is just your limit. It's just the harsh reality you have to face and you have nothing to do but accept it. You question yourself "Is the path I chose really the right one?", you can't help but feel regret, anxiety and panic. Some people say it's going to be alright. just be yourself. I didn't listen until I'd suddenly stumbled upon this anime. I teared up a little on how beautiful and amazing this anime is.

I don't watch short animes but this is an exception, this is just a beautifully heartwarming anime for me. I definitely recommend you to watch this if you have free time.

I've currently watched two episodes, and I have to say that this is one of the better anime I've watched this year.

When I started to get into this anime I thought that it would rather not be interesting, but I was wrong, I liked it very quickly, I can say the same about the second episode.

I really like the atmosphere and style of this anime, it's what makes it enjoyable to watch.

That's why I think it has that "something" that differentiates other series from this season.

I think that this is one of the underrated anime that I recommend to watch.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Yoru No Kuni tells stories about problems kids face like moving on from loss or jealously between friends, its an age old story with very common themes and nothing new or original is necessarily presented, the characters are not especially memorable either.

However the music and visuals are stunning and make this short series stand out in an absolutely magical way, if you enjoy series that are short and to the point but carry strong emotional impact with how they are presented, you will enjoy this story and beautiful night world it takes place in.

This work seems like a first time production for a new studio, ... not sure if they will continue, but I definitely wouldn't mind seeing more of these shorts in the future.

This one is interesting, punching well above its weight class given how short it is. It's not exactly breaking new ground, but what it does is impressive, showcasing some excellent visuals that evoke storybooks and providing a mental space for its characters to work through issues relating to acceptance, whether that includes acceptance of life events, of others and their choices, or of yourself in the face of rejection. And they're handled with appropriate depth and breadth as Yoru walks with varying ages of girls and women as they go through what are often difficult stages in their lives. Yoru is just kind of there ... as a guide, meant to enhance the visual aspects without contributing much beyond little insights and expositing, but the character is functional, albeit a little simple. It's beautifully realized, the music, given that it's Aimer, is consistently strong, and some of the messages, especially from the third piece, are very strongly delivered.

I'm not super fond of the "I worked this out in a dream" type of story-telling, and while I keep in mind that these are shorts that are somewhat limited in their abilities to tell about what happens beyond a very short timeframe, things do feel a little too neatly wrapped up for the first two stories, especially, both of which I think are pretty but only just fine.

But again, it's the third piece that does it for me. Following a character who has already had this experience far back in her rear view mirror trying to rediscover what she learned in the face of the more complex difficulties of adulthood was powerful and anchors the work well, driving home the message that acceptance, both of ourselves and of the lives we live, is a journey.

This is one of the more underrated treasures I've seen recently, and deserves more attention.

Yoru no kuni is a series written for Aimer's Walpurgis album, which is also the reason why I stumbled upon this series. 2 episode in, and I realized, this show is something that needs to be talked about more than what it is right now.

Yoru no kuni isn't your standard 1 cour 25 min show that you see ever season, but rather is a series of short stories surrounding yoru no kuni (english translation: world of night). Because of its short run time, it doesn't really go in depth about what the world is, or create a plot that would be followed throughout the entire ... series. The show follows the trouble of certain characters that happens to find themselves in the yoru ni kuni. Because of this, the series will be most effective if you can empathize what the characters are feeling, since the show do not go in depth about the characters except their troubles.

If you are able to empathize as to what the characters are feeling in this show, you are going to be in for a ride. The 2 episode that has been released gave us 2 heart whelming stories that is captivating from start to finish. One of my favorite thing about this show is the characters themselves. They may not be in depth, but they are extremely realistic, and makes it super easy to empathize unlike what most shows usually does by creating archetypes and making it feel less believable.

The art style and the character designs really compliments this as well, and enhances the viewing experience. Lastly, the way the show connects the final scene to aimer's song is brilliant, and really makes the conclusion of each episode moving.

All in all, yoru no kuni is a very touching show following realistic characters, and if you can empathize with them, you are going to have an amazing ride!

Overall score: 8/10

I was a very imaginative kid when I was younger. While other kids were playing sports or socializing during recess, I would often lie down at the nearest bench, and simply imagine. A fantasy world empowered by the wonders of magic. A desperate expedition to gather the remaining heroes and conquer the forces of evil. The limitless bounds of my imagination back then stretched as far as my creativity could go, conjuring up fantastical universes and settings.

Then I received a game for Christmas, unaware of how it would completely change my life: Super Mario Galaxy. I watched Mario explore the cold and empty, yet warm ... and comforting vastness of outer space, embarking on a voyage to the various galaxies all across the universe. I remember sitting down in the Observatory, simply gazing at the wonderous universe in front of me. Super Mario Galaxy showed me the power of imagination and how fictional media could breathe life into magical, mystical worlds. It was an experience like no other.

Life moves on, though, and as I got older, that imaginative spark I once had had started to fade. I became swept up in "adult" issues and concerns, constantly looking towards the future while neglecting the once-cherished memories of the past. I was lonely and struggled to make friends, often electing to keep to myself.

Eventually, I got back in the spirit of consuming more media, and turned my head towards anime and manga, hoping to find that imaginative spark that I had lost in the early years of my life. I eagerly churned through as much anime as possible: the highly-recommended ones, the high-scoring ones, the ones with interesting premises, etc. A few of these anime were able to re-ignite the spark, but none had been able to re-invigorate the imaginative fire that I had been yearning to revive for years. Eventually, I had come to terms with the fact that I'd probably never find that one special anime for my heart.

Then I heard that for the Spring 2021 season, an ONA was coming out on YouTube called Yoru no Kuni. The synopsis was vague and the poster art wasn't super up my alley, but as an avid shortfilm watcher, I gave it a shot. What I didn't know at the time was that I'd finally find that one special anime that I had always been searching for, the anime that would ignite the embers in my heart and revive the imaginative fire that I had lost in my childhood.

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Yoru no Kuni is a series of short episodes, each of which are about a person who enters the "Night World", a place inside every person's heart. The Night World contains all the memories and things that the person had left behind in the past. Although the Night World is dark, it is truly beautiful, as every person who enters it comes to see. Yoru is the creature that guides these people through the Night World, as he helps guide the person through their intrapersonal struggles.

The first thing to talk about is Yoru no Kuni's art style. Yoru no Kuni employs a very imaginative and distinct art style, feeling very dream-like with its pastel colors and warm lighting. It feels more like Nintendo (ex. Kirby, The Legend of Zelda) than an actual anime art style, which gives it a nostalgic feeling. Similarly, the lighting used in this show is captivating. The Night World never feels intimidating or scary thanks to the beautiful warm lighting employed in its shots, showing the beauty of the Night World. Though the Night World is dark, every person that enters it comes to realize its awe-striking beauty.

The second thing to talk about is Yoru no Kuni's storytelling. Despite its short runtime, Yoru no Kuni manages to tell unique and emotional stories with each episode. The stories are intrapersonal, not interpersonal, which is crucial. In so much anime, characters' struggles are often marked with interpersonal conflicts: someone has social anxiety or is introverted? It's because of bullying and/or abuse, and hardly ever due to the person's own psychological problems. Someone has depression? Probably because of bullying and/or a death of a loved one. Although anime and manga often approach these inner-emotion topics, they often take the easy route of pointing the finger on malicious/evil characters to get the audience to sympathize with the MC, but as a result, intrapersonal conflicts are neglected and ignored. People like me who've never been bullied yet still has social anxiety and depression problems can often feel like that there's few media that can represent them.

Yoru no Kuni manages to tackle these topics from a unique angle with how intrapersonal the character's problems are. These characters have no "big bad/evil character" or "melodramatic tragic event" at the cause of their problems: rather, their problems are moreso an inner emotional and psychological struggle. In Episode 2, the character we follow is not the wants-to-be-nice-to-everyone friend, it's the friend who's jealous, a bystander-type and has malicious thoughts, yet is still very sympathizable. These characters don't follow your typical Main Character insert/hero archetypes, and that's what makes them great: they feel human, like they could've been any one of us.

Third is the messaging, both from Yoru and the Night World. Yoru is the constant character between all episodes, as the eternal dweller of the Night World and everyone's hearts. Yoru has an initially-imposing character design, but one line in from the legendary VA Suwabe Junichi is all you need to know that Yoru is meant there as an ally, not an enemy. Yoru helps people with their problems, similar to Mushishi's Ginko or Natsume Yuujinchou's Natsume, but what's unique about Yoru is that Yoru doesn't directly offer solutions to the people he's guiding. Rather, he indirectly offers advice to help guide the person forward, giving unique guidance (ex. "It's okay to run away."). As I said before, these stories are intrapersonal, so Yoru helps the people along the way, but it is up to the person themselves to come to the solution to their personal struggle. The struggles are rarely resolved fully by the end of the story, but that's arguably the beauty of it: human struggles are rarely overcome by a single realization, but simply arriving at an answer is a big step forward.

Fourth and finally, the personal nostalgia that this anime envoked in me. Ever since Super Mario Galaxy captured my heart 14 years ago, I thought nothing would ever re-capture the feelings I had playing that game. But it's here with Yoru no Kuni. The Night World of Yoru no Kuni is dark, lonely, and sometimes empty, much like the vast openness of outer space in Super Mario Galaxy. But much like SMG, Yoru no Kuni manages to find comfort and beauty in its dark world. Similarly, at the end of SMG, there's an ending cutscene with Rosalina that talks about the beauty of death: even though familiar things may end, new things will start anew, hence the cycle of life of our universe. Yoru no Kuni talks about a similar theme, the beauty of goodbyes: we see each person, right as they are about to leave the Night World, ask Yoru "Will I see you again?", and it hits me like a truck as I'm reminded that this'll be the last interaction we'll see between the two characters for a long, long time (maybe never again). Yet the farewells here are treated with reverence and hope, not sadness and tragedy, showing how goodbyes can truly be the new beginnings.

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In short, Yoru no Kuni is my favorite anime of all time, quite possibly my favorite fictional media of all time as well. I thought nothing would be able to recreate the feelings that Super Mario Galaxy gave me 14 years ago, but I've finally found it. At its core, Yoru no Kuni brings forth the power of animation and creativity and harnesses it to create a world and story that reawakened the imaginative euphoria I once had as a child. Thank you, Yoru no Kuni, for everything. Good night. おやすみなさい。