NIGHTTIME ESCAPADES - Exploring a deep and powerful message that can be enjoyed by all.
To put on a show, you first have to set the stage. By using the unique atmosphere of Japan’s city nights, “Call of the Night” provides a perfect setting for our characters to explore how their thoughts, feelings, and self-imposed restrictions change during the late hours. To Nazuna, nighttime is when people’s raw emotions and instincts are at their height, giving her a good meal and a good time. To Yamori, the night is the only time when he doesn’t have to go through the motions and put up the mask; he can think, speak, and act for himself rather than for others. To Akira, the night is when she can see the fun and relaxed side of her friends, giving her a real chance to deepen precious bonds. To the vampires, the night is the time to live the carefree lifestyle they chose for themselves. For each and every character, the quiet city streets, lifeless public buildings, and calm environment provide something abstract, yet so special, that they end up choosing sleepless nights over busy days. You don’t need to call your high school Literature teacher to begin to understand just how liberating, alive, and addicting the nighttime is to the characters.
You could write a whole essay describing the symbolism, hidden messages, and complicated relationship found between characters and their environment… But, I think it’s way more entertaining to just grab some snacks, sit down, and watch it for yourself. And even if literary analysis is not your thing, don’t worry, there is still plenty left to enjoy.
ANIMATION AND SOUND - These days it’s rare to find an artistic style designed solely to elevate the show.
I absolutely love the animation and music in this anime. The creative and colorful backgrounds give the perfect vibe of exploring your youth under the stars. Characters are drawn in ways that make them appealing, mysterious, and intriguing; the opposite of the overload of cuteness that we see in most Romance animes. Even small details, like Nazuna’s reflection missing in mirrors, are treated with special attention. LIDENFILMS knew exactly what the fuck they were doing when they adapted “Call of the Night”, and they deserve some serious respect for their dedicated effort, regardless of your opinion on the show itself.
But don’t leave out the musical geniuses, Creepy Nuts. I’m so glad the manga was inspired by them rather than a random idol J-Pop group because holy shit do they make some crazy good songs. The intro is catchy and perfectly sets the mood for each night’s wild adventures. Insert songs and OSTs elevate scenes from great to remarkable with details being seared onto your brain. But of course, the most influential song, the outro, makes you want to get up and party with no fucking care in the world.
TONIGHT’S ADVENTURE - Each episode can be summarized in one word, “fun”.
I’m not going to elaborate much on this because you just need to experience it for yourself, but “Call of the Night” really is that much fun. Each crazy adventure, wild story, or eye-opening encounter is something that kept my attention all the way. While the show’s main storyline can feel slower than most fantasies and dramas, this is more than made up by the antics Ko Yamori finds himself in individual episodes.
With that being said, “Call of the Night” puts a lot less focus on the concepts of romance or vampires, and more on the realistic struggles or flaws each person harbors. So if you’re in it solely for quick, steamy romance or dramatic, over-the-top vampires, I don’t want you to turn away discouraged. Instead, give this show a try with an open mind, and you may just find yourself counting down the hours until the sun sets. After all, once the sun goes down, all the crazy people come out to play.
