'Night Is Short, Walk On Girl'/'夜は短し歩けよ乙女' (2017)

Genre: Animation, Adventure, & Comedy

Director: Masaaki Yuasa

Writers: (Novel by) Tomihiko Morimi, (Screenplay) Makoto Ueda

Producer: Eunyoung Choi

Editor: Akari Saito

Key Animator: Shinya Ohira

Music by: Michiru Ohshima

Rated: PG-13 (Mild Nudity)

A University Sophomore girl, ‘Otome’ has a long night partying while encountering interesting people who are all connected in a way. While ‘Otome’ has her own adventure, ‘Senpai’ an upperclassman who’s in love with ‘Otome’ and by any means try to seem like fate brought the two people together.

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The artwork really drew me into watching the film after seeing the trailer. The editing, storyline, artwork was entertaining, cute, funny, and interesting. Each character are lively, funny, and a real joy to watch. The film brings an unpredictable, surreal feel as the night goes on and on and on.

The Director, Masaaki Yuasa, states the original novel of ‘Night Is Short, Walk On Girl/夜は短し歩けよ乙女’ contains four stories, the screenwriter had to combine all into one story. You can tell since the story takes place with four subjects just like chapters, but it’s neat how all the characters and places connect throughout the film. It also works since the main girl ‘Otome’ is always looking at new things. She appreciates everything in life which shows from her difference between other characters. For example, how her watch moves normally as everyone’s watch moves fast. Another through animation as people drink differently from ‘Otome’ as she drinks smoothly because she truly enjoys the drink. ‘Otome’ is a Japanese word for ‘Girl/Maiden’.

‘Senpai’, who likes ‘Otome’ fights for her attention throughout the night while also undergoing unfortunate situations while ‘Otome’ experiences fortunate situations. ‘Senpai’ tries to force fate to run into ‘Otome’, but leads into bad situations. While ‘Otome’ strolls on as fate works in her favor and leads to fun adventures. The film follows both ‘Otome’ and ‘Senpai’ night with similar but different night. Each scene is necessary to continue into the next one and intertwines each character into the plot in a way. ‘Senpai’ means ‘Upperclassman’ in Japanese.

The director and producer both worked on ‘Devilman: Crybaby’. The staff from ‘Tatami Galaxy’ also worked on ‘Night Is Short, Walk On Girl/夜は短し歩けよ乙女’. ‘Tatami Galaxy’ is connected to ‘Night Is Short, Walk On Girl/夜は短し歩けよ乙女’, the director, said they are in a parallel world with each other. They both have similar characters. Masaaki Yuasa has directed other films such as ‘Lu Over the Wall’. He also worked on other animations such as ‘Chibi Maruko-chan’’s OP and ED animation (first season), ‘My Neighbors the Yamadas’, and etc.

I love ‘Otome’’s voice; it’s nice, smooth, and clear~ The voice actress is Kana Hanazawa who voices ‘Katrielle’ from ‘Layton’s Mystery Journey: Katrielle and the Millionaires’ Conspiracy’ and ‘Red Blood Cell’ from ‘Cells at Work/Hataraku Saibou’.

Really recommend watching 'Night Is Short, Walk On Girl'/'夜は短し歩けよ乙女'!