Night Is Short, Walk On Girl

Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (2017) is a surreal romantic comedy anime film directed by Masaaki Yuasa and produced by Science SARU. Based on the novel by Tomihiko Morimi, the film is a spiritual companion piece to The Tatami Galaxy (2010), sharing characters and setting but functioning as a standalone story. Set over the course of one fantastical night in Kyoto, the plot follows two unnamed characters: a cheerful, free-spirited girl (referred to as The Girl with Black Hair) who is out to enjoy the city’s nightlife, and a timid upperclassman (simply called Senpai) who tries to orchestrate a series of “coincidences” in hopes of confessing his love to her. What unfolds is a chaotic, magical, and existential journey through bizarre parties, philosophical bookstores, guerrilla theater, and dreams—blurring time and logic at every step. Stylistically, the film is pure Masaaki Yuasa: hyperactive animation, warped perspectives, explosive color palettes, and a dreamlike rhythm. Rather than follow a traditional three-act structure, the film unfolds like a fever dream—episodes of absurdity and metaphor stitched together with fluid, expressionistic visuals. The film explores themes of youth, desire, individual freedom, and the fleeting nature of time, all with a tone that balances romantic optimism and philosophical absurdism. At the box office, Night Is Short, Walk On Girl grossed approximately ¥530 million (~$4.9 million USD) in Japan. Though a modest number by blockbuster standards, it was a success for a film of its scale and genre, especially given its arthouse appeal. It also found a strong international following through festival screenings and home video releases, gaining cult status among fans of unconventional animation. Critically, the film was widely acclaimed. It holds a 90% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was praised for its originality, visual brilliance, and Yuasa’s fearless directorial voice. Many reviewers compared it to the works of Terry Gilliam, Michel Gondry, or even Hayao Miyazaki, though Yuasa's approach is more chaotic and avant-garde. The film's manic energy and emotional undercurrent—particularly in its final act—earned it recognition as one of the most daring and joyful animated films of the 2010s. Night Is Short, Walk On Girl won the Japan Academy Prize for Best Animated Feature in 2018, beating out more commercially popular films. It also won Best Feature at the Ottawa International Animation Festival and was selected for numerous international animation and film festivals, solidifying Yuasa’s reputation as one of the boldest voices in contemporary animation. The film’s legacy continues to grow, especially among fans of experimental anime. It stands as a testament to animation’s ability to break boundaries—not just visually, but narratively and emotionally. For those seeking a wild, poetic, and deeply human exploration of youth and love in all its messy glory, Night Is Short, Walk On Girl is a dazzling, unforgettable ride.