Yofukashi no Uta

Kou Yamori is an average middle school student who struggles with grasping the complex concept of love. Because he sees little sense in surrendering to the norm, he soon stops going to school. Plagued with insomnia due to his idleness, Kou begins roaming the lonesome streets at night.

One night, Kou encounters a bizarre girl named Nazuna Nanakusa who believes that people stay awake during the night because they are dissatisfied with how they spent their day and cannot rest until they release their inhibitions. Nazuna offers to help Kou with his sleep issues and invites him over to her place, where she convinces him to share a futon with her. Feeling uncomfortable, Kou only pretends to doze off—which is when Nazuna suddenly bites his neck, revealing herself to be a vampire!

While Kou thinks the bite will turn him into a vampire, the specifics of transforming are not that simple. In order to change, he must be bitten by someone he truly loves. Ready to let go of his dreary mortal life, Kou decides on a new goal: he will fall in love with Nazuna and become a vampire himself.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Nanakusa, Nazuna Main

Amamiya, Sora Japanese

Yamori, Kou Main

Satou, Gen Japanese

Uguisu, Anko ing

Sawashiro, Miyuki Japanese

Asai, Akira ing

Hanamori, Yumiri Japanese

Kikyou, Seri ing

Tomatsu, Haruka Japanese

Kohakobe, Midori ing

Oozora, Naomi Japanese

Suzushiro, Hatsuka ing

Waki, Azumi Japanese

Honda, Kabura ing

Itou, Shizuka Japanese

Hirata, Niko ing

Kitamura, Eri Japanese

Shirakawa, Kiyosumi ing

Hikasa, Youko Japanese

Inagaki, Takafumi Producer

Sugawara, Hana Producer

Itamura, Tomoyuki Director, Episode Director, Storyboard, Key Animation

Miyanishi, Tetsuya Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

May 7, 2025

CHaoz6097

Recommended

Call of the Night – A Dreamy, Atmospheric Dive into the Nightlife
"The night is full of possibilities, but it also holds its share of dark secrets."

Call of the Night (also known as Yofukashi no Uta) is an anime that effortlessly blends the mundane with the supernatural, creating an atmospheric experience that captures the beauty of nighttime, loneliness, and the quest for meaning. Set against the backdrop of the city's nightlife, the show follows Kou Yamori, a high school boy who finds himself unable to sleep at night, and his unlikely friendship with a mysterious vampire, Nazuna Nanakusa. As Kou's nightly adventures with Nazuna unfold, the ... show dives deep into themes of isolation, desire for freedom, and the search for personal identity. With its atmospheric tone, captivating visuals, and thoughtful exploration of human emotions, Call of the Night delivers an engaging and introspective experience, earning it a solid 8/10.

Story: A Unique Take on Vampires and Youth
At its core, Call of the Night is a coming-of-age story that uses the supernatural genre as a vehicle for exploring the inner struggles of adolescence. The plot revolves around Kou, a teenager who, unable to sleep, roams the streets of his city at night. His encounters with Nazuna, a carefree and enigmatic vampire, spark the beginning of his journey to understand himself and what he truly desires in life.
The series is much more than a typical vampire tale. Instead of focusing on bloodsucking horror or action, it delves into philosophical and emotional territory. Kou's desire to escape the monotony of his daytime life and the constraints of societal expectations leads him to the mysterious world of nocturnal creatures, where he can live freely and authentically. Nazuna, as a guide into this world, challenges his views on life, freedom, and connection.
The pace of the story is slow, allowing the audience to savor each moment as Kou and Nazuna’s bond deepens. However, this pacing also means that some episodes feel a little too drawn out. The narrative doesn’t rush toward a climactic conflict, but rather focuses on the characters' emotional and psychological development, which makes it feel both introspective and laid-back.

Characters: Kou and Nazuna's Dynamic
The heart of Call of the Night lies in its characters, particularly the evolving dynamic between Kou and Nazuna.
Kou Yamori is a relatable protagonist who is disconnected from the world around him. His existential angst, combined with his inability to sleep and his desire to break free from societal expectations, makes him a very sympathetic character. His experiences as he spends more time in the night lead to moments of self-discovery, allowing for a personal journey that many viewers can identify with. Kou's growth, however, is a slow burn, and there are moments where his indecision and confusion may feel repetitive to some viewers.
Nazuna Nanakusa is a charismatic and mysterious vampire, offering a playful yet profound contrast to Kou's brooding personality. She embodies freedom and a sense of detachment from the world, yet her interactions with Kou reveal a hidden depth. Nazuna challenges Kou to confront his desires and the nature of his own isolation, but at the same time, her character remains enigmatic, offering just enough mystery to keep things interesting.
While the central duo is dynamic and intriguing, the ing characters are less fleshed out. Several secondary characters, such as Akira and other nocturnal figures, add flavor to the world-building but don’t receive enough screen time to develop fully. Their roles, while impactful, are mostly there to highlight aspects of Kou and Nazuna’s journey.

Animation: A Visually Stunning Exploration of Nightlife
The animation in Call of the Night is one of its standout features. The vibrant, yet slightly muted color palette captures the essence of nighttime perfectly. The show plays with light and shadow in creative ways, enhancing the mysterious and dreamlike quality of the story. The nighttime setting becomes almost a character in itself, with the city streets bathed in neon lights and moonlight, creating a surreal atmosphere that draws the viewer in.
The character designs are appealing, with Nazuna’s ethereal and playful appearance standing out in particular. The fluid animation during key moments, especially those that emphasize emotional tension or physical interactions between characters, gives the show a distinct and polished feel. It’s a visually stunning show that reflects its introspective and atmospheric tone.

Music: Dreamy and Atmospheric
The soundtrack of Call of the Night complements the series perfectly, with a dreamy, jazzy, and atmospheric score that fits the theme of late-night wanderings. The opening theme, "Yofukashi no Uta" by Aimer, is a hauntingly beautiful song that sets the tone for the entire series. It’s a slow and evocative track that captures the feeling of the night, echoing the emotions of loneliness and longing.
The background music, composed by Daisuke Kikuta, enhances the surreal, quiet moments of introspection, as well as the more intense interactions between Kou and Nazuna. The sound design plays a crucial role in reinforcing the show's emotional and atmospheric depth, making the experience more immersive.

Themes: Loneliness, Desire, and Self-Discovery
Call of the Night explores several heavy themes that resonate deeply with the adolescent experience, such as loneliness, the desire for freedom, and the search for meaning. Kou’s nighttime journeys symbolize the quest for self-discovery—his desire to escape from the constraints of society and explore a world where he can be himself. However, his experiences also force him to confront his own emptiness and fear of rejection.

Why It’s an 8/10 (Not 10)
Slow Pacing: While the introspective nature of the show is engaging, the pacing can be slow, especially in the middle episodes. Some viewers may feel that the narrative lingers too much on certain moments, which could make the show feel a bit drawn out at times.
Limited Character Development for Side Characters: The central characters are well-developed, but many of the ing cast are underutilized. This limits the depth of the world-building and character interactions.
Lack of Action: While the show excels at its atmosphere and character development, there’s little in of high-stakes action or conflict, which may make the story feel a bit too laid-back for some viewers.
The concept of vampirism is also used as a metaphor for isolation and the human condition, with Nazuna offering both an escape from and a reflection of the darker, more complicated aspects of life. The relationship between Kou and Nazuna becomes a powerful exploration of human connection, vulnerability, and the longing for something more than just the mundane existence of the daytime world.

Final Verdict: 8/10 – A Thoughtful, Atmospheric Journey Into the Night
Call of the Night is a beautifully crafted series that offers a unique take on the vampire genre, exploring themes of loneliness, identity, and the longing for freedom. With its stunning animation, atmospheric music, and relatable characters, it presents a dreamy, introspective journey that resonates with anyone who has ever felt disconnected or unsure of their place in the world. While the pacing can be slow and the side characters are underdeveloped, the central story and relationship between Kou and Nazuna more than make up for these shortcomings.
If you’re in the mood for a relaxing, emotionally reflective anime with a touch of the supernatural, Call of the Night is a solid pick.

"The night is full of mysteries. And in the darkness, we find parts of ourselves we never knew existed."

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

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Jun 2, 2025

AboAhmed130

Mixed Feelings

✍️My Personal Opinion✍️

I watched this show only because season two is coming out next month. I had no original intention to watch it. So my opinion is totally neutral—neither a fan nor a hater.

As a first season, the anime focuses heavily on visuals and sound design. The story doesn’t really begin until episode 7—and then picks up again in episodes 11, 12, and 13. I’m not exaggerating. Other than that, the anime was mostly average.

This is one of those shows you’ll either really enjoy or really won’t. It’s only suitable for a specific type of anime viewer—and I’ll list them below.

✅ Who I Recommend This ... Anime To ✅

This is the most important part of the review. If you fall into one of these categories, you’ll likely enjoy this show:

If you love anime with stunning visuals and backgrounds—this is for you.

If you enjoy works that blend audio, music, and dialogue in a stylish way—definitely give it a shot.

If you’re a fan of Samurai Champloo or the Monogatari series—there’s a big overlap in atmosphere and presentation, so I recommend it for you too.

I recommend this group to check it out—but not strongly. Also, if you’re planning to watch season two, the way season one ends really sets things up for it. And if you enjoy philosophical anime, or ones that feature quirky dialogues that often feel like filler but are “deep,” or if you just like vampire anime, light romance, simple plots, and two characters just wandering around together—you’ll probably enjoy it, but again, not strongly.

🚨 Who I Don’t Recommend It To 🚨

If you’re someone looking for:

A strong story,

A primarily romantic anime,

Or if you focus on narrative depth, character development, logical buildup, complexity, etc.

Then this anime probably won’t meet your expectations. It leans more toward a visually calming, aesthetically driven experience.

✍️Conclusion✍️

I watched this show because the second season is coming out soon. I didn’t personally enjoy it, but I do strongly recommend it to a specific group of anime fans who love visual and audio-focused storytelling.

The anime has an average story, weak ing character presence, and no plot that really feels worth your time (though season two might change that—I haven’t read the manga). And finally, I made the mistake of thinking it was primarily a romance anime.

My rating: 7/10.
I hope you enjoy watching it more than I did.

Reviewer’s Rating: 7

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Jul 25, 2023

MonadProxyy

Not Recommended

Call of the Night is one of those shows that the more you experience, the more you realize, how freaking horrendous it is. I am a manga reader, and I am an anime watcher. Albeit a year late, I am still here to tell you why this is such a monstrosity that I think it is. All aspects of this shows aside from the style are something I just can not appreciate. In my opinion, this garbage is one of the worst if not the worst coming-of-age stories ever.

The Call of the Night's plot is terribly predictable. Nothing in the anime surprises or holds ... the viewer's attention. The anime's themes are likewise not fully developed. The plot meanders aimlessly, failing to establish meaningful stakes or character motivation. Although the anime addresses some intriguing concepts related to vampires and the night, these concepts are never completely developed. And yes, they never do get developed in the way they could have been even in the manga. It feels directionless and so much wasted opportunity. The plot has massive pacing issues, quickly breezing over important details like Kou's emerging vampirism while belaboring pointless fanservice and moe scenes.

Kou is the stereotypical bland male protagonist, and his personal struggle is anything but compelling. The rest of the cast is equally one-dimensional and static throughout. Conversations between Kou and Nazuna completely lack authentic chemistry. Akira as Kou's childhood friend remains an undeveloped cliche.

Major plot turns likewise fall flat. Nazuna's vampire clan are tired archetypes when introduced, with no captivating dynamics between them, Nazuna, and Kou. The revelation of Kou's inner bloodlust feels jarringly out-of-character rather than an intriguing twist.

The handling of Nazuna and Kou's relationship continues to be appalling. Their relationship lacks any real depth, and is instead characterized by corny romantic comedy antics such embarrassing wardrobe mishaps.

Compelling themes like the humanity of vampires are introduced but never properly explored. Missed opportunities for philosophical discussions and moral dilemmas. The conflicts faced by the characters lack meaningful stakes or tension. Kou is vaguely warned about vampire hunters but they barely appear. Nazuna's backstory tragedy is glossed over.

The character motivations make little sense. Why does Nazuna take interest in Kou? Why does Kou go along with her whims so easily? Their bond defies logic. For a vampire-focused anime, surprisingly little time is actually spent on vampire activities. Much of it focuses on dull high school slice-of-life.

With poorly developed characters, a meandering plot, wasted potential, and a prioritization of filler content over vampire lore, Call of the Night fails to deliver in any way as a coming-of-age vampire anime. It earns its reputation as an utter disappointment for someone who was so excited after the anime announcement, that I read the entire goddamn manga.

(Note: Maybe what fueled my disappointment was me expecting it to be like or nearly as good as bakemonogatari. The average anime fan seems to enjoy it but these were my thoughts.)

Reviewer’s Rating: 1

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