Insomnia is a weird beast. You’re awake when the rest of the world has basically decided to stop existing for eight hours. It’s quiet, it’s lonely, and if you’re Ko Yamori, it’s the only time you feel like you can actually breathe. That’s the core hook of Call of the Night (Yofukashi no Uta), and honestly, it’s why the series hit so hard for a generation of viewers who feel totally disconnected from the standard nine-to-five grind.
Most vampire stories are about the blood. They’re about the gothic romance or the horror of being hunted. But Kotoyama—the creator behind the original manga—did something different here. They made a story about the freedom of the dark.
The Night Isn’t Scary, It’s Just Better
Ko Yamori is a middle schooler who is just... done. He’s tired of the social performance of school. He can’t sleep because he hasn’t done anything meaningful with his day. So he sneaks out. He walks through a city that looks completely different under neon lights and blue-tinted shadows.
Then he meets Nazuna Nanakusa.
She’s a vampire, sure, but she’s not some brooding Dracula clone. She’s a foul-mouthed, beer-drinking, video-game-playing dork who happens to have fangs. She offers him a deal: she’ll suck his blood, and he gets to experience the "true" night. But there’s a catch in this universe. To become a vampire, you have to fall in love with the one who bites you.
That’s a tall order for a kid who doesn't even know if he likes himself.
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Why the Aesthetic Matters So Much
If you’ve watched the anime produced by LIDENFILMS, you know the visuals are the real star. They didn't just draw a city at night. They painted a vibe. The sky is rarely black; it’s purple, pink, and deep indigo. The soundtrack, handled by Creepy Nuts (who actually inspired the title of the series with their song "Yofukashi no Uta"), is a mix of hip-hop and lo-fi beats that perfectly captures that feeling of wandering around a 24-hour convenience store at 3:00 AM.
It feels like a dream.
Specifically, it feels like that specific brand of "nighttime euphoria" where you feel like you’re the only person left on Earth. The art direction uses heavy contrast. It makes the glow of a vending machine look like a holy relic. This isn't just "good animation"—it's a deliberate psychological tool to make the viewer feel the same attraction to the night that Ko feels.
The Complicated Reality of "Loving" a Vampire
A lot of people go into Call of the Night expecting a standard rom-com. It isn't that. It’s a slow-burn exploration of what it actually means to connect with another person.
The "love" requirement for vampirism isn't just a plot device. It’s a metaphor for commitment. Ko wants to become a vampire because he wants to escape his human problems. He thinks if he changes his biology, his boredom and anxiety will just evaporate. Nazuna, despite her age and power, is also running away from things. She likes Ko’s company because she’s lonely, even if she won’t admit it.
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They’re both using the night as a shield.
Later in the story, we meet other vampires like Seri Kikyo and Midori Kohakobe. They complicate the world. You realize that being a vampire isn't just a never-ending party. It’s repetitive. It’s static. If you don't actually care about someone, eternity becomes a very long time to be bored.
Breaking Down the Lore
- The Transformation: It’s not a virus. It’s a psychological shift. If you don't love the vampire, you're just a snack.
- The One-Year Rule: This is the ticking clock. A human has one year from the first bite to fall in love and turn. If they don't, the chance is gone.
- Weaknesses: Forget garlic. These vampires are weakened by things that remind them of their human lives. It's a brilliant piece of writing. Their physical weakness is literally their past.
Is Call of the Night Better as Manga or Anime?
This is where fans get into heated debates. The manga, which finished its run in early 2024 with Chapter 200, has a very scratchy, expressive art style. Kotoyama is a master of character acting through facial expressions. The later arcs of the manga get much darker and more philosophical, dealing with the origin of vampires and the heavy cost of immortality.
The anime, directed by Tomoyuki Itamura (who worked on the Monogatari series), is a sensory experience. It captures the atmosphere in a way that static ink on a page can’t quite reach. However, as of now, the anime only covers the beginning of the journey. If you want the full emotional payoff—especially the resolution of Ko and Nazuna’s relationship—you have to read the manga.
The ending of the manga is... divisive. Some people wanted a classic "happily ever after." What they got was something much more bittersweet and realistic. It acknowledges that people change, and sometimes, the thing you wanted at fourteen isn't the thing you need at eighteen.
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The Cultural Impact of the "Night Owl" Identity
There is a reason this series blew up on TikTok and Reddit. It spoke to the "liminal space" obsession. We live in a world that is loud, demanding, and constantly "on." Call of the Night validates the urge to just check out.
It tells the viewer that it’s okay to not fit into the daytime world.
But it also warns you. If you spend too much time in the dark, you might lose your ability to live in the light. This is seen in the character of Anko Uguisu, a detective who hates vampires. Her backstory is one of the most tragic elements of the series. She represents the "hangover" of the nighttime lifestyle—the bitterness that comes when the sun finally rises and you realize you have nothing left.
Actionable Takeaways for New Fans
If you're just getting into the series or looking to dive deeper, here is the best way to consume it without getting overwhelmed:
- Watch the Anime First: The 13 episodes of Season 1 are the perfect "vibe check." If you don't like the first three episodes, the series probably isn't for you.
- Switch to the Manga at Chapter 46: This is roughly where the anime leaves off. The art style shifts slightly as the series progresses, becoming more detailed and cinematic.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Even if you aren't watching, the "Yofukashi no Uta" album by Creepy Nuts is essential listening for any late-night drive or study session.
- Pay Attention to the Backgrounds: The series hides a lot of environmental storytelling in the empty streets and abandoned buildings.
Call of the Night isn't just about vampires. It’s about that weird transition from childhood to adulthood where everything feels like it’s shifting under your feet. It’s about finding someone who makes the "darkness" feel like home. Whether you're an insomniac or just someone looking for a story with actual soul, this series delivers.
Read the manga for the depth, watch the anime for the atmosphere, and maybe—just once—go for a walk at 2:00 AM to see what the hype is about. Just watch out for anyone with suspiciously sharp teeth.