Ah, the night! A canvas for introspection, adventure, or perhaps, for a certain peculiar romance. For many, the anime “Call of the Night” (Yofukashi no Uta) first ignited that desire for moonlit strolls and the quiet hum of a sleeping city. Three years after its captivating debut, the highly anticipated second season,
An Unconventional Bite: Revisiting the Premise
Hollywood has certainly had its fill of brooding, centuries-old vampires seducing innocent mortals with smoldering glances and dubious intentions. Familiar tropes abound, but “Call of the Night” deliberately veers off this well-trodden path. Here, we follow Ko Yamori, a high school student plagued by insomnia, who finds solace in nightly escapades. During one such wander, a vending machine encounter leads him to Nazuna Nanakusa – a mischievous vampire not in search of a victim, but perhaps, a delightful diversion from her perpetual solitude.
Their nocturnal wanderings through the deserted city streets soon reveal Nazuna’s true nature. Far from being terrified, Ko finds himself intrigued, expressing a rather peculiar desire: to become a vampire himself. The catch? A mere bite isn`t enough. To undergo this transformation, Ko must genuinely fall in love with Nazuna. An agreement struck, he offers his neck night after night, yet the elusive spark of romance remains stubbornly absent from his young heart. A delightful premise, if not slightly inconvenient for a boy on a deadline.
Season Two Unveiled: Divergences and Deepening Bonds
The first season of “Call of the Night,” an adaptation of Kotoyama`s 20-volume shōnen manga (which concluded last year), covered approximately 46 chapters out of 200. Season Two picks up from Chapter 47, but astute manga readers will immediately notice a distinct divergence from the source material. Where the manga depicts Nazuna visiting a fellow vampire, Hatsuka, to express gratitude for Ko’s well-being, the anime takes a different turn. Nazuna remains with Ko, engaged in video games, only for their cozy evening to be interrupted by a gaggle of curious vampires. The duo is split, Ko whisked away to a rooftop with three new bloodsuckers (an event occurring later in the manga, Chapter 53), while Nazuna accompanies Hatsuka to his clothing store, not his home.
These vampiric “friends” serve a dual purpose: they’re hungry for gossip, but also subtly nudging Ko and Nazuna towards understanding their tangled emotions. Ko, despite his earnest desire to fall for Nazuna, remains utterly bewildered by the concept of `love.` He grapples with how to `make` himself fall in love, or if he`s even capable. One might suggest that overthinking affection is rarely the path to it, yet a ten-month deadline looms. Failure to transform by then carries dire consequences, as other, less benevolent vampires threaten a grim reckoning.
Nazuna’s situation, while perhaps more obvious to the viewer, is no less complicated. Her growing feelings for Ko become increasingly apparent with each passing episode, yet she finds herself utterly tongue-tied when it comes to direct expression. This creates a charming paradox: a master of suggestive jokes and flirtatious innuendo, she blushes crimson and becomes wordless at the mere mention of genuine romance. While unspoken, her actions around Ko betray a depth of feeling she either doesn`t fully comprehend or actively suppresses, perhaps to maintain her façade of cool detachment.
Interestingly, the first episode of Season Two omits the arc concerning Ko`s childhood friend Mahiru and his vampire girlfriend, Kiku (found in manga chapters 48-50), shifting it to the second episode. Instead, the narrative leaps directly to Chapter 51, where Ko and Nazuna wander through nocturnal Tokyo, later exploring a closed zoo in Chapter 52. While the episode`s pacing might feel like a chapter-hopping spree for manga purists, for the casual viewer, it delivers a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Soulful conversations about feelings, evocative night-time explorations in new locales, and stylish visuals that perfectly capture the atmospheric vampiric underworld make for an excellent start to the new season.
The Allure of the Night: Atmosphere and Soundtrack
Beyond the romantic intrigue, “Call of the Night” remains a profound narrative about self-discovery, understanding one’s desires and emotions, and confronting the universal solitude that, regardless of age or lifestyle, periodically descends upon us all. For the protagonists, their nightly wanderings evolve beyond mere freedom; they become an opportunity to find a kindred spirit, even if said spirit possesses fangs. Each episode unfolds new nocturnal escapades for Ko and Nazuna, as they strive to imbue their lives with emotion, purpose, and ultimately, love. The plot is undeniably captivating, and Nazuna, with her striking design and vibrant charisma, effortlessly commands attention. And then, there’s the soundtrack.
Season One was unforgettable, largely thanks to the musical contributions of the Japanese duo Creepy Nuts. Their track “Daten” graced the opening, while “Yofukashi no Uta” served as the ending theme. These pieces perfectly amplified the sense of boundless freedom and tranquility that envelops the protagonists` all-night adventures. Even if you haven`t seen “Call of the Night,” you might recognize Creepy Nuts from their work on other prominent anime, such as “Mashle: Magic and Muscles” (“Bling-Bang-Bang-Born”) and “Dandadan” (“Otonoke”).
Season Two`s musical offerings have certainly not disappointed, with Creepy Nuts once again at the helm. Their new song, “Mirage,” elegantly frames the opening, much to the delight of their devoted fanbase. The rhythmic “Nemure” provides the new ending theme – yes, also a Creepy Nuts masterpiece.
Initial Reception and What Lies Ahead
Early reactions to “Call of the Night” Season Two are promising, with IMDb users rating the first episode an impressive 8 out of 10, and the second even higher at 8.7 out of 10. Ko Yamori is increasingly immersing himself in this new lifestyle, encountering more vampires, and truly savoring the taste of nocturnal freedom. With the season just beginning, expectations are high, and we remain hopeful that it will continue to captivate and enchant.
