
Want more recommendations for your family?
Sign up for our weekly newsletter for entertainment inspiration
The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl
By Sandie Angulo Chen,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Amusingly bizarre anime comedy has iffy themes, drinking.

A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this movie.
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl
Community Reviews
Based on 5 parent reviews
Rated 14 (frequent sex references, brief sexual assault).
Report this review
Anime movie surprised me on the drinking
Report this review
What's the Story?
THE NIGHT IS SHORT, WALK ON GIRL is a Japanese animated comedy about an unnamed college-age character, the Girl with Black Hair (voiced by Kana Hanazawa). She's out for a night of grown-up partying that leads her through a bunch of bizarre adventures and encounters with other Kyoto night owls -- including a wedding party, a group of elderly school chums, erotic art collectors, and a reception of young philosophers. Following behind her is the Senior (an upperclassman) who's been in love with her all year at university. Every time Senior (also known as "Senpai" and voiced by Gen Hoshino) gets close to her, he has to overcome another obstacle -- from a group that steals young men's underwear to a young boy who makes a false accusation against him. Eventually, the Girl with Black Hair travels to a used book fair, where she searches for a beloved childhood book, and both she and Senior end up involved in a guerrilla student theater production that pops up in different parts of the city.
Is It Any Good?
Nearly impossible to sum up neatly, this Japanese animated comedy is a bizarre but strangely wonderful adventure. First, let's be perfectly clear that The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl is animation that's intended for young adults and up -- not kids. It's about a university student who's experimenting with being an adult, complete with drinking, cavorting, more drinking, and generally saying yes to every odd and exciting opportunity and offer that presents itself on a night that seems to never end. That magic, time-stretching quality will feel relatable to all adults who can remember their college years. Director Masaaki Yuasa expresses the night's epic quality in a vibrant, colorful, hilarious way. But it's odd and unlikely to appeal to anyone who will take offense at the random, often morally ambiguous characters.
While the Girl with Black Hair is vivacious and fierce, Senior/Senpai is the underdog whom audiences will consider either "adorkable" or pathetic, depending on their perspective (and what's going on in the film). The many supporting characters are all fascinating in different ways, from the romantic Don Underwear (Ryûji Akiyama), who refuses to change his long underwear until he's reunited with a woman he believes he's meant to be with, or the tyrannical "Director of School Festival Operations" (Hiroshi Kamiya), who's trying to crack down on the pop-up theater kids. There's also a Yoda-like millionaire who can procure nearly anything for anyone, including a mysterious, legendary drink. Even if the movie's plot sounds meandering, it's a wild ride that's easy to follow along on -- and the sort of adult-friendly animated film that will remind older viewers of carefree, slightly crazy days.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the substance use in The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl. How is alcohol use depicted? What are the consequences for all the drinking?
Do you consider any characters role models? If so, which ones, and why? How do they learn and demonstrate teamwork? Why is that an important character strength?
Does the movie make you want to read the book it's based on? Is there anything you'd want to see more explained in the book?
Movie Details
- In theaters: August 21, 2018
- On DVD or streaming: January 29, 2019
- Cast: Gen Hoshino , Kana Hanazawa , Hiroshi Kamiya
- Director: Masaaki Yuasa
- Inclusion Information: Asian actors, Female actors
- Studio: GKIDS
- Genre: Anime
- Topics: Adventures , Arts and Dance , Friendship
- Character Strengths: Teamwork
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: August 2, 2023
Inclusion information powered by
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate