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Animated comedy

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (2018): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (2018) movie poster

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl is a 2018 animated comedy directed by Masaaki Yuasa, starring Gen Hoshino as Senpai, Kazuya Nakai and Yûko Kaida. It is based on The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl by Tomihiko Morimi and Emily Balistrieri. It runs 1 hour 32 minutes and earned $3.9 million worldwide. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$3.9M
Echo Score
83
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The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 32m (92 min)
Director
Masaaki Yuasa
Original language
Japanese
Studio
GKIDS
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl About?

The premise of The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl without spoilers, adapted from The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl by Tomihiko Morimi and Emily Balistrieri. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A shy college student embarks on a surreal and whimsical night out, encountering a cast of eccentric characters and experiencing a series of bizarre events. Pursued by a persistent admirer, she finds herself swept up in a fantastical journey through the vibrant Tokyo nightlife. As he tries to win her affection with increasingly absurd gestures, she navigates a dreamlike world where reality and imagination blur, ultimately searching for connection and self-discovery.

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Cast & crew

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl Cast & Characters

Gen Hoshino leads the cast as Senpai, with Kazuya Nakai as Higuchi Shishô and Yûko Kaida as Hanuki-san. Directed by Masaaki Yuasa; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl

· 6 more
From the director

More from Masaaki Yuasa

More films directed by Masaaki Yuasa, best-rated first: Ride Your Wave, Inu-oh, Mind Game and Lu Over the Wall.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (65).

83 /100

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl Echo Score Breakdown

In its inventive animation and dynamic direction, The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl delivers a whirlwind of creative energy that occasionally tests narrative focus. Viewers highlight the film's vibrant visuals and imaginative sequences, even as some note moments of repetitive motifs and uneven pacing. The protagonist's earnest journey provides emotional grounding amid surreal episodes, while humor and musical elements enrich the storytelling. Ultimately, the film's bold artistry and playful spirit form a distinct and lasting cinematic experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film showcases a strikingly inventive animation style and fluid direction that consistently capture the eye. The production design embraces a vibrant palette and unrestrained surrealism, lending each frame a sense of wonder. Editing seamlessly threads together whirlwind sequences and musical interludes, though the rapid shifts can sometimes feel overwhelming. Overall, the art direction forms the film's most compelling asset, driving its energetic aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, the narrative centers on an earnest protagonist whose determination provides emotional resonance amid the chaos. Supporting characters display moments of sincerity, and the chemistry between leads sustains viewer engagement through humorous and tender exchanges. Some viewers find limited depth in secondary relationships, yet the central bond remains compelling. Overall, the film's emotional core offers satisfying warmth beneath its frenetic surface.

  • Story & Flow 65

    In terms of Story & Flow, the film embraces a freewheeling structure that prioritizes imaginative set pieces over conventional narrative cohesion. The pacing alternates between rapid-fire escapades and reflective musical sequences, which can introduce uneven momentum. While originality abounds and recurring motifs reinforce thematic unity, some viewers note that repetitive scenarios slightly dilute engagement. Overall, the story excels in creativity but occasionally sacrifices clarity for exuberance.

  • Sensory Experience 88

    When considering the Sensory Experience, the film delights with an immersive soundtrack and dynamic sound design that complement its vibrant visuals. Musical interludes integrate smoothly with chaotic set pieces, heightening the film's emotional peaks. The visual style blends bold color palettes and fluid line work to enhance the surreal atmosphere, though sensory overload can occur during extended sequences. Overall, the sensory elements reinforce the film's energetic and imaginative mood.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    In terms of Rewatch Factor, the film's dense layers of visual detail and eclectic musical moments reward repeat viewings. Discovering hidden motifs and appreciating stylistic nuances becomes more gratifying over time. However, the nontraditional structure and occasional narrative repetition may test the patience of some viewers on subsequent watchings. Overall, the film maintains strong replay value for audiences drawn to inventive animation and thematic depth.

Plot

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl Plot Summary

What happens in The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The movie chronicles the adventurous night of two university students: an unnamed woman known as Kōhai (後輩, “Junior”), and an unnamed man referred to as Senpai (先輩, “Senior”). Throughout the film, the Senpai is intent on confessing his romantic feelings to the Kōhai during their outing, but unexpected events keep them apart for most of the evening.

Full summary

The whole story of The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl Box Office

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl grossed $3.9 million worldwide. $406,490 came from the US and Canada and $3.5 million (90%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.9M

US & Canada
$406.5K
International
$3.5M
US & Canada 10% Rest of the world 90%
Videos

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Trailer
  • Trailer The Night is Short, Walk On Girl [Official Trailer, GKIDS - On Blu-ray™ / DVD January 29th!]
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who are the two main characters in the movie?

Details

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl Also Known As

12 alternative titles, including “Yoru wa mijikashi aruke yo otome” and “The Maiden Galaxy”.

Also known as
  • Yoru wa mijikashi aruke yo otome
  • The Maiden Galaxy
  • 夜短夢長
  • 少女前進吧!
  • 春宵苦短,少女前进吧!
  • 夜は短し歩けよ乙女:2017
  • Весенняя ночь коротка
  • 밤은 짧아 걸어 아가씨야
  • 春宵苦短,少女前進吧!
  • Ночь коротка, гуляй, девчонка
  • Yoru Wa Mijikashi Arukeyo Otome
  • 夜短夢長,少女前進吧!

Seen The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl?

FAQ

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it and post-credit scenes of The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl?

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl runs 1 hour 32 minutes (92 minutes).

When was The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl released?

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl was released on August 21, 2018.

Who directed The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl?

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl was directed by Masaaki Yuasa.

More films by Masaaki Yuasa

Who is in the cast of The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl?

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl stars Gen Hoshino as Senpai, Kazuya Nakai as Higuchi Shishô and Yûko Kaida as Hanuki-san, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl make at the box office?

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl grossed $3.9 million worldwide ($406,490 domestic, $3.5 million international).

How is The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl rated?

The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75% on TMDB and 4.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Is The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl based on a book?

Yes. The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl is adapted from The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl by Tomihiko Morimi and Emily Balistrieri.

Does The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl have a post-credit scene?

No. The Night Is Short, Walk On Girl has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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