A cute show which supposedly appeals to both children and adults – that was what this reviewer thought Arashi no Yoru Ni, or On A Stormy Night, was. The first of a series of novels by author Yuuichi Kimura, this is an animation about the relationship between a sheep and a wolf.
Two animals find shelter in a barn on a stormy night. Ironically, the two animals are a sheep, Mei, and a wolf, Gabu – two different species on different levels of the food chain. As they couldn’t see each other in the storm and only had their voices to rely on, the two animals somehow developed a fast friendship.
It’s like a blind date – only with two animals, and male ones at that. But let’s not digress. The two animals meet, and somehow their friendship sticks. Alas, both Mei’s flock and Gabu’s pack have pretty violent objections to this pairing, leading to backstabbing and coercion.
A great setting to explore themes of friendship and altruism indeed. It is also tempting to call this much like a Romeo and Juliet, only animated and with two male animals in the leading roles. After all, there is definitely something between Mei and Gabu.
For a 115 minute film, Arashi no Yoru Ni is pretty draggy stuff. There is only so much altruism and pure, innocent friendship a person can take, and this film is bursting with it. A little bit of humour may have done well to lessen the drag, and is something this movie lacks.
The film had the potential for a better, more anticlimactic ending – but the fun from knowing what happens at the end should not be spoiled.
It is a beautiful show nevertheless, with its realistically-vivid animation style and awe-inspiring backgrounds – just like a picture pop-up book with its 3D characters and 2D backdrops, this film succeeds in emulating this effect.
If you’re in the mood for something Disney would have excelled at, give Arashi no Yoru Ni a try. The sheer innocence and selfless friendship in this animated film would have you either tearing from that warm, fuzzy feeling, or just plain waiting to tear yourself away from the screen.
-Valentine Chua
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