Call the Name of the Night, vol. 1 | Review

Call the Name of the Night, vol. 1
Story and art by Tama Mitsubushi
Yen Press, published 3/21/23
Rating: Age 13 up

Call the Name of the Night tells the story of a doctor seeking a cure for a young girl with a unique affliction. Mira becomes surrounded in darkness when in distress and as a result, is considered an outcast among the people in her village. In hopes of finding a cure, Mira’s parents send her to Rei, a mystical doctor.  The doctor and Mira work together to bring light into her world so she can lead a normal life again. However, an old friend of Rei’s takes an interest in Mira’s condition. Curious about how far her illness can go, he pushes Mira into the deepest point of despair. 

When I read this manga, I found this story (and Mira in particular) an allegory for experiencing anxiety and trauma. When in despair and uncertainty, we find ourselves in the darkest point of our lives. We even encounter people who unfortunately and purposely try to push us into despair and feeling lost in the darkness of our sadness. When Mira finds herself in this situation, she is luckily surrounded by her doctor, as well as mystical creatures, such as the adorable Shadows, to help her find a way out of a crisis. The artwork in this manga is just as magical as the story. It’s not overpowering, but just enough to represent Mira’s situation and the dynamics of the relationships within the manga. The scene where Mira and Rei are making starjam was beautiful to see, as well as seeing Mira finding the light to keep away the darkness. 

Overall, Call the Name in the Night is a sweet, endearing story that I would recommend to everyone, especially those looking for the light within themselves.

Filed under: All Ages, Graphic Novels, Manga, Reviews, Young Adult