Call Me Tonight

Call Me Tonight

Year: 1986

Runtime: 30 mins

Language: Japanese

Director: Tatsuya Okamoto

AnimationComedyRomanceHorror

A unique romantic‑horror animated tale. Rumi works as a phone‑sex operator to scrape by, and when she takes a call from Ryo—a shy young man who transforms into a monstrous beast whenever he becomes aroused—she finds herself irresistibly drawn to him. Yet another suitor also covets the cursed caller.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Call Me Tonight (1986)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Call Me Tonight (1986). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Urban Japanese city, Diner, Red-light district, Abandoned building

Set in an urban Japanese city at night, the story moves from a neon-lit diner to a seedy red-light district and into an abandoned building. The city’s shadows provide a backdrop for romance, danger, and the alien-infused metamorphosis that drives the plot. Neon signs, rain-slick streets, and narrow alleys create a pulpy, claustrophobic atmosphere around the central couple.

🌃 Nightlife 🗺️ Crime 🌀 Supernatural

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:57

Main Characters – Call Me Tonight (1986)

Meet the key characters of Call Me Tonight (1986), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Rumi Natsumi (Sakiko Tamagawa)

Rumi is a sharp, resourceful high school girl who runs a late-night hotline. She is drawn to Ryo’s secret and uses a bold, unafraid approach to guide him toward self-control, even as she seduces him as part of her plan. Her empathy and determination drive the story, and she ultimately acts as both catalyst and confidante for the couple’s emotional journey. Her actions raise questions about consent, manipulation, and care in extreme situations.

🎭 Charismatic 💡 Strategist 🫶 Compassionate

Hayata (Toshihiko Seki)

Hayata is a loyal yakuza henchman who follows orders and remains wary of the couple’s dangerous path. He acts as a tense observer who informs the pursuit and warns others about threats. His practical pragmatism contrasts with the more romantic and reckless impulses around him.

🗡️ Loyal 🕵️ Observant 🧭 Pragmatic

Ryo Sugiura (Katsumi Toriumi)

Ryo is a shy, pulp-horror aficionado whose body mutates into a monster when aroused. He is torn between fear and desire, struggling to control the transformations with willpower. His burden is intensified by an alien entity that seeks to feed on lifeforms, ultimately forcing him to battle the entity to protect those he cares about.

🧬 Complex 💪 Vulnerable 🫀 Resilient

Maki Nohara (Rumiko Ukai)

Maki is a yakuza-affiliated woman who loves pulp horror and witnesses Ryo’s transformation. She uses blackmail to control Rumi and orchestrates the kidnapping, showing a ruthless and calculating side. Her actions reveal a dangerous blend of fandom and crime.

⚔️ Ruthless 🗝️ Calculated 🧨 Dangerous

Oyuki Koujiro (Chie Koujiro)

Oyuki is Maki’s twisted sukeban sister, a classmate of Rumi who is drawn to power and control. She manipulates events to get closer to Ryo and orders the abduction, showing how rivalry and ambition can warp loyalty. She later hints at transforming herself, suggesting a cycle of danger.

👑 Ambitious 🃏 Manipulative ⚡ Unpredictable

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:57

Major Themes – Call Me Tonight (1986)

Explore the central themes of Call Me Tonight (1986), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌀 Transformation

Ryo’s body mutates into a monster whenever arousal triggers the change, revealing the film’s focus on change under pressure. The alien entity inside him manipulates his humanity, forcing him to confront his true nature. The narrative uses metamorphosis to explore control over impulses and the cost of losing oneself. The struggle to regain normalcy becomes a central emotional arc.

💞 Romance

A complicated romance develops between Rumi and Ryo as she seeks a cure, blending attraction with care and risk. Their relationship tests consent, boundaries, and trust as they navigate dangerous revelations. Love becomes both a catalyst for healing and a battleground for ethics in a world of manipulation and danger. Romance adds emotional stakes to the science-fantasy premise.

⚖️ Power & Control

Maki and Oyuki wield power through fear, blackmail, and violence, exposing how authority can corrupt and isolate individuals. The plan to cure Ryo by exposing him to sexuality raises questions about coercion and consent. The story probes moral ambiguity, showing how different characters justify their actions. The balance of power shapes the fate of every character involved.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:57

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Call Me Tonight Summary

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Call Me Tonight Summary

Call Me Tonight Timeline

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Call Me Tonight Timeline

More About Call Me Tonight

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