Stormy Night

"Arashi no Yoru ni" (English title: "One Stormy Night") is the first in a series of children's picture books written by Yuichi Kimura and illustrated by Hiroshi Abe. The series tells the story of Mei, a goat, and Gabu, a wolf, who meet and become friends during a stormy night. Despite being natural predator and prey, they develop a deep friendship and face immense pressure from their respective groups. The first book was published in 1994, and due to its popularity, the author created six sequels, forming a complete series. The story has been adapted into various forms, including animated films, TV series, stage plays, and musicals. The animated film, directed by Gisaburo Sugii, was released in 2005 and achieved great success, gaining widespread attention both domestically and internationally. The series was also included in Japanese elementary school textbooks, becoming a cherished childhood memory for many. The core of the story explores themes of friendship, prejudice, and the possibility of overcoming differences, making it significant in children's literature.