After Dark (2007)

Tokyo's night workers and sleepless residents take over while most of the city is unavailable. Mari's encounters lead between a diner, music and less protected interiors, with chapter clocks making the hours visible. The main action occupies one continuous night, from late evening towards dawn. Jay Rubin's 2007 English translation keeps the quick exchanges and eerie changes of perspective close together. The city feels newly connected because these people are awake at the same unusual hours.