I first discovered what anime truly was in 2014. I mean like every kid I eagerly watched Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! every Saturday morning, but back then I just assumed they were American cartoons. I didn't properly understand Anime until I ended up going through a series of recommended YouTube videos (as you do), where I stumbled across a video dubbed 'Anime for beginners'. Out of mere curiosity I decided to give it a watch and I was promptly introduced to a show called 'Death Note'. I gave it a shot and low and behold I loved it, heck I even showed it to both my parents and they loved it too. Ever since then I've been attempting to keep track of all the seasonal releases, as well as the classic shows. However, over the past couple of years I've definitely fallen behind, and I've only really watched the massive shows that have achieved true mainstream success (The Attack on Titan and My Hero Academia's of this world etc etc.).
However, my casual viewing habits changed recently. After watching 'Your Name' and 'Silent Voice' (which I highly recommend to those curious about Anime) my desire to properly re-join the Anime community was reignited. So, after 2 years, I decided to re-subscribe to Crunchyroll and see what I could find. I decided to have a browse of the catalogue, and I must admit that, initially I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of shows I'd missed out on. Despite some initial confusion, I stumbled across a show called ReLIFE. The show was marked with the descriptor tag 'Slice of Life' ('the use of mundane realism depicting everyday experiences in art and entertainment' for you non-Anime folk out there), which in all honesty isn't usually my bag. As when I watch anime, I prefer to be swept up in fantasy epics or compelling mysteries. However, when I read the plot description, the show called to me for some reason.
ReLIFE tells the story of 27-year-old NEET Arata Kaizaki. At the start of the show his life is going nowhere: he has quit his job after 3 months at a big company, he is alone and he is financially dependent on his parents. However, that all changes when he is approached by Ryo Yoake. Yoake claims to be part of a team of experimental scientists, funded by the government, who are attempting to combat the growing number of Japanese NEETS. Yoake asks Kaizaki to participate in an experiment where he is required to take a pill that will make him 10 years younger. As part of the experiment Kaizaki must complete a year of high school, a second shot at the beginning of his adult life if you will, in an attempt to rediscover his identity. Kaizaki then embarks on a journey of discovery through uncovering what it means to truly love life and the people in it.
One of the most memorable parts of ReLIFE's story is its wonderful cast of characters. They are likable, nuanced and each of them have clear character arcs. Across the course of the 13 episodes and 4 OVAs you see each character clearly progress, at the end of the show each character is qualitatively different from who they were. All the interactions between the characters are wonderful, they have a certain authentic quality that lends the show unparalleled charm. Nevertheless, the interaction that shines the brightest is the romance between two characters. I shan't give away too many details, because I genuinely believe you should experience it for yourself. But I can say that it feels genuine and it develops at a realistic pace. I must confess, I even ended up rooting for them like a lovesick schoolchild. What can I say, I'm a sucker for a well written romance!
Although I feel like I can hardly provide compelling opinions about the technical aspects of the show, given my lack of knowledge about animation, even I can appreciate the show's achievements. The art design is clear and crisp, every character, as well as every scene appears to have been drawn with affection. The animation is also fantastic, especially during some of the more dramatic moments, creating beautiful and genuinely touching scenes. The soundtrack is also phenomenal, as it appropriately responds to the mood of the show. It is melancholic during moments of contemplation and soaring in moments that celebrate life. The show also has a fantastic opening and collection of endings to boot.
Another commendable aspect of the show is how it balances its diverse array of tones. The show masterfully switches between drama, romance and comedy. The show is genuinely funny, with a healthy mix of situational and heartfelt comedy, which elicited laugh out loud laughter from me on multiple occasions. This is no minor feat either, as often, even stand-up comedians fail to force a chuckle out of me. As aforesaid, the show also handles drama fantastically. I'm not afraid to admit that the show brought me to tears on a few occasions, especially during the last couple of OVAs. Although it's different for everyone, I always appreciate it when a piece of art evokes such a strong emotional response. For me, it's a clear indication of the power that art holds.
One of the few complaints that I have with the show is that around halfway through, the story does become slightly bogged down in high school melodrama. Though I guess that's to be expected considering the genre of the show and where the drama is set. Regardless, the interplay between these fabulously charming characters s erodes these minor gripes fairly quickly and you find yourself embracing the overall experience.
A common complaint I picked up on from the fans is that the concluding arc appears to be slightly rushed. The original season that aired in 2016 ended rather abruptly, and fans had to wait 2 years for a concluding series of OVAs to complete the story. I can't even imagine what it must have been like waiting two years for some form of resolution. Despite this grievance, for the most part, the OVAs do a fine job of concluding the story. As the final OVA approached its conclusion, I felt satisfied that I had experienced a complete narrative arc. However, I must concede that manga's ending does feel slightly more fleshed out. Perhaps if TMS entertainment had produced an additional a couple of episodes the ending would have had that same sense of resolution.
One can objectively praise ReLIFE for it's creative story, it's wonderful characters and it's colourful OST. But to me, what stands out the most and what will stick with me is the emotional impact the show had on me. The show reminded me of a fact that we all easily forget: life is wonderful. Often, we take it for granted, we forget the precious gift we've been given by wishing away our future or we become consumed by our past. ReLIFE reminds us that life is beautiful, and even though it may have its complications, it's the most joyous gift we'll ever receive. It tells us to go forth and meet true friends, widen our personal horizons and to fall deeply in love.
