relife

 

Okay, let's talk about the anime series "ReLIFE"!

What is ReLIFE?

•  Based on: The web manga of the same name by Yayoiso.

•  Studio: TMS Entertainment (known for Detective Conan, Fruits Basket 2019, Dr. Stone)

•  Genre: Slice of Life, Romance, School, Science Fiction

•  Episodes:

  •  Season 1: 13 Episodes (Aired Summer 2016)

  •  ReLIFE: Kanketsu-hen (OVA/Final Arc): 4 Episodes (Released March 2018) - Important: This completes the story

•  Essentially Complete: The 4-episode OVA completes the storyline of the manga, so the anime has a definite ending.

Synopsis:

Arata Kaizaki is a 27-year-old NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) who has struggled to hold down a job since quitting his first company after only three months. He's constantly haunted by a traumatic event he witnessed at that first job. Now, he's living off his parents and feeling like a failure.

One day, Arata is approached by Ryou Yoake, a member of the ReLIFE Research Institute. Ryou offers Arata a chance to "relive" his high school life for one year, using a mysterious pill that de-ages him physically. As part of the ReLIFE experiment, Arata must attend high school as a transfer student, interact with the other students, and improve his life skills.

However, there's a catch: At the end of the year, everyone Arata befriends will forget that he ever existed. As Arata navigates the challenges of high school, he begins to learn more about himself and the people around him, ultimately helping them to overcome their own personal struggles.

Key Characters:

•  Arata Kaizaki: The protagonist. He is a 27-year-old NEET who is given a second chance to relive his high school years.

•  Ryou Yoake: An employee of the ReLIFE Research Institute and Arata's supervisor. He observes Arata's progress and provides guidance.

•  Chizuru Hishiro: A socially awkward and academically gifted student who is the subject of a parallel ReLIFE experiment.

•  Rena Kariu: A competitive and athletic student who struggles with the pressure to succeed.

•  Kazuomi Ooga: A popular and outgoing student who is secretly struggling with his studies.

•  An Onoya: A cheerful transfer student who is actually another Observer from the ReLIFE Research Institute.

Key Themes:

•  Second Chances: The series explores the theme of second chances and the opportunity to learn from past mistakes.

•  Personal Growth: Arata and the other characters undergo significant personal growth throughout the series.

•  Friendship and Connection: The series emphasizes the importance of friendship and human connection.

•  Finding Purpose: Arata struggles to find purpose in his life, and his ReLIFE experience helps him to rediscover his passions and goals.

•  Dealing with Trauma: The series touches on the themes of trauma and how it can impact a person's life.

•  Adulthood and Responsibility: The series explores the challenges and responsibilities of adulthood.

Why is ReLIFE Worth Watching?

•  Heartwarming Story: The series is heartwarming and emotionally resonant.

•  Relatable Characters: The characters are well-developed and relatable.

•  Unique Premise: The premise of a 27-year-old reliving his high school years is intriguing and original.

•  Positive Message: The series promotes personal growth, friendship, and the importance of finding purpose in life.

•  Satisfying Conclusion: The 4-episode OVA provides a satisfying conclusion to the story.

Things to Consider Before Watching:

•  Slow Pacing: The series can be slow-paced at times.

•  Emotional Themes: The series deals with emotional themes such as depression, anxiety, and trauma.

•  Sci-Fi Elements: The sci-fi elements are present but take a backseat to the character development and slice-of-life aspects.