I’m a little ashamed to admit that, at first, I didn’t really give ReLife much thought. But after they aired the whole thing in a single afternoon —which was a great choice— I decided to check it out. This turned out to be one of the better decisions I’ve made recently.
ReLife is a joy to experience; quirky, fun, sometimes predictable, but almost every episode left me smiling. Before I say more about what it is, its important to clarify what it isn’t; ReLife is not a “If you could fix your high school mistakes” show, and although Arata, the MC, definitely has some regrets about his early life, they play second (or third) fiddle to him fixing, and finding happiness in his current situation. Put another way, instead of bemoaning the past, ReLife takes an optimistic look at the present; by going back to high school, Arata meets new people, forges friendships, and gains a new leash on the life he already has.
Part of the reason I found this show so refreshing is that Arata, a 28 year old man, brings a more mature, adult perspective to what is normally a “teen-scene”. His insight and wisecracks are usually well played and the humor he brings to the table is nothing short of hilarious. The other characters are fairly well done; quirky and distinct enough to be unique while still being realistic, and the way they interact with each other is never boring to watch.
As for the animation, I’ll say it did the show justice; ReLife didn’t need a bunch of flashy animation to start with, but they maintain a constant quality that puts it a cut above average. The soundtrack doesn’t really stand out, but the endings deserve special attention as they chose a different song for each one, ranging from what I assume are classics to more recent pop hits. Kind of similar to what guardians of the galaxy did with their music selection, they chose songs that the main character would listen to in his spare time, and it augments the mood splendidly.
I could watch this show all day, and though this may sound rather trite and boring, I can honestly say my biggest problem with the show is that there wasn’t more of it.
Here’s the rub,
The Good:
- Fresh take on a tired topic (high school)
- Humor is well played and genuinely funny
- Characters are unique, but not absurd
- There’s drama, not melodrama
- Ann is downright adorable
- Truly an enjoyable show
The Bad:
- “Romance” could have been more fulfilling
- Can be predictable at times
- Only (13) episodes
The Ecchi:
- Many opportunities for it, but surprisingly little.
Thanks for reading.
