This anime surprised me. I thought I had it all figured out after the first episode, but there's much more underneath the surface. I went into this in hopes for a romance story, but as it turns out-- ReLIFE is about the adult main character, Kaizaki, re-experiencing a final year in high school, and what he learns from this bizarre occurrence.
The story primarily focuses on Kaizaki, and how his interactions with the people around him help him assess and rebuild himself. Whether it's supporting somebody else, or overcoming his own issues-- the story is always driven towards his progression. Considering this, I feel like this story is meant for a mature audience, despite it taking place in high school. There's a direct relation to adults in their 20's who are still trying to find their selves. As a result, the story is filled with life lessons in small gestures, and finding value in the things that can be easily forgotten.
Very notable details in ReLIFE are the presentation, and the tone. All of the characters in this anime are not sexualized in any way, which really is a breath of fresh air. By sexualization, I don't simply mean character design and exchanges between others. It's in how topics are conveyed and presented. Changeroom scenes aren't seen as opportunities to give the viewers "fan service", and the topic of physical assets is minimal, along with the appearance of design. ReLIFE is presented with a more mature perspective to the content, and rightfully so.
There are many stories very much like this one, where the main character is thrown into a place he shouldn't be. Many of these main characters take advantage of their predicament at some point to do something that's not tasteful. Konosuba's Kazuma, Mujaki no Rakuen's Shouta, even Your Name's Taki are a few examples to name. Kaizaki in ReLIFE stays strongly in character, as you learn more about who he was, became, and strives to be moving forward. His manners, way of speech, and even his posture and gestures are notably more adult-like than everybody else-- and people recognize him for it. Even when tested, he doesn't waiver. Yet, he learns from the experience.
A strong-minded lead was perfect for this story, yet somehow as a result, made it very unpredictable. In a good way! All of the key characters played different roles that impacted the story effectively. Although weakness is expressed, it's thoroughly followed with triumph, whether it's a side character's hurdle, or a mountain for Kaizaki. Tying romantic elements into this was a bonus-- a very good bonus. The relations between characters and the story as a whole is wrapped up rather beautifully in the four-episode finale released in the final Blu-ray (available March 2018).
You'll think you know where the story is progressing, but then it'll go another direction in a very sensible way. And when it does go the way you were expecting, it still finds a way to hit you emotionally. I can only consider that as good writing, and probably the best part of ReLIFE. I've taken something away from this positively, and I'm sure I'll always remember ReLIFE's purpose. I don't guarantee everybody would, since this anime is tailored to a very small demographic (Post-grad independent adult that still enjoys slice-of-life). But I still recommend it. This is a really, really good story.
