Review of ReLIFE

"Someday we'll part. Maybe be forgotten. But we're living in the moment. So... make lots of friends, fall madly in love, and enjoy every moment to the fullest." - Arata Kaizaki. At first glance Relife feels a bit like every other school life anime but the standard high school humor is replaced by jokes about generation gap or Arata miserably. The main cast is also introduced and at first seems like perfect instances of traditional tropes. And that's when the brilliance of Relife arises. Relife simultaneously tells the story of a man who is desperately trying to put his life back on track and alsothe story of the younger people around him who are just entering adulthood. The show expresses how experience can easily help us to deal with the issues of our youth. Arata, being both caring and more experienced helps his classmates with their troubles. Simultaneously the hopes and dreams of his younger classmates rehabilitates his view of the world.

Aside from our main protagonist the show has a well rounded and likable cast. The ever failing Rena, kind hearted Kazuomi, sultry An, cool headed Ryo and the wonderfully shy and earnest Chizuru all start of as genuinely likable people and gradually peel off their many layers. While Relife does not have a very unique art direction, it consistently gives focus on it's characters facial expressions which helps the audience get into the headspace of the characters they are watching on screen.

Relife aims to create a nostalgic atmosphere. Cemented by it's soundtrack. While it isn't the greatest it is sufficient to create the mood it's aiming for.

In a time where most shows tend to show off shallow relationships Relife aims to remind how great having strong relationships is exemplifying how the bonds we have can make us grow.... or how they can harm us. Relife refuses to gloss over dark subject matter related to becoming an adult but gives and optimistic way to deal with it.

Ultimately in a character focused show, the viewer's enjoyment comes from how they can relate to the characters and the trials and tribulations they go through. At least for me I was able to relate to all the characters and even if you can't I hope that you can enjoy this show which truly managed to make me feel positive emotions when I was at my worst.