Review of ReLIFE

I should start by pointing out that there is a very clear target audience for this type of show; a more mature demographic will relate more to the main character(s) and understand most of the content than other (younger) demographics will. The concept of being able to go back and redo high school with all of your knowledge and experience in tact can seem like a very romantic one to those who've graduated from it; and even more so for those who have not necessarily been too successful after-the-fact. Whilst not necessarily being something that crosses the mind of someone still in it as it'sthen not a retrospective.

So for me there is some obvious bias here as I not only relate through the age range of the characters as a late 20 something (the fact that the show does target this age range is in itself refreshing), but I also relate to the main character perhaps a little too acutely regarding their personal hurdles as well. Partialness aside, what is endearing about the show and what I feel gives the show some real integrity (if not quality) is the fact that the show doesn't stray too far from reality, magical age pill that can also conveniently erase memories notwithstanding, a lot of high school based anime's can be quite abstract from the mostly subtle (Lovely Complex, ToraDora!) to the most extreme (Kill la Kill, Assassination Classroom). The character designs are quite conservative (no overtly bright hair) and the character personalities are generally not that eccentric (obligatory exception to the rule being Hirisho).

The art does leave a little to be desired, it is by no means the best, it might even be a little disappointing when compared to its contemporaries as there is a lot of really refined stuff being released these days, but the show is still easy on the eyes as i'm mostly comparing it to above average shows setting a high bar here. I suppose this is my roundabout way of saying that it's average in aesthetics.

There's nothing wrong with the sound either (per sé), though in one or two episodes the piano based mood music was a tad strong/melodramatic which jolts your suspended disbelief briefly.

But really it's just a nice, tidy, neat show in which most obstacles are overcome quickly and concisely giving the story an enjoyable pace and though this isn't relevant months after publication, the fact the shows first season was released entirely in one go was perfect for people who like to marathon content.