Review of ReLIFE

Personal stats: as of May 2025, I've finished 161 animes with a mean score of 7.31. ReLIFE rating: 10/10. ReLIFE is one of those anime that looks light and fun on the outside, but deep down, it deals with serious and emotional topics. It’s not very hard to watch, but the feelings it gives you can be very strong — especially if you’ve been through similar struggles in life. Even though most of the story takes place in a high school, this anime isn’t really about school life. The main character is actually 28 years old — someone who feels lost in adult life and is given achance to “start over” by going back to high school for one year (you'll see this in first minutes of episode 1). The school setting is just a way to reflect on bigger things: regret, confidence, social pressure, failure, and how our past shapes the kind of adults we become.

The emotions in ReLIFE feel real. It’s not overly dramatic, but if you connect with the characters, some scenes can make you cry or stop and really think about your own life. It’s one of those shows that quietly stays with you.

I first tried to watch ReLIFE when I was 18, but I couldn’t finish it. I think deep down, I saw myself going in the same direction as the older characters, and I wasn’t ready to face that. Years later, at 25, I gave it another try — and I watched the whole thing in one go. It hit me hard because I was already dealing with many of the same things: stress, doubts, and feeling lost in adult life.

This anime hits differently depending on your age. The older you are, the more you might relate to it. But if you're young and manage to finish it, it might help you see life in a better way and avoid some mistakes. I really wish I had finished it when I was younger, but even now, it left a strong impact on me. It’s a great anime for anyone who feels confused or stuck in life.

And don’t forget: after you finish the main season, make sure to also watch the 4 special episodes — that’s where the ending of the story is.