ReLIFE

ReLIFE is an intriguing and emotionally impactful anime television series that aired between 2016 and 2018. It masterfully combines the traditionally separate genres of drama, romance, slice of life, and science fiction to deliver a thought-provoking narrative that explores life's simple complexities. It is based on the award-winning manga series by Yayoiso, proving that it has a solid foundation in a well-received source material.

The unique premise of the show revolves around Arata Kaizaki, a 27-year-old man who was unable to secure stable employment after resigning from his first job where he only lasted three months. Lamenting his situation, Arata's life experiences a drastic turn when he meets Ryo Yoake, a representative from the ReLIFE Research Institute. Refusing to let Arata live in desolation, Ryo presents him an opportunity to overcome his struggles by consuming a strange pill that would revert his physical appearance back to when he was 17 years old.

Second chances rarely come by, and Arata decides to participate in the one-year-long experiment. He re-enters high school as a student, dealing with the awkward and sometimes painful situations a young adult endures on a day-to-day basis. More importantly, this experiment provides Arata a unique platform to reassess his values, evident mistakes, and precipitous judgments from his previous life.

ReLIFE is not just a series about redoing missed opportunities or approaching life with a do-over mentality. It subtlety captures the essence of human relationships, the importance of communication, initial failure, and subsequent redemption. Its heart lies in focusing on adolescents coming-of-age stories, dealing with situations such as peer pressure, academic stress, unrequited love, and misunderstandings that often lead to conflict.

Despite its high school setting, ReLIFE uses comedy, dramatic irony, and poignant moments to craft life lessons that resonate with the intended audience and beyond. The past and the present are painted beautifully, weaving elements of the main character's disappointment and hopefulness into the storyline. There's much exploration of adult themes, emphasizing the impact of one's past experiences on their present actions, decisions, and overall persona.

Throughout the series, the other characters that make up Arata's high school life are not just side characters but have subplots which add depth and emotional connection to the storyline. The relationship dynamics within the cast of characters are intricate and well-crafted, with each individual having distinct personalities that equally contribute to the ensemble. The series does an excellent job of using these characters to deepen the plot, create intrigue, and maintain viewer engagement.

The animation style of ReLIFE is both neat and colorful, boasting an attractive and smooth aesthetic that fits the overall themes of the show closely. Alongside, the series’ soundtrack is worth a mention. It consists of well-selected pieces, many of them are remastered versions of classic J-pop songs, providing a fitting backdrop to the storytelling. The voice acting is also superb and manages to maintain the emotional integrity of the characters and the situations they face.

Throughout its run, ReLIFE emphasizes the value of life's journey, whether it's ridden with moments of bliss or hardship. It encourages an understanding that we are not shaped by our failures alone, but also by our determination to stand back up and tread forward. It teaches that it is okay to take steps back and reassess, as each life, despite the wrong turns, is worth living and exploring.

To summarize, the magic of ReLIFE lies in its ability to marry the excitement, confusion, and stress of adolescence with the wisdom and regrets of adulthood. It shows how revisiting the past can help shape a more fulfilling future. With its strong narrative, relatable characters, and thought-provoking themes, it undoubtedly leaves a lasting impact on its viewers, making them reflect upon their lives, choices, and the possibility of second chances.