Tsuma, Shogakusei ni Naru

From the most inept show title ever, comes a simple and uplifting reverie of redemption! It is the king of 'if I could only have' - just one last chance - to say and show all that has ever needed to be said or show to those we lost.

Though the premise is unique and perceived as many with a suspicious eye to the age of the reincarnated 10 year old in the series, it's the instant wholesomeness that only a Japanese-like fairytale could impart, that pulls you in right from the first episode in delightful ways and with joyful humor amidst the complete disbelief that this could be real.

Immediately you know its only the actors that can make us believe. Particularly the awe inspiring work of the the young Maida Nono as Takae/Marika brings this show to life! Her range and nuance and depth of such onscreen emotion is marvelous to see. The rest of the cast are also wonderful in such a strong ensemble that breath further life into the story.

The ups and downs of this journey are always so very heartfelt and uplifting while being equal parts sad and sorrowful. Of the hundreds of amazing Asian and US TV I have seen in more than 5 decades this ranks so very high in its ability to bring me humbly along on this same journey totally suspending belief while reminding me ever so gently and surely to honor those lost and to live in celebration for those that may no longer be able to be here at all.

It was beautifully told fairy tale that everyone can draw inspiration from and should not be forgotten so that it reminds us to always be grateful.

These catchy, lengthy, and descriptive titles are not new to the anime fandom. I'm just upset the use of it here may have discouraged many viewers from watching a genuinely wholesome drama, and that bothers me. Just look at the title; if this isn't a "normie filter," I don't know what is. It never crosses the line, and I find it even more disheartening that people might form a negative impression based solely on the title.

Title aside, I quite enjoyed this show. It was well-paced, with no annoying characters. The drama was solid and explained itself well enough to my liking as to the how and why the premise even started.

The little girl lead did a wonderful job.

"If My Wife Becomes an Elementary School Student" is a Japanese drama series that adapts Yayu Murata's manga, renowned for its unique premise. The narrative centres on Keisuke Niijima, portrayed by Shinichi Tsutsumi, who has been grieving the loss of his wife, Takae (Yuriko Ishida), for a decade. Their daughter, Mai Niijima (Aju Makita), also struggles with her mother's absence. The family's stagnant existence is revived when a young girl, Marika Shiraishi (Nono Maida), appears, claiming to be the reincarnation of Takae.

While the direction has been commended for capturing the essence of the original manga, the series' editing choices regrettably undermine the production's potential. The performances, particularly those of Nono Maida and Shinichi Tsutsumi, are noteworthy. However, the decision to replace Maida's portrayal of an "adult in a child's body" with an adult actor in certain scenes detracts from the depth of the narrative. Had the director guided Maida to fully embody the adult character throughout, the adaptation might have achieved a more profound impact, aligning closely with the thematic depth of the source material.

The premise a mother reincarnated as an elementary school student, offers a rich tapestry for exploring family dynamics and existential themes. However, the drama misses the opportunity to deliver a fully immersive experience. Despite strong individual performances, the editing appears too much focus on casting instead of core value of the story and disorganised, overshadowing the cast's efforts and diminishing the overall impact.

Each episode title features typographic graphic design that is both unique and aesthetically pleasing. The storytelling effectively presents individual character arcs but lacks the depth and cinematographic expression necessary to fully engage the audience, primarily due to subpar scene editing.

For viewers seeking light, casual entertainment without high expectations, the series may serve as a suitable option. However, those in search of a deeply engaging and nuanced adaptation may find it lacking. "If My Wife Becomes an Elementary School Student" is available for streaming on Netflix.

While a lot of people would have negative perception of this drama just because of its name they could lose an opportunity to experience one of the best dramas of 2022. The story is simple and gradually reveals everything. While main theme is about family, bonds and how to deal with loss in life it has a lot of fun and quirky moments. It is not a perverted show in any way or form, please just give it a try do not let the name deceive you.

It was not long and there was no moment it felt overstretched. At least for me it was other way around in some places i wanted to see more of their everyday life.

The show concept seemed to be goofy and funny but it had lot of impactful movements, heartbreaking an expectational performances by lead actors keisuke (Shinichi Tsutsumi) & Marika (Nono Maida) for the 1st role the kid gave a pretty solid performance.

This story talks about Grieving & acceptance to move forward after losing a loved ones, it really nails so many aspects of family who has lost someone.

Misato Morita character was so sweet and wholesome, hopefully her character was fulfilled with what she loved.

The Daughter, Mai (Aju Makita) was beautiful and charming.

This show focuses on importance of family and support towards each other.