Niijima Keisuke meets a woman named Takae at work, and they hit it off immediately. They get married shortly after and lead a happy, love-filled life, soon welcoming their daughter, Mai. Unfortunately, this happiness does not last long, as Takae passes away at a young age. Despite his wife’s death, Keisuke maintains a very good relationship with his daughter, but their lives change drastically. The man loses his drive and his sense of purpose, and his mental state begins to deteriorate. After ten years, a miracle occurs. A ten-year-old girl appears in front of their house, declaring that she is his wife and has come home. As proof that she is telling the truth, she recounts specific moments from the past that no one else could possibly know.
Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru (2024) – Audiovisual Design
Video
I evaluate the quality and detail of the art very positively. It certainly wasn’t the most beautiful series of the season it premiered in, but the overall look was truly pleasing to the eye. While animation shortcuts were visible in some scenes, it didn’t significantly impact my viewing experience. I particularly liked the use of lighting, which matched the mood of the events on screen. The character designs also appealed to me.
Audio
Yuuki Aoi in the lead role (Takae) was, as usual, exceptionally good. The same can be said for Keisuke, who was voiced by another veteran—Hirakawa Daisuke. The third main role, Mai, features a relatively new face in the anime world: Nomura Maiko. Her lack of extensive experience was slightly audible in certain scenes, but it was so minor that it shouldn’t be an issue for anyone.
The soundtrack perfectly captures the melancholic atmosphere of the story, though it doesn’t stand out enough for me to return to it after finishing the series. I must also mention one fact—Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru features a really good opening, アイノリユニオン (Ai no Reunion) performed by pachae.
Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru (2024) – Plot and Characters
Introduction
Even before I started picking series from the Fall 2024 season, I had heard quite a lot of good things about the source material. Because of that, I didn’t have to think long before adding this adaptation to my watchlist. I really enjoy these kinds of dramas with supernatural elements, and from the start, I had fairly high expectations for this title.
A Brief Overview of the Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru (2024) Plot
Niijima Keisuke meets a woman named Takae at work, and they hit it off immediately. They quickly decide to get married and lead a happy, love-filled life, which soon results in the birth of their daughter, Mai. Unfortunately, this happiness is short-lived, as Takae dies at a young age in a road accident.
Despite the death of his wife, Keisuke still maintains a fairly good relationship with his daughter, but their lives change fundamentally. The man loses his spark and his reason for living, and his mental state worsens. Mai also struggles to accept the death of her beloved mother. After ten years, a miracle happens. A ten-year-old girl appears in front of their house, claiming her name is Takae and that she has returned home. To prove she is telling the truth, she shares memories of past situations that no one else knew about.
Both Keisuke and Mai are ecstatic and grateful to be able to talk to Takae and spend time together again, even though that time is quite limited because Takae now has a new family who is completely unaware of what has happened.
What is the series about
Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru is a series that, at first glance, seems based on an impossible premise—the return of a deceased loved one in the body of a ten-year-old. However, it quickly proves that this is merely a plot device used to tell a deep and mature story about loss, grief, and second chances. The main narrative focuses on the Niijima family: the father, Keisuke, and the daughter, Mai, who for ten years have struggled with the void left by the sudden death of a wife and mother in an accident. When they one day meet Marika, a girl claiming to be the reincarnation of Takae, everything in their lives changes instantly. Her knowledge of intimate family details gradually convinces them that this is more than just a child’s fantasy.
Bohaterowie
One of the series’ greatest strengths is how the creators develop the characters and the relationships between them. At first, Keisuke seems overly dependent on Takae’s presence. However, he undergoes a noticeable transformation as time passes and he uncovers the mystery of their reunion. Marika (or rather, Takae) helps both him and Mai find joy in daily life again while simultaneously facing the challenges of her new life. At the same time, she becomes a catalyst for making difficult and important decisions in the lives of both her husband and daughter.
The reincarnation motif is not just a cheap narrative gimmick, but a tool to show how different people cope with grief and the attempt to rebuild their lives after losing a loved one. The relationships between the characters, both main and supporting, are presented in an emotional way that encourages self-reflection. Mai’s role in her relationship with Takae is crucial. In reality, she was the one most affected, as she grew up without a parent during the most important years of her life. Her mother’s sudden return gives the girl confidence on one hand, but on the other, she still struggles to manage her emotions.
While the core of the story is Keisuke, Mai, and Marika (essentially Takae), the supporting characters also play a significant role. Shiraishi Chika, Marika’s biological mother, must also find her place in this complicated situation. Given that her emotional state is quite unstable, this is not easy for her. However, Chika doesn’t even realize that she is being given a second chance to change, put her life in order, and rebuild her relationship with her daughter.
Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru (2024) – Evaluation and Summary
I mentioned many positive aspects of this series above, but that doesn’t mean it is entirely without flaws. I’m not talking about the story itself or the character portrayals; those aspects are handled very well. Unfortunately, the final three episodes significantly accelerated the plot delivery. To such an extent that even without knowing the source material, I could tell that a lot of things had been skipped. And worse yet—I wasn’t wrong. Those who have read the manga repeatedly pointed out that the series tries to cram 112 chapters of the manga into just 12 episodes. This takes a toll on the pacing—some subplots, including Mai’s development, are neglected, depriving many events of their context.
This had a negative impact on the flow of the series and the viewer’s emotional experience of the drama, even if they weren’t familiar with the original work. It also held me back from giving the score an extra point (though I was still hesitating even as I wrote this). However, this doesn’t mean the series isn’t worth watching. As is easy to gather from my review—quite the opposite. Fans of dramas with a supernatural touch will certainly be over the moon following the characters’ fates. I must also definitely praise the concept of the plot itself and, above all, its execution.
Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru is a drama that prompts reflection in every episode regarding the unexpected loss of loved ones, the fragility of life, and the importance of strong, healthy family bonds. Although it is not free of flaws, it will be hard to forget.
Finalny werdykt
Final evaluation
Which translation do I recommend to watch Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru (2024)?
- Crunchyroll (official) – Fortunately, the series was assigned to one of CR’s best translators (judging by the translation style, as CR unfortunately does not provide the names of their translators). I can therefore recommend the official translation with a clear conscience.
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