Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru - Episode 1 Review

"Even when you think you'll be with someone forever, they can still disappear from your life at any moment." This simple truth hit hard in Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru’s first episode. As someone who’s experienced the pain of losing a close family member, I found myself immediately drawn into this story. It takes an emotional premise—one that feels deeply personal—and turns it into something magical and bittersweet.

The episode begins with Keisuke, a man whose life has been frozen in time since the death of his beloved wife, Takae. We see his struggles to move forward, a theme that resonated with me as it paints a poignant picture of grief. His daughter, Mai, has grown distant, both of them locked in their shared sadness. Yet, as soon as Takae mysteriously returns, reincarnated in the body of a 10-year-old girl, everything is thrown into disarray.

The Reincarnation: A Miracle or a Dilemma?

Takae’s reincarnation brings with it the warmth of reunion, but it’s laced with complexity. The excitement and relief that comes with seeing her again is palpable, but it’s also strange and unsettling. How do you reconcile the return of someone you love in a form that’s so completely different? Takae is now a child in body, but she carries the memories of her former life, and this duality is going to be the heart of the series' emotional conflict.

From the moment Takae reveals herself to her family, I couldn’t help but feel conflicted alongside them. On one hand, Keisuke and Mai finally have a second chance with the person they’ve missed so dearly. But on the other, Takae can’t just pick up where they left off. Their relationship, while filled with love, will never be the same again. As someone who knows what it feels like to lose someone, this episode served as a stark reminder that even miraculous reunions come with their own kind of heartache.

The Emotional Weight of Grief and Moving On

One of the strongest elements of this episode was how it captured the lingering effects of grief. You can see it in the way Keisuke struggles to keep his life together—his home is in disrepair, he’s distant, and it’s clear that both he and his daughter have been stuck for years, unable to truly move on from Takae’s death. Her sudden return doesn’t magically fix these issues, either. In fact, it only deepens the emotional complexity of the situation.

Takae’s arrival is a catalyst for change, but not necessarily an easy one. While it brings joy, it also raises the question: Can this family move forward, or will they be forever trapped in their grief and attachment to the past? Watching them navigate this will likely be both heartwarming and heartbreaking in equal measure.

A Lighthearted Yet Melancholic Tone

There’s an interesting balance of emotions in Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru. Despite its serious themes, the show doesn’t shy away from lighthearted moments. The scenes of Takae slipping back into her role as a mother, scolding her family for letting things fall apart, brought a smile to my face. She’s still the same Takae, after all—a strong-willed woman who cares deeply for her loved ones. But there’s always an undercurrent of melancholy beneath the surface.

The OP and ED do a fantastic job of capturing this duality. The upbeat yet slightly somber tone of the OP reflects Keisuke’s perspective—he’s trying to stay positive despite everything. Meanwhile, the slower, more melancholic ED hints at Takae’s feelings, adding depth to her perspective and the burden of knowing that things will never be the same again.

Final Thoughts: A Touching and Bittersweet Journey Ahead

After this first episode, I’m already invested in Tsuma, Shougakusei ni Naru. It’s a touching, bittersweet story about loss, love, and the complexity of moving on. The supernatural premise may seem unusual, but it’s handled with surprising depth, exploring the emotional realities of grief and second chances in a way that feels both real and heartfelt.

For those who’ve lost someone close, this show may hit especially hard, but it’s also a reminder that even in the face of loss, love can endure in unexpected ways. I’m eager to see how Takae, Keisuke, and Mai will navigate their new reality and what lessons they’ll learn about love, family, and healing.

If the rest of the series keeps up this level of emotional nuance, I’m going to need to stock up on tissues. It seems like a beautiful story is unfolding—one that I’m more than willing to follow, even if it breaks my heart along the way.