The Controversial Anime Everyone's Talking About This Season

Why If My Wife Becomes an Elementary School Student Isn't What You Think

So… there’s an anime out this season with a title that sounds like it belongs in the FBI watchlist: If My Wife Becomes an Elementary School Student. Yeah, I know. When I first saw the name, I physically recoiled from my screen and whispered, “Japan… explain yourself.” But as I started watching it—out of sheer curiosity, let’s be real—I found myself unexpectedly moved. Like, wait… is this actually kinda good?

Let’s break it down because this one deserves more than a knee-jerk reaction (even if that reaction is completely valid).

Reincarnation, But Make It Emotionally Damaging

The story centers around Kijima, a pretty regular guy who’s been crushed by the grief of losing his wife, T. His relationship with his daughter, Mai, is falling apart. Both of them are barely surviving in their daily lives—Mai hates her job and lives on convenience store meals, and Kijima is emotionally shut off from the world.

Then, boom—plot twist. T is reincarnated as a 10-year-old girl. Yup. That’s the whole premise. And yes, she remembers everything from her past life.

I know, it sounds wrong. It feels wrong. But hear me out—this show doesn’t go there. Like, not even close. It doesn’t get creepy, pervy, or exploitative. This ain’t that type of anime, thankfully. Instead, it uses this odd setup to explore grief, healing, and how people process loss in completely different ways.

Surprisingly Deep Character Development

What really caught me off guard is how grounded the writing is. The characters feel like real people navigating messy emotions. Kijima starts to come alive again, not because of some weird romantic angle, but because the presence of T in any form gives him a second chance at closure. Meanwhile, Mai starts to open up too—finally pursuing a job she likes and even dating.

But this isn’t a feel-good fantasy all the way through. As the family adjusts to this strange new reality, cracks start to form. T, now a child again, has a whole new set of problems, like her original parents being concerned (understandably) about her suddenly attaching herself to another family. The show doesn’t shy away from the awkward or painful implications of this reincarnation scenario.

It’s the kind of drama that sneaks up on you. One minute you’re laughing at an elementary schooler giving dating advice, and the next you’re questioning the nature of grief, identity, and how to move on without letting go completely.

No Creepy Stuff, I Promise

I feel like I have to reiterate this: the show does not romanticize anything inappropriate. T and Kijima’s relationship is portrayed with a mature, respectful tone. They’re clearly navigating uncharted waters, and that tension is part of what makes it compelling.

It’s actually kind of beautiful how the show handles this. The wife-turned-kid isn’t played for laughs or fetishized. She's treated as someone who’s caught in an impossible situation—torn between the life she once had and the new life she’s expected to live. It’s dramatic, yes, but it’s human.

The Animation… Is Kinda Mid

Okay, we gotta talk visuals. This isn’t some Demon Slayer or Jujutsu Kaisen spectacle. The animation is passable at best, and pretty lackluster at worst. There are few dynamic shots, and nothing really pops off the screen. You’re not going to get blown away by the visuals here.

Honestly? I’d recommend reading the manga instead. The story is strong enough that it doesn’t need top-tier animation, but the manga delivers the same emotional punches without the occasional jankiness of the anime. And let’s be real—some scenes deserve a more polished presentation than what we got.

Real Feels in a Weird Package

What I respect most is how the show dives into uncomfortable territory with care. It's not about shock value or weirdness for the sake of it. At its core, it's about the emotional weight of loss and what it means to reconnect—with others and with yourself—after tragedy.

It’s not trying to be edgy or controversial, even if it accidentally looks that way on paper. It’s heartfelt. Thoughtful. And honestly? Kind of underrated.

So yes, this anime might have the most questionable title this season. But if you can push past that initial “WTF” moment, you’ll find a surprisingly heartfelt story hiding under all the weirdness.

If My Wife Becomes an Elementary School Student is probably the most illegal-sounding anime this season—but it’s also one of the most emotionally complex ones airing right now. Don’t go in expecting big battles or high-stakes fantasy. This is a quiet, strange, slice-of-life story about love, loss, and healing. It’s not for everyone, but if you’re into character-driven drama with a touch of the surreal, it’s worth a shot.

Or better yet, read the manga.

Stay curious, stay weird, and stay tuned for more anime breakdowns at Land of Geek Magazine!

‍#anime2025 #weirdanime #animecontroversy #sliceoflifeanime #animeopinions