25-Year-Old High School Girl: A high school student despite being an adult? What is the appeal of a realistic coming-of-age story?

"25-year-old High School Girl": Rediscovering Youth Beyond the Boundary Between Adulthood and Childhood

■Overview of the work

25-Year-Old High School Girl is a 12-episode anime series that aired in 2018 and is based on the manga of the same name by Makana. It was animated by Lyrics and directed by Ota Shuta. The series aired in a short 5-minute slot every Monday at 1:00am on TOKYO MX. Copyright belongs to Makana and Suiseisha.

■ Story

The main character, Nadori Hana, is a 25-year-old woman looking for work. One day, she is suddenly asked by a relative to attend high school as a substitute for her cousin who has been absent from school. Because they look exactly alike, no one should have noticed, but on her first day at school, Kanie Ryoto, a classmate from high school, shows up as her world history teacher and her true identity is immediately revealed. Hana begs Kanie to keep quiet, but Kanie then begins his "adult guidance," and the story depicts how the relationship between the two gradually deepens.

■Character Introduction

Bird Flower

Hana is a 25-year-old woman looking for work who ends up attending high school as a stand-in for her cousin. She looks exactly like her 16-year-old cousin, and at first she believes no one will notice. However, on her first day at school, her true identity is discovered by Kanie Ryoto, and she develops a relationship with him from then on. Hana's character is charming as she enjoys rediscovering her youth, despite the gap between her adult experiences and the life of a high school student.

Ryoto Kanie

Kanie was Hana's high school classmate and is currently working as a world history teacher. After discovering Hana's true identity, he gives her "adult guidance" and helps their relationship progress. Kanie is portrayed as a character torn between his sense of responsibility as a teacher and his special feelings for Hana.

Naoyuki Aida

Aida is a student in Kanie's class who tends to skip classes and often ends up in the nurse's office. Aida learns about Hana and Kanie's relationship and influences the progression of the story. His character is portrayed as growing through interactions with the adults around him, despite the worries and conflicts of adolescence.

■ Main staff

The original work was by Makana, the director was Ota Shuta, and the series composition and scriptwriting was by Sawayama Shinichiro. The character design and general animation director was Yamamoto Sawako, the sound director was Orita Tetsuro, and the sound production was by Cosmic Ray and Tabak. The animation was produced by Lyrics, produced by Picante Circus, and produced by Suiseisha.

■Cast

The role of Nadori Hana was played by Hitomi Harada, the role of Kanie Ryoto was played by Chiharu Sawashiro, and the role of Aida Naoyuki was played by Tomohito Takatsuka. These actors expressed the emotions and growth of the characters realistically, leaving a deep impression on the viewers.

■ Episode Guide

• Episode 1: "It's a Sudden Reunion"
• Episode 2: "In the nurse's office bed..."
• Episode 3: Secret After-School Lessons
• Episode 4: "On the Night of the Reunion"
• Episode 5: "A Terrible Forgotten Item!"
• Episode 6: The Secret is Out!
• Episode 7: A study session just for the two of us?
• Episode 8: "That Day, That Time, That Place"
• Episode 9: That Morning, the Two of Us...
• Episode 10: Is that Jealousy?
• Episode 11 "The Worst Day Ever"
• Episode 12: I Love You!

■Theme song

The opening theme "Reunion" is sung by Saki Hazuki, with lyrics by Rei Hinooka and composed and arranged by Koichi Morita. The song features a melody and lyrics that symbolize the reunion of Hana and Kanie and the subsequent development of their relationship.

■ Appeal and evaluation of the work

"25-Year-Old High School Girl" became a hot topic due to its unique premise of an adult woman attending school as a substitute for a high school student. This premise gives viewers an opportunity to think about themes such as "the boundary between adulthood and childhood" and "rediscovering youth." In addition, through the relationship between Hana and Kanie and Aida's growth, the series depicts the complexities of human relationships and the process of growth.

The quality of the animation was also high, with particular praise being given to the character design and background art. Despite the short broadcast time, the skillful storytelling and appealing characters captivated viewers. In terms of sound, too, under the direction of Tetsuro Orita, the sound effects and background music played a key role in enhancing the atmosphere of the story.

The reaction from viewers was very positive, with many expressing sympathy for the relationship between Hana and Kanie, and the theme of rediscovering one's youth. In addition, although the episodes are short, each one is packed with a solid story, and the efforts to keep viewers interested were highly praised.

■ Recommendation points

"25-year-old High School Girl" is not only a youth anime, but also a drama for adults. In particular, the following points are recommended:

1. Unique setting

The setting of a 25-year-old woman attending school as a substitute for a high school student offers a fresh surprise to viewers. Through this setting, the film delves deeply into themes of the boundary between adulthood and childhood, and the rediscovery of youth.

2. The appeal of the characters

The characters Hana, Kanie, and Aida are each portrayed with realism, with their own worries and growth processes. The relationship between Hana and Kanie in particular evokes deep empathy from viewers.

3. Storytelling Skill

Despite the short broadcast time, each episode is packed with a solid story. There are many ingenious ideas to keep the viewer engaged, and the storyline draws you in.

4. Animation and sound quality

The animation quality is extremely high, from character design to background art to sound effects, making this a work that is enjoyable both visually and aurally.

■Comparison with related works

"25-year-old High School Girl" is a work that combines elements of youth anime and adult drama. Other works with similar themes include "Orange" and "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai." These works also depict the rediscovery of youth and the complexities of human relationships, which are themes that "25-year-old High School Girl" shares. However, "25-year-old High School Girl" stands out from other works with its unique setting of an adult woman attending school as a substitute for a high school student.

■ Message to viewers

"25-Year-Old High School Girl" is a work that depicts the rediscovery of youth and the complexities of human relationships. I hope that viewers will use the characters of Hana, Kanie, and Aida as an opportunity to reflect on their own youth and the process of growing up. I also hope that viewers will gain a new perspective while enjoying the unique setting and storytelling that this work offers.

Conclusion

"25-Year-Old High School Girl" is a work that combines a unique setting, attractive characters, skillful storytelling, and high-quality animation and sound. It can be enjoyed not only as a youth anime but also as an adult drama, and it provides viewers with deep empathy and a new perspective. Please give it a watch.