by The TV anime “My Wife Becomes a Primary School Student,” based on Murata Yayo’s original work, will be broadcast on TOKYO MX, BS11, and other stations in October—a teaser PV has also been released.
The teaser PV titled “Wife Edition” begins with a scene in which Keisuke Niijima’s wife, Takae Niijima, who was supposed to be dead, returns as an elementary school student, Marika Shiraishi. The doorbell rings as the Niijima family sits quietly at the dinner table, and Keisuke is confused when the girl stands at the entrance with her arms crossed and says, “I’m home!” The scene then includes the girl declaring, “I’m Takae Niijima, your wife! Mai’s mother!” Keisuke is happy to have Takae make him lunch, and Mai smiles as she talks to her mother, and happy times begin to flow again in the Niijima family. Keisuke’s generous display of his love for his wife is depicted in a comical yet moving way. Cast information has also been released.
Daisuke Hirakawa will play Keisuke, Aoi Yuki will play Takae/Marika, and Maiko Nomura will play Mai. Hirakawa, who said he cried many times after reading the original work in one go, said about Keisuke, “I want the audience to watch what he realizes and how he changes when he reunites with his wife who has returned as an elementary school student.” Yuki enthusiastically commented, “I tried my best to portray Takae so that I could portray the good points of the original work as much as possible.
This work makes you think about many things, such as family love, the nature of life, and how to live.” Nomura appealed to the audience about the highlights of the work, saying, “I hope that viewers will pay attention to how all the characters struggle in their positions but continue to look forward and move forward while wishing for the happiness of others.” “My Wife Becomes an Elementary School Student” is a work that was serialized in Weekly Manga TIMES (Houbunsha).
Keisuke, a loving husband who lost Takae in an accident ten years ago, and his daughter Mai are living like invalids. Still, the story begins when Takae returns as an elementary school student. It depicts the story of the Niijima family regaining the joy of living. Comments from Hirakawa Daisuke (role of Niijima Keisuke) Thoughts after reading the original work The thoughts, emotions, expressions, words, and actions of each character spun by Murata Yayu made me naturally imagine how the character had lived up to that point and made me feel even parts that had not been depicted. I turned the pages while empathizing with the various characters and read the final chapter in one go. I don’t know how many times I cried during that time. About the character I played, He looks like an ordinary older man. But inside, he is a pretty cool older man (laughs).
However, after the death of his beloved wife, he has now lost the excellent side that he originally had. Please watch over him to see what he realizes and how he changes when he reunites with his wife, who has returned as an elementary school student. In honor of the essential element of the story, “bento,” my favorite bento and the reason for it is Kiyoken’s shumai bento. Of course, it’s great for traveling in Shinkansen, but you can also buy and eat it at home. It’s a stable deliciousness you won’t tire of, no matter how often you eat it! However, I like so many other bentos that I think, “This question is tough!” (laughs). Japan’s bento culture is genuinely remarkable.
A word for fans: Although I was always unsure how to express myself, I exchanged many opinions with my co-stars and staff, and I approached the recording with care, one feeling, and one word at a time. I want as many people as possible to watch this work, regardless of age or gender. And for those who have not read the original work, I would be thrilled as a fan of this work if you could touch on the original work through the anime.
Aoi Yuki (role of Takae Niijima/Marika Shiraishi) Comment Thoughts on reading the original work The only part of the fantasy is that Takae, who was supposed to have died, returns as an elementary school student. The story unfolds in a way that brings out the reality of that fantasy, so I read the original work while praying that everyone will be happy. It made me think about so many things about family love.
At the same time, I was fired up to see how much we could convey this emotion within the limited time frame of a one-cour animation. About the character I played, Takae is a cheerful, emotional, straightforward, and easy-going person who is like the sun to everyone. As I played her, I continued to be energized by her power.
Also, although she is usually an adult woman, she sometimes shows her pure, childlike side again as an elementary school student, and that was also fun to play. □ In honor of the essential element of the story, “bento,” my favorite bento and why: ginger pork bento! Ginger pork bento is always delicious, even when it’s cold, no matter what manufacturer it is, and I like it because it gives me a sense of security.
A word to fans: My Wife has become an Elementary School Student. It is a catchy title, but contrary to that, it is an attractive work for its realistic portrayal of human beings. I did my best to face Takae to put as much of the goodness of the original work into the play as possible. It is a work that makes you think about many things, such as family love, the nature of life, and how to live. This will be an unforgettable work that will stay in your heart. Comments from Nomura Maiko (role of Niijima Mai)□ Thoughts on reading the original work: I couldn’t stop crying.
The contrast between the fun, happy, and gentle daily life after the mother returns and the heavy reality that pierces me was heartbreaking many times as I read. I love the heartwarming scenes where the mother has completely adapted to school as an elementary school student and is enjoying school life. The character I played, Mai, is a girl whose time stopped when she lost her mother. She is childish and stubborn since she can no longer rely on her parents.
I want you to see Mai bravely accept the facts and move forward. The kanji in Mai’s name is the same as mine, so I feel a strong affinity with her! In honor of the essential element of the story, the “bento” (lunch box), what is your favorite bento and why? As a student, I was a troublesome child who didn’t like the juices from the side dishes getting on the other side dishes or rice, so my mother made a bento with one side dish on the top layer and white rice on the bottom layer. It’s a simple bento, but I was happy it was made to suit my tastes.
A message to fans: The teaser visual says, “Love is wishing for the happiness of the other person, even if it is painful.” I hope you will pay attention to how, true to these words, all the characters struggle in their positions but continue to move forward while wishing for the happiness of others.
The TV anime “My Wife is a Primary School Student” will begin broadcasting on TOKYO MX, BS11, and others in October 2024. Staff Original work: Murata Yayo (published by Houbunsha) Director: Abe Noriyuki Series composition/script: Hirabayashi Sawako Character design: Sekigawa Naoto Sound director: Miyoshi Keiichiro Music: Yamazaki Hiroko Animation production: Studio Signpost □ Cast Niijima Keisuke: Hirakawa Daisuke Niijima Takae and Shiraishi Marika: Yuki Aoi Niijima Mai: Nomura Maiko.
