Xiehou Ta de Shaonu Shidai

I don't really write reviews on here often but since this show doesn't have many (only 3 at the time of writing this), I figured I'd throw my two cents in.

This blew my expectations out of the water.

I watched this show originally because I saw a clip going viral on Twitter where Xue, the protagonist's girlfriend/love interest, was doing full on tekken combos on him. What I got in return was a heartfelt show about the inevitability of death, and how you really should treat your parents better.

Death isn't fun. But it's something that everyone has to face at one point. And if, in the ... end, you can say you spent your life well, helping & loving those around you, then it'll all be ok.

Please watch this show. It is genuinely a masterpiece and shouldn't be slept on like it currently is. I loved every moment spent with these characters and this world, and I hope it gets more attention.

Lately there have been very high quality donghua based on manhwa webtoons, and this continues the trend. It's a well animated show with beautiful music and a heartwarming story. It's the kind of show you might want to watch with your mom. And you might want to start treating her better.

In the prologue, we are shown that the mother takes great pains to raise an unfilial boy, and on her deathbed he wishes on a star to sacrifice himself to give mom the life she deserves. In anime parents are usually absent or abusive, so we don't often get to see this kind of parental ... love and filial piety. It's a fairy tale story, with morals and magic, but with a setting and characters more grounded in the real world, which makes it much more relatable.

The show is mostly plot-driven, with characters responding to the situations that arise. A weakness is that some parts of the plot feel arbitrarily thrown in to keep things moving or create difficulties.

The character designs are very nice and have young adult human proportions. Mom is beautiful and Can is quite handsome. Can is already very filial by the beginning of the show, but his flaw is being too protective of Mom and being prone to violence. Mom hardly has flaws at all, being confident, kind, strong, and wise, but maybe brash. But the character traits don't really affect the plot much. The voice acting is good.

The music is great, with a couple good insert songs which you can find in the forum discussion below.

The ending is anime original, and is very satisfying and conclusive.

Story: 7
Animation: 9
Characters: 8
Music: 10

This show presents a unique blend of heartfelt family drama and supernatural fantasy, delivering a poignant narrative about redemption, sacrifice, and the bonds between parent and child. The series sets a solid foundation with its intriguing premise, what would happen if you could give your parent a second chance at youth? It's a fresh twist on the familiar theme of familial love, where instead of parents guiding their children into adulthood, Gong Hyo-chan must step up and support his newly rejuvenated mother.

The role reversal adds complexity to the protagonist's character development, which makes his arc very compelling, he starts as an indifferent son who only ... comes to appreciate his mother once it’s almost too late. His decision to sacrifice his life for her is an act of desperation, but as the story unfolds, it transforms into an earnest journey of atonement. His redemption is gradual and believable, as he navigates the college world alongside his youthful mother. While the supernatural element is key to the plot, the heart of the story lies in the exploration of generational relationships, respect for one's parents, and the value of time.

Gong Hyo-chan's mother, Yeon Geum-Ok, despite her youthful appearance, retains the wisdom and compassion of a seasoned parent. This dynamic leads to some endearing moments as she continues to act like a mother, not just to her own son, but to other students, subtly guiding them toward adulthood. It's a refreshing take, as many stories that involve "youthful" parents tend to reduce them to childlike behavior. Here, the mother is steadfast, using her new life to offer guidance rather than seeking frivolous self-indulgence.

Finally, although it is bittersweet, the ending is quite fitting, as it reflects the cycle of parenthood, allowing both characters to close their arcs in a way that reinforces the show's core message about love, family, and moving forward. Overall, Mom, I’m Sorry is a solid, emotionally resonant show that tackles the complexities of family relationships in a supernatural context. It’s at its best when focusing on Gong Hyo-chan’s internal struggles and his relationship with his mother, though it does stumble when it drifts into side plots that dilute the emotional core. Fans of the source material might note that the anime tones down some of the darker elements from the original, likely for broader appeal, but it still captures the heart of the story. If you’re looking for a touching, if occasionally uneven, exploration of family and self-growth, this series delivers.