most popular isekai anime. Meanwhile, both of the worlds in Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! are connected by a secret ingredient that makes all the difference - a subtle touch of romance.

The way characters travel between worlds is through sleep, and the few rules known about it make this already unique "vessel" even more compelling. The human earthling Kazuhiro Kitase travels to a magical world in his dreams, where he sometimes adventures with the eponymous elf Mariabelle or Marie. Upon waking up, he always finds himself back in his bed on Earth. What's so interesting is that, one day, Marie wakes up beside Kazuhiro in Japan, most likely because she was touching him when he was killed there, since dying in the magical world can wake him up.

Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf's Strong Romance Gives More Meaning to Its Use of Isekai and Reverse Isekai

Based on the light novel series by writer Makishima Suzuki and illustrator Yappen; Anime production by Zero-G

Augmenting this unique situation is another rule that affects a critical aspect of Kazuhiro and Marie's relationship, and it becomes much stronger once they bond over it in different worlds. Kazuhiro can take things from Japan with him in his dreams so long as he places them on his bed stand before he goes to sleep. Specifically, he makes a bento box for Marie to eat since she isn't from Japan, which she sometimes uses as an excuse to spend time with him. Cuteness aside, this is an intriguing reinterpretation of real-life cultures where spirits can take objects from their human lives with them to the afterlife.

Once Marie inadvertently comes to Japan, the shift of how they initially bonded over Japanese cuisine in the magical world is noteworthy, as Kazuhiro is able to take her out to an actual restaurant where she can experience numerous different foods in intimate settings. The result is that the two are already becoming one of anime's best couples.

This is just one but an integral example that highlights the importance of romance in Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! However, another critical piece in the equation is the potential caveat. As of now, Kazuhiro has managed to quell Marie's short-lived fears of being stuck in Japan by saying that, like him, she might be able to return once she falls asleep. However, this is based on conjecture. He's partly to blame for her waking up in Japan since he convinced her to come with him to a dangerous place that led to their "death."

Not taking spoilers from the trailer into , this could become a major form of friction for both characters. The fact that the vast majority of their interactions have been romantic up until now means that Kazuhiro has more to lose should Marie eventually blame him for her predicament. But for now, he gets to play the role as the chivalrous "knight" who has the privilege of escorting an amazed Marie around a beautiful city she's obviously mystified by.

Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf's Romance Overshadows Another Isekai/Reverse Isekai Anime

Sasaki and Peeps' eponymous duo don't hold a candle to Kazuhiro and Marie

The romance's strength is what partly allows Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! to already outperform an earlier series that combines isekai and reverse isekai, the complex Sasaki and Peeps. While complicated, its only main relationship is a friendship between the human Sasaki and his bird Peeps who was once a powerful mage. While Sasaki fawns over Peeps, there hasn't been any interaction that makes them particularly close, besides their obvious need for one another. Moreover, the two freely transport from Peeps' magical world to Sasaki's home in Japan, so there isn't a fear of anyone getting trapped anywhere.

Sasaki and Peeps' anime studio, Silver Links, is also responsible the anime adaptation of Bofuri.

Additionally, Sasaki, who's the main protagonist, is mostly at the "mercy" of Peeps, whose knowledge of magic puts him in full control of most situations. Sasaki basically just serves as Peeps' connection to human food and is the mastermind of various trading problems. This places more of the burden on Peeps, as opposed to the protagonist, who the audience is naturally more invested in. Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! unconventionally flips this dynamic by making the normal human from Japan in control who carries this burden, who the audience more readily empathizes with.

Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf Proves That Subtly Is Better Than Over The Top Romance

Another isekai/reverse isekai anime took explicitness a little too far for some

Interestingly, another recent blend of isekai and reverse isekai does the exact opposite and takes Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf's use of romance to the extreme through mature subject matter. In the Tales of Wedding Rings, the magical girl Hime first secretly lives with a human boy named Satou, eliminating Satou's helpful role as the "escort." He then follows Hime back to her world where he becomes her protector. Even though Satou takes on this heroic role, he's the newcomer. While romance defines their relationship, there's inherently less empathy for a protagonist who chooses his fate as opposed to Marie.

This isn't even mentioning the fact that the manner in which Satou and Hime travel between worlds is nothing special, like in Sasaki and Peeps. Moreover, the Tales of Wedding Rings' explicit material minimizes any sense of anticipation or seriousness that exists in Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! Although Tales of Wedding Rings has some adventure anime elements that are compelling, that's not the main drive or reason why people watch the series.

By comparison, Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! offers more of a versatile experience, where viewers are more inclined to empathize with "Ms." Marie, who never chooses her fate. Although her experiences have all been positive in Japan thus far, there's still that lingering sense of foreboding that asks what will happen if going to sleep doesn't send her back home. The good news is that, since the story is contingent on her sleeping, Crunchyroll undoubtedly has another fun bedroom scene for fans in the near future.