Reviews for Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!

Is Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! bad? Not at all. Is it amazing? Not quite. But it’s still a surprisingly enjoyable watch. At first, I expected a cozy slice-of-life anime about an elf struggling to adapt to modern Japan—something along the lines of Miss Kobayashi’s Dragon Maid but with an isekai twist. Instead, what I got was a show where the characters constantly jump between Japan and a fantasy RPG world whenever they fall asleep together. And while that setup isn’t bad, it’s not exactly what I was hoping for either. The fantasy world itself is… fine. It’s your standard RPG-style setting, complete with magic, skills, and allthe usual tropes. It does its job but doesn’t do anything particularly new or exciting. Honestly, the fantasy parts feel like they exist just to check the "isekai" box rather than add anything meaningful to the story. But here’s the thing—the Japan side of the story? That’s where the show actually shines.

Let me elaborate---

Where the Anime Really Works:

The biggest surprise for me was how well the romance was handled. A lot of romance anime tend to drag things out or rely too much on frustrating misunderstandings, but this one? It actually feels genuine. The relationships develop naturally, and there’s a warmth to the interactions that makes them stand out from your typical anime romance.

And a lot of that comes down to the characters.

Marie is, without a doubt, the best part of the show. She’s sweet, fun, and just an all-around joy to watch. Seeing her reactions to modern Japan is always entertaining, and her dynamic with Kazuhiro is great. There’s an innocence to her character that never feels forced or exaggerated, making her easily one of the most likable parts of the series.

Kazuhiro, on the other hand, is… well, he’s okay. He’s not an annoying protagonist (which is already better than some), but he’s not particularly memorable either. His laid-back "go with the flow" attitude works fine for the story, but I couldn’t help but wish he had a bit more personality. That said, he does have some solid moments, and his chemistry with Marie feels believable, so I can’t complain too much.

The Biggest Problem (In my opinion):

The entire time I was watching, I kept thinking: This anime would be so much better if Marie were just stuck in Japan.

Think about it—if she had no way of returning to her world, the story could’ve been so much more compelling. She could have had a meaningful arc about struggling with modern Japanese culture, learning the language, and slowly finding a new home with Kazuhiro. There’s so much potential in that setup, and it would’ve given the show a unique angle that set it apart from the endless flood of isekai anime out there.

Instead, we get a back-and-forth between Japan and the fantasy world, which ultimately just makes the show feel less focused. The fantasy side isn’t bad, but it’s also not particularly exciting, and every time the story shifted back there, I found myself wishing we could just stay in Japan and watch Marie figure things out.

Despite my complaints, I still enjoyed "Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!". The romance is solid, the characters are charming, and even though the fantasy elements feel like a wasted opportunity, they don’t completely ruin the experience.

7.5/10, If you’re looking for a romance-driven isekai that doesn’t take itself too seriously, this one is worth checking out. Just don’t go in expecting something groundbreaking.

Thanks for reading—hope this helps you decide whether to watch it!

Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf! - A dream world turned reverse Isekai adventure? What the hey, how come this has never been explored before? As humans, we all have dreams of what we want to be from a young age. For the uninitiated, however, dream worlds are like the facets of one's identity; for whatever he/she's dreaming about in a world that's untouched, there his/her soul will be. And as a not-so-intended pun, I humbly welcome everyone to novelist Makishima Suzuki's Nihon e Youkoso Elf-san a.k.a Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!, where dreams CAN be made a reality...so long as you treat it with a fictionalmindset.

"Dreams are larger than life, so as long as you embrace it, it shall happen." That's the habitual mindset of 25-year-old salaryman Kazuhiro Kitase, whose mindset is like a kid's, having been very invested in his own dream-like fantasy world due to his upbringing in a rather broken family. Living in the fantasy world of his dreams as Kazuhiho (due to a childhood spelling mistake), Kazuhiro presents himself as a young teenager and as the Illusory Swordsman adventurer travelling alongside his close confidante of 102-year-old elven spirit sorcerer Mariabelle a.k.a Marie. But a mishap dealing with an ancient Arkdragon circumvents sending Kazuhiro back to reality (as it should be with any awakening dream)...only to find that for some bizarre reason, Marie has also transported back to Japan from him hugging her on his way back from attempting to shield her from the dragon's fire. This reverse Isekai of sorts, being the first real interaction between Kazuhiro and Marie, more than being able to just sleep together and go into the dream world, has a lot in common when the former realizes that he could do so much more between both worlds and starts off an adventure that's like no other.

I love the idea of being able to physically enter dreams, even though this is just the brain's pheromones cycling over and over that the dream sequence is part-imagination, part-reality, more than just influenced by the events that once shook our lives. And this, to Kazuhiro, is 100% dream and 100% reality that he's able to bring someone from his dreams back home, so why not let Marie embrace all that's to know about Japan and its culture while he is at it?

Truly, this is where the reference lies that Elf-san Marie has come over to Japan, realizing that it can be done whenever Kazuhiro touches anyone on the way out from the fantasy world and vice versa, and simply by the fact that this is supposed to be a slice-of-life show to begin with. From experiencing life at his house to the outside world, Kazuhiro pampers Marie with everything that fascinates her about this "Japan" that he's been telling her about for a while and even lets her indulge in the everyday goodness that is more than just the typical Japanese hospitality...and maybe falling in love as well? This soon opens up the possibility that Kazuhiro can personally "Isekai" people between the fantasy world and Japan, such as in the case of the ancient Arkdragon that both he and Marie were dealing with in the first place: Wridra. The case of wanting to see her dragon eggs took a turn for the worse, being an offence to intrude on her lair, only to then pacify her with Japanese food and beverages to the point of satisfaction, which she therefore joins Marie on the otherworldly adventure as well. All this while, while not forgetting that they have things to do in the fantasy world by going back and forth, makes the show kind of a unique reverse Isekai. The characters make the show shine a lot, and to good effect.

When it comes to the production, don't expect this show to wow you with its flimsy Isekai features, because nowadays Zero-G does a lot of things to the point of bare bones, limiting even animation for action scenes. Sure, you could argue that the show isn't exactly focused on action, but it does play a part during the fantasy world stages where it is prominently shown on screen, and it feels as if the show was produced half-assedly to the point of giving it a pass if it looks alright.

The music fits quite aptly to the setting of the show, and for the most part, it really complements it quite well with its calm but vibrant themes. The same treatment follows up with Rico Sasaki's OP, as well as Nijisanji VTubers Kaede Higuchi and Kanae's ED, and they're alright, but lovely songs at that.

Overall, Nihon e Youkoso Elf-san. a.k.a Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!, is a show that is the perfect definition of "Don't think too much, just enjoy and let loose." The lore isn't deep by any means, but its implementation and execution are just right, enough to the point that'll make you smile like an idiot more than not. It's a feel-good show, for crying out loud, and what's not to love about bringing imaginary friends to the world that you live in?

The premise had promise: a reverse isekai where an elf girl arrives in Japan and learns about the real world. However, the show completely ruined this by constantly switching between the real world and the fantasy world. Why would we watch an isekai where the schtick is an elf girl in Japan if for 90% of the show she ISN'T IN JAPAN?! Not only this, but the fantasy world in which the majority of the story takes place is PAINFULLY underdeveloped. Like the show underdevelops the scenery as if its a fantasy character drama, but then constantly tries to be a proper isekai, while failingon both fronts. The absence of passion from this project beyond "elf girl waifu" is palpable.

Additionally, once the show has nearly fully committed to the isekai fantasy lane, we get a fight between the MC and an evil wizard. This fight is so pathetic it's laughable. The MC has been visiting this world for decades at this point, but yet all he can do is teleport and occasionally kick someone. Likewise, the super strong evil wizard has a single trick up his sleeve, and is so stupid it's aggravating. Add in the incredibly low-tier animation and the terrible dialogue, and all sense of enjoyment or immersion is completely lost.

My gut feeling is this show was written and produced solely in response to the rise of elf girls in recent seasons. I should give this show a lower score, but there were occasional good moments at times. If you really like this specific type of waifu, feel free to watch, but literally every other aspect of this show isn't worth the effort.

Nihon e Youkoso Elf-san or "The story of how Kazuhiro Kitase got the best dream ever " Kazuhiro Kitase is just an ordinary 25-year-old guy during the day, but his life takes a dramatic turn at night. Whenever he falls asleep, his soul is transported to another world. In this fantastical realm, he explores dungeons, slays monsters, and spends time with a cute elf girl named Mariabelle. In his dreams, Mariabelle is his source of comfort, and it's as clear as daylight that the two have feelings for each other. However, for Kazuhiro, it’s all just a "dream"—until one day, his life takes another unexpected turn. Heaccidentally brings Mariabelle into his world, and from there, their story continues.

The story has two plots: one is a fantasy adventure, and the other is a feel-good romcom.

For the fantasy aspect, it checks most of the good marks. It has decent world-building and provides a solid explanation of magic. Another interesting plot point in this anime is that it’s essentially both an isekai and a reverse isekai at the same time. This concept is implemented to its fullest, making it pretty unique compared to your standard isekai these days.

As for the romance—well, you can tell a romance is successful when couples watching it are laughing and giggling, while the singles bury their heads in their pillows, writhing and wondering, "Where did it all go wrong?" So yes, it’s a good romance.

This already great romance aspect is further complemented by how wholesome and cute the characters are. Every time they go lovey-dovey, you can’t help but grin from ear to ear.

The animation may not be the best, but you can see that the creators made the most of it.

The OP and ED songs are great, especially the ED, where both of our MCs perform a duet.

Overall, if you’re looking for some feel-good romance with an intriguing fantasy plot, give this one a try.

I really wanted to like this anime. The twist on isekai, the adorable elf, the possibilities for hijinks. But OMFG!! I am so done with dudes who refuse to admit they desire a woman and act on it. Arifureta has its issues, but at least he has sex with the woman he loves, just like any normal man would do. I'm not asking for every anime to be echii or hentai (absolutely not). But adult men acting like 13-year-old boys? And for it to be couched in terms of good character or something ridiculous like that? Gag. It's time for more adults to make anime andto retire the pre-teen boys.

This is one of those anime you stumble upon without expecting much. The synopsis didn’t promise anything extraordinary, so I went in just looking for a casual watch. What a surprise it turned out to be. From the very beginning, the story struck a rare balance: the plot flows smoothly from one episode to the next, keeping things consistent and engaging. The characters stand out with realistic development, and their quirks quickly become endearing instead of distracting. It’s easy to get attached and genuinely care about their journeys. At first glance, the animation seems pretty typical for the genre. But what impressed me was the genuineartistry in the visuals. There’s a subtle beauty in the backgrounds, character designs, and expressions that adds a special touch to the whole experience. The concept itself feels fresh, with just the right amount of novelty and cleverness to make the story memorable. The voice acting deserves special mention, these performances elevate the entire show. The voice artists pour real personality and emotion into their roles, making the characters feel truly alive and adding a layer of depth you rarely see.

One aspect that kept me invested was the subtle but gripping mystery, especially the plot surrounding Kazuhiro’s grandfather. This thread adds intrigue and gives the series momentum, keeping you curious about what happens next.

Overall, this anime stands out as a hidden gem in the winter lineup. It offers a non-monotonous, feel-good experience that’s never dull. If you enjoy slice-of-life stories with a touch of romance, interesting personalities, and some well-woven mystery, I fully recommend giving this show a try. I’d rate it a solid 8 out of 10, a worthwhile watch that left me feeling satisfied and uplifted.

Nihon e Youkoso Elf-san I’ll admit, I spend a lot of my free time daydreaming about my own isekai-style story—one where I die and get reborn in a fantasy world. Who wouldn’t want to escape to a magical realm where adventures abound, and maybe even meet your dream waifu? One day, I might actually write it out. That’s probably why this anime caught my eye. Let’s be real—who wouldn’t be curious about waking up next to their fantasy elf companion? :P That said, I didn’t start this anime right away. Honestly, I thought the premise sounded a little silly. And, in some ways, it is. But ifyou can look past the surface-level quirks, there’s a certain charm to it that keeps you watching.

The story centers on a man who has vivid dreams of a fantasy world where he befriends an elf. One day, ob the brink of death, this elf wakes up in Tokyo with him, and now the two of them can travel back and forth between the fantasy realm and the real world. While the setup has isekai elements, it’s not your typical action-packed, world-saving adventure. Instead, it leans heavily into a slice-of-life romance with a dash of fantasy.

However, the plot is so light that it almost feels inconsequential. There’s no real antagonist, no significant conflict, and everything unfolds a little too conveniently. It feels like the writers weren’t too concerned with creating stakes or tension, and that lack of depth might leave some viewers unsatisfied.

As for the art? It’s below average. There’s nothing particularly bad about it, but there’s also nothing that stands out. At times, the visuals feel uninspired and don’t do much to enhance the story. The same can be said about the plot—it’s not outright terrible, but it’s predictable and lacks originality.

Where this anime does shine, however, is in the subtle romance and the relationship between the two main characters. While their bond isn’t particularly deep or dynamic, there’s a sweetness to their interactions that gives the show its charm. Maybe I’m biased, but if I woke up one day and found the elf girl from my dreams sitting next to me, I’d probably feel the same way as the protagonist—like I’m living a literal dream come true.

Now, if we compare this anime to something like Spice and Wolf, the difference is night and day. Spice and Wolf thrives on its beautifully written, dynamic relationship between its leads. The tension, the chemistry, and the way they grow together make it a timeless classic. In contrast, Nihon e Youkoso Elf-san feels much more superficial. The relationship between the characters is sweet, but it lacks the depth, tension, and emotional payoff you’d hope for.

The first three episodes feel laid-back and, frankly, uneventful. The story is incredibly circumstantial—things just happen, and there’s no real drive to move the plot forward in a meaningful way. It’s a series you watch more for its laid-back, low-stakes vibe than for its storytelling or character development.

In the end, this isn’t a show to take seriously. It’s a casual watch—something to enjoy for its lighthearted premise and simple charm. If you’re looking for a deep, emotionally rich story, you’ll want to look elsewhere. But if you just want to kick back and indulge in some easygoing fantasy escapism, it might be worth a shot.

Welcome To Japan, Ms. Elf is about...well, it doesn't take a genius to decipher. As we all know, the isekai genre has been a plague on anime for years now, but occasionally they sometimes switch up the formula. While reverse isekais with someone from a fantasy world coming to the real world isn't a new concept by any means, the way this show does it feels new and refreshing. plot: Kazuhiro is an average guy, working and what not. His favorite thing to do however is sleeping, because that's when he dreams about a fantasy world where he's a fairly strong adventurer. This man must be themost lucid dreamer ever, he remembers everything that happens in his dreams, and consistently built upon his story for years, he even found the time to learn monster language. Anyways, I'm getting a little sidetracked. Kazuhiro has an elf girl companion named Mariabelle who after shielding her from dragon fire, ends up somehow coming to the real world with him...completely naked, because anime. All they have to do to go back to the dream world is to snuggle up to each other, and poof! they're back.

I also had another thought concerning this dream world, do these guys sleep? like yeah, technically they're asleep in the real world, but they're awake in the dream world until they wake up in the real world. They're basically conscious 24/7, that has to result in some type of health problems.

characters:

Pretty good actually, for fantasy standards at least. I was worried Mariabelle was going to be like every other elf girl in existence, bland with very little personality beyond "nice, shy girl with an attractive figure", but no. Mariabelle's dynamic with Kazuhiro is cute, and so is her genuine curiosity and wonder surrounding the real world. Kazuhiro is an adult man, meaning by default he has more personality than your average fantasy MC, but with that being that, I doubt he could've carried the show on his own. Plus there's a dragon MILF that loves real world food, and a catboy slave (not their slave), but they didn't do much yet for me to like or hate them yet.

art/animation:

Our good friends at Zero-G made this anime, and if you don't know, they're also behind another show airing this season about the elf girl who wants to fuck her cat. Truly their Yin and Yang, one wholesome anime containing an elf girl, and an abomination. Besides that fact, the animation is pretty average, only half of it takes place in the fantasy world though, so I don't mind it too much.

conclusion:

They managed to make an Isekai without it being an Isekai, and that's commendable. Plus it's just a really cute show in general, there's no high stakes, no gratuitous fanservice, just wholesome vibes between an elf girl and a guy with a very active imagination. Imagine if it turns out Mariabelle isn't actually real, and Kazuhiro is just taking this imaginary friend to restaurants and shit? I mean, I know its not, because people can literally see her, but that'd be a fun plot twist. I like it, good job Zero-G, you redeemed yourself...kind of.

Probably the most wholesome and romantic anime I watched in a while, I really enjoyed every bit of the story. Two creatures came from different worlds, travelling and developed feelings... This series packs adventures, romance, comedy and wholesome moments that would keep you entertained and happy. I always watch this everytime I went home while in a bus, or even after a stressful day at school (college). I was also dreaming of having my favorite waifu at my side the next day I woke up. Wridra is also my favorite dragon"-ness?" Shes is kind, protective and a bit childish sometimes. This anime never made me bored inany part of it, the face of Marie is so cute that I really wanted to touch her face, I also hope that their relationship would improve even more.

I really recommend this to stressed people out there and to the one who seeks Adventure/Romance genre.

tbh.. I was scrolling for a new show to binge, expecting another OP main character getting isekai'd, and then I found Nihon e Youkoso Elf-san. Let me tell you, this show completely flips the script, and I'm so here for it. The biggest plot twist ever? The MC doesn't go to the fantasy world... the fantasy world comes to HIM. Yep, a literal, super-cute elf named Marie gets transported into modern-day Japan. It's such a refreshing change from the usual formula, and honestly, it's what got me hooked from the very first episode. The whole vibe of the show is basically: food, adventure, food, adventure, food, adventure...and it just keeps going like that forever, but in the best way possible! It's like the coziest comfort show you could ask for. One minute, the main character, Kazuhiro, is introducing Marie to the magic of instant ramen, and the next, they're on a mini-trip to explore a local shrine. Every single dish looks so ridiculously good; this anime is legit food porn and will make you hungry, guaranteed.

What I loved most is that it feels like a real journey, but in our world. Instead of exploring some generic fantasy kingdom, we get to see Japan through the eyes of someone who's never even seen a car before. Seeing her amazed by stuff we think is normal, like trains, convenience stores, and vending machines, is both hilarious and super wholesome. It’s like watching a travel vlog hosted by an elf, and it makes you appreciate the little things in our own world a lot more.

And the romance? It's a super sweet and funny rom-com. The chemistry between Kazuhiro and Marie is just adorable. He’s so patient and kind, and she’s so full of wonder. Their interactions are the heart of the show, and you can't help but smile like an idiot whenever they're on screen together. It's not about saving the world; it's about sharing a meal and enjoying each other's company.

Plus, the animation is so clean and pretty! The character designs are cute, and as I said, the food art is on another level. The voice actors also did an amazing job, making the characters feel so genuine and alive.

If you're tired of the same old power-fantasy isekai and just want to watch something chill, funny, and heartwarming, you HAVE to give this a try. It’s the perfect show to just relax with after a long day. 10/10 would recommend for the cozy vibes alone!

The premise is really nice, it's a nice twist where the MC have been isekai'd for at least 15 years so he understandably strong. But he is not overpowered, he learn many skills like the other isekai resident do. Along with the cute elf, it's one of the reason why I love this premise. The addition of Wridra is also nice too, she's not that dragon lady in other isekai anime that 99% horny and 1% wise, Wridra is actually really wise and well respected.Well she's goofy, but she still being respected by both the audience and other character. It have a good pacing atthe first 8 episode. They have good balance with both the isekai and japan, we can see that world in the isekai is moving and the bond of MC and elf is tightening in Japan. However around episode 9 or so, when the group start to explore the dungeon and the episode end, the next episode is cut to another arc where the MC and elf goes to holiday. I checked multiple times and I don't think I missed any episode huh. However last episode is nice, even though the isekai world look like abandoned for the finale

I want to give it 8 or even 9 but the problem with the last 3 episode upset me so much I will give it a mid 7 score

This is the most I've smiled while watching an anime in a while, not only was it charming but the world felt expansive and fun. It's plot concept mixes up what you would traditionally see in an Isekai that helps it feel fresh and new and the world building really brings out the beautiful things about Japan. Despite it just being an anime it really makes me appreciate the wonderful things about the world we live in and how the simplest of things have such a powerful effect. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes romance anime with characters that feel multi-dimensional. Italso has fun fantasy elements that would keep people who aren't a fan of romantic anime interested. I'll definitely be reading the manga for this one! 9.4/10

"Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!" is a delightful breath of fresh air in the isekai genre, blending romance, comedy, and slice-of-life into a truly heartwarming package. Unlike typical isekai packed with intense battles, this series shines with its adorable and innovative storytelling, bringing an elf to modern Japan in a way that feels both fresh and comforting. The romance is beautifully executed, making you root for the characters with every sweet moment. The visuals are absolutely stunning, with vibrant colors and charming designs that elevate the experience. Each character bursts with personality, making them instantly lovable and memorable. While the action takes a backseat, the mixof humor, cultural exploration, and heartfelt interactions more than makes up for it.

This anime combines elements from various genres into a story that’s equal parts creative and cozy, warming your heart with every episode. If you’re looking for something unique that leaves you smiling, this is a must-watch! Let’s spread the word about this hidden gem!

I binge-watched this anime and now I’m writing a review the next day — to be objective. Objectively speaking: this anime is actually solid. I thought it would be just another forgettable show, but it turned out to be nearly a hidden gem of the winter romance season (seriously, not much else good came out). It handles comedy, romance, and fantasy incredibly well. The idea of different dimensions is really cool and unusual — haven’t seen something like that in a while. The jokes aren’t cringey, and even the few that might be still fit the context. The animation is excellent, and in some moments — absolutelytop-tier. I also want to highlight the opening and ending — for a 12-episode romance series, they’re really well done. I usually skip them, but here I found myself watching and listening more than once.

Plot-wise: it’s both unique and at times a little clichéd, but I enjoyed it.

My opinion: I liked the anime. The characters feel alive. It’s a shame we only got the backstory of the main character. I especially enjoyed the concept of different worlds and traveling between them through dreams.

The romantic plot was my favorite part — slow but with visible development, and no overkill. It felt almost realistic, which made it even more engaging to watch.

As for people saying the MC is a cuck or whatever — well, people in Japan are more reserved: they’re not maxing out five credit cards or starring in “16 and Pregnant.” Honestly, it’s normal — finish school, get a job. When’s there even time to build relationships? Besides, they showed that the MC used to be emotionally numb and indifferent to the real world — he lived in dreams.

Some don’t like the story or the parallel worlds idea — well, f*** it, go rewatch “Jujutsu Kaisen,” since that’s the gold standard of writing, right?

Rating: 9/10.

It was interesting and engaging. Watching the characters was genuinely enjoyable, the humor landed, the animation was great, and the story had a solid concept.

Hopefully we’ll get a sequel in 2–3 years. This story deserves it.

Thanks for reading, and good luck.

Haters — love you ♥

After so many isekais came one with something different for a change, the proposal is interesting and if the isekai explores races, allies, opponents like an RPG it will be interesting and in parallel exploring the life of the salaryman who has a girlfriend who only stays at home 😂, the animation leaves something to be desired and I feel like it could have been better but it's not like it's all bad and it's standard, the relationship between the protagonists is cute at various moments and the elf blushing is too cute, I'll keep watching and I hope it meets expectations, so far ithas shown itself to be a good anime

finished: what a good and cozy anime, it basically works as a reverse and mixed isekai since the story takes place in both worlds, seeing Marie adapting to Japan is funny and at the same time cute and full of charisma, Kazuhiho would be that person who never caught anyone's attention in life but out of nowhere something incredible happened and changed his life for the better, he has attitude and is not a virgin, I liked the other characters and especially Dragon, the negative points were the study since I felt that the animation was very standard and basic and the direction does not express everything that the work has to offer, I really hope that the animation and direction in the second season are better, for those who enjoy a slow romance but that advances and an isekai mixed with slice of life will enjoy it and I highly recommend it

Throughout Heaven and Earth... THis is by far the best romance anime of this year! For what this anime has too offer is enough for me to say that I absolutely love this anime!!! The concept of adding an Isekai and a Reverse-Isekai in a story is something that has never once ever happened in anime or manga which is one of the things that make this so special, onto the fact that you have to sleep into to go in and out of the other world. With that part out of the way, lets talk about the Kazuhiro. Kazuhiro, an MC who loves sleeping more thananything that his face that the appearance that he's always half-sleep said many times by Maria from being a officeworker IRL to being a type of adventure that can travel through set distances and sleep great distance with his special ability sure is handy for the type of stuff he be doing. + He's a great cook from what I know since both Maria and Wridra loves his cooking. Overall a helpful/useful MC whos very chill and seems the type of character that you would enjoy

Now what can I say about Wridra and Maria... One thing for certain that both of these female MC's are 10/10 certified cuties like c'mon man how am I supposed to talk about them when their mere appearance, the way they act and talk just going bout and how they do around Kazuhiro is beyond cute that its enough to give me type 1 and 2 diabetes.

10/10 anime. Cannot wait for a S2 whenever that comes, given the rating of this anime and how wonderful the manga is doing aswell!!!

There are two groups of people watching this series: those who love Marie and those who are lying. This show mixes isekai/reverse-isekai with slice-of-life and romance in an interesting way. Unfortunately only some of those genres are developed enough, which affected my overall enjoyment. The reverse-isekai which includes all the SoL elements is well done. Mind you, nothing groundbreaking. But still, perfectly fine for a relaxing show: sweet everyday moments focusing on the struggles of an elf adapting to modern life in Japan, with a lot of attention dedicated to food. Those were also the scenes where the romance between the two MCs progressed the most. Thispart also included many references to "My neighbour Totoro", which I found amusing. As I said, not a writing masterpiece since it was a bit shallow. And yet simple, cozy, fun, which is usually enough to entertain most of the audiences.

Then we have the isekai world where our protagonists travel during their sleep: an absolute snoozefest of generic worldbuilding, abused tropes and uninteresting characters. A boring abomination that dragged my rating down as well as my eyelids. If I had to rate only the reverse-isekai episodes, this series would have been almost a 7. But the isekai doesn't deserve more than 4. Which brings it to my current rating of 5.5 (bumped up because I liked the very last episode).

Character-wise, Mariabelle is one of the cutest waifus of the last seasons; really adorable. Wridra is also fun. The MC is just a self-insert, but on the other hand no character really had deep personality traits, not even our silver-haired elf.

The plot is almost non-existent. We have just romance progression while the MCs are in Japan, and we have a run-of-the-mill JRPG adventure with no real stakes in the isekai world.

Visually speaking, the animation is average but pleasant, although it falls short in the action/battle scenes. The character design of Marie is cute, but it's just meh for the rest of the cast.

There are a few fanservices during the show and in the ED, and a couple of gratuitous ones (e.g. was it really necessary for Marie to wear the "desert outfit", which was then forgotten in the very next episode?). Nothing excessive anyway, and quite fewer than in your seasonal isekai or romcom.

I liked Hondo voicing Marie, but the character's mannerisms and cutesy got old fast. It's not going to be a problem if you don't know Japanese and/or you watch it dubbed.

The OST isn't spectacular but the ED is catchy.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

A cute series to watch when you want to lay back and relax. It has little to offer, and especially the isekai parts are grating, but the romance is simple and sweet, and Marie is a cinnamon roll.

I wouldn't recommend it though, unless you are in withdrawal from silver-haired elf waifus.

'Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!' could have been a great anime but was hampered by some of its choices. It's basically reverse isekai. Kitase Kazuhiro is able to travel to another world through dreams. But one day, his ælf companion, Mariabelle, was able to travel back to Earth with him, and here begins a wonderful romance. Both Kazuhiro and Marie spend an equal amount of time in the isekai as well as in Japan, and herein lies its weakness. Even if a place in the isekai is interesting, such as this particular dungeon, it remains to be a mediocre part of this story. On the other hand,Marie's exploration of Japan and eating lots of Japanese foods is magical. This is its strength.

It's understandable that both have to travel back and forth the isekai. After all, that is Marie's home and both are adventurers there. The problem is, that it detracts from its core strength of having Marie become amazed with Japan. One might argue that if this had at least 24 episodes, it might have been more acceptable. In that case, both isekai and Japan would be adequately explored, but the inherent mediocrity of exploring the isekai is here to stay.

re: character designs

I thought Marie might prove to be another generic ælf, but she is holding her own as a likable character. Her character design is slightly better than generic but not as iconic as Frieren's.

Kazuhiro is rather generic.

Wridra, an important supporting character, has great character design.

The opening song is lovely. The ED is just as love but more cheerful. Both fit the vibe the show is giving.

I also give additional points for its strong visuals.

re: romance

Although there are some romantic subtexts between Kazuhiro and Marie in most anime, the main draw is still her exploration of Japan. Granted, this romantic subtext adds some chemistry between them, but it remains to be seen if this developing romance would be more primary should there be a second season.

§ Conclusion

Setting aside the mediocre isekai part, it's a nice slice of life with a touch of romance. Their chemistry is great and worth watching. This is one of those shows that deserve a second season.

It's literally a combination of iseaki + reverse iseaki which i never seen in my entire 18+ anime career If we talk about aspects of this show like ost , art style etc they are pretty dope even it has a cool world building . i don't have any complain regarding any issue . so, don't believe non recommended reviews regarding shows , watch yourself and find out . I bet it won't dissappoint If you looking for a heart warming show after a shonen burnout and this show is made for you. It offers everything food , adventure , action , cutemoments etc . All i say please add more romance in next season .

🟢New anime early NO SPOILERS review Story: Kazuhiro Kitase, is a 25 y/o NPC salaryman, every day as soon as his shift ends, Kauzhiro rushes immediately back home for his favorite hobby, sleeping... Ever since Kazuhiro was little, he would have dream at night about a fantasy world, where gets to do all the adventure stuff he read about in his fantasy books, yet he never asked himself, how come his dreams have more details in them than games like Elden Ring? One night, Kazuhiro dreams about exploring some ancient ruins with his fellow friend the elf, Marie. Once the situation goes out of control, Kazuhiro awakeson his bed like every time he was defeated in his dreams, there's only one thing different this time though, there's someone on the bed with him, It's Marie, the woman of his dreams, lying down naked with TWO HUGE BAZONGAS!

🅾️🅿🅸🅽🅸🅾🅽:

Show caught me in surprise that there's a isekai in it, i knew it's reverse isekai because the Elf came from a different world, but with the title of the name, i expected the story to be fully in japan. What I'm not surprised about is how dumb the MC is, the dude thought he's having a regular dream every night, but never questioned why all his dreams are in the same fantasy world OR, why he always starts at where his previous dream ended OR, why the Bento he makes in his world that somehow he eats in the fantasy world and when he wakes up the food magically disappeared, but yet does a pikachu surprise face when he realizes "WAIT A MINUTE, IT WASN'T ALL DREAMS, IT WAS REAL!?!?".

Biggest concern to me, is how this story works exactly when it's split between his regular world and the isekai adventure world. After all the name of the title is "Welcome to Japan, Ms. Elf!", not "Welcome to fantasy world, Mr. salaryman", my meaning is that half of the episodes are spent in one world then the other half in the other world, the problem that it creates is that as far as Marie spending time in his world, you can do a lot with it even with half of the episodes, because he just takes her around his city showing her stuff, they experience stuff together and etc..., but then i don't know how much can you do with writing an interesting isekai adventure world story and world building in her world, and again the name of title is "welcome to japan" so I'm expecting the main focus to be on Japan.

So yeah, overall it's a cute nice chill anime to watch where i think the biggest focus is being sold as a Waifu anime with that "cute elf in japan" situation, but i don't know how well it mixes with the adventure isekai side and if it leads to a poor isekai writing, but we'll see...

🔥HOT BONUSES!

1. Yuusuke Kobayashi is the voice actor of Kazuhiro. This is the second role Yuusuke plays of voicing a main character who falls in love with a silver-hair elf girl, as his other voicing role is of Subaru from "Re:zero".

2. BAZONGAS!

⚠️: I will edit this review at the end of the season with my final thoughts with no spoilers at my "Anime List" on my profile, i will NOT delete this early review. If you want to check the season review or other anime reviews i do, you can check it here: https://myanimelist.net/animelist/Ron014