but I just seriously wish anime would stop doing this.

Yes. I know this kinda thing wasn’t unusual in medieval times, but man, even if the setting’s similar, you don’t actually have to follow it that strictly. Especially doubling down with the ‘I like em younger’ comment. When he said that I was hoping he saw her actual age somehow, but that doesn’t excuse much even if that’s the case.

from some future plot element

If true, that kinda feels like a hindsight excuse.

(Sorry for the late reaction, I only just watched the first ep)