Erased is a special series. Originally released in 2012 as a manga, the series was later adapted into an anime in 2016. While the original source material focused on smaller-scale events and "modern-day" plot points, a pivotal moment eventually flipped everything on its head. This event single-handedly changed the course of the manga forever, and it's what the anime itself decided to use as its foundation. Typically, such changes anger the fanbase, but Erased is one of the few series that managed to pull it off.
Not only that, but it also streamlined the story to appeal to both anime and non-anime fans alike, resulting in a series that—as I previously stated—is truly special.
But what makes it so special, and what is Erased actually about? Well, I'll do my best to avoid any major spoilers this time around, but be warned: there are some plot points I cannot avoid. So if you're interested in going into this series completely blind, then stop here and go check it out for yourself!
As for everyone else... This is Erased.
Modern Day:
The story of Erased begins in the modern day. Satoru Fujinuma is a 29-year-old manga artist struggling to make a name for himself. Though he's a talented artist, he lacks originality, and no one seems to think his work is worth anything. No matter how hard he tries, he fails to find success and is forced to rely on a part-time job delivering pizza to get by. He's stuck in a rut with seemingly no hope of escape.
However, there is one thing that makes Satoru a bit special compared to everyone else, and it's something he feels he must act on. It's an ability of sorts he has dubbed "Revival."
When Revival activates, Satoru gets a funny feeling, almost like déjà vu. When this happens, he must look for anything strange around him and correct it, or something devastating might occur. In the show's opening, this happens during his pizza delivery route, leading him to discover a truck driver passed out at the wheel. Satoru ends up risking everything to stop the truck, saving countless lives in the process. Although he gets hurt, he feels it's worth it. It's not the first time he's witnessed Revival activate, and he still regrets a past instance where he failed to help someone who needed it most.
After recovering from his injuries, Satoru returns to his apartment to find that his mother has stopped by for an unannounced and extended visit. She's upset that he didn't tell her he was hurt and plans to stick around for a while. This is what eventually leads to Satoru's past catching up with him, as he returns home to a bloody mess in his kitchen. It doesn't take long for the cops to show up and investigate the scene, and Satoru is framed for murder. So, he does what any sane person would do and runs for his life! (Note: Don't do that). It's unclear if it's due to the stress of the situation or something else, but as Satoru runs, he notices things start to change. Before he knows it, he's waking up in a familiar location from his past. Revival has activated once again, but this time, he's gone back more than just a few seconds.
Reliving His Childhood:
At first, Satoru can't believe it, but it doesn't take long for him to accept his new reality. Due to Revival's power, Satoru finds himself in his childhood home approximately 18 years in the past. Satoru himself is only 10, and he has no idea what he should do. Will he have to relive his life all over again? Or has he been sent there to fix something? He's not sure at first, but upon returning to his old school, he remembers Kayo Hinazuki.
Kayo was a young girl living a horrible life. Her mom was neglectful, her mom's boyfriends were abusive, and even the kids at school distanced themselves from her. She was an outcast with no one to turn to—a poor, lonely girl who eventually found herself dead before her life even started. Satoru saw her right before she died, but he hesitated to speak to her. After that day, he always wondered if he could have prevented what happened, and now he finally has that chance. Kayo is now alive, but the clock is ticking. It won't be long until that fateful day arrives, but Satoru is determined to save her.
While the original manga series had multiple story arcs, each focusing on a different victim of the serial killer, the Erased anime concentrates solely on Kayo's story. We get to see Satoru as he tries to get closer to her, and we slowly learn more about who she is and the kind of life she lives. Of course, this is easier said than done. Kayo has trouble opening up to others, as she's never really had a friend before. When Satoru suddenly starts speaking to her, she's not sure how to react. Even the other kids in school give her and Satoru a hard time about it, but Satoru doesn't let any of this bother him. He's 29 years old, and he honestly doesn't care what other "dumb kids" might think.
This helps Kayo open up a bit more, but it's not that simple. The fact remains that Kayo will die if Satoru doesn't make a change, and simply being her friend might not be enough.
As the series progresses, we also learn more about the supporting cast and their futures. Satoru knows how specific events in the past will shape their future lives, so he does what he can to help them while also looking for possible clues about who the killer might be. Was it someone Kayo knew? Could it be a family member? What about the future cases? Why would they continue to target children even after Kayo's death? A suspect was arrested and put behind bars, but did they really get the right man? This is something Satoru has to investigate for himself as he tries to get to the bottom of everything. Kayo is just one piece of the puzzle, but in Satoru's eyes, she is the most important piece. No matter what, she has to live, and he's ready to do anything to make that a reality.
One thing Erased does amazingly well is how it gets you invested in its characters. You sympathize with Satoru, and you can't help but want to see Kayo saved. She's a sweet, innocent girl, and you absolutely don't want to see anything bad happen to her. Her life is heartbreaking to witness, and there's no guarantee that Satoru will actually succeed. This is a series where things can get bad fast, and every moment Kayo isn't around, you can't help but worry about her. She will die if Satoru can't change the past, but sometimes changing the past isn't possible. Fate plays a huge role in many time-travel stories, and in Erased, it might not be any different.
Should You Watch It:
Sadly, the Erased anime is not a complete adaptation. It focuses on the initial story centered around Kayo and then skips ahead through most of the other cases. This doesn't mean the story ends prematurely, however, as the anime does continue on to the manga's conclusion. Because of this, Erased is quite a bit different from other manga adaptations that get cut short. Despite missing content, we get to see the story's ending.
In a way, this is both a good and a bad thing. On one hand, we get to see how it ends, but on the other, it makes going back to the original manga harder. Knowing the outcome of the story hinders the later story arcs, but it doesn't completely ruin what's left. So, if you're someone who only cares about the anime, you'll be completely fine just watching it. But if you'd rather see the entire story from start to finish, the manga is no doubt the way to go.
That being said, Erased is still a great story, and one I highly recommend checking out. The cast of characters is fantastic, the music fits perfectly (I love that opening song), and the art style is really nice as well. Since it's set in the late '80s, it's also filled with nonstop references to that time, which might even make some older viewers nostalgic.
Although the story is focused on saving a young girl, the element of getting to relive your childhood is also a significant part of the fun. Satoru gets to live the dream of returning to his past, and it's entertaining to see how he handles things differently the second time around. Being 29, he is much smarter than everyone else and is able to do things that are normally beyond what a 10-year-old is capable of. It's a fun journey through the past with a dark murder mystery mixed in. It's one of those shows you won't want to stop watching once you've started it, and when it ends, you'll wish it wasn't over. So yes, despite the cut content, I strongly recommend watching it.
VERDICT: Essential
