Name: My take on Erased...
Item: ERASED
Rating: 85
Author: Ryzex18

My take on Erased...

Hello!
As of writing this, I finished Erased last night, it was a series on my list and having just finished a larger series I decided to watch a couple short and sweet Anime's. My brother speaks incredibly highly of Erased and it is seemingly his favourite Anime so I thought id give it a go.

In essence, Erased is a short, simple but lovable story with characters you can't help but adore and a storyline that is very easy to follow. Having just finished Steins; Gate, i was quite happy to watch a show with a more simplified time travel element that was explained as much as needed without complication. I never "fell in love" with Erased, thats not to say its bad but it also wasn't something I itched to finish, that being said I still did it in 2 days. The first 6 episodes were strong, I was thrown into this world and with a small pool of characters it was easy to understand what was going on, I enjoyed the young Satoru more as a character than older one simply because i believe thats the way it was intended, as a kid he was more hopeful and friendly, whereas older Satoru is empty and just lives life in a routine.

The killers identity was obvious to me from around Episode 4, I'm not bragging about this as I feel its not meant to be difficult, the point is to create suspense when the characters are around the Killer as they don't know what we do, however up until the actual reveal you will always have a doubt in your mind which creates even more suspense. Kayo was a very enjoyable character, even through all the difficulties, getting to see her slowly become more happy with

Spoiler, click to viewclick to hide

Satoru and the others up to her final smile and goodbye once she was saved was a very rewarding sensation and I couldn't help but feel warmed. The fact that I was so quickly invested into these characters is impressive for such a short anime but even now I am content that Kayo was saved.

Spoiler, click to viewclick to hide

The switch between past and present was also quite enjoyable, as it gave more suspense for the second "Revival" knowing if he failed then Satoru would be locked away and killed, it really was the last chance, also it developed more character relations which I found enjoyable.

Satoru and his Mums relationship seemed strained originally, as it was intended, but once he travels back in time, he realises the effort and love she really felt for him that he had forgotten along with the entire incident. Seeing this realisation grow on Satoru was heartwarming, as if he succeeded it would mean a more fulfilling and happy change to their lives.

I hear there is quite a lot of debate around how it ended and that the manga ended better but as an Anime only I'll give my thoughts. Once Kayo left the scene I was sad but I felt it actually made room in the final episodes to better show Satoru's friend group and grow that relationship, until then Kenya was the main friend and we had seen little growth or interaction with the others. While Kayo had gone, it still felt like the same show to me and I enjoyed it just as much.

The killers motives weren't an issue to me either, I simply accepted it and moved on. The entire end sequence of catching him was enjoyable and felt similar to that of an L vs Light moment from death note but simplified, also getting to see how the future had changed was a great ending to me.

Spoiler, click to viewclick to hide

At first, the fact that Satoru had now lost 11 or so years from his life felt unfair and like a bad ending, but after thought I realised it made sense, Satoru had already lived those 11 years, alone, empty and with no friends or relationships, that was the town with Kayo. But after going back in time, he changed all that, this time he made proper, true bonds with people that would stay forever and instead of Kayo, it was Satoru the town was without, this time Satoru would miss 11 years but Kayo got to experience them for the first time ever. To Satoru, he never really lived those 11 years on either timeline, the first one he simply wandered alone and empty but this time, he awoke to a life of friendship and love and honestly I believe that is a much better end for his story, to have the friendships he wanted and a filled heart.

Anyways thats what I think, it was a good short show that i enjoyed a lot and would be something I'd watch again for a heartwarming experience as the bonds in the show are so great.