About ERASED

ERASED is a mystery thriller anime called “Boku dake ga Inai Machi” in Japanese. It follows the story of Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist with the unique ability to travel back in time, known as “Revival.” After a tragic incident, Satoru is sent back 18 years to 1988.

During his time travel, Satoru discovers that these experiences are connected to a series of abductions and murders from his childhood. Determined to achieve justice and fix the present, Satoru must prevent these tragic events. This anime is a gripping tale of mystery, redemption, and the importance of protecting loved ones.

ERASED is based on a manga written and illustrated by Kei Sanbe. The manga was serialized from June 4, 2012, to March 4, 2016. The anime adaptation of ERASED was released in 2016, consisting of 12 episodes produced by A-1 Pictures and directed by Tomohiko Ito.

Keep reading to find out how the finale ruined the series

ERASED anime had me hooked from the first episode with its murder mystery thriller genre, but with a fantastic twist – Time Travel. I was allured like a curious cat to a series where the protagonist hops back and forth in time, trying to fix the present reality.

However, despite the fantastic build-up of the show, the finale didn’t live up to expectations, leaving fans disappointed. The pace of the show became so fast that the rushed finale ruined the overall experience.

Why were fans disappointed with the finale?

Fans were disappointed with the finale for several reasons. Firstly, it deviated significantly from the manga. While the anime was being produced, the manga was still ongoing. This led to a rushed and inconclusive ending in the anime, lacking proper character development and explanations. Many fans found this disappointing.

In contrast, the Netflix Live Action series for ERASED did a much better job capturing the essence of the manga. It took its time developing the characters and the plot, avoiding the rushed feeling of the anime adaptation.

In the manga, readers get to learn about Yashiro, his past with his abusive brother, and the reasons why he kills children who have a spider thread looming over their heads. Whereas in the anime, his character is portrayed simply as a typical child serial killer. Expanding on the killer’s past and motives can greatly enhance understanding and engagement with the story.

In addition, the manga’s ending was executed smoothly and answered all the questions that may have arisen throughout the story. On the other hand, the anime’s ending was inconclusive, leaving many unanswered questions and unsatisfied viewers. The lack of clarity in the finale disappointed fans and felt like a letdown for the entire show.

The missing shipping aspect and a different perspective

Another aspect that disappointed fans was the absence of a romantic relationship between Satoru and Kayo Hinazuki. Throughout the series, Satoru goes to great lengths to protect Kayo, leading fans to expect that they would end up together. However, the anime’s ending felt rushed and didn’t do justice to their bond.

Yet, there is another perspective to consider. When Satoru sees Kayo 15 years later, he is overwhelmed with happiness and sheds tears of relief for saving her. However, Satoru is still his adult self stuck in a child’s body during that time, spending time with Kayo. Therefore, it’s possible that his feelings towards her were more akin to an elderly brother caring for a younger sibling. The interpretation of their relationship is left open to the audience’s interpretation.

Recommendations to compensate for disappointments

If you were disappointed with the ERASED anime’s rushed ending, I highly recommend reading the ERASED manga. It can provide a more satisfying experience and fill in the gaps left by the anime.

Additionally, for those interested in similar manga experiences with better plot and character development, I suggest giving Tokyo Ghoul manga a try. Unlike the anime adaptation, which fast-forwards the story at an accelerated speed, the manga delves deeper into the plot and takes its time to develop the characters.