“Erased” is an anime series that was released in 2016. This show is very capturing with emotion, suspense, and mystery. It is a slower show but all of the pieces fit together perfectly as it comes together.

There are not many episodes but this short season is just enough to tell the perfect story for people who like mysteries. Directed by Tomohiko Itō, written by Taku Kishimoto, and with character designs by Keigo Sasaki, the season consists of 12 episodes that are 22 minutes each. The plot is based around Satoru Fujinuma, a 29-year-old struggling manga artist who has a gift, which he calls “revival.” This gift takes him back for about five minutes and it gives him a chance to top bad events from happening. The first example the show uses to show the viewers an example is with a truck. Satoru is driving down the street on a scooter when a blue butterfly appears and his revival happens. He knows he needs to notice what is wrong and sees a truck when he looks the closer the driver is passed out and headed straight for a pedestrian. So the Satoru character speeds up next to him and redirects the course of the truck. Through this, he gets hurt and his mom comes to help him but he wasn’t severely injured. The show leads to introducing a problem about young girls who have gone missing since Satoru was 10. His mother ends up realizing serious information about this mystery. Very important information about who the guilty person is. After the incident that happens with his mother Satoro gets sent back 18 years to when this all started. 1988 is the year when Kayo Hinazuki (the first victim) goes missing and is found too late. Satoru figures the only way to fix things is to start with saving her fist. If he can saver her then he can save the other victims and his mother. So Saturo is a 29-year-old stuck in an 11-year-olds body. This character has to try and fit in with his old friends while still saving everyone.

I personally really enjoyed this show. It isn’t too long but still a good plot. There are enough twists and whirlwinds of emotion to go around to keep the viewer interested. The main character is written to be a very likable character. He is a classic hero who will go to any length to save the vulnerable people around him.

He is brave and will think of ways to save the victims. The story goes at a steady pace and as it goes on it makes more and more sense. The story switches between his adult life and child life it sends him to his child’s life to give him another chance to change the past.  There are important characters in both lives.  Whether they are an adult or a child they are very big aides in supporting Satoru. They also stick to their word and don’t betray him. The point of the character in this show is that he wants to help the victims whether they were one of the kids, someone who knew too much, or someone who was easy to pin the blame on. I don’t quite know why I enjoy this show so much. I guess it is because of how the character is so brave and heroic to save the people around him. I also personally love it when shows have really big twists. This show was a really big slap in the face when it revealed the end. I’ve watched this series multiple times since I found it and have even watched the live-action adaptation. I feel this show illustrates why it is so important to be close to other people and trust them. When you are alone you aren’t able to share things with others and make an easier target. When there are friends they can help you escape lie just a little and it lowers the chances of being a target. Friendships can save people in ways you may never imagine. They can also create great bonds with people and they can protect each other when needed.