Erased Anime Review - A Simple Yet Powerful Thriller

Erased is probably the simplest yet really different anime of all time. “Boku dake ga Inai Machi,” or as the English dub calls it, “Erased,” is honestly one of the best choices for people who want to start watching anime. The story is gripping, the plot is simple, but the way it's portrayed is just amazing. The characters and their development are pretty good too. Even though the series only has 12 episodes, it manages to cover everything it needs to.

In case you’re wondering, “Boku dake ga Inai Machi” roughly translates to “The Town Where Only I Am Missing.” Kinda depressing, isn’t it? The name itself doesn’t really tell you much about the story, but for this review, we’re gonna stick with “Erased” - because well, it’s easier to say.

- -

Plot - What Is Erased About?

The story starts off with a pretty average guy - who, to be honest, is quite old compared to most anime protagonists. Our main hero, Satoru Fujinuma, is a 29-year-old guy living a rather pathetic and depressing life. He’s not where he wants to be. He’s a manga artist, but his stories lack emotional depth, and people keep telling him to dig deeper into his own thoughts. But he’s scared to do that because of some past guilt (which I can’t really explain without spoiling the plot).

So yeah, since he isn’t doing great as a mangaka, he works part-time as a delivery guy for Oasi Pizza. And like most anime leads, he’s a bit of an introvert with not many friends.

But here’s the twist - Satoru actually has a secret. He possesses an ability he calls “Revival”, which lets him go back in time whenever a tragedy is about to happen nearby. This gives him the chance to stop bad things before they occur.

The core plot of Erased revolves around his former classmate, Kayo Hinazuki. The whole story is basically about Satoru going back to his childhood to save her from being murdered. And yeah, that pretty much sums up the main plot - but trust me, it hits way harder than it sounds.

- -

Characters and Voice Cast - Who’s Who in Erased

Here’s a quick look at the main characters in Erased and the Japanese voice actors who brought them to life:

• Satoru Fujinuma - Shinnosuke Mitsushima, Tao Tsuchiya (adult)

• Kayo Hinazuki - Aoi Yuki

• Airi Katagiri - Chinatsu Akasaki

• Sachiko Fujinuma - Minami Takayama

• Jun Shiratori - Takahiro Mizushima

• Kenya Kobayashi - Yo Taichi, Tasuku Emoto (adult)

• Gaku Yashiro - Mitsuru Miyamoto

• Hiromi Sugita - Akari Kito, Atsushi Tamaru (adult)

• Osamu - Ayaka Nanase

• Kazu - Yukitoshi Kikuchi

• Aya Nakanishi - Sayaka Kaneko

• Misato Yanagihara - Hina Kino

• Akemi Hinazuki - Akemi Okamura

• Kumi - Reika Uyama

The voice acting is top-notch, and it really helps bring out the emotion in each scene - especially in the case of Kayo and Sachiko.

- -

Animation and Music - The Feel of the Show

The animation in Erased is exactly what it should be for a psychological thriller anime with no flashy fight scenes. It kinda reminds me of Detective Conan in terms of tone. It’s simple, clean, and really effective. You won’t be disappointed - and if you’re into grounded storytelling, you’ll actually enjoy how subtle the visuals are.

Now let’s talk about the music, because it’s honestly one of the best parts of the show.

Both the opening and ending themes are phenomenal. They match the mood of the anime so well - especially the lyrics and atmosphere. The ending, in particular, had me completely hooked. It’s still in my playlist to this day, and I’m not even kidding.

• Opening Theme - “Re:Re” by Asian Kung-Fu Generation

• Ending Theme - “Sore wa Chiisana Hikari no Youna” by Sayuri

One thing I would like to mention is the background music of the anime. The music playing during some scenes really brings out a lot of emotion and is truly amazing. It fits the vibe of the anime perfectly and enhances every moment in its own way. I can’t really describe it without giving away spoilers, but you’ll know what I mean when you hear it.

- -

Conclusion - Final Thoughts on Erased

Erased is amazing. It works incredibly well as a starter anime for beginners, and even people who don’t usually like anime might find this one addictive. The story is emotional, the art and pacing are just right, and the music is unforgettable.

This isn’t one of those complex, twist-heavy thrillers. In fact, you’ll probably guess who the villain is early on - but that’s not the point. It’s the execution, the emotional weight, and how the whole story is told that really pulls you in.

And yes - this is one of those rare anime where the English dub is actually decent. Of course, the sub is always better, but the dub did a surprisingly good job too.

If you're looking for a short, emotional anime series with time travel, mystery, and a powerful message, Erased is worth every minute.

- -

By Nin Nin