BOKU DAKE GA INAI MACHI

DESCRIPTION

CAST

MANGA DramaBoku dake ga Inai Machi

REVIEWS

• 

  OrthrosShrine

  55/100
  Erased is a mystery anime that couldn't keep up with its initial intriguing pacing, letting a lot to be desired.

  Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi (or Erased, just for the sake of abbreviation) was probably the most interesting anime title that came out during the Winter season of 2016. And it's not too difficult to notice why: an attractive mix of a murder mystery, a dynamic time-travel concept and a gripping thriller would move anyone out of their caves. Curiously, and despite the various shortcomings, this experimental bag of genres works pretty well during the first quarter of the series, leaving a a lot of engagement that is presented in a very organic style. However, after the show reaches its mid-point, all the positive aspects slowly vanishes as the characters grow quite stale, the pacing of the mystery starts going in circles and a conclusion that leaves a lot to be desired.

  Erased story goes around the struggles of Satoru, your average part-time worker and mangaka that for a long time has had an occasional ability (which he calls 'Revival') that permits him to go back in time; normally to fix some problem present on his surroundings. Needless to say, this time-travel element can awake a lot of qualms on most viewers that actually know how inconsistent and convoluted a story can turn when said element is misused to the point of breaking the plausibility or even contradicting some logic of the time-related aspect. Fortunately, this never happens...with the time-travel aspect. Meaning, that this part of the show is simply a gimmick employed to add some attractive aesthetic, thing that works well if not over-analyzed. There is a huge amount of convenience that comes from this aspect, though.

  The plot begins when the mother of the main character (Satoru) getting killed by a mysterious serial murderer, and after a lot of silly coincidences Satoru ends up escaping from the police...only to be taken back in time by the 'Revival'. But, instead of the small amount of time which he usually travels, now he moved almost 20 years backwards! Then, at that past timeline, he begins to think that his mother murderer can be related to the death of his old schoolmate Kayo, that curiously happened during the week he has just been send to.

  The most positive aspect of the series during its starting episodes is obviously the achieved atmosphere. When you know the MC has to rescue a girl from an imminent death, you would expect a good amount of tension and character perseverance; two things that the show incorporates splendidly. The constant snowfalls, the silent and potentially dangerous nights, a group of children that act so innocently. All this characteristics, though seemingly details, form a very solid amount of engagement to the series. I couldn't stop watching the first 4 episodes, everything related to the presentation was extremely well-polished. Also, when you truly can't tell who the real murderer is, it all turns very gripping.

  Still, problems are present on this part. Depending on how much attention you pay to the show, some flaws can be easily noticeable and thus quite annoying: like the fact that Satoru goes back in time with a body of a child but in reality he still has a mind of a mid-20s year old. To make it worse, this little problem gets a huge amount of emphasis because of the repetitive internal monologues that Satoru tells with his 20-year old mind, that also happens (mostly) during events he's in a serious or heartwarming moment with Kayo, unfortunately breaking the immersion and it even can encourage a very inappropriate romantic tension for some. Whether some other flaws (like the unnecessary victimizing) can be noticeable, it depends on what mindset you're on while watching Erased. But, generally, they're not too damaging.

  An despite the various cool aspects of its first episodes, those don't endure too much. After reaching the mid-point, the time-travel aspect comes out again to produce some conveniences that ruin the enjoyable pacing the plot was having at the moment. With that, is added a disappointing amount of predictability to the mystery, just making the culprit more or less obvious before the last episodes. This happens because of a constant repetition of events that goes like a 'I have to save them all!' premise. Instead of going to the point of the matter, the show cares too much about including an incommensurable amount of stupid drama, focusing on showing pity and shame instead of actual character struggle. In other words: it goes in circles with the same basic objective, even after it is fulfilled. To take it all down, the various revelations and even the ending ended up dumb because of these flaws.

  What makes the entire experience even more disappointing are the very superficial attempts to develop some themes that are mainly about the family or the loss. While having a decent mount of drama to keep you in touch with the events, the cruelty of some adults and the reasons behind the killings feel too basic and distant to actually care about them. It basically develops from an intriguing mystery to a revelation with a level of simplicity that speechlessly treats you as a child in kinder garden. For example: It's later revealed that Kayo's mother hits her child because she suffered of the same trauma before, thing that never delves into a deeper perspective or insight.

  And, also, don't forget about the Drama tag on the genres description...which leads us to the characters section!

  Satoru is basically, as I wrote before, an average adult male that after a lot of moving events is forced (or motivated) to save Kayo in order to also save his mom. He's not a particularly relatable character, as his often altruistic nature feels more heroic rather than human. Kayo is a kuudere girl that's often hit by her mother, thus gaining the mentioned personality. She's the only character that gains some development, as she changes her personality to a more optimistic and caring side. Kenya is the typical cool blonde-haired guy that helps the main character to fulfill his goal. And Airi is a secondary love interest of Satoru that has very little screentime to care about. As you see, the cast of characters, though generally bearable, lack of enough depth to fill the gaps made by the tremendous amount of drama that's simply too overblown and excessive.

  About the production values, they're quite good. A-1 Pictures (Sword Art Online, AnoHana, Shin Sekai Yori) normally possesses good budgets, so the animation and art of Erased were certainly very nice. The color palette was leaning towards the cold, white and bright tones, well-fitting with the snowfalls and most of the characters personalities. The character design, for some reason, can be described as innocent: with different eyes drawings but the same childish and soft face design and shape. It's clearly not the kind of anime that focus on severe moments or big explosions, so the animation is just fluid for what it is. A very well presented show on this aspect.

  The sound is not particularly good, though. Most tracks are just repetitions of the ED theme (which is O.K.) in different instruments and pitches. Maybe some piano solos are the only moments Erased uses some variety. The OP theme, on the other hand, is quite likable. It's yet another song with catchy one-line phrases that only change its lyrics accompanied with another catchy main chorus; but it's still nice to hear, specially once the show reaches its worst parts. The seiyuu was solid but nothing too special. Average performance on this aspect.

  Erased was a show that consumed my patience after it became too dumb for me to give a crap about it. Some interesting themes were going on, like family drama and other stuff, but the approach to it is just plain superficial and forgettable. About its current popularity, it's just a ridiculous fad that will fade away in some months, after another show takes its place (shame on modern viewers, really).

  To sum it up, Erased is, more or less, a mess. Nothing particularly works out because of the basic characters, the mystery that unravels in a very stupid way and the forgettable finale. The interesting themes were taken down by the awful dramatic moments, and the soundtrack feels too recycled apart from particular piano tracks. If you are searching for a truly coherent and enjoyable time-travel anime that has believable drama and an extremely likable cast, stick to Steins;Gate. 'Erased' has just as much forgettable value as its name could allude to you.

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• 

  Petroszary

  100/100
  The paradox of bizzare mixtures

  The paradox of bizzare mixtures

  Why do you think there should be a starting sentence, a quote which sounds smart or maybe a brief introduction to the series? Why do you expect that to happen? The answer lies within our extrordinary strong bond with time and chronology itself. So is Erased – it has sublte and, no matter how inappropriate it sounds, realistic aproach to time-traveling. Why did I like it so much then, some may ask and I'll bestow effusive prays on them because of that simple question. Even though the storyline is simple, naive and typical, I completely adore the strong feelings it carries – I wanted to know what will happen and at the same time I didn't want to experience those events which were about to come. I was trembling every time nasty but tasty cliffhanger appeared – it was simple. I managed to see through it and in no later than 3rd episode I knew the answer to The Question: Who? Even though, I felt through eve~~ry single emotion, every single one of those little dissapointments and every single one of the biggest shots right in the heart. Ask me why is that and I won't be able to answer in just one simple reason – there isn't even the major factor.

  Maybe plot?

  As I mentioned the story itself is simple and naive. Silly, some could say and those woudn't be wrong. But as far as I'm concerned plot isn't just a story – it's also storytelling, directing and the atmosphere. Could the ambience, which follows so superfical storyline, be strong enough to draw such an animeworm's attention? Maybe it's all about narration of a 29-year-old man trapped in a body of a little boy? I guess it makes the difference. Somehow it deepen feelings and make whole series more realistic. I could identify myslef with this little brat only because his way of thinking wasn't irritating ( as it was eg. with Kaneki or Shinji ).

  So, artstyle then?

  It is mild. Correct but washed out off personality. But the directing is so intense that it felt as if it is living creature which is talking to me and making fun of me all the time. Despite of the artstyle being only pretty good it has it's moments – frozen tree and the park illuminated by only one lattern.

  My score is round TEN points out of ten. Why? Primo, I was trembling because I deduced what will happend and I didn't want to observe my expectations became true ( as they always did ). Secundo, the obvious mix of heavy atmosphere and heartwarming almost utopian moments or the hidden mixture of fabulous grown-up narration in the world of middleschool. Neither the story nor characters nor the artstyle made that show amazing but those weird mixtures which shouldn't have worked. I'd say that this series changed the time-paradox to paradox of bizzare blends.~~

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• 

  JustYui

  75/100
  Review of ERASED, Includes comments about the story, animation, sound and characters xx

  Warning this Review May contain spoilers-

  So another review but for one of the most popular shows I've seen in a while, making it to the #2 spot on the anime-planet rankings. This was definitely a show that everyone wouldn't shut up about and honestly I can see why they wouldn't, to me it was good but not my type of anime.

  STORY

  The story was good, the pacing was good up until the end and it overall was very consistant in what it was producing. It was only the ending for me that got me a bit disappointed, and I know that is how the manga ended and to some people it was the best way to conclude the series, that may be so. But it just seemed really empty and honestly quite predictable (but I won't spoil as that's kind of the whole point of the anime). Other than that the character development was quite good and the build up until the ending was quite good.

  ANIMATION

  The animation was great, I couldn't find much wrong with it....yeah nothing is perfect in this area and I felt when we got to certain points it started to lack in this area but it was still good. The opening animation was nice as well, bright colours and interesting way to present it, all good here.

  SOUND

  The sound, no complaints really. The opening was catchy along with the ending, I did hear both of these before I started watching the series though so while I was watching it didn't impact me much. The voiceacting was good, they were perfect for each characters at all ages.

  CHARACTERS

  Characters, urgh, this was my main problem, I just found half of the characters introduced pretty pointless in the overall scheme of things. Our main character was fine, I haven't got much to complain about him and Kayo was a cute girl to go alongside him. I just wish that some of the other characters were noticed more, they seemed to focus on Kayo and Satoru then the other characters just kind of faded into the background. Satoru's mother was a nice touch as well and I like how she impacted the story :3 I kind of wanted more of Airi, I feel like she was one of the characters that faded once everything went a bit weird.

  That ends another review, thanks for reading xx

  -SwiftArrowYui-
  Please Note: Originally this Review was from anime-planet from my other account- AngelBeatsYui

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