Watch Erased (2017)

Erased is an emotional and riveting Japanese drama series that first aired in 2017 on Netflix. This show is based on a manga series of the same name by Kei Sanbe. The show is an amazing blend of science fiction, drama, suspense, and mystery. It engages the audience with its unique narrative structure, intense emotional appeal, and visually stunning settings.

The show's main protagonist is a 29-year-old aspiring manga artist named Satoru Fujinuma (played by Yugo Fujita and Tatsuya Fujiwara in two time periods), who has an ability called "Revival". This power allows him to go back in time by a few minutes and prevent imminent danger to someone's life. This typically results in a flashback where Satoru suddenly finds himself sent a short way back in time, into his elementary school days, and must stop a tragedy from occurring by using his power of Revival.

At the start of the series, Satoru finds himself in a depressed state and has lost his direction in life. However, after one of his colleagues is murdered, his powers kick in and he's sent back in time 18 years to his childhood, during a string of kidnappings and murders of young girls in his hometown of Hokkaido. Satoru's mother had previously been falsely accused of being involved in the deaf of one of these children, and he sets out to prevent these murders and clear his mother's name. Satoru then finds himself in the body of his younger self, 11-year-old version, and becomes incredibly determined to stop these tragedies from happening.

Satoru's mission to save the lives of three girls who were abducted and killed by a serial killer, while also trying to discover the true identity of the murderer, forms the crux of the show's plot. With the help of his newfound friends and allies, he sets out to prevent the incidents from taking place. Alongside the thrilling plot, the show focuses on the relationships between the characters, their development, and Satoru's personal struggles and character growth.

The cast is an excellent ensemble, with standout performances by Yuki Furukawa, who plays the killer, and Mio Yuki, who plays Airi Katagiri, a young girl who helps Satoru in his quest. Both actors are skilled at portraying complex emotions, and their on-screen chemistry gives a depth to their characters, which makes them entirely relatable. Other supporting characters, including Satoru's mother, his childhood friends, and his colleagues, are all well-developed through a fantastic script and strong performances.

The themes of mystery and thriller are also front and center and are appropriately intertwined with the characters' personal stories. The show's producers have managed to create an experience that is both tense and engaging while never losing sight of the character development that makes the audience care about what is happening.

Another strong aspect of Erased is the beautiful cinematography, which features the cherry blossoms in Hokkaido, the snowy scenery, and the magical vibe of the small town in which the story is set. The scenes are visually appealing and go a long way in immersing viewers in the story. The show's music also complements and enhances the emotions conveyed on-screen.

The show is directed by Ten Shimoyama, known for his work on live-action television drama, and features a script by Tomomi Yoshino, who has worked on a variety of Japanese series. The two work together seamlessly and create a fantastic final product that will keep audiences hooked until the final episode.

Ultimately, Erased is a must-watch for its thrilling and emotionally-driven story, beautiful visuals, and captivating performances. The show delivers on all fronts, and the twists and turns are guaranteed to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, right up until its final conclusion. Whether you're a fan of intense thrillers, heartfelt dramas, or science fiction, this show is not worth missing.

Erased (2017) is a series that ran for 1 seasons (12 episodes) between December 15, 2017 and on Netflix