The first few episodes, which were very good mind you, introduce the main character and some of the supporting ones and sets the setting for most of the series. We have Satoru who is the average emo manga creator who works in pizza delivery. He is supposedly "good" on the inside, but is really lifeless and bland to other characters. Satoru has a power called revival, which transports him back in time to prevent an accident. He saves a couple of people, until the main plot point happens which triggers the series, a significant person's death, which transports Satoru back to when he was 10 years old. Satoru has to work on protecting those he loves and uncovering the mystery behind a child murderer.
Story (2/10)
The story is not really that unique. The first couple of episodes were fantastic, but it goes downhill from there. It is okay for Satoru to approach the victim of the murderer as it would be the logical thing to do. However, they spend an enormous amount of time trying to strengthen the bond between the two characters (Satoru and Kayo) which is not at all that bad, but it is executed poorly as there is not enough time left to develop other characters and solve the crime. So, instead of Satoru going for the root of the problem and the crime, finding the culprit, he tries to strengthen the bond between him and Kayo. The series emphasizes on child abuse early on and victimizes Kayo in order to get the viewer to feel sorrow for her. It is done very poorly and I cannot forgive that. And guess who abuses her? Her satanical mother who beats her up for no reason, only because it is convenient for the plot. I mean, everything is convenient for the plot. Establishing a time traveling scheme without basic rules for this abillity (Revival) is in itself, convenient for the plot.
Art and Sound (9/10)
This is the only thing that can be considered above average and fairly good. The animation is done amazingly well, and the sound is brimming with mystery. Very good cinemtical shots and good drawing that matches the bittersweet side of the anime.
Characters (2/10) ~SPOILERS AHEAD~
Satoru, is a bland, emotionless, robot dummy. He spouts out things that are completely illogical to the scenario and do not even match his "real" character. All the "children" act like they are adults, however in reality they are 10-11 years old. Kayo is completely victimized in order to produce "feels" for the viewer and is only plot convenient to show that the main character actually cares for somebody besides his mother, and that friendship is unique, although the bond is slightly romantical and it only makes people uncomfortable. Yashiro, the antagonist is the biggest amount of potential that I have seen gone to waste. I haven't seen before in works of art, the antagonist bonding with the main character in such a way as they do in the last episode. However, he is evil just because he is, and that is why he sucks aswell. Not to mention he is fairly predictable as to who he is, as there are only three adult males that match the killer identity, (Yashiro, Yuuki, and the guy that worked with Sachiiko.) Yuuki is excluded as he is shown from the first episodes that he is innocent, that leaves us with 2 possible culprits. However even the guy that used to work with Satoru's mum is kind of excluded as he has no screen time. So that only leaves Yashiro.
~END OF SPOILERS~
Enjoyment (6/10)
Personally I kind of enjoyed it, since I only looked at it from a non technical view. I was waiting every week to watch another episode, since it was exciting, so If somebody decides to watch it now, (after it has stopped airing), there will not be that much enjoyment. It's only good for a time waster.
Overall (5/10)
It's not that great as people say it is, but it's not completely trash aswell.
