Satoru Fujinuma is a twenty-nine year old Manga Artist who fails to make ends meet in his day-to-day job,and is heavily reliant on his secondary job: Pizza Delivery. He is subject to an inexplicable phenomenon which he calls 'Revival',in which he is sent back in time before any terrible event occurs. In a short time,we learn about Satoru's past,about his time in elementary school,his relationship with an awkward man,and his bond with his mother. Back when he was in school,three children from elementary school were murdered,and his close friend had been accused. Back to reality,while saving a little boy from death,Satoru himself is hospitalized after arranging himself an accident as a result of 'Revival'. After a whirlwind of events that involve catastrophe after catastrophe,and one precious loss,he is sent back in time to when he was in elementary school,so that he could change the scope of history,and reclaim what he had lost. Thus,begins the story of Boku Dake ga Inai Machi,or,ERASED.
Boku Dake ga Inai Machi has a very simple story that is not very complex in many aspects,nor does it need to be. However,I feel that it could have been handled better in some regards,as it gets predictable and quite too simple at points. The art and animation in Boku Dake ga Inai Machi is spectacular,at least in many regards. The scenes in Boku Dake ga Inai Machi are well animated,and can become really good at times,and this is one of the series' strongest points. Another argument in its favor,is its soundtrack. The opening and ending themselves are absolutely superb,and deserve to be appreciated for how wonderful they are. The background music in Boku Dake ga Inai Machi ranges from good to excellent,but not outright bad.
ERASED has quite a few characters,but,not all of them are perfectly developed. The large number of characters makes it more difficult for them to be fleshed out,I understand. However,I feel that they needed more time to be nurtured,to be utilized to their full potential. The first half of ERASED was fantastic,but the second half could not live up to it. Nonetheless,it stands that,overall,I find ERASED an enjoyable show.
The show is not what it was hyped out to be,nor is it as overtly horrible as others would have you believe. What you do have,is a good show that is very polarizing to many,but if you can look at it with neutrality,I think you'll have a good time. Boku Dake ga Inai Machi is no masterpiece,but it is a good show that is worth your time if you can get into it.
