Erased

I know nothing about the manga or any previous tellings of this story. I was pulled in during the first episode and binged the entire series. I thought the younger actors were nothing less than phenomenal. The secret of the evil doer was kept until the script demanded. I loved the fidelity the characters portrayed to the very thought of doing good. I rate this high because more people need to watch it!

I have only been getting into Asian TV shows for about three months now. Some have been good, some have been so-so, and a few have been fantastic! This is one of those "fantastic" shows that's up there with "Good Morning Call" for me. In fact, this one may even surpass that one.

"Erased" is based on a manga series about a young man who is a manga artist and has the ability to go back in time. When this happens, Saturo calls it a "Revival" in which he looks for something that is wrong/about to happen. He then does his best to prevent/change the tragedy from occurring.

After the brutal murder of his mother, he finds himself sent back to his childhood days. He realizes that he has the chance to save, not only his mother's life, but the lives of several children who have been targeted by a sadistic killer.

The story is expertly crafted to provide enough suspense and suspects to keep you guessing who the real killer may be. It also very deftly handles the beautiful relationships that Saturo forms with several of his classmates, but with Kayo, in particular. In a previous timeline, she is a victim of the killer, and Saturo is determined to befriend her and save her life if he can.

This is a series that I binge-watched over the course of just a few days. Every episode kept me wanting more. And after it was over, I realized that there was really nothing wrong with the series. The performances were fantastic, from the child actors to the adults.

It also had enough touching and heartfelt moments to balance the mystery, suspense, and darkness of a serial killer.

I have not read the manga series, but I'm certainly glad that Netflix added this incredible series to their list of quality programs. My only regret is that the series ended. I wanted more. Guess that means I'll have to watch it again!

Once you get past the fact you're watching a Japanese show, and have to read the subtitles -- which doesn't take long -- Erased becomes addictive.

It's a drama/mystery/science fiction series involving Satoru and those around him. I won't include any spoilers. As is the case with many shows, the less you know about it, probably the better.

Binge-watched the first six episodes.

While many details from the original manga are left out, I felt that the story is being told quite smoothly. It fills the details good enough to satisfy fans while letting the new audiences catch up with the story easily.

The quality of moods and tones in this drama are amazing.(Look at all those gorgeous scenes that fulfill our imagination from the original material) The acting is very good, especially those young actors who are the core of this story.

While people may argue the manga/anime is better, I would say that there are pros and cons considering the limitations and conditions of any type of medium. To me considering this as a drama series, it serves its purposes well and is highly recommended.

P.S. the ending soundtrack is one of best things about this series.

This twelve part series is centred on Satoru Fujinuma, a man with an unusual ability. If he is near the site of an accident he will find himself projected five minutes into the past, enabling him to avert it. One day he gets home and finds his mother, murdered on the floor... he soon finds himself wanted for her murder! As he tries to get away from the scene... then he is thrown back in time. It isn't five minutes though; it is eighteen years! He is a child again, back in his childhood home in Hokkaido. Here he tries to do things that may prevent his mother being murdered; this involves trying to save three children who were kidnapped and murdered at the time. Satoru has no idea who the killer is but is convinced that the man who had been sentenced to hang for the crime is innocent.

I watched the anime version of this but it was long enough ago not to recall key events. I really enjoyed this version. The story progressed well with the concept of Satoru's time-travelling abilities explained early on. Things pick up even more as the action moves to 1980s Hokkaido; its snow covered urban landscapes creating a create atmosphere. The cast, particularly the youngsters, do a really fine job making the story tense and believable despite its fantastical premise. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody who likes a mystery and wants something a little different.

These comments are based on watching the series in Japanese with English subtitles.