Erased (2017) 僕だけがいない街
Directed by Shimoyama Ten, starring Furukawa Yuki as Fujinuma Satoru (2006), Uchikawa Reo as Fujinuma Satoru (1988), Yuki Mio as Katagiri Airi, Kurotani Tomoka as Fujinuma Sachiko, Kakihara Rinka as Hinazuki Kayo (1988), and Shirasu Jin as Kobayashi Kenya (2006).
Watched 6 - 13 June 2026 — 12 episodes (NETFLIX)
*Based on a manga series and made into an anime first, this live-action adaptation (a Netflix Original) of 12 episodes, running approx. 30 minutes each, is a short watch. And I enjoyed it.
*The story premise of aspiring manga artist Fujinuma Satoru (played by Furukawa Yuki) who has the ability to experience 'revival' spells, is a compelling one. These revivals enable him to go back in time, just 5 minutes or so, and prevent an impending bad incident. But when his mother is stabbed to death by an unknown assailant, Satoru suddenly travels back to his childhood, to his days in elementary school, and he gets the opportunity to find his mother's killer and prevent the kidnapping and deaths of two of his classmates and a girl from a nearby school. As a consequence, he changes all of their lives.
*The child actors are very good and believable. Especially Uchikawa Reo as young Satoru gives a convincing performance and is really determined to keep his friends safe. I love the storyline with Hinazuki Kayo. It exudes a found-family vibe where young Kayo (whose mother is abusive) finds friendship and warmth with Satoru and his friends, and I love the birthday scene at Satoru's place where Kayo has fun with Satoru and his friends and enjoys a home-cooked meal by Satoru's mum.
*I also love the friendship between Satoru and Kobayashi Kenya, both the child and adult versions. The actor who plays adult Kenya (Shirasu Jin) is really handsome.
*I have to admit that I found the mystery part a bit underwhelming. It lacks suspense and nail-biting tension, and it's predictable who the killer is. And somehow I had expected more from the time-travel bit.
*Maybe it's just me but I found it confusing how much reporter/journalist Mr. Sawada and the killer looked alike, both with glasses and same fake-looking beards. The way the killer almost lost his beard in the water was laughable. Couldn't he have picked a better disguise??!!
*The cinematography is beautiful. Love the snowy scenes with Kayo in her red coat. Also the confrontation scene between Satoru and the killer on the bridge in the final episode is a gorgeous visual, with the starry nightsky and fireworks. The muted colour palette throughout the show is very appealing and matches the nostalgic vibe and atmosphere.
*In the end, the show's focus is not on the mystery but it's all about friendship and trust. We see Satoru grow from a loner into a person who values his relationships with his friends and mother.
*I love the ending with Satoru meeting Katagiri Airi again. Airi is a great character with hardly enough screen time. Would have loved to see more of Satoru and Airi together!
(Collage made by me.)