Erased

Overview Places & Experiences Collectibles Characters Weapons & Gear Media

A psychological thriller about a man with the ability to travel back in time to prevent tragedies, who must solve a series of child murders from his past.

Official Website

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IP Overview & Key Facts

IP Key Facts

Essential information and quick stats.

Full Name

Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi)

Also Known As

The Town Where Only I Am Missing, BokuMachi

Format

Anime/Manga Series

Release Year

2016

Current Status

Completed

Country of Origin

Japan

Region

Japan

Creator

Kei Sanbe (Manga)

Publisher

Kadokawa Shoten

Original Work

Manga

Genre

Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Drama, Supernatural, Time Travel

Story, World & Core Themes

Explore the narrative, setting, and ideas that shape Erased.

Story

High-level synopsis and narrative focus.

Satoru Fujinuma possesses an ability called "Revival" that sends him back in time to prevent deaths. When his mother is murdered, he's sent back 18 years to his elementary school days to prevent a series of child kidnappings.

World

Setting, cultures, and distinctive elements.

Ishikari, Hokkaido (1988) and Chiba (2006), Japan

Themes

Core ideas and recurring motifs.

Child abuse, friendship, justice, second chances, the butterfly effect, courage

Cultural Impact Timeline

High-level milestones showing Erased's global influence.

2012

Manga serialization begins in Young Ace magazine

2014

Manga gains popularity and critical acclaim

2016

Anime adaptation airs and becomes highly successful, live-action film adaptation released, manga series concludes

2017

Netflix live-action series adaptation

Sales

Manga sold over 2.7 million copies

Revenue

Significant success in anime and live-action adaptations

Awards

Manga Taisho Award nominee, Kodansha Manga Award winner

Key Characters

Meet representative characters from Erased.

Satoru Fujinuma

“I'll definitely save you this time.”

A struggling manga artist with the supernatural ability "Revival" who travels back in time to prevent tragedies.View Profile

Kayo Hinazuki

“The town is full of people, but I feel so alone.”

A quiet, isolated elementary school girl who becomes the first victim Satoru tries to save from the serial killer.View Profile

Sachiko Fujinuma

“A mother always knows when something is wrong with her child.”

Satoru's caring and perceptive mother who supports him and becomes involved in the mystery.View Profile

Gaku Yashiro

“I wonder what it's like to have someone believe in you unconditionally.”

Satoru's elementary school teacher who is revealed to be the serial killer targeting children.View Profile

Kenya Kobayashi

“You're not the same Satoru from before, are you?”

Satoru's intelligent and mature elementary school friend who becomes an ally in protecting Kayo.View Profile

Explore all Erased characters

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main plot of Erased?▼

Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist, has an uncontrollable ability called 'Revival' that sends him back in time to prevent tragedies. When his mother is murdered, he is sent back 18 years to his childhood to solve the mystery of a serial killer and save his classmate, Kayo Hinazuki.

Who are the main characters in Erased?▼

The protagonist is Satoru Fujinuma (both as an adult and child). Key characters include Kayo Hinazuki (the primary victim he tries to save), Sachiko Fujinuma (his supportive mother), Kenya Kobayashi (his sharp-witted friend), and Gaku Yashiro (his teacher).

What genre is Erased classified as?▼

It is a Psychological Thriller, Mystery, and Supernatural anime. It blends time travel elements with a grounded murder mystery and emotional character drama.

Is Erased suitable for children?▼

It is rated TV-14. It deals with dark themes including child abuse, kidnapping, and murder. While not overly gory, the emotional intensity and subject matter make it more suitable for teens and adults.

How many seasons/episodes are there in Erased?▼

The anime is a complete single season consisting of 12 episodes.

Who is the creator of Erased?▼

The original manga, titled 'Boku dake ga Inai Machi', was written and illustrated by Kei Sanbe.

What is the unique power system in Erased?▼

The only supernatural element is 'Revival', a phenomenon that involuntarily sends Satoru back in time (usually a few minutes) to stop a fatal incident. The 18-year jump is a unique, major Revival event that drives the main plot.

Are there any movies or live-action adaptations for Erased?▼

Yes, there is a 2016 live-action movie and a 2017 Netflix live-action series. The Netflix series is notable for adhering closer to the manga's ending than the anime did.

Where can I watch or read Erased?▼

The anime is available on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu. The manga is available in English via Yen Press.

Why is Erased so popular?▼

Erased is praised for its gripping 'page-turner' narrative, the heartwarming relationship between Satoru and Kayo, and its emotional exploration of childhood trauma and the desire to change the past.