Just finished Erased, and I wanna thank my Secret Santa for this amazing recommendation.
Firstly, I was originally planning to watch Erased by my own will at some point.
Secondly, I had heard some stuff about it, either bad or good, but was still willing to give it a shot.
Thirdly, THANK YOU!
Notice: This is not really a review, but rather a small look of the series.
Erased was really good, and had me completely hooked through the whole series. I love the combination of the different themes in it, mystery + horror/thriller + serial killers + crimes + psychological manipulation + melancholic + drama + supernatural, all of that is one of my favorite combinations and got me really interested! I loved the concept and the horrific psychology of the story, but also how the Anime got time travel and supernatural phenomena throughout the series. Almost binged watched it and completed it under 2 days, would have been 1 if it hadn't been for studies, activities and school lol.
Although Erased seemed like a strong 9 or even a 10 for me, I have to express my complaints about the ending of the story, which I believe was, sadly, poorly written, so obvious and predictable and basically not as good as it could have been, it had so much potential and could have been so much better! Got me kind of disappointed, not going to lie there. Just because of the ending, Erased couldn't have been rated like a perfect or an amazing show, which is devastating to admit.
Despite that, it doesn't change my mind that this show is good, no matter how the ending was portrayed. I know there is a manga of it, which I'm planning on reading one day, that displays the ending of the show so much better and explains why the Anime ending was bad compared to it. However, many have called the show trash 'cause of it or very terrible, which I highly disagree with. I could never call Erased a bad series just because the last episodes were not well made. Of course it brings the score of the Anime lower, but not to a point where the show is bad, since it had me interested and hooked for a long time. I added it to one of my favorite Anime of all time, because I can rarely find a series that contains so many things that get me interested. I love watching young kids solving crimes or generally going through an adventure, supernatural phenomena, serial killer cases and crimes, mysteries and a horrific atmosphere, psychological issues, etc!
Having all that said, I believe Erased is a really good show for anyone looking for a mystery Anime, just don't expect too much from the ending.
ANIMATION: 7.5/10 (Not that special, but fitting with the series)
SOUND: 8.5/10 (Fitted well enough with the atmosphere and the theme of the series)
CHARACTERS: 7.5/10 (Not bad at all and sometimes enjoyable, but not that special. However, it doesn't ruin the series)
STORY: 7/10 (3 points not given because of the ending's poor direction and progression. Rest of it was purely amazing)
OVERALL: 7/10 (Very enjoyable for fans of thriller, mystery and crimes until a certain point)
DO I RECOMMEND IT? Yes, absolutely.
It's a good show, don't hold back because of other reviews that trash-talk about it because of the ending, because I truly believe the rest of the Anime is worth watching, especially if you're into these kinds of shows.
Again, THANK YOU, Secret Santa, for this recommendation and helping me finish this Anime sooner, definitely a great ride despite some flaws!
Merry Christmas and happy holidays, stay healthy!
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