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Kei Sanbe: Erased, Volume 1 (Hardcover, 2017, Yen Press) 4 stars

Twenty-nine-year-old Satoru Fujinuma is floundering through life. Amid his daily drudgery, he finds himself in …

Once more with feeling

3 stars

Erased is a gripping manga that takes you on a thrilling journey through time, all wrapped around a deeply emotional core. The story centers around Satoru Fujinuma, a man with a unique ability – he can travel back in time moments before a disaster strikes. When his mother is murdered, Satoru is sent 18 years into the past, putting him back in elementary school. This isn't just a chance to prevent his mother's death, it's an opportunity to confront a past trauma and potentially save the life of a classmate who was abducted years ago.

What truly elevates Erased is the strength of the relationships between the characters. Satoru's interactions with his childhood friends and his mother are heartwarming and nostalgic. We see him forge new bonds and mend old ones, all while grappling with the weight of his knowledge.

But Erased isn't all sentimentality. The time travel aspect is cleverly constructed and the mystery surrounding the murders unfolds at a satisfying pace.

So, yes, worth a read.