So – anything happen since last week?
In a way, what I felt like watching this episode of Boku Dake ga Inai Machi was what I felt like when the Red Wedding episode (if you don’t get that reference, don’t worry about it – it’d take too long to explain) of Game of Thrones. Part of me was absorbed by what was happening on screen, but I was also picturing in my head the reactions of viewers who hadn’t read the books (and if I hadn’t been, there would be plenty of Youtube videos to immortalize the moment) – and imagining the shitstorm that was sure to follow.
Well – and now, here we are. And the shitstorm is in full blow. There are a lot of things I would like to say that in my conceit I’d like to think might enlighten the situation a bit, but once again I’m stymied by circumstances. Things are about to get interesting in that (as with GoT and A Song of Ice and Fire) we’re about to enter uncharted territory for me. Normally I would say not for a little while yet based on how much of the manga is still out there and my personal stopping point, but we only have two friggin’ episodes left. Yes, I’m saying it flat-out, because there doesn’t seem much point in glossing it over any longer – either the pacing is about to get sped up dramatically, we’re about to veer off into original material, or a whole lot of stuff is about to be skipped.
So, obviously, I’m going to be very interested to see where Itou and Kishimoto take things next week, but until I know which of those three roads the anime version of Boku Dake ga Inai Machi takes that’s about all I can say on that subject. So instead, I’m going to tackle a subject I can safely talk about all I want now, and that’s Yashiro-sensei. Yes, he did turn out to be the killer. And yes, all the clues pointed to him being the killer, and Satoru missed those clues. Guilty as charged. But that’s not the real story.
Here was my feeling after having read this stage in the manga (and while it’s impossible to say for sure if I’d have felt the same about the anime if I hadn’t read it, I sure think I would have). I don’t think Boku Dake is a whodunit. I think it’s a “whydunit” and a “howdunit”. I don’t think this series was ever intended to be a mystery, though it certainly qualifies as a thriller because even knowing the truth, it’s still full of tension of suspense. I knew Yashiro was the crook – I first suspected it pretty early, wavered slightly a couple of times, and was pretty much certain of it by about Chapter 20 (which would about Episode 7). But I’m sure – dead-stock sure – that Sanbe-sensei wanted me to know it.
Think about it. There’s never any question that Yuuki could be guilty – Sanbe establishes that early on. He never makes any attempt to cast suspicion on another suspect (Kenya? Please). Sanbe doesn’t structure Boku Dake ga Inai Machi like a mystery – because it isn’t a mystery. The point here is the emotions and the mechanics of what happens – the interactions between the characters, the way Satoru is changed by his experiences. The fundamental desire to have faith in people, the nature of loneliness and happiness. The important point here isn’t that Satoru missed all these obvious signs pointing to Yashiro-sensei – the point it to ask the question, why did Satoru not see all those signs?
Haters gonna hate, I know. Anime viewers today are conditioned to think a certain way based on the sorts of anime they normally see, and that’s a large part of the reason why I think there’s been such a strong reaction (mostly negative) against this latest turn of events. My suspicion is that some of this will fade, and with the passage of a little time many of the viewers who’re angry now will realize that they weren’t supposed to have been surprised or shocked by this ep, but rather to have been expecting it.
Of course, I think some anime viewers are also pretty freaked out or incensed by what happens after Yashiro flips his hole cards – the last couple of minutes of the episode. And that takes us back into areas where I really must tread lightly if I dare step at all. In this respect a certain amount of faith is going to be required – for new viewers, and maybe for me as well depending on editorial decisions by the staff. Good fiction is often controversial – I might even go so far as to say great fiction usually so. And Boku Dake ga Inai Machi is not a series that’s interested in playing safe or trying to please everyone. It’s going to be an interesting couple of weeks, that’s one thing for sure…
TorahSylphwind
March 10, 2016 at 11:40 pmHello. The writer definitely played fair. I know for my family and I, we knew who the killer was and kept waiting for him to tip his hat. Well, this episode lived up to that expectation in a wonderfully scary way. There’s the surprise when one is caught off guard, and the dread when you know what’s coming and can’t intervene. We pretty much freaked out when the title of the episode showed. While this show obviously isn’t as you said about “whodunit,” I felt the final reveal in that respect was perfect. Thanks for the restraint you’ve used in your reviews up to this point. Once again, i’m looking forward to what’s in store.
Guardian Enzo
March 11, 2016 at 7:29 amThank you – both well-said regarding the episode’s execution and very kind. And believe me, that restraint was not easy at times!
Dop
March 11, 2016 at 2:28 amI have to admit Sensei was played up as being so suspicious I figured that had to be a red herring and the murderer would turn out to be someone else. D’oh!
I’d thought for a while that Satoru would end up sacrificing himself to save the others, and by making himself the target that looks like exactly what he’s done. So I’m hoping there’s not going to be a big cop-out in the next episode and that he is actually dead in that submerged car, and the rest is going to be the aftermath.
elianthos80
March 11, 2016 at 3:20 amWell that was telegraphed in my book but execution is everything. And as engament goes it gets full points. It pulled off the whole Evil Long Speech To The Victim even :p
And as both an ode and a cautionary tale on the power of love at large and trust it definitely succeeded. Now I like to think Satoru won’t became or stay a dead hamster for long… the film broke at the end so maybe this is last revival – but there is a slight ambiguity to the expression. And film can be patched up so they can roll again… – And the teacher could still just start his little side job all over in another town and needs to be stopped for good eventually, yes? Either Satoru lives or his legacy will carry on (Mom&Kenya&friends I’m looking at you)… just to keep the love and trust power ending on a positive note :).
bukszie
March 11, 2016 at 3:44 amI feel sort of cheated regarding the identity of the killer. Maybe it’s just me but I would have preferred to be surprised by the identity of the killer not it being some guy who practically had I am the killer tatooed to his forehead other than that i have no complaints regarding everything else in the episode.
Yukie
March 11, 2016 at 3:54 amI was spoiled early on at another site, but this episode was still awesome. I was a little caught off guard at first when Yashiro decided to drive Satoru (I mean who goes that far for a children’s pretend game), and then I realized the big reveal was coming as the drive continued. Indeed as you’ve said, for me right now the most interesting question is “why”? Why does Yashiro kill kids (from what we’ve learned about his methods in killing Kayo, I think it is safe to say that he isn’t a pedophile). The way he describes what makes him happy seems to show that he’s more of a psychopath.
jebnemo
March 11, 2016 at 4:50 amThis is a point where they might easily veer away from the manga.
Miyu Fan
March 11, 2016 at 5:30 amYep same with me, I also never view ‘Erased’ as a proper mystery series. Satoru only learned all those clues because he wants to prevent the crimes to happen, not to capture the killer. If it’s a proper mystery series then the angle of the knife stab and other forensic details will be shown in the series. But Satoru isn’t a detective, and he doesn’t have some connections that can somehow analyze evidences from a different perspective from the police, so it’s understandable that he focuses on stopping the crimes only.
I love how they revealed Yashiro as the killer. It doesn’t make such a over the top revelation (even the music is subtle) while Yashiro just keeps talking in a unhurried way. The anime knows the killer is obvious so it doesn’t need such a dramatic revelation. Only Satoru is shocked with this. Honestly the only thing that made me wonder is why Sachiko never pick up the bad vibe from him years ago seeing as she’s a good judge of character. Either Yashiro is a very great actor or Sachiko wants to trust him, just like Satoru was.
Gina
March 13, 2016 at 8:23 amWould there be a reason for Sachiko to deduce that Yashiro was the killer? Shortly after the abductions, Yuuki was caught and Yashiro very likely moved to another city. I think if I were her, I would have no reason to pursue it further. It was pretty much a coincidence that Sachiko spotted Yashiro years later and got reminded of the abductions. I thought she was actually pretty perceptive and remarkable to piece the story then – she wasn’t in a position, unlike Satoru, to perceive and interact with the situation directly 14 years ago. And in the original timeline, she probably wasn’t aware that Yashiro paid a lot of attention to the outcast children in class (that was more obvious only when Satoru played an active role to get close to these children). A lot has changed in the new timeline which shed light on the crimes and motive involved.
Earthling Zing
March 11, 2016 at 8:01 amThis killer is smart, I didn’t see the seatbelt thing coming. Not a big fan of the goofy faces though, but I guess that’s not a strong suit of the guy who directed Sword Art Online.
sonicsenryaku
March 11, 2016 at 9:11 amAs i mentioned last week, with 12 chapters left to adapt, things are going to get rushed so the “whydunnit” aspect of this whole thrill ride is going to be saved for the ova coming march 30. We will get an explanation, just a shame they couldnt fit it within the episode count itself to make the story feel more coherent
Guardian Enzo
March 11, 2016 at 9:36 amI can still find no indication anywhere that there’s any OVA coming for this series. There is an after-story novel (“Another Record”) being released on 3/30 but it’s not anything animated.
Karmafan
March 11, 2016 at 12:14 pmPerhaps there will be a 2nd season? They could end it on a cliffhanger and drop a card saying to be continued Fall 2016. I would rather see that then a rush job ending.
sonicsenryaku
March 11, 2016 at 1:45 pmAh my bad, it was recently confirmed to be a novel but back when rumors were going on about extra material in correspondence to the anime, it was said to be an OVA. Welp, that’s what happens when you trust the rumor mill…damn…this means the last 2 eps are definitely going to feel rushed
Ngai
March 11, 2016 at 9:24 amCould have just pulled the seat belt longer and slid himself out… He’s pulling the wrong end!
sivilyslare
March 11, 2016 at 10:34 amI’d like to preface this with a note that it isn’t a personal attack toward any blogger, but rather just general aggravation with the entire blogging community and myself, despite it not being the blogging community’s fault.
I’ve been following three anime blogs closely for about three years now – Enzo’s Lost in America, Bobduh’s Wrong Every Time, and Random Curiosity. I started submerging myself in the community because of my deep love for literary analysis, especially when turned toward fields not typically included in “literature.” Each blog’s always presented a different view: analysis, criticism, reflection, and I’ve always enjoyed it – comparing my own analyses to the author’s, and incorporating their reflection into what I’ve gleaned, thus improving my overall understanding of the piece.
This worked exquisitely with Hunter x Hunter 2011, spectacularly with Haikyuu!!, and at least amusingly with Sword Art Online. Something always nags, though – what if the blogger’s perception of the piece impedes my actual viewing of it, thus wrecking the experience?
So it’s been with Boku Dake ga Inai Machi. Enzo, your uncompromising affection for the series has left me expecting something transcendent, blowing shows like Steins;Gate or Death Parade into a lower tier entirely, while Bobduh’s intense criticism of the show’s “thriller tropes” has yanked me in a different direction – rendering me unable to enjoy the show as it is and instead looking for analytical tidbits to harp on. Even Cherrie’s general enjoyment and enthusiastic speculation has me on edge; I’ve felt her portrayal of the show within a certain genre could potentially stab the viewer in the back, like it seemingly has with Bobduh. I’m not sure if this experience is an artifact of the genre(s) that are being explored, or if it’s a tale of expectations pumped up and twiddled with, but it’s probably the most negative experience with anime blogging I’ve had yet, though my affection for the profession/hobby/activity (really appreciated your post on Aniblogging on MAL earlier this week, Enzo. Thanks!) remains extremely strong. To be honest, I’m wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience, and your thoughts on literary analysis crossing over and mixing with the experience of media consumption in general.
Simone
March 11, 2016 at 1:41 pmI haven’t followed RC’s take on it, but if I have to say, while I don’t share Enzo’s enthusiasm, it’s Bobduh’s criticism that puzzles me the most – the utter, complete spite of anything concerning “plot”. Yes, full characters are nice; yes, only twists and turns a good show do not make; but frankly to see a show being plot-driven as an intrinsic fault seems to me prejudice, like saying that a comedy can NEVER be better than a drama. Bob announced this episode as an utter disaster and I frankly expected much worse, when all it was was… well… a sort of goofy revelation. Goofy because the killer had been hinted at so heavily and blatantly it almost felt easier to assume it was a red herring (mostly because, if what you’re trying to achieve is to only explore the motives of the character, you might as well show us something that openly confirms any and all suspects early on), and goofy because it involved a long villainous monologue AND smirking evil faces the likes of which had never been seen since SAO’s Sugou. That bit could have been toned down for sure.
sivilyslare
March 11, 2016 at 7:58 pmI actually agree completely – I understand the literary hype surrounding Genroku Rakugo, but like Death Parade, while I still consider them to be some of the greatest literary pieces of anime I’ve seen, they’re not necessarily the ones I’ve enjoyed the most.
I’d like to elaborate and say that without at least some turns (twistlessness tenable), a good show cannot be made either. With this show – like Enzo said, it’s never felt like a mystery. Sure, the red eyes were a bit (read: too) much, but that doesn’t quash any possibility of the show being good either. Bobduh’s negative explosion and harping on framing irked me as well – the show isn’t bad. It might not be a glittering emerald of anime perfection, but the only thing stopping me from enjoying it fully is the people demonizing it for not being glittering, but instead being uncut. How dare it.
I’ll concede to Yashiro’s face being goofy – I was hoping for some red-eye action, although maybe the director just wanted it to look like there was a really terrible cameraman filming the events.
Adam Mak
March 11, 2016 at 10:45 amYou say it wasn’t supposed to be a mystery, so I find it ironic that at the introduction of every major “suspect”, they were shown with red eyes like the killer (Kayo’s mom, her boyfriend, Sachiko’s journalist friend in the present), as if to say, “Hey! It might be THIS person.” I had realistically whittled it down to only Yashiro and the journalist though, and most of the clues indeed pointed to Yashiro, so I do find it strange the anime seemingly tried to pitch itself as a whodunit based on that one technique.
The big reveal though? Still freaked me out even if I was 99% sure it was coming. (Also, are there awards for best episode titles and best placement of episode titlecards? This one would win.)
Passa
March 11, 2016 at 12:49 pmThe red eyes thing was more of a motif than anything and not something to signal a suspect, because even Satorou had red eyes at one point before he planned to push Kayo’s mom down the stairs.
Karmafan
March 11, 2016 at 12:17 pmUntil today I thought the killer was Kayo’s mom. I considered the teacher but felt Kayo’s mom would be a better killer. Seeing how violent she was, how much she hated her life, and how she lost it at the end I could see her killing kids. Guess I was wrong.
Chrysostomus
March 11, 2016 at 12:38 pm11-year olds reading King Lear… What? It’s those things that really get me and hurt my enjoyment of the show. It’s like the mangaka forgot that they’re kids. Who the hell tells their kids to read that below the age of 15 or whatever?
Kenya too, I feel that his character is waaaay too smart and perceptive for another 11-year old kid. The moment he notices every single subtle change in Satoru’s personality I want to roll my eyes.
Hooper
March 11, 2016 at 2:57 pmEven Aya complains about it in the manga version, since it was her parents that force her to read a book she can barely understand.
Plus, while I haven’t read King Lear myself, I red a comment describing how that book is another foreshadowing about Yashiro’s revelation and how Satoru intentionally denied the obvious clues about his behaviour…
sonicsenryaku
March 11, 2016 at 3:46 pmI guess that’s a matter of your suspension of disbelief: a smart, perceptive 11-year old is not stretching any realm of reality; these are things that happen in the real world, although not rarely. Heck, I was very perceptive for an 11 year old; not a super genius of course; id never be that full of myself. But any who, with kenya we see that he has high fluid intelligence. With aya, while we see that she is also naturally smart, there are clues pointing to the fact that she is pressured by her parents to perform higher than what the average 11 year old is capable of. This is why yuuki and her would talk; because it was affecting her in an emotionally negative way. This is also why we see aya actually start behaving more like a child when satoru and friends break down her emotional walls. All those expectations to be this star student go away when she is in the midst of her friends and being around an environment where she can act like a child.
Chrysostomus
March 12, 2016 at 9:23 amOkay, that really makes a lot of sense so I retract my earlier statement about Aya and King Lear.
But Kenya… nope. I won’t budge on that one. It feels as if he’s intellectually and emotionally on the same level as Satoru, someone almost two decades older than him. I don’t find him believable at all.
Earthling Zing
March 12, 2016 at 12:52 amParents encouraging kids to read such books doesn’t sound so out of place, might be something a literature teacher would do to his kids. I’ll admit that its a bit of a lazy nod to the audience, but I have to say it was pretty fun seeing Kenya in shock losing out in that area.
Altritter
March 11, 2016 at 3:38 pmAs a manga reader, I have no huge gripes with this episode, though it is interesting to read some of the vehemently negative responses to it. If anything about this episode annoyed me, it was that they cut a fairly significant development (I won’t say it in case Enzo doesn’t want me to, but he should know what I mean) but other than that the direction was exquisite, as usual. I can understand the disappointment of some viewers, that the killer was ‘too obvious”, but like Enzo said, this story’s not about the ‘whodunnit’. The real killer has been telegraphed for weeks now, to the point where many people assumed it was a red herring, and I honestly applaud the fact that it wasn’t, but obviously it’s a development that’s seriously disappointed a lot of fans.
Guardian Enzo
March 11, 2016 at 3:58 pmYes, I do know which development you mean, and I did consider talking about it but decided against it. I think “fairly significant” is a fair way to describe it – it’s not what I would call plot-critical. But since leaving it out was a bit puzzling, I decided not to talk about it in case it’s brought up later.
Abs
March 14, 2016 at 1:15 pmI understand the concept of a show not being a whodunit but I much prefer that context when the pretext of a mystery is just dumped completely. Why not just reveal the murderer to the audience near the beginning of the series then bother building up unnecessary suspense for an obvious murderer?
By keeping the characters in the dark we get a series focused completely on the whydunit both in what are the killers motives and why did Satoru miss the obvious clues, rather then a split between mystery and motive.
The show is still good but I think it missed a trick by just scrapping the mystery element from the viewers POV.
Guardian Enzo
March 14, 2016 at 2:21 pmI think the reason is very straightforward. The series is for the most part told from Satoru’s POV. Satoru doesn’t realize who the killer is, so even if we suss it out ourselves it’s important that we experience events through Satoru’s eyes.
Abs
March 14, 2016 at 3:32 pmYeh I understand what you’re saying, but I’ve seen a few shows/mysteries told from the protagonist’s pov with the audience privy to information the characters within the story are not.
Not to say the show isn’t good as it is, but I think it would have been better if the mystery was contained completely within the narrative with the audience suspense being built up from the murderer’s motives and fear for the protagonist during scenes with the antagonist.
Respect your opinion and watch most of my shows based on your recommendations, but I guess just have a slightly different take on this show.
Christine
March 11, 2016 at 3:39 pm(finally! I haven’t been able to comment since I found out who the murderer was and couldn’t spoil anything)
The identity of the murderer is rather disappointing in that (a) we had such a limited pool of suspects to begin with and (b) we were all 99% sure that it was Yashiro. On the other hand, the series has done such masterful work with literally EVERY other story element that I refused to believe the giant hints about Yashiro’s guilt were anything but red herrings.
In a way, this was not the best resolution, but my faith in the author definitely drove me to hair-wrenching confusion: it couldn’t be Yashiro because there was no way the author would be so obvious, but if it wasn’t Yashiro then who on Earth could it be??
The problem afterwards, of course, is that everything is stuck in the build-up, and the subsequent drop is severe. Dorothy Sayers once made a joke about how there should be a mystery novel where a man runs out of an alley with a gun, the entire book is spent on proving that the man did not commit the murder in the alley, and then the end reveals that he was the culprit all along… which is essentially Erased in a nutshell, as far the mystery is concerned.
Guardian Enzo
March 11, 2016 at 4:00 pmWith the important caveat, I would argue, that Boku Dake is not a mystery novel and never claimed to be. There are certain structural commonalities with mysteries, and this series doesn’t really adhere to most of them.
Christine
March 11, 2016 at 10:52 pmOh absolutely. I would have preferred a better denouement, but I’m here for the characters, and the show delivers on that.
That being said, this series doesn’t belong in any single category: it’s a time-travel sci-fi, a slice of life (albeit a very strange one), and a thriller, but you can’t deny that some part of it lies in the whodunit genre as well, if only because the killer’s identity is what triggers the story. If Sachiko hadn’t suddenly figured out the real murderer’s identity, she wouldn’t have been murdered, there would have been no “revival,” etc. The author clearly uses Yuuki early on to make the audience wonder: “if Satoru is right and Yuuki is innocent, then who was it?” The killer’s identity seems like a pretty big draw, at least to begin with. It’s not the main focus of the show, but there is an underlying chill whenever the subject returns (e.g. the equipment in the bus).
What I love about Erased is that it focuses so much on the circumstances of the victims and community (instead of the killer) before and after the crime occurs, but I can’t ignore the fact that the killer’s identity is a chink in the armor. It’s not so much about adhering to the mystery genre’s structure as telling a satisfying story. A series doesn’t have to meet expectations in order to satisfy them, if that makes any sense. (Incidentally, I don’t mean to be rude, I enjoy reading your blog and wouldn’t want to offend)
skogssnuva
March 11, 2016 at 5:27 pmGotta say, I facepalmed so hard when Yashiro started acting all deranged complete with manical smiles like a stereotypical psycho villain. Like, this show has used tired clichés before, but man was this a new low. When he then proceeded to explain his Evil Master Plan™ complete with philosophical ramblings I almost got a full-blown cringe attack
Vincent
March 11, 2016 at 6:43 pmI suspected sensei from Episode 2 purely because of cosmetic appearances. Killer wore a suit. The next character that appeared also in a suit was sensei. Yeah it’s a dumb suspicion considering that suits are pretty much standard attire for the average Japanese salaryman.
samui
March 11, 2016 at 7:36 pmFirst, I like Erased. Second, I agree with you that it is not a mystery series. My only problem with it is the way it was advertised. That is why I am totally seeing it as barely decent as a mystery or psychological whatnot series but excellently done if it’s drama or thriller.
And this is the point it made me realize that Erased was best with Satoru and the other kids.
Daniel Wu
March 11, 2016 at 8:57 pmI commented in last week’s episode discussion, that sensei can’t be the killer. Because the clues are too obvious.
Good mystery story shouldn’t be like that. Obvious clues should be misleading, and correct clues should be hidden.
I dropped my jaw when I saw that sensei is the killer after all. I would be lying if I say that I am not disappointed.
Maybe it’s time to drop the score…
Earthling Zing
March 12, 2016 at 1:00 amMaybe someone who has been endlessly contemplating who the killer was feels that way, but I’ve been enjoying the progressive development in the characters’ relationship since the start. At least some of the clues laid out should make sense, I’d be way madder if they chose someone illogically without any foreshadowing.
gedata
March 11, 2016 at 9:32 pmWhydunit? Because he’s a goddamn crazy, that’s why
Howdunit? The show’s already explained at length how each of his murder plots that have been carried out between timelines, so that doesn’t exactly matter any more. It’s a whodunnit, but just a lazy one that put effort elsewhere.
Dein
March 12, 2016 at 6:06 amI’m surprised so many people seem to think it was ever a question of who. Sure, the show played it a bit coy at times with the hidden faces and candy-filled gloveboxes, but overall I don’t think the intention was for us, as viewers (readers?) to guess the killers indentity. Obviously, I can’t speak for everyone, but to me this was an interesting opporunity to walk in Satoru’s shoes the same way he does by going back to his younger self. That strange faith in a responsible adult who seemingly does everything to help you and the people around him. That intense desire to ignore the obvious because the reality would be too heartbreaking to face. I have no way of knowing if this was the writers intention, but the show created an incredible level of immersion and empathy by making me see the world as Satoru does. It was never a shock of facing reality, but rather the dull pain of being played like a child.
I’m pretty bummed that the show only has 2 episodes left and the pacing is definitely a cocern for me, but I’ll hope for the best. Erased deserves a lot more than a rushed ending.
Guardian Enzo
March 12, 2016 at 8:39 amHere’s my take on it. “Walking in Satoru’s shoes” really is the key. I think the idea is for us to live the experience emotionally, and for there to be a disconnect between our perception that Yashiro is obviously the killer and Satoru’s obliviousness to the fact. In a certain sense I think the story is about our blind spots – what they are, and why they exist.
I’d even go so far as to say this – if, by chance, we as viewers somehow didn’t realize of a certainty that Yashiro was the guy, I think Sanbe specifically wants us to ask ourselves why that is. What was it in our own perception that blinded us to the truth, just as Satoru was blinded?
say
March 12, 2016 at 8:50 amFirst of all, I read “Romeo and Juliet”, “Othello” and “Anthony and Cleopatra” at twelve (I picked them up in the library, I didn’t fully understand them but still I enjoyed the experience – I didn’t know King Lear at that time though :-P). It was a little over the line but not such a misjudgement. I agree with most of you in saying this story isn’t a mystery to the core: I didn’t get entangled at all with the hunt of the murderer. This story is more about “What can I save? What can’t I prevent from losing?”, but the director didn’t make it clear: the detective game, even the characters’ design hinted at a mystery tale. As Miyu Fan said it is out of character for Sachiko – always so perceptive – to never suspect the teacher. And here I am to what really has bothered me the most and determined my appreciation of this show: Every female character is functonal to the MC: Sachiko is the caring mother so it makes sense that she is perceptive only in order to underline how lucky Satouru is; Kayo is the perfect damsel in distress who gratify your efforts to save her; the girl in the present is someone who trust him not matter what (such a reassuring presence!). In the end there’s all a man can long for but it doesn’t appeal to me as long as I don’t pretend to be male. Thus Shouwa Genroku Rakugo ranks higher in my list (better none or few marginal women in the cast with inner coherency than many with the only purpose to emotionally gratify the audience.
Gina
March 13, 2016 at 8:13 amLike most viewers here, I didn’t have much doubt about the murderer as the anime was played out to guide your attention to him. It’s kinda like Cartesian theatre, because we see 26-year-old Satoru looking on to the events of his child self like it is a story. And we see all these along with him. In that sense, one cannot expect much mystery to the story already, since we have foresight.
Of course, being clouded by trust was doomed to happen cos even I was bought over despite knowing Yashiro is the murderer – kids do need a good adult in their lives, and Yashiro would have been the perfect teacher for it.
Even knowing the murderer, it doesn’t weaken the impact of the reveal for me as I was most intrigued by their conversation. From the part where Satoru echoed Yashiro-sensei’s line and Yashiro expressed fascination at how similar they are to the part when Yashiro mentioned that “you (Satoru) saved the people in this town with your death”, it was utterly fascinating. It made me wonder, if Satoru did die then (we know he wouldnt), years later, would Yashiro return to the town just as he had in the original timeline. Would Sachiko have realised it the same way and be caught for it? So many questions left unanswered and only 2 episodes left TT
Ronbb
March 13, 2016 at 12:10 pmI’m wondering if we will get a backstory of Yashiro — I want to know why he’s such a bipolar. As for the ending, I just hope that Sachiko can be saved…sad to see such a great mom gets killed…