僕だけがいない街
ERASED - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
Blue Butterfly
The blue butterfly symbolizes the "Revival" phenomenon and the opportunity for change. Its appearance heralds a moment where Satoru can alter fate, representing the delicate and transformative nature of his actions, akin to the butterfly effect.
It appears just before Satoru is sent back in time, both for the minor jumps in 2006 and the major leap back to 1988. It reappears in the final scene, suggesting that Satoru's and Airi's meeting is another pivotal, fate-altering moment.
Spider's Thread
This is a direct reference to a famous Japanese short story by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa. For the killer, Gaku Yashiro, it symbolizes a fragile opportunity for salvation or connection that he can grant or sever at will. He sees invisible threads above the heads of those he feels a connection to, which fuels his twisted desire to kill them before they "fall." For Satoru, overcoming the killer is like seizing his own thread to climb out of despair.
Yashiro explains his philosophy involving the spider's thread in the final episodes when he confronts Satoru. In the opening animation, threads can be seen dangling from the heads of Airi, Kayo, and Sachiko, symbolizing that they are all targets connected to the killer's web.
Film Reels and Widescreen Aspect Ratio
The cinematic presentation symbolizes Satoru's perspective as both an actor and a helpless viewer of his own past. The past is presented in a widescreen (2.35:1) aspect ratio, which creates a cinematic, movie-like feel, as if he is watching a film he cannot change. The film reel imagery in the opening credits reinforces this idea of re-watching and attempting to edit a pre-written story.
Throughout all the scenes set in 1988, the screen format shifts to widescreen, with black bars at the top and bottom. This visual cue immediately distinguishes the past from the present (which is shown in a standard 16:9 ratio) and enhances the feeling of being trapped in a memory.
The Color Red
Red is consistently used to symbolize danger, malice, and the presence of the killer. It is the color of the killer's eyes when his true nature is revealed, the color of his car, and is often associated with moments of intense threat or violence.
Gaku Yashiro's eyes glow red in moments of killer intent, a visual cue used to create suspense. His car, a key location in the series, is red. The color is also used starkly in scenes of violence, such as when Satoru discovers his mother's body, highlighting the blood and the horror of the moment.
Philosophical Questions
To what extent can and should we alter the past?
The series dives into the classic time-travel dilemma. Satoru's interventions save lives, but they also come at great personal cost, including his 15-year coma. It raises the question of whether one has the right to rewrite history, even with the best intentions. The story suggests that changing the past is less about achieving a perfect outcome and more about the personal growth and moral courage gained from the attempt itself.
What is the nature of evil?
Through the antagonist, Gaku Yashiro, the series explores the psychology of a serial killer. Yashiro is not a one-dimensional villain; he has a complex (albeit twisted) philosophy that motivates his actions. The series questions whether evil is an inherent trait or something born from trauma and warped logic. Yashiro's strange attachment to Satoru further complicates this, suggesting a human need for connection even within a monstrous individual.
Does fate exist, or is the future a product of free will?
ERASED constantly plays with the tension between determinism and free will. Satoru is fighting against a pre-determined, tragic timeline. His small victories suggest that the future is malleable and can be shaped by individual choices and willpower. Yet, the immense struggle required to make these changes implies that there are powerful currents of fate that are difficult to divert. The series ultimately sides with the power of human will to create a better future.
Core Meaning
The core meaning of ERASED revolves around the profound impact of human connection and the courage to take action against past regrets. The series posits that one person's genuine effort and willingness to reach out can create a ripple effect, fundamentally altering the course of multiple lives. It's a message about filling the "blanks" in one's life not by wishing for a different past, but by actively engaging with the present to build a better future. It explores the idea that true heroism isn't about supernatural powers, but about empathy, observation, and the bravery to stand up for others, even when you're scared.