Erased, Volume 4

Erased Omnibus #4

by Kei Sanbe

Satoru is making great strides toward recovery, despite the gaping hole in his memory. But after a chance encounter with a stranger named Airi, Satoru realized the fragments of "dreams" from when he was asleep must be memories from another timeline-and Airi, from a future that no longer exists. As Satoru begins to piece together the events leading up to the incident, he finds himself once again in the thick of the investigation that cost him so much fifteen years ago. Every step closer to the truth is one step closer to a dangerous killer, who is himself eager for another confrontation. Can Satoru put an end to the slippery serial murderer before he strikes again?

Genres: Manga, Mystery, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Science Fiction, Thriller, Comics

406 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2018

About the author

三部けい.

Reviews

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad this adventure is over. It was complicated and fantastic.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

For some strange reason, the time travel aspects are mostly discarded and the series concludes with a fairly standard cat-and-mouse game between our hero and the serial killer. There are still nice character bits, but I was hoping for something that sewed the whole package together rather than just shrugging off the more fantastic elements of the story.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This conclusion is a bit over-the-top, but still compelling, and those last couple of panels were more emotionally resonant than I was expecting. I also enjoyed that the ending was different than the anime - I watched it a few years ago and the manga largely followed it very closely. Not knowing how we were going to reach the ending ratcheted up the tension.

I would highly recommend the series overall. It's a fun take on the murder-mystery genre with a twist of sci-fi. I also highly recommend the anime if you're sad this over and don't want to leave these characters.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Overall, this series is a fantastic read but I do think this final volume was the weakest.

RTC

[Cyndi (hiatus) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic series. I was nervous that it wouldn't hold my attention since I recently watched the anime and already knew who the Big Bad was, but there were some pretty big differences near the end that had me on the edge of my seat. I can see why some people said that the anime ending felt rushed. Compared to this final installment, I have to agree. However, I can't honestly say which ending I prefer more. I thought they were both really smart. Great manga. Great anime. Sachiko Fujinuma is my idol.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a satisfactory ending. It lost a bit of the cleverness I'd come to like in the machinations of the plot, but he managed to maintain the Sentimentality Without Sappiness that has been impressing me throughout. So I came out of it pleased, but not as excited as I was hoping. Still I'd definitely recommend this little series to just about anyone like me who doesn't think they are going to like manga.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know whether I liked this ending or the anime one better.

[Feey_Clowchette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coup de cœur pour ce tome ❤️. Il est vraiment très touchant par pleins d'aspects. Le voyage dans le temps est merveilleusement bien géré par le mangaka. Ce manga est une pépite

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

*2.5

Kind of let down, to be honest. All along it seemed like Sanbe had the endgame planned out, but the finale was so sloppy and unfulfilling it was like someone else wrote it.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really satisfying ending to the series. I liked this story a lot. It was well written and the mystery was enticing. I was really invested in the story and I loved all the twists it took. I can't wait to watch the anime. I hope it does the manga justice.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's a bit of a shame that the final volume ended up being the weakest, but it was still very enjoyable—it's my lowest rated of the series, and it's still a 4 star. so....let that be a testament to how great this series is.

[Esar ايثار · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really different ending from the anime ( I watched the anime years ago and loved it ) I like both endings though.

[BookishStitcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this whole series!

[Victor Hdez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Que buen sabor de boca deja este volumen. Ahora quién sigue.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant story... beginning to end.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.

Satoru has woken from his 15 year coma and doesn’t remember a thing about the attempt on his life. While outside the hospital where he is receiving care, he find airi-kun once again, although he can’t remember why he knows her and she certainly doesn’t know him. Then, a jolt of memory slips him back into a coma for another year where his mind works out all the jumbled memories he has from living life before revival. Meanwhile, the killer learns of satoru’s second recovery, and he plots one last thrill of a lifetime to challenge Satoru and potentially murder more people. It’s up to Satoru to work it all out and save everyone, including himself again.

This startling conclusion is not the storyline I ever thought I wanted but it was immensely satisfying. At the end of the last volume with Satoru comes out of his coma, I was immensely dissatisfied that there wasn’t a clean ending to his time revisiting his childhood and that he couldn’t “revive” back to his adult self. However, after reading this volume, I am convinced that my ending would have been utter garbage. There could have been many different ways of ending the story before Satoru became an adult again through coma, but this final gasp of an arc to Satoru’s life was the cherry on top of a fabulous series. There are moments that seem to stretch just a bit in this last volume (like realizing you have about 100 pages left AFTER the final confrontation with the murderer), but Sanbe is a master storyteller who absolutely did need all of those pages. His characters are so rich and so well developed, which is refreshing in a medium that often rushes to conclusions and relies heavily on major action sequences to further plot. There is one more volume to this series, but as Sanbe points out in his end note, it’s a side-story he wanted to tell but didn’t know how to at the time it fit in, so it got cut. Sanbe revisited this in volume five, so technically, the series main story has concluded with volume four.

Sara’s Rating: 10/10
Suitability Level: Grades 9-12

[_ aethonan _ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐5.0⭐
Hasta ahora es el que más me ha gustado
(Edit): después de terminar de leer la serie me doy cuenta que este fue el tomo que más ame y creo que es de esas lecturas que conforme más pasa el tiempo y lo vas analizando más te va gustando
Pd: mi primer puntaje fue 4.5 pero ahora lo siento muy bajo

[Bléu · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this series so much and i'm so happy i read it continuously this year! i found this volume more enjoyable as there is better dialogues and the plot twist is amazingly well written and i'm here for it. one more volume and i can finally watch the movie/live version on netflix where yuki furukawa is in. i love my mischievous man haha but i'm also scared for the next book and for another mind blowing plot twist churning. but ganbatte!

~*~
"My motto is...step right into whatever's in front of you with all your might so..."

"...that casual everyday life...is a treasure"

" ' Who am I?' ' What should I be doing?' I'd lost sight of everything and had to continually ask myself those questions. The answer was very simple. Continue on..."

"It was as if I was shut up inside a cage...called 'time.'"

"It's a beginning of a new season.-- Filling in that 'hole' in your heart is what life is all about. < ...who said that? Those words are perfect for my situation right now. > There are many precious words that people have told me.--- When I'm performing, it feels like it'll become 'real' somewhere along the line. - It's important to do your best in everything. - You can't be so pessimistic. - My fate is my own. - I can hang in there because of you and everyone else who supports and believes in me. - I think you should have more faith in yourself. - Without being embarrassed about it, but with courage. Your speculation may very well lead to something, is what I think. - ' I don't exactly remember who said which to me or when they said it...but these words have become a part of me. Even now...they're trying to tell me something."

"Repeat, 'I can do more', to yourself in the future."

"Mom...told me that no one. Now more than ever...I need to tell myself 'You can do more.' So many people's words gave me a supportive push forward. They taught me, helped me...and made me the 'me' that I am...sometimes I was successful, sometimes I failed. What did I learn from the failures...?

"Satoru-kun. Your courage is the courage to move forward. I'm sure that strength will help you from here on out. You gave me a little bit of that strength too. From the bottom of my heart, I'm grateful to you for the courage you gave me. "

"I have a dream. There's something I want to do with the money I make. When you tell people about your 'dream', don't you think 'what'll i do if it doesn't come true?' I'm not especially embarrassed or whatever to talk about it. I feel like when you put something in words...it's more likely to actually happen somewhere along the line."

"Danger could befall at any moment and it wouldn't be a surprise. - I know that but...if I lived my life in secret, running and hiding all the time...I'm sure I would regret it later. I think it's actually better if I...'stand out'. We've won some and lost some but we've been fighting all this time. "

"Yashiro-sensei...you're the one who didn't catch on a very simple answer. What did you sense within my eyes? It was...the will to accomplish something...the determination to keep moving forward. Back in fifth grade and now...that hasn't changed. Being determined...and rushing into danger are two different things. I know...but...I thought if I didn't venture into territory where I couldn't make excuses for myself...I wouldn't be able to speak my true mind. "

"--I've had support...from the words...of so many dear friends. They saved me. They encouraged me. They consoled me. They taught me that moving forward...is the only way to go. I woke up from a fifteen year coma...with amnesia...so 'moving forward' was just what I wanted. Turning that into action...was the key to regaining my memories and I owe it to specific words. They were words...that I needed seventeen years ago...to make me even stronger...and to give me the driving force...to prevent your crimes sensei. I wanted to 'fill the hole in my heart.'"

"My Hero by Satoru Fujinama- My favorite manga, 'Fight Wonder Guy!' has been made into a TV show. When I grow up, I want to become a manga artist and draw a superhero like Wonder Guy. What I like about Wonder Guy is that even when he loses against his enemies, he gets back up again and again, then fights on. I like it when he says, 'When you suffer a setback, that's your new starting point.' It's like , when you start something, you don't have only one goal. I think you get to have more than just one 'start' too. At first, Wonder Guy fought alone, but after he said, 'A heart that believes in people is a weapon,' he got more friends.After he and his friends learned to believe in each other, they joined forces and defeated the enemy boss, I want to have many friends like that who trust me and I trust them. Even if I fail, I don't want to give up. I want to keep starting over and over until I succeed in the end. Wonder Guy's words make me feel stronger. I want to draw a superhero like him."

"But...that's fine.I was asleep for fifteen years...but I wasn't alone. I had a lot of company...and they filled up the empty space. More than anything else...I'm proud to have them. They shine brightly...in my heart."

[Ally · Rating 3 out of 5]

(I was writing a more middling review of this when goodreads crashed and now I'm mad I have to type it all over again. Sorry if this review comes off angrier than I originally meant 😂)

I REALLY wish I could have liked this ending more, but everything I liked from the first three books is completely gone in this book. I want to rate it two stars at this point, but I feel so frustrated rn that maybe it's clouding my perception so I'll leave it at 3 for now.

I hate how the initial premise of the story is completely gone by this point. No revivals, no awkward fumbles from an adult in a child's body with just enough knowledge of the past to struggle his way through preventing it this time. I loved seeing him grow and learn time again that his failure to rely on others was cutting him short. Instead we get BBC Sherlock style "and this is how I knew it the whole time" style speeches with an obsession over the protagonist that only validates his previous assumption he was the only one able to fix everything (a plot point they spent the last few books trying to disavow). Maybe you could say that the villain's obsession with Satoru being his downfall proves the point that Satoru's new reliance on others was a success, but we don't actually see much of that strength this time around. We get a bit of flashback style "this is how we did it" but none of the actual relationships behind those actions that give them the weight they deserve.

On the topic of those characters, we don't actually get any of the growth during the coma that makes it feel like we still care about these now grow up versions. My favorite part of the childhood timeline was the building relationship we got between Satoru and the potential victims, especially Kayo. All that's gone by this book. We get a glimpse into who they are now, but the underlying feeling of "time to wrap it up everyone" gives us so little time to actually meet these new versions of them and grow to care about them at all.

Overall I think that's the problem though. It feels incredibly rushed, like the author is ready to be done with this story already and wants to tie as many loose ends as quickly as possible. Like it doesn't matter if the original intent gets lost in the process, just "be done with it." I would have loved to see at least another omnibus for this series where the tensions actually rose, trying to deal with the changing world with each revival, getting increasingly harder to manage as the worlds divide further. I want to have actual relationships build between Satoru and his friends, not just flimsily held onto through the coma. I want their relationships to get complicated as his obsession with fixing this timeline butts heads with trying to actually live it. I want to see how he's stronger for building these real relationships with people this time, not just told by Kayo congratulating him retroactively.

I know some of the issues are supposedly addressed in the Re book, but I don't think having a POV of his friends while he's in the coma actually solves any of my issues.

[ispeakdefiance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I haven't read many thrillers or murder books, I love this series. I love the plot, the craziness, the characters. I love Satoru. I kind of already suspected who the killer was but the journey up to it made up. The dynamic between the murderer and Satoru was amazing. They match. They find themselves trying to outsmart each other. Satoru's determination and his getting int he way of the murders excites the killer. Having watched a lot and a lot of Criminal Minds, I get the explanation. From my understanding, some murderers never experience the high of their first murder. They continue to kill, looking for that high. So when they've met their match, it's exciting. In the previous volume, we got an insight into what created this serial killer and what explains his actions but doesn't excuse; which, I guess, is debatable. It left an opening to feel bad for him and to pity on some level. What I realized watching Criminal Minds and reading this series, is that any of us humans are capable of doing the unspeakable if the right thing happens to the right person. Not only that, but you can relate, feel and understand what happens some of the killers. When you have something in common with them whether it's abuse, mental health, a loss etc. That's what makes me think. But the one thing I'd like from this series is more insight. What's up with the Revival thing? When/how did he get it? Is he the only one who has that ability? Regardless, this series is definitely one of my favorites of 2018.

[SB Senpai Manga · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very few works of fiction can bring me close to tears. In the past, the Toy Story movies were the only ones that came the closest.
And last week, I finished the anime of Erased and Toy Story had a new contender.
Now I’ve finished the manga and while there are plenty of differences between the two, they still have the same plot and characterization to still make this a compelling story.
We end with the killer being confronted for the last time and come to a solid conclusion. It’s even more satisfying when you see that Satoru accomplished his goal of saving his mom and stopping the killer, but he also managed to make friends that lasted through the decades which made him a stronger person. Not to mention rekindling the relationship with his mother now that he has a second chance.
Why am I feeling this strongly?
Because I relate to Satoru on several levels. Having recently got out of my late 20’s, socially introverted, mother died, and I do wish for the power to change things. Needless to say it did give me many emotional beats through this whole series. Now both manga and anime are on my ultimate recommendations for anyone, but I will say that the anime did have a much stronger ending with the final problem. Still do both, to have the complete experience.

[Deana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent series, but the first half vastly outshines the second set. I mean seriously not one coma, but two?! He gets mostly better just to start all over? I don't get it. I also feel like it was a longshot that they tied the one other murder to the same killer... over a decade later, a different MO... why would they think it was the same guy? And such a disappointment that the time travel thing never happens to him again... although I guess it's because he took care of all the problems. Like Quantum Leap... his final leap will be his leap home. Heh

Still, although it turns more into a crime solving series than it was initially, I enjoyed it. He and Kenya made a great team. I liked how Yashiro was trying to figure out how the heck he kept being intercepted. And I liked the possible future being left open with Airi... although who knows if she's anything like the version on the other timeline. I guess there's only one way to find out. It was neat to see the futures of the kids who had originally been murdered, and the difference he'd made in their lives (I mean, aside from the fact that they HAD lives).

I hear the ending is quite different in the anime version. I may have to check it out.

[Isis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is actually one of the few series- one of the few books really, that I've started after I watched the series/movie.
Right from the get go, I fell in love with story, the suspense, the edge of your seat feeling! The characters, Satoru and his Mom, Kayo, Kenya, Hiromi, Airi, Yashiro- the story! I mean this entire series made you think, made you forget it was all fake and that the whole revival thing seemed so far fetched and out of place within the murder-mystery going on.
I have to say, knowing (or at least think you think you know) exactly who the culprit is only to second guess yourself then second guess yourself again... amazing!
Like you know who it is but then you don't but then you do! Ugh, it's a feeling you can't forget.
While I was a bit heartbroken at what happens between Kayo and Satoru... And just how it all comes down, how It all ends... man, it left me a bit hollow.
Definitely buying the DVD set and most definitely buying the omnibus manga set!

[RSC_Collecting · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh! The end of the main series. Damn this was excellent. It was tense the whole way. Trying to regain his health and memories. Trying to solve the crimes that could've taken place so many years ago. The constant flip flopping between characters and between who was really in control of the situation. It was amazing to see. Never knowing who was ahead until the very moment. Where nothing is said, but the action that takes place tells the entire story. You sit there in shock as all the pieces come together. Damn. That was an incredible moment. This whole series was full of moments like that. But this was the most impactful for sure. Overall the series was amazing. I'm a sucker for a mystery. Especially one that has so many possibilities and a fun gimmick. This is definitely a series that I would recommend. One more book left! Though I think it's just a "where are they now" style book. Can't wait!

[Luisa Maula · Rating 4 out of 5]

ime traveling sure is a tricky business, especially if you happen to be in Satoru’s shoes who goes through something like dejavu, but in a different scenario most of the time.

If that’s the case, would you happen to do just about anything to change the future for the sake of saving someone? The outcome in doing so is a bit too much, though this isn’t to say I’m complaining with how the story’s coming along.

What I’ve learned from this volume is that a mother’s love to her child isn’t to be taken for granted and such affection can create grand changes towards an individual. Asking for help doesn’t burden them the load either. It simply shows putting themselves out there means they care and would do anything for friendship’s sake.

On the other hand, there are scenes present for volume 4 containing abuse, so just a word of caution to future readers who happen to read this too.

[Michael Galdamez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Just wow.

I feel more and more disappointed with every second that the anime didn't have this ending.

This ending ties everything up with so much cohesion, emotional impact, fascination, suspense, and drama. In this ending, every character makes so much more sense and each gets the conclusion they deserve. The added intensity of the threat to one last child post Satoru's awakening in the future fills the story out and adds an element of parallelism to the whole story that the anime sorely lacks.

As usual, this volume has beautiful art, storytelling, and characterization. If there is anything to be said about this series, it is that the story is ultimately not simply a time-traveling murder mystery, but a celebration of life, friendship, and purpose.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

While still good the resolution was a little lacking. There were also a few plot conveniences (like how bad the investigation into Satoru’s attempted murder was - for example, why would they not look into the car more?).

I would prefer not to have the character Aria - I am not sure what she really adds to the plot (and what she does add could easily be done with a different character) and it’s a bit off putting that there is an underlying romantic element (even if not acted on or fully fleshed out) between a 29 year old and a 17 year old. Maybe that is not what the Mangaka intended the emotions to be - but they come across that way.

Overall, however, the story was very gripping and well done. I am assuming that the last volume (after this) is a wrap up one and the main plot point was resolved in this volume,

[mak · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg the impossible happened: i actually finished a manga series
well technically there is a spin off i plan on reading but im done with the main series
never thought i’d see the day
but erased volume 4 was a banger i love this series a ton
and yea…this ending is quite a bit better than the anime ending idk why it was changed
yashiro is literally adam for sk8 the infinity
DUDE THE SCENE WHEN KENYA AND SATORU WERE TALKING AT THE END WAS SO GOOD OMG IT MADE ME SOFT
i ship them on the low not gonna lie
and the confrontation between satoru and yashiro was so tense and well down great moment
also satoru’s mom is literally the best ever
and i like that we got to see more of kimi she’s a cute character
yea erased is great glad i read it

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, This was apparently the finale for the series, while volume 5 details the other characters. I loved how this volume wrapped up the killer mystery to save characters from the past. I found it interesting how the killer came into the normal timeline and tried to cause a bunch of chaos while chasing down Satoru. Saturou going through a coma was also very emotional and I really appreciated the role of Saturos mom and Airi during that period. It was also super emotional having Saturou get memory loss and have to try and regain his memories and keep connections. The final battle was very unexpected and epic and overall this series just put me through an emotional rollercoaster so I will treasure it in my mind. 5 out of 5 stars.