Episode 6 "Grim Reaper"
Satoru is back on the trail of the killer in what is reportedly the midpoint episode of the one and only season of "ERASED."
Though this week's episode is plot focused, more interested in the drive toward discovering who has racked up all these bodies over the years, there's a beautiful metaphor about regret.
In the first episode of "ERASED," Satoru explains that he doesn't find his regret to be real regret since he refuses to do anything about it. False regret is what he calls it. When you think about that initial statement, you realize that Satoru has been trying to make up for regrets he's had his entire life.
The beauty of the "Grim Reaper" metaphor that he explains to Airi, is not only the animation that couples it, but also the tragedy of realizing that Satoru may not ever be able to gain a resolution. So far, he hasn't made a lot of positive progress. He was sent back to his childhood and ultimately could not save Hinazuki.
Now that he's back in the present, it would seem that he cannot save his mother either. So, then what hope does Satoru have?
He has the hope of becoming a person with "real regrets." And so far, it looks like Satoru has already made brilliant strides in that direction.
The beauty of "ERASED" episode six is the realization of Satoru's character arc and how the plot directly pushes and pulls Satoru's character forward. At first, Satoru is inactive and content to wallow in his despair over the lack of authenticity. Now, he's made choices to fight and change the past.
Now he's going to change the future.
Overall, "ERASED" episode six is an expertly plotted push forward with a beautiful visual representation of the journey that Satoru has crossed since he was forced to journey into the past by his special re-vival ability.
The real magic of course is that you want Satoru to get through because his journey is universal. We all want to fix our mistakes.
