Erased S1E12
Previously on Erased
Now: The Series Finale!
Satoru on his crutches manages to reach the aforementioned bridge and well what do ya know? He is met with the shit eating grin that is is 5th grade teacher, Mr. Yashiro. However, right before he stepped on the bridge, he carried 2 boxes but left one intentionally behind. I wonder why?
Upon coming face to face, Yashiro confesses that the fake note to Yumi was a backup in case the phone switch didn't pan out but having said that, he is at the bridge and not her. Plus, Satoru is hella early being a cripple and all. Despite this, he also explains that he is the only one worth killing since he fights oh so hard to protect the others. He asks how he figured it out. Oh yeah and he sets that box down on the ground to separate them.
Mr. Yashiro fully intended to carry out the murder of sweet little Kumi but he is totally not let disappointed that Satoru is standing in her place as he correctly predicted that he would pop up to try to stop him. He says that he remembers all too well the many times his 5th grader self thwarted his attempts to kill. So which begs him the question Satoru: What is the real truth behind that glint in his eye fighting to keep others alive?
This sends Satoru in a cheesy rant about not letting bad things happen to people he cares about and all that jazz. You get the gist so I won't elaborate much further on that. This is some My Little Pony *friendship*is*magic* type of banter. That is what truly fueled him to be the selfless dude.
We are totally forgetting that this standoff is in the middle of that fireworks show so while this is going on, fireworks are blasting in the background.
There was a weird moment when Yashiro says he remembers Satoru saying a certain thing back in 5th grade but Satoru pulls the uno reverse card to say ACK-SHU-WUH-LEE this is what Yashiro originally said when he graduated (I assume in the original timeline). But this intense scene goes on for just a little bit longer This crazy ass literally confesses to his teacher about his revivals BROOOOOOOO.
Yashiro insanely believes him and says that it uhh totally does explain things. Satoru says that because of that (other things too) that he just wants this all to end right here right now. Yashiro be like nahhhh. Not on his terms, yo.
He takes a step back and pulls out a remote and detonates the bombs placed on the bridge and the original one just under the bridge. The bomb on the bridge wasn't enough to completely obliterate the bridge as it is still in one piece. When Yashiro stands back up to tell him that they will both both die together and that should be good enough to end these killings.
Satoru is still on the ground like "Did this mothafucka seriously just say that?!" He uses the remaining strength to stand back up and makes a mention about something his doctor told him a few episodes ago about how far one can go based on sheer human will. Then he makes a mad dash at Yashiro and they both plunge in the water below.
That was cray cray.
Both surface back up from the water. Yashiro's stupid glue facial hair is coming apart. No one ever made a mention how he totally looks like Sawada but ok. Lights come up and of course it is all a sting. Kenya Sawada are rowing on by and picks up Satoru and leaves Yashiro in the dust so he can finally be arrested.
Sachiko approaches Satoru and Kenya. I teared up when I saw that she did that hand on their head and tossle their hair just like in that one episode when they were kids. She gives them both a big ol hug. Meanwhile Sawada is standing a few feet away probably wondering where his hug be at?
This next scene is Yashiro locked up but is currently having a chat with Kenya. He admits that he has been waiting for Satoru to wake up for his coma. He went into a crisis when his arch nemesis isn't there for that cat and mouse game. That's why he became a councilman so he can keep an eye on him (also explains that exercise equipment being used with his name attached).
When he found out that Satoru woke up from his coma, he says this triggered his excitement all over again. The one boy who had him all figured out. The one boy he could not kill. Well, he totally tried. Then has a joker laugh.
Next scene is Kenya at his desk at work looking at a newspaper staring at an article saying Yashiro has been sentenced to death.
There's a knock at the door and ooh wee it is Satoru. He takes a seat while Kenya updates him on his charges. The good news is what we already know, being sentenced to death and all but what sucked is that for the over 30 murders he committed was only pinned for like 8 plus the attempted but it was obviously good enough to sentence him to make sure he never sees the light of day as a free man ever again.
Kenya gets up from his desk and takes a closer seat to face him up to close to share his sorrows for everything he went through, including that one dude was who falsely accused of the murders. Satoru tells him need not worry and if anything he should be thanking him for being a ride or die friend.
After Satoru takes his leave, Kenya is alone at his desk when he decides to whip out a book which is a collection of essays and poems from his elementary school. He reflects on the one he wrote which was titled "Resolve" in it, he wrote that he vows to save the people he wasn't able to...and with his friends, of course.
Meanwhile over at Satoru's he resumes his career in being a manga artist. He is inking some eye balls like one does. He takes a break and proceeds to whip out the same exact essay book. He flips to the one Kayo wrote. You remember, right? The one about where she wants to live on an island all by herself where there is no sadness and stuff.
He flips to another page to read the essay he wrote titled "My Hero" no, it's not The Foo Fighter's song even though that song is still lit a fuck. In the essay he writes about his favorite manga called Wonder Guy and all the good qualities he has which compelled him to live his life with the same values.
This scene is just pulling on your heartstrings because while he is reading his 5th grade essay, we are show scenes of how all his 5th grade friends grew up to their adult selves. Including the one guy who got falsely accused in the murders. Even though 2 friends that would eventually join Kenya and Kayo at their "secret hideout" it showed how those 2 boys grew up to be. So sweet.
Satoru is at work but oh wait, he is leaving now. He says bye to his coworkers but he just barely missed crossing paths with his boss. Saddened that he just left, he gives the great news to his team that their manga just got picked up for an anime adaption. He brings out some jolly champange and they all make a toast to it! Woo!
Back at home, Sachiko is seen washing dishes and then proceeding to break out the glasses as there is a party in the other room. She says to herself that he is now living his dream. She has a warm smile on her face and proceeds to bring the glasses to the front.
Satoru is walking home now. Along the way, he passes by his old pizza boss on the motorcycle. He observes that memories from the other timelines are starting to fade from time. It's been 15 years when he was in that coma. Oh, man.
He approaches the iconic tunnel and plops his butt on the ground as he reflects on the friends who filled in that void and some more sappy friendship*is*magic internal monologue as he reflects on his past and current self.
Upon standing up, he spots someone from a distance. It is, snowing! But that's not all, he spots someone coming his way. Guess who it is!?
Airi!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She takes shelter under the tunnel and asks to chill with him until the snow passes. He gives a warm smile as the scene fades to white. These footsteps in snow no longer signify sadness and despair but time has been rewritten to now have a more positive meaning.
That was the series finale! I highly recommend you to watch this IRL. Reading these recaps does NOT do it justice. Definitely one of the best soundtracks for a show that I have heard in a really long time! Plus the outro is just perfect!!! I still cry every time I hear this song.