10 Anime Like Erased You Should Watch
If you’re a fan of Erased (Boku dake ga Inai Machi), you likely enjoyed its gripping time-travel mystery, emotional depth, and psychological suspense. Erased follows Satoru Fujinuma, a struggling manga artist who possesses a mysterious ability called “Revival,” which allows him to travel back in time moments before a tragic event occurs. When his mother is murdered, Satoru is sent back 18 years into the past, giving him a chance to prevent a string of childhood kidnappings that have haunted him for years.
If you’re looking for anime with similar themes of time travel, mystery, suspense, and emotional storytelling, here are 10 must-watch anime like Erased.
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10. Summer Time Rendering
At first glance, Summer Time Rendering may seem like just another summer island mystery, but it quickly unfolds into something much darker. The story follows Shinpei Ajiro, who returns to his hometown after the mysterious death of his childhood friend Ushio. However, what starts as a tragic homecoming turns into a thrilling battle against supernatural forces as he discovers he has the ability to loop through time.
Much like Erased, Summer Time Rendering combines time travel with intense suspense and psychological elements. Both anime aren’t afraid to delve into darker themes, including murder and horror. The main protagonist in both series is determined to save a girl and uncover hidden truths, leading to a gripping narrative that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats.
9. Oshi no Ko
While Oshi no Ko may not seem like a direct comparison at first, it shares a compelling murder mystery element with Erased. The story revolves around Gorou, a doctor who is reincarnated as the son of a famous idol, only to witness a shocking murder unfold in his new life. As he grows up, he begins unraveling secrets surrounding the entertainment industry and the crime that shaped his fate.
Like Erased, Oshi no Ko deals with a protagonist who has a personal connection to a murder and embarks on a journey to uncover hidden truths. While Oshi no Ko incorporates reincarnation instead of time travel, both shows explore deep emotional themes and family secrets that add layers of complexity to their storytelling.
8. Your Name
Makoto Shinkai’s Your Name is a beautifully animated film that, like Erased, plays with time and fate to create an emotionally powerful narrative. The movie follows Taki and Mitsuha, two teenagers who mysteriously begin swapping bodies. As they grow closer, they realize there’s more to their connection than they first thought, leading to a desperate race against time to save each other.
Both Your Name and Erased revolve around a male protagonist trying to prevent a tragedy involving a girl. They share a similar emotional intensity, where time travel isn’t just a plot device but a means of conveying deep character development and relationships.
7. Link Click
One of the most underrated gems in recent years, Link Click (Shiguang Dailiren) is a Chinese anime (donghua) that brilliantly uses time travel as a storytelling mechanism. The anime follows two friends, Cheng Xiaoshi and Lu Guang, who can enter photographs and experience the moments captured within them. They use this power to help people but soon find themselves entangled in dangerous mysteries.
Like Erased, Link Click masterfully blends time travel with crime-solving, emotional storytelling, and suspenseful twists. Both series feature moments of warmth and human connection, but they also aren’t afraid to dive into dark psychological themes. If you loved Erased’s mix of mystery, drama, and emotional depth, Link Click is a must-watch.
6. The Promised Neverland
At first glance, The Promised Neverland may seem different from Erased, but both share a dark, psychological thriller aspect. The anime follows a group of orphans who discover the horrifying truth behind their seemingly peaceful orphanage. As they try to outsmart their captors and escape, tension and suspense build up in every episode.
Both series involve young protagonists fighting against powerful forces while uncovering dark secrets. The cat-and-mouse style pacing of The Promised Neverland mirrors the suspense of Erased, making it an excellent pick for fans of psychological thrillers.
5. ReLIFE
ReLIFE offers a unique take on the idea of reliving one’s past, much like Erased. The story follows Arata Kaizaki, a 27-year-old man who is given a mysterious pill that allows him to return to his high school days and redo his life. Unlike Erased, which is a thriller, ReLIFE focuses more on self-improvement, personal growth, and human connections.
Despite the differences in tone, both anime feature protagonists who are mentally adults but relive their youth, trying to change their past and help others. If you enjoyed the character development aspects of Erased, ReLIFE is a great choice.
4. Orange
For those who loved the emotional weight of Erased, Orange is another heartbreaking time-travel anime. The story follows Naho Takamiya, a high school girl who receives a letter from her future self warning her about the regrets and mistakes she must avoid to save a close friend from a tragic fate.
Like Erased, Orange uses time travel as a way to rewrite past mistakes and prevent tragedy. Both anime focus on the theme of second chances, offering deeply emotional and heartfelt storytelling.
3. Re:ZERO – Starting Life in Another World
While Re:ZERO is set in a fantasy world, its time-loop mechanic is very similar to Erased. The anime follows Subaru Natsuki, who is transported to another world and discovers that he has the ability to return to a previous “checkpoint” every time he dies. He must use this power to prevent horrific tragedies and uncover hidden dangers.
Both Erased and Re:ZERO explore the psychological burden of repeatedly reliving trauma. They showcase protagonists struggling with the weight of their knowledge and failures, making every moment filled with tension and emotional stakes.
2. Tokyo Revengers
Tokyo Revengers is perhaps the closest anime to Erased in terms of plot. The story follows Takemichi Hanagaki, a 26-year-old man who suddenly finds himself transported back to his teenage years. Realizing he has a chance to change the past, he sets out to prevent the tragic death of his ex-girlfriend by infiltrating a dangerous gang.
Both anime feature a protagonist who travels back in time into their younger body to prevent a tragic event. The blend of action, suspense, and emotional storytelling in Tokyo Revengers makes it a perfect recommendation for Erased fans.
1. Steins;Gate
No list of time-travel anime would be complete without Steins;Gate. This psychological thriller follows Rintarou Okabe, a self-proclaimed mad scientist who accidentally discovers a way to send messages into the past. However, his experiments soon spiral out of control, leading to devastating consequences.
Like Erased, Steins;Gate explores the consequences of altering the past. Both anime feature a protagonist who is desperate to save someone they care about, leading to an emotional rollercoaster filled with mystery, suspense, and shocking twists.
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10 Best Anime Like Steins;Gate
Conclusion
If Erased captivated you with its blend of time travel, mystery, and emotional storytelling, these 10 anime will keep you hooked. Whether you’re looking for psychological thrillers like Steins;Gate, heartfelt dramas like Orange, or action-packed time-travel stories like Tokyo Revengers, there’s something on this list for every fan of Erased.
Which of these anime have you watched? Let us know in the comments!
