Erased (known in Japanese as Boku Dake Ga Inai Machi ) is directed by Tomohiko Ito , based on a fantasy thriller manga of the same name written by Kei Sanbe. Ito, who directed both seasons of Sword Art Online and has credits on Death Note and Puella Magi Madoka Magica , has delivered one of the most compelling and original anime of the winter anime 2015/2016 season.

It’s not that Erased’s Life Is Strange -esque central conceit is an utter innovation. It’s that in Ito’s deft hands, the manga material (already strong) becomes absolutely gripping. Here’s why you should add Erased to your queue of anime to watch this season.

’Erased’ has a very strong sense of character.

The only show this season that has matched Erased ’s grasp on characters is Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju (also on our watch list ) . The main character, Satoru Fujinuma, is beset by a sense of numbness and resignation. Without belaboring his mental exhaustion or riddling him with layers of gloom so exaggerated even Batman might cringe, Erased effectively conveys his malaise while keeping him somehow both relatable and likeable.

Fujinama struggles to open up, even to himself, because he has a fear of what he’ll find. Later, we learn the trauma that has caused him to live with such fear. Even his voice is flat with a touch of hopelessness. Newcomer voice actor Shinnosuke Mitsushima , a live action star, sounds like a veteran voice actor.

We meet Fujinuma’s mother as well, and in her limited screen time she leaves a strong impression of an intelligent woman who isn’t the flat “mom in an apron” of most anime, there just long enough to smile vapidly and get eaten by a Titan. There’s still room to flesh out pizza place coworker Katagiri, who is currently little more than a peppy, pretty, carefree high school girl. But between Fujinuma and his mother are more interesting and realistic characters than the entire plots of some other shows this season.

The plot of ’Erased’ works on multiple levels and unfolds expertly.

On one level, the plot of Erased is about one man’s trauma; on another it’s about his regret; on yet another it’s about a murder, on another it’s about a kidnapping; on yet another it’s about that butterfly that wrenches Fujinuma back in time. You’d think this is a lot to heap on one show, but Erased carries its levels with ease.

The central conceit of Erased is that Fujinuma is regularly hurtled back in time, but only for 5 or so minutes. When “Revival” occurs, a small blue butterfly in his field of vision is his only warning of an impending temporal jump. In that limited time frame, he must search frantically for whatever is out of place in order to avert an unknown disaster. This on its own is an intriguing enough premise, but Erased layers murder, mystery, and psychological trauma so smoothly atop it that before the episode is over, you’re dying to know what comes next.

It’s so refreshing to see a thriller that remembers it’s a thriller, piquing interest without giving away all its secrets. There’s clearly a plan in place for Erased . Every beat of the story feels like it’s going somewhere important. If all the episodes are this well-executed, Erased may well be this season’s genre home run.

’Erased’ is technically adept: its fluid animation and distinct art style serve the story, not distract from it.

The art style of Erased is a step above serviceable. It’s just distinct enough to be different without verging on ugly or unappealing. The characters are all drawn in bright, fresh colors, their eyes featuring tall pointed irises, angled eyes and full mouths. The faces are expressive and different from one another. Fujinuma might be flat of affect and restrained in his mannerisms, but he smiles faintly, shows confusion, stress, uncertainty, all depicted with subtlety on his features.

And the animation is smooth. Best of ‘95 CG has plagued anime since, well, ‘95, but aside from a few ill-advised and clunky insertions of CG, Erased is animated competently and well. Even Fujinuma’s fingers reaching out to grasp and turn a doorknob look good, the beer cans depicted in minute detail, the glow of screens casting a strange light on scenes.

In short: should you watch ‘Erased’?

Absolutely yes. But I do have two reservations based on the first episode.

First, I truly hope that Fujinuma and Katagiri do not develop a romance. There’s a lot of “methinks the protagonist doth protest too much” and one or two inappropriately blushes and lingering looks between the two of them. Fujinuma is 29 years old; it’s ridiculous. The fact that this show is not stupid, nor is it loaded with panty flashes and titty jiggles, somehow makes the prospect of a relationship between Fujinama and Katagiri even worse. The show should know enough to know better, and even the intimation is uncomfortable.

Second, and this is tough to explain without spoilers but I’ll do my best, there is an incident at the end of the episode that I really hope is reversed. I have some expectation that the rest of Erased is all about preventing this one event from ever happening by addressing Fujinuma’s traumatic past. If that is in fact the case, I rescind my reservations on this point. But otherwise, the fridging is inexcusable.

Erased is available to watch on Funimation here . Simulcasts are updated Thursdays at 12:30 PM EST. You can also view it on Crunchyroll here at the same time, or over here at daisuki.net.