Journal with Witch
We do not always get along with our family members. Since they often live under the same roof and are constantly in each other's presence, you can easily grow tired of their everyday drama and theatrics. At the same time, these people likely know you better than most and shape who you are as a person to a greater extent than most would like to even admit. Even found family can work in the same way, so it’s like you can never really be completely freed of their influence…
“Journal with Witch," also known as “Ikoku Nikki," “Different Country Diary,” or “Foreign Country Diary," is a 13-episode TV anime series that aired from the 4th of January to the 29th of March in winter 2026. It was produced by Pony Canyon, Movic, Ai Addiction, Tokyo MX, ABC Animation, and BS Asahi; brought to life by Studio Shuka; and the main team behind it included Matsui Yuuko, Kaneko Hirotaka, Miura Fumito, and Cai Ailian as producers. Featuring the drama genre targeted at the Josei demographic, each episode runs 23 minutes and has earned a PG-13 rating for teenagers 13 years or older.
The anime is based on the manga series of the same title, which ran for 11 volumes from the 8th of June 2017 to the 8th of June 2023. It is the work of author and artist Yamashita Tomoko, which was serialized in Feel Young. The series was nominated for the Manga Taisho award in both 2019 and 2020, finishing fourth and tenth, respectively. It also placed tenth on Kono Manga Sugoi!'s 2020 list for female readers. It was published in both French by Kana and Italian by Flashbook on the 9th of July 2021 and the 14th of July 2021, respectively. Finally, it was adapted into a live-action movie in 2024.
The story starts with Makio Koudai, a thirty-five-year-old novelist, who has never maintained a positive relationship with her older sister, Minori. The reasoning is simple in her eyes: Minori has constantly berated her for simply being different from everyone else. This attitude is also why Makio is not particularly sad when she hears that both Minori and her husband had tragically died in a car crash. She is called in to identify their bodies regardless, and this is where she has a fateful meeting with her niece, 15-year-old Asa Takumi, whom she had barely seen in ages. As the teenager struggles to process the sudden death of both her parents, Makio provides her with the much-needed reassurance that her complicated feelings are completely valid and even recommends writing a diary as a coping mechanism. Once Makio learns that no other relatives are willing to take Asa in, she makes the massive decision to become Asa’s guardian even though she has zero experience in the field. Now, together in a world full of uncertainty and complications, the novelist and teenager must adapt and learn to live alongside each other, all while figuring themselves out…
“Journal with Witch” is one of the most grounded depictions of grief and depression I have ever seen across all forms of media. It is not afraid to ask the difficult questions and even offer somber answers, looking at life’s fragility and emotional depth through both an adult's and a teenager’s eyes. This is a coming-of-age story crafted with meticulous care and effort, with each episode maintaining absolute respect for the delicate subject matter involved. If you are someone who has lost something important to you at a young age, Asa’s story will really resonate with you, and you’d wish you had someone like Makio in your life at the time too. She is capable of connecting with this teenager in such a deep and meaningful way that it puts into perspective how important strong human relationships are in difficult times. Their connection is not only impactful but also beautiful, and I loved seeing it throughout the show. Writing a journal may seem like such a minor thing if you haven't tried it before, so the next time you’re having a particularly challenging time, I recommend giving it a go and feeling the difference. The simple act of writing serves as an outlet for overflowing emotions, while also providing a non-grandiose escape from reality and an entry into a world of your own making.
The main emphasis of the narrative is that people process grief in different ways, and there is no absolute right or wrong way to do so because everyone is unique, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Sometimes, respecting the grieving person's emotional distance and introversion is the best thing to do, and it is in no way cruel. Makio is a cold, distant, and deeply flawed person, but the author makes it clear that this isn’t something that needs to be rectified because that’s just who she is. While growing and developing into a better person is important, we need to learn to accept ourselves rather than forcing change, especially during difficult times.
Furthermore, even people with vastly different personalities can respect each other's preferences and coexist peacefully in the same spaces. We see this learning process after Asa moves in with Makio, which initially seems like neglect and ignorance, followed by the realization that the other is supportive just by being there. The divide between these two characters is clear, especially when Asa starts high school and is left unsure of her place in the world, but we are left with a healthy message that encourages individuality across all ages. There is one episode that was gut-wrenchingly painful to watch and made me feel for a character in a way I haven’t for ages; instead of shoving their suffering in your face, the narrative clearly and delicately showcases a fundamentally broken person in an extremely realistic way via abstract yet impactful visual analogies… This series is truly a watch like no other.
The best part of the character department is how the cast perceives the world around them. All the main character dynamics and interactions feel extremely complex and nuanced, so much so that I cannot praise the creators for the sheer amount of care and detail they’ve put into the show. Every single moment on screen has a philosophical undertone and serves a deeper purpose if you pay enough attention, especially to the body language. They are capable of evoking emotions in the subtlest way but also deliver emotional gut punches that will keep you reeling long after the episode ends. The dialogue may not be rampant, but it's realistic and pivotal when it’s there; it truly feels like normal people engaging in real conversations, which adds to the immersion.
On the other hand, these characters don’t always say what they mean or how they feel; it is up to the audience to pay close attention to subtle movements and inherent personalities to truly grasp what they mean. The interpretation is part of the experience, and putting it all together in your head once everything falls into place is another kind of satisfaction. Both Makio and Asa must endure profound pain to uncover themselves and each other after the tragic incident that brought them together, forcing them to leave their comfort zones and witness the growth that comes with it. The supporting cast is just as important to the conversational storytelling, starting from Makio’s ex-partner, who steps up as a mentor figure for Asa, and even Asa’s best friend, who learns to come to terms with her own "desires." All of them feel like real, distinct human beings undergoing their own life transitions while juggling complex relationships. Makio and Asa may be the co-protagonists, but the world doesn’t revolve around them, and life goes on as everyone gradually learns to walk their own path.
The art and animation department has been handled with as much care and effort as all the other aspects. Every scene is expertly crafted with an otherworldly level of precision, and even the “minor” details, from camera angles to lighting, are purposeful, conveying a more profound message. The art style is unique, unmistakable, and aesthetically fitting, employing subtle line art and muted hues throughout. The animation is as fluid as it needs to be, perfectly capturing even the minuscule movements that have so much weight.
The Sounds and Music department masterfully uses audio to convey far more than what is actually said or heard. You’ll notice how episode 1 is largely quiet with barely any music, as it portrays an atmosphere of respect and thoughtfulness with care. By episode 2, you’ll notice how this completely changes with the introduction of a certain character and their “loud” personality, making the whole sequence feel more upbeat and even draw a slight smile or laugh from you. Then episode 3 will hit you with the reminder that there will always be bad days, and so on. Needless to say, the voice acting is exceptional across the board. It is realistic and facilitates natural dialogue that acts as a glimpse into each person’s distinct reality. The OSTs are subtle but definitely present and work well within each different context, enhancing the watch even more. The opening theme is "Sonare" by TOMOO, a slow, calming piece that gradually grows hopeful, accompanied by gorgeous watercolor visuals depicting the everyday lives of the co-protagonists. The ending theme is "Kotozute" by Bialystocks, an even calmer departure piece accompanied by line art in only a few pastel shades.
Overall, “Journal with Witch” doesn’t even feel like an anime at times, more like a complex psychological drama that focuses on difficult topics most would rather avoid. This is truly among the best in the Josei demographic, leaving you with things to ponder and even conduct some self-introspection long after the show ends. I definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a deep, insightful show about emotional depth and genuine human connection in the real world, because life is hard and we cannot conquer it alone…
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