Journal with Witch
Oshimeter
Synopsis
At 35 years old, Makio Kōdai barely leaves her apartment, writes novels in isolation, and hasn't spoken to her older sister in years. So when that sister and her husband die in a car crash, Makio doesn't cry: she's not sure she feels much of anything. But at the hospital, she meets her 15-year-old niece Asa, a kid she barely knows who's now essentially alone in the world. On impulse, Makio decides to take her in. Neither of them is ready for this. Makio has no idea how to be a guardian. Asa doesn't know how to grieve, or even if she's supposed to. What follows across this 13-episode TV series from Studio Shuka is two people figuring out how to share a life when they can barely make sense of their own. There's no dramatic blowup every episode. it's quieter than that. The power is in the small moments: an awkward dinner, a conversation that almost happens, the slow realization that caring about someone is terrifying and worth it. If you liked the found-family warmth of Usagi Drop or the gentle emotional rhythms of Sweetness & Lightning, this lives in that same space, but aimed at an older audience. It's a josei adaptation, so the emotional complexity runs deeper, closer to something like Barakamon but with more weight behind it. Bring tissues, honestly.
Episode Guide
Characters
Makio Koudai
MANGA BRIDGE
This season covers Chapters 1-10 of the manga. Continue reading from Chapter 11.

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A perfectly relaxing anime dealing with loss and change and I just loved all the characters and their perspectives, makio and asa progressed so much, asa more than makio but I enjoyed this very much.
Не хватает ощущения законченности картины. Сюжет не раскрыт.
A quiet but beautiful start ✨ The characters already feel so real, and the way they portray grief and emotions is incredibly heartfelt. Definitely a refreshing slice-of-life!
I actually don't think there is another slice of life like Ikoku Nikki. The emotion and characters just feel raw and real. Not usually the type of show I look out for, but it is done exceptionally well and looks great as well. I'd give it a try just to see something different.
The episode which made me realize of how arduous it is coming of an age period for a teenager like Asa. The constant inner-conflict among herself, her late mom and her personal yet hidden journals, Makio-san and difficulty of understanding Asa; all written with heart.
This episode fills in what their home life was like before everything fell apart and it complicates the picture. We can assume we know people but still miss them entirely. Soundtrack earns every moment without overpowering it. That last scene hit so hard, incredible presentation.
An excellent episode that dives deeper into Asa’s thoughts, placing viewers in those overwhelming moments when emotions take over and too many thoughts compete at once. Filled with heartfelt emotion, it’s impossible not to be moved by its sincerity.
This is the last episode to this anime, but it doesn't seem to be the end of Asa's and Makio's life, as the two kept living their life. It was a sweet ending, completed in 13 episodes, as we see Asa accepting that she has to live, and maybe inspire other to do the same as well.
Seeing Asa slowly become confident. enough that she openly sings, made me clap in real life, as it feels like seeing a little sister slowly finding herself in real time. I really do like the slow unraveling of the side characters as well, especially at the end of this episode too
"There isn't a single thing in this world that irrelevant to you." Which is a nice call to the previous episode where we see lots of people outside from our two main characters. I feel like Asa is slowly opening up, especially after seeing Makio and her side by side in her desert
This episode feels like it was done to show a mundane side to the characters lives. Even through loneliness and grief, they still go through life as usual. But I do like the touch to Emiri's character, as we see her having friend than Asa, and maybe closer as we see their touch.
Beautiful, poignant and deeply introspective. I had to watch the ceiling for a while after finishing this last episode, just to be able to gather my thoughts. Asa is probably the best written teenager character I have ever seen in Anime.
Personally, I feel like there's a pattern to the visualization that happened on screen, as we slowly get more and more of Asa's desert imagery as she felt like she doesn't belong and confused. And this episode have lots of back and forward with flashback, but it's fun nontheless.
Losing is a complex emotion. As a friend of mine said, "The more you hold it in, the bigger the explosion later on." and seeing it happening to Asa feels devestating. I always like how Makio and Asa, despite being so close, but never really understanding each other, which is sad.
I always appreciate stories that delves into their side characters' stories, as it makes the world feels more lived in. In this case, seeing glimpse of Emiri's problem was really intriguing, especially since it seemed to parallel with Makio's. Asa's mother was explored too!
I did not expect the relationship between Makio and Kasamachi would go the way it is, as I always had in mind that this anime is somehow about moving on. But it was very sweet, seeing Makio opening up, as what she felt is very relatable. But I do think that Makio needs this.
The episode highlights the power of words: how they can hurt, comfort, or scar people forever. Although the show it revolves around loss, its true focus is on those who remain, facing grief and searching for meaning amidst uncertainty.
The problem served in this episode might seemed small, but for a teen, especially one such as Asa, who is currently still trying to heal and find herself, the load felt double the weight. I really like how it was resolved too, it was nice especially knowing the problem's root.
Asa and Makio's relationship isn't as straight forward as it seemed, and it slowly being showed to the viewer. Both are awkward, and in the process of healing, uncovering more about themselves and others. It's really written well in this episode how Makio cares for Asa subtly.
It's mind blowing how relatable Asa's journey is, especially in this chapter. I really like how her feelings are portrayed and how Makio handled it, as an older person to look for guidance. The imagery once again felt real, as we see how Asa think when Makio was talking to her.
Journal with Witch
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