Forum - View topicJournal with Witch (TV).
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Blood-
 Bargain Hunter Posts: 25599 |
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Journal with Witch (TV) Source: Manga (completed @ 11 volumes by Tomoko Yamashita) Demographic: Josei Animation Studio: Shuka Genres: comedy, drama, psychological, romance, slice of life Themes: childcare, coming-of-age, contemplation, inspiration, non-linear narrative, school, self-discovery, social anxiety, social psychology, trauma, writing Plot Summary: 35-year-old novelist Makio Kōdai and her 15-year-old niece Asa live together under one roof. Makio took Asa in on an impulse after Asa's parents, which included Makio's older sister, passed away. The next day, Makio returns to her senses and remembers that she does not do well in the company of other people. So begins their daily life, as Makio attempts to acclimate to a roommate, while Asa attempts to get used to an adult who never acts like one. Air Date & Platform: January 04, 2026 (Sunday) Available on: Crunchyroll Episode Count / Runtime: 13 episodes [EDIT: Fancy opener stuff edited. -TK] |
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Edjwald
 Posts: 3507 |
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I was expecting to like this anime, but I was absolutely stunned by it, and I don't say that often. It was frigging beautiful. I think the thing that's got me awestruck is that it had all of the elements I was expecting and half anticipating and half dreading - melodrama, bitterness, anger, melancholy - but it was sad without being depressing and sometimes funny as hell. The anime was life affirming, and that shone through the darkness in every scene, which is a crazy difficult balancing act. It also felt emotionally honest without being predictable...which, considering how unpredictable life and people are, is what emotional honesty should feel like. Instead, most shows that are supposed to be emotionally honest are just preachy, walking us through tried and true cliches. This one felt real but also felt like art. .
This show has some things in common tonally or aesthetically with two of my favorite shows from the past year, Days With My Stepsister and With You and the Rain, but the first episode went beyond and was better than either of them. It's too early to say that this will be my favorite show of the season, or even the year, but unless the anime somehow goes horribly off the rails, it's teed up to be a top contender. I realize I haven't summarized the plot or given examples, but I don't feel like doing that. All I can say is that if people read the summary and think the show sounds boring or depressing , it isn't. Personally, I think both characters are awesome, the art is beautiful, and the anime is a masterclass in pacing. |
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Beltane70
 Posts: 4182 |
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I totally agree with you, Edjwald, I also found this first episode to be really good. I know that I’ll be watching it until the end.
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smurky turkey
Posts: 4990 |
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I concur, if I had to describe the first episode then I would call it being in the moment. Days With My Stepsister and With You and the Rain are the same in that regard. All of them are slow paced with every section given the time needed to have the emotions of that moment permeate. Conversations are also slow with a focus on body language and what is not being said is also of importance. Combine that with the presentation and you have an experience to soak in (though likely not something most will enjoy).
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Errinundra
Moderator
 Posts: 6692 Location: Melbourne, Oz |
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I'm another who was mightily impressed with the first episode - for all the reasons already given. I also think the writer having a human companion will give this more emotional heft than a tanuki could. And, I'm always up for some more iyashikei.
While I was watching, I kept thinking it had many parallels (and many differences) with the first episode of Usagi Drop. Then the image on the left happened. Daikichi gets a 2 second cameo! 
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A Mystery
 Posts: 1960 Location: Netherlands |
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I also loved the first episode.
I was thinking, if anyone entered that messy apartment he/she would be thinking the kid living there is not being taken care of, but the aunt is totally emotionally doing the best job at parenting. |
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Blood-
Bargain Hunter Posts: 25599 |
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Episode 1
Looks like I'm a minority of one so far because I didn't love this. I acknowledge its quality but it has not yet won a purchase on my heart. Full disclosure: I'm not super into SoL these days, especially ones that are meditations on grief, loneliness and social dysfunction. It's no slam on the execution of the show, it's just not content that I am salivating to experience right now. I will stick around to see how this world gets populated, but I sense a parting of the ways at some point. |
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Eilavel
Posts: 477 |
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A strong first episode, I will certainly watch the whole show unless it suddenly trainwrecks; on the other hand, I apparently didn't love it as much as some as it certainly didn't have me polishing anime of the year awards.
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Edjwald
Posts: 3507 |
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Hey, how did you know I have my own anime of the year awards! I mean...I had to start them...people just weren't voting for A Nobody's Way Up to an Exploration Hero enough...
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Eilavel
Posts: 477 |
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Are you suggesting that having a personal trophy cabinet and formal awards dinner isn't entirely usual behaviour?
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b-dragon
Posts: 625 |
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First episode left me...appreciating it, but not loving it. I can't really nitpick any issue- presentation, content, pacing all seemed pretty strong. I just wasn't receptive to the emotional content, I guess.
And yet...as I ruminated on it, I liked the episode more and more. So I'll definitely give it a few more episodes at very least. |
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Piglet the Grate
 Posts: 1433 Location: North America |
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I will agree with those and the mentioned Usagi Drop (before it goes off the rails), but have to add Super Cub since they both have a slow walk through daily mundane life. At first I did not think I would like this, but good I stuck with it since somewhere between 5 and 10 minutes in everything coalesced the way it should. Unless it takes a nose-dive, this one is a keeper for me. |
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Edjwald
Posts: 3507 |
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Cast expanded successfully. I like both the friend and the ex.
I'm also pleased to find that it doesn't matter which MC the show is focusing on, I like it equally. That's another hell of a difficult feat to pull off. Seriously in awe of this show. Next episode we'll probably find out more about the dead sister, who is somewhat of an enigma. Raving bitch? OCD normie? Misunderstood? Caught in an unfortunate cycle of her own? |
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smurky turkey
Posts: 4990 |
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The second episode is great in showcasing how different/varied adults can be. I remember thinking as a teenager that all adults have their shit together and being fairly uniform in how they behave. Reality is a bit messier. The visit to the home sounds like a pretty critical moment, though it is needed for the financial side of things plus picking up some stuff. The dead sister is likely to be a complex case, this does not seem to be a show where things are that cut and dry.
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Blood-
Bargain Hunter Posts: 25599 |
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Episode 2
Starting to warm up to this show more. One of the things I like about it is that it is so resolutely... adult. A lot of times anime, even when it deals with hard or tough subjects, can be a bit childish in how it handles things. This isn't, which is one of the strengths of SoL... it doesn't have to bow to otaku tropes, which as I say, can be somewhat immature. And I like the new people who are being brought into the show. |
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