When discussing anime, certain series immediately come to mind, conjuring up vivid images of intense battle sequences, over-the-top characters, and epic adventure stories. But like any medium, anime can sometimes be more nuanced, with some series choosing to set aside action to tackle more difficult, down-to-earth subjects. Slice-of-life anime is often cozy and comfortable, giving viewers the chance to simply catch their breath and relax after watching more demanding series or dealing with real-life struggles. This season Journal with witch is a bit different, mixing the soft and gentle moments with a depiction of sadness so authentic that it is sometimes uncomfortable to watch.
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Despite the title's name, Journal with witch has nothing to do with fantasy or otherworldly forces, but instead tells a quiet tale of two people thrown into a difficult situation they could never have foreseen. The overarching theme of the series is loss and the complex ways that grief can manifest itself, although it also focuses heavily on loneliness, the concept of self-worth, and what “family” really means. For many, this has been the anime season of winter 2026, and there is much more to come.
Journal with Witch is a new slice of life series that tackles some very heavy topics
An adaptation of the popular manga series by Tomoko Yamashita, Journal with witch follows Asa Takumi, a 15-year-old girl whose life is thrown into chaos after her parents are tragically killed in a car accident. Her mother's estranged sister, 35-year-old novelist Makio Kodai, agrees to take in Asa after seeing the rest of the family treat her like a burden. However, this is not easy, as Makio is not a fan of social contact and had a very troubled relationship with Asa's late mother, with the pair never being able to reconcile. As the two begin the new chapter of their lives under the same roof, their personalities clash and problems arise, but it's not that difficult to find common ground.
Journal with witch is not flashy. The series has simple and pleasant animation that favors muted colors to let its realistic characters shine. After the loss of his parents, Asa is expected to become a messy mess, struggling to cope with school, a new home and the many responsibilities and stresses of being a teenager on top of his unimaginable loss. However, this is not immediately the case, as the girl simply carries on with life as usual, barely shedding a tear and opting to hum and sing while taking on some of the housework around Makio's messy apartment. Likewise, Makio seems unconcerned by the tragedy and readily announces to Asa that she hates the girl's mother. The pair's dynamic is somewhat stressful at first, as viewers wait for the other shoe to drop and for the grim reality of the situation to sink in. But will it ever do that?
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Many other aspects of the anime adaptation can be applauded, from its writing style (which feels like real life and not a script) to its bland soundtrack and voice acting. Where it shines most, however, is its painfully nuanced portrayal of the human condition, especially when it comes to grief and the complexities of new relationships. Asa bark be a wreck after losing his mother, Makio bark be upset by the loss of his sister and the couple bark find it blindingly difficult to socialize and coexist in the same apartment. Yet life is not so black and white, and these “shoulds” mean nothing at all. For the most part, Asa is still smiling. Makio continues to write his novels, and the two trade contact information, cook together, and chat like the best of friends. After all, humans are odd and unpredictable creatures.
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In a few quiet moments, Asa's grief catches her by surprise, leading to tears and a brutal wave of loneliness. In others, she feels a burning anger, and most of the time she feels detached from her new reality. This is how the mind can protect us from pain that is too much to bear, and rather than making the high school student face his demons, Makio does the opposite. The author simply tells her to take things at her own pace and gives her a journal in which to record her thoughts, no matter how ridiculous or upsetting they may be. Death has a way of making those left behind think more deeply about their own lives, and Asa learns this quickly, considering with some urgency what she wants to do with her life and whether her parents would approve of her choices, adding another layer to her struggle.
Journal with witch teaches a powerful lesson – that two people don't have to understand each other perfectly to be close, and feelings are not something to judge. We can't help how we feel, no matter what society might imply. Not crying doesn't necessarily mean we're not sad, just like not smiling doesn't necessarily mean we're not happy. Its honesty and willingness to showcase the messy reality of dealing with a major tragedy is what makes the series stand out as one worth watching this season, and perhaps watching again when life feels a little too heavy.
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Start
Rearrange the cases in the correct US release order.
Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)
While Journal with witch isn't the only series to tackle such raw subjects, it's certainly one of the more competent releases. If the series manages to hook you, include other emotional anime series to add to the watchlist Blue Period, Given, Violet Evergarden, Your lie in Apriland Orange.
