Journal with Witch

Tomoko Yamashita's Journal with Witch (Japanese: 違国日記, Hepburn: Ikoku Nikki; lit. 'Diary of a Strange Land') is a josei manga serialized in Shodensha's Feel Young from June 8, 2017, to June 2023. The series spans 11 tankōbon volumes. The story follows Makio Kōdai, a reclusive novelist living alone, and her 15-year-old niece Asa Takumi. After Asa's parents die in a car accident, Makio reluctantly takes her in. Their shared life becomes a quiet exploration of grief, identity, and the strange territory between family and strangers. Yamashita's writing avoids melodrama, instead finding depth in small moments: cooking meals, reading books, or navigating awkward silences. The manga's title, translating to "Diary of a Strange Land," captures the sense of living in an unfamiliar emotional country.

A live-action film adaptation arrived in June 2024. A 13-episode anime produced by Shuka aired from January to March 2026, drawing strong praise for its sensitive direction, subdued animation style, and careful handling of trauma. Critics highlighted its refusal to oversimplify grief, with many ranking it the best series of its season. The adaptation stays faithful to Yamashita's understated tone, letting the relationship between Makio and Asa unfold at a natural pace. The manga was nominated for the 25th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2021, a major recognition in the industry.[edit]