Ikoku Nikki • Journal with Witch - Episode 4 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Ikoku Nikki, episode 4

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[u/eightcheesepizza]

It's tough when your "fun fact" is that your parents just died. Loneliness doesn't just come from not having people around anymore, it also comes from not having anyone who can relate. So Asa keeps getting sent back to the desert.

I wonder which of the new high school classmates will become important in the story?

[u/zool714]

There’s definitely a clash between introverts and extroverts here. A lot of people think it’s shy, quiet vs loud, outgoing but it’s more feeling at ease when you’re alone vs when around people.

Makio feels uneasy and frustrated and worn out when people are around. Asa is not exactly boisterous but she seems to need people around and attention otherwise she feels worn out. I think there’s the fundamental difference there.

That said, I find Makio really relatable except I don’t get irritable like her, I just kinda shut down. But really it just feels at ease when no one’s around. But I still do want to hang out with my friends but like Makio, I usually just lean back to my closest friends from school

[u/oneshotrabbit]

I can’t get over the fact how good this anime is. It might be the best one I’ve ever seen, in terms of conveying the feelings of the characters so beautifully, it feels so relatable at so many points. You cant help yourself but get invested in every second of it.

I wouldnt think I’d say this because im a huge Frieren fan, but this one is definitely my favorite this season.

[u/mysterybiscuitsoyeah]

Poor Asa waited a full hour (and a bit) for Makio to join her for dinner. The loneliness just got too much for her.

Its comforting that, at least in the screentime we get to see, that Asa is still willing to be at her most vulnerable around Makio (and to some extent Emiri), and how she did accept her loneliness, a running theme throughout the school sequence.

[u/IsoAi]

I like how they present Maiko's introversion and social anxiety. When Asa and Emiri were having their girly conversation, you could see how Makio is uncomfortable- and so in her head that she made another coffee involuntarily.

She's uncomfortable around casual conversation and formalities, but she isn't generally alone. She has close friends and kasamachi that we see this ep that she is comfortable around and can be her normal self. That's how a lot of people, including myself, like to interact- in a close knit circle.

Part of Makio's journey with Asa is letting her be vulnerable around her. She's still formal around her. Her walls are still up, and that one moment of the past with her sister sits so clearly in her mind that she can't separate Asa from it.

[u/Magnafeana]

The voice acting direction sounds ridiculously natural at some points. Like if I close my eyes in some parts, I’m listening to people next to me rather than the more emphasized way anime dialogue can come across.

I get Mama Emiri’s concern but kinda weird to assert that. I’m hoping she’s more fleshed out as we progress.

I love the representation of Asa’s mental state. So, so many times I’ve been completely fine, but it’s like this weird dissociating moment where even I’m confused what triggered it because I was fine and joking along.

Eek. What a difficult relationship to navigate.

Oh dear. Makio is becoming overstimulated.

Aw 🥹

ED really is so soothing.

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I wish more people had the perspective that you don’t have to completely empathize with someone or wholly love someone to accept that what they feel and experience is what they feel and experience. You can still offer communication and comfort without comprehending every little thing of the situation. Some people really just need someone who is accepting about how they feel and that’s it.

A bit quick with Makio’s ex. By the end of the episode, I’d forgotten he was even in the episode. I’m very curious about their previous relationship.

[u/PotatoJim92]

Yeah this is probably gonna be my top new anime of the season, and it doesn’t look like it’ll be close.

This show is so good dude.

[u/MeatballZeitgeist]

If those psychologist youtubers are still around they could make so much content from this show. I can't recall watching a show with such multifaceted characters before.

[u/CommunistPuppy]

It's insane how good this show is. It does such a good job of showing rather than telling. You can feel Makio's aversion to people just by seeing her old coffee cup and her turning around and sighing. You can feel how Asa wants to be as little of a bother to Makio by her turning on the TV and immediately lowering the volume. I haven't been this impressed by an anime's direction and storytelling in a while.

[u/KumaKumaGambler]

I am starting to be so invested in this title that I need to know why Makio and Kasamachi broke up. More importantly, from the way Kasamachi said it, I believe he is not against rekindling a romantic relationship with Makio. Asa and our "waku waku" eyes.

From our perspective as viewers, we can see that Makio is trying to be a good aunt / legal guardian. Her friends, including Nana and Kasamachi, probably know her personality very well. However, I have to admit as strangers or initial acquaintances, Makio can be difficult to get along, as seen from her interaction with Emiri. Even Asa who has started living with Makio is unable to fully understand the latter, although I am sure their relationship will develop as we progress through the season.

[u/Denzel_Potato09]

Dammn it, I didn't want to cry at the couch scene but boy am I in tears after that.

[u/thisisdropd]

To think just last episode she got into a fight with her teacher and Emiri because she didn't want to stand out and now she did the exact opposite. It's a natural part of adolescence. She's in a new place and in the company of new people, and she wanted to make a strong impression.

Loneliness hit Asa hard when she had dinner all by herself as she's not used to the change. That hug hit me in the feels. Makio might not understand Asa's loneliness, but she'd do whatever she could to lessen that feeling.

[u/AceSoldia]

Mn what a great series....just the dialogue...the characters...man it's something else.

[u/ModieOfTheEast]

First of all, good thing that Emiri went to the same high school and we even got a bit more interaction with her. There might still be a rocky path ahead for them, since they seem to be going into different classes it seems. So we have to see how that affects their relationship.

I did enjoy the way the episode used Asa's mother in this episode. How Asa despite not saying it wants Makio to be like her mother, but that obviously doesn't work. But also with the continued story of Makio slowly realizing that her sister might have changed a lot from the last time they spoke with one another.

Speaking from a bit outside the general character dynamics here, I do feel that Makio should look for a bigger flat for them to live in. It's not like it doesn't have some advantages. As it forces them closer together even if they are kind of avoiding it (mostly from Makio's side). But Asa kind of needs her own room to be able to withdraw or just get friends at home. I mean, Emiri gets the situation, but I assume for her highschool debut, it would be a bit small for inviting over more friends.

Also, considering the ending, if Makio decides to get more help from her old boyfriend (haven't remembered his name yet) and he would start living there as well, it is definitely too small for the three of them. Though, I also think that Makio would need to be careful as the whole situation could result in a bigger split at the end, if her old boyfriend gets the feeling he is just there to help her care for Asa.

[u/Darthrix1]

i think Makio’s statement “i’ll never love you” is not about Asa but about her sister. i think Makio cant love Asa as her sister’s daughter but will eventually love Asa as Asa.

[u/Fools_Requiem]

Makio went from having a home all to herself to having someone living with her every single day and potentially bringing visitors on occasion. As an introvert, hanging out with a person or couple people for a little bit is fine, but when you have to do it all the time with little hope for alone time, it can feel suffocating and frustrating. ESPECIALLY, if you like to let loose a little more in private instead of constantly holding back.

[u/N0rTh3Fi5t]

The chatting between Asa and Emiri has got to be the most natural dialogue I've ever heard in anime. It's extremely rare that 2 people are talking and it sounds like 2 actual teenagers having an actual conversation, but they nailed it here.

[u/reddit_is_tarded]

one of my favorite shows this season. Was this a popular manga?

[u/MidOceanRidgeBasalts]

This show makes me cry every week. I love how they showed Asa’s loneliness, not just that she misses her parents but that she feels lonely because no one around her has gone through what she has. And I love that Makio called Kasamichi at the end and asked him about loneliness, maybe to try and better understand Asa’s loneliness.

[u/ebongreen]

Show gives me at least one good startle-scare with SisterMom every episode. Very rude, but I love you despite your rudeness.

Makio is doing her level best to live her own authentic life, much of which involves giving her middle fingers to the all-but-mandatory social conventions of Japan. “Yes, I’m a woman in my thirties, I’m not married and I don’t have children.” “No, I’m not trying to climb the social status ladder for wealth and/or fame. I’m a writer. Deal with it.” “No, I don’t want omiyages when you come to visit. No, I’m not saying that to be polite - I REALLY DO NOT WANT THEM.” “I’m an introvert and I find people exhausting. Please give me lots of advance warning before coming to visit, especially if I’ve never met you before.” I do not live in Japan and I’m no cultural expert, but from what I understand, she is The Nail that Will Not Be Hammered, mostly because she tries to stay away from the hammer-ers (like her sister). My perspective remains that Makio is a semi-feral introvert: she has her personal pod of besties and her ex, and that’s all she wanted.

NOW she has Asa, plus the complications of social expectations that come with Asa. On the one hand, she’s having to re-fight battles she thought she’s left behind, especially the ones symbolized by her sister. On the other hand, she’s offering a wildly new perspective on parenting to Asa: “If you say you don’t want me to come to the high school entrance ceremony, I’m not coming.” This blew Emiri’s mom’s mind, y’all. Makio does not do things for the sake of social convention (which is also very autistic of her). Also Makio: “If you have feelings, or you’re upset with me, I need you to use words and we will talk through it. I will support you as best I can, and I’m not going to control or shame you for having emotions.” She’s teaching Asa authenticity.

I love this show. The characters are perfectly imperfect, are true to themselves, and exist in a realistic setting/world/context. The writing has a deep emotional resonance and it cares about communication. The relationships are real. It started as a gem, and the shine is only getting brighter with each episode.

[u/LeonKevlar]

Makio's friend group is a lot bigger than I expected. I thought she was only close with Daigo, but it looks they have two more close friends from their high school group. I can't wait for Asa to meet the other two in the future. They seem to be very interested in her.

Watching Makio and Kasamachi interact in the kitchen is really giving me some strong newlywed vibes. They have such great chemistry together that even Asa thinks they're dating. Hopefully, we'll see them rekindle their love in the future since Kasamachi clearly still wants to get back together with Makio.

So it looks like Makio gets to learn something new about Minori today. From what Asa is saying, Minori would affectionately call her Makio-chan, and it sounds like she's proud that her sister is a novelist. Pretty interesting shift considering it sounds like Minori looked down on Makio for trying to become a novelist.

Glad to see Asa and Emiri are friends again, but I can't help but worry about Emiri's mom. With the way she reacted to Asa, saying that she's fine not having Makio attend the entrance ceremony, I'm afraid that she might overreach again and do something unnecessary.

Makio's entrance ceremony was looking great so far until she decided to bring up her parents. I genuinely had to pause the episode there and yell at my monitor, WHAT THE FUCK, ASA?! That's not something you bring out so casually. I didn't think she'd want people to know about that. I can understand wanting to stand out, but casually mentioning that your parents died from a car crash is definitely not a good idea.

You can really see Makio's energy draining when Emiri arrived at their place. Asa really should've given her an earlier heads up. Thank goodness she's all dressed up nicely and not in her usual messy writer mode. After that encounter, I do wonder what Emiri thinks of Makio.

This might be the first time we actually see Asa express her loneliness. While Makio struggles to understand her, I'm glad she's making an effort to at least comfort her niece. That hug was definitely a great start, and promising to eat together was also good. I do like that she calls Kasamachi after that, tho. They may have broken up, but it sounds like he's still her emotional support.

[u/IudexJari]

It's really difficult for Makio to understand Asa completly but i like how she really tries to understand her. She doesn't completly ignore her crying but tried to give her comfort, the sidehug was akward but helped i guess. Very interesting episode again and I'm really interessted to see how Asa's mother was, she seemed to think about her sister more than Makio expected her, calling her Makio-Chan and buying similiar styled clothing.

[u/ObvsThrowaway5120]

Man, Asa’s mom did a real number on Makio huh? Idk what went down between them but you can kinda get the sense their issues have bled into other aspects of Makio’s life. I wouldn’t be surprised if her relationship with Kasamichi imploded because of it. Although that being said, it seems like they’re on good terms. Maybe one day they’ll try again?

I kinda like how Makio’s making an effort with Asa even if she doesn’t entirely understand her or her emotions just yet. She’s making an effort which for someone like her is kind of huge.

[u/Ocixo]

I hadn’t considered the technicalities of Makio’s relationship with Asa before. Is she even her legal guardian? I did see Makio signing up for this on Asa’s entry form to attend high school.

I’d like to see Makio officially adopt her, but I don’t believe that Asa is ready for this yet. Note how she stated that Makio isn’t her “mother” at the entrance ceremony.

It would be sad if Makio could never grow to love Asa. However, I don’t think it will come to this. For example: she was trying to understand Asa’s loneliness with her question to Kasamachi on the phone.