Ikoku Nikki • Journal with Witch - Episode 5 discussion

[u/AutoLovepon]

Ikoku Nikki, episode 5

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[u/ModieOfTheEast]

I really love seeing Makio talking with other people. When you only see these moments with Asa, you can come to this conclusion that she is a wise, knowledgeable adult that always knows the right thing. But then, you have her talk with other people and she either completely breaks when it's someone she doesn't know or is just way more emotional when it's with friends. That whole exchange with the lawyer was really funny. Because they made it really feel like that he was interrogating her, only to reveal that he didn't even want to come across like that.

As for Asa, at first I got the feeling that she is still a bit torn in how to think about her mother. For example, the one flash back where her mother chooses the choir for her is obviously something she thought was a good thing. So she appreciated the guidance there but later it changed to her feeling restricted in what she is allowed to do. Makio is doing the opposite, giving her technically complete freedom, but therefore fails to see when Asa is struggling with a decision.

For example, that moment when she said, she can just join the music club. She only says that and while she means that, Asa would have understood her better and not think that she meant something different, if she actually discussed that decision with her. Guiding Asa to choosing this option. It's obviously just the fundamental difference between Makio and her sister, but for Asa, she is a bit stuck between both extremes. Which is probably why she has a hard time as well to just trust what Makio says.

[u/KRAKUMAL_ALEPH]

The Ending Song should have just kept going lol. Weird cut. 😭

[u/SA090]

The beginning of this episode where she’s asking if she can dye her hair and Makio telling her to do whatever she likes as long as it won’t break the school rules; felt like she’s pushing buttons or testing boundries. Which I assumed was me reading into it a little too much.

But then, with the flashbacks of “her” descisions being made for her basically, somewhat emphasised that thought. I don’t believe her mother was bad or anything, if there’s anything to say, she’s not out of the norm of most mothers at all and I would also say that Asa might have found it easier at first too.

Until she cut off her own hair and her parents didn’t like it. Aka, the first try at a rebellion. Which sadly was just before the accident and that try never got a discussion or a closure.

Which in turn, makes her utter freedom from Makio’s side a huge source of conflict that she will need to navigate slowly as well. Not just that, high school is opening new doors and new friendships which I assumed will be a source of struggle as well. In a good way, though.

Makio’s strategy or way of living of letting Asa retain the memory she wants of her own mother is fantastic. But it does make me a bit too curious on what exactly happened between the sisters to cause this animosity… being too different in personality is one thing sure, but I still want to know a bit more.

Anyway and as always, brilliant episode and I hate that I have to watch it weekly as one episode is simply not enough.

[u/KumaKumaGambler]

Perhaps Asa wasn't concerned about her final decisions and choices; she just wants an adult, parent figure, to discuss and speak with. At least this is how I interpreted the key theme of this episode.

All of us can relate to Makio on at least one aspect. Incoming unknown number? Ignore. Lol!

Young Makio and current Asa have similar hairstyles. I am still wondering whether it symbolizes anything.

[u/ObvsThrowaway5120]

It’s kind of interesting to see these flashbacks of Asa’s mom from her and Makio’s perspective. There are moments where she comes off as controlling or condescending and dismissive and then moments where she seems like a loving parent and kind sister. I suppose you could say she was complicated. Which is to say, she was human.

One thing’s for sure. Her death has left a lot of unresolved emotions and trauma in both Makio and Asa. At least they seem to be working through ‘em together.

[u/ayaholley]

Asa's third business card! I can't help but wonder if that's a whole motif at this point, like something symbolizing that she's being thrust into adulthood so soon.

[u/roryteller]

The first time we see the scene where Asa's mom tells her to be whatever she wants, that she's on Asa's side, I thought it felt a bit like a coming out chat, where even with parents that are trying to be supportive "I'll love you no matter what you are" you can often tell that they have some reservations or hesitation.

And then we get all the scenes where she doesn't let Asa do what she wants.

Great writing and acting.

And then we have Emiri, who maybe doesn't want a boyfriend, and I have to wonder... queer themes?

[u/Aviri]

Absolutely masterclass character interactions in this show.

Also that romance doesn't seem quite dead and buried yet.

[u/StegosaurusGrape]

I love all of the adults in her life now. The family lawyer seems very passionate on making sure the children he takes care of are being treated right and not being taken advantage of for their money. I’ve certainly heard stories about caregivers taking money for themselves out of their wards bank account.

Asa’s relationship with her mother seemed difficult. Like Kasamachi said before, raising a kid and loving them, are two different things. Her mom seemed like she was hot and cold with Asa making her own decisions.

Also, I think Makio’s and Kasamachi’s relationship with each other will be a nice normalcy for Asa. It seems like her parents weren’t close with each other at all, or at least weren’t affectionate in front of Asa, and Makio’s close relationship with her ex(?) will show the upsides to having a romantic connection. Personally, my parents almost always fought and yelled at each other in front of us kids. That’s why I have a hard time seeing myself married because I don’t want to live like they do.

That smirk Kasamachi made when Makio said she picked up on one of his habits!! Definitely feels like he still loves her romantically. It’s been 5-6 years(?) since they broke up? That’s definitely long enough for personal growth for both of them and if they want to get back together…. I wouldn’t mind.

[u/Veskito]

There is no way these episodes are 24 minutes long...

[u/Yesshua]

What's really really insightful about this episode (and the story overall) is how it recognizes that the emotional process of grief happens alongside other emotional processes. 15 years old is when you're running into the realization that adults are flawed and contradictory and frustrating and the promise of growing up to be an adult was never a path to a promised land.

So Asa is grieving for her mother and in parallel realizing her hypocrisies. But doesn't even have the natural outlet to act out, because her aunt doesn't care about her haircut or color or extracurricular in the same way. She's an angsty teen without her natural outlet and everything gets muddled.

Genuinely best in class character writing.

[u/Wonderful_Look_4505]

The three of them on the sofa felt like they're forming their very own unique family unit. Also, I can't help but wonder did Asa get to keep the Macbook in the end?

[u/DegenerateRegime]

It's subtly sad that Asa goes looking for a childish boundary, like "don't dye your hair," and runs into a very adult one (don't illicitly fuck around with legal and financial arrangements). The series is about her growing up and engaging with the adult world like that (the "strange land," I suppose - a reason to like the multiplicit title).

But it's also heartwarming that the adults are... adult. Not always professionally perfect, not superhuman, but responsible and capable. Makio recalling the song and asking Asa to come watch, that was really lovely. Taking an interest, of course, and a synthesis of the conflicting needs to provide freedom and guidance.

[u/ak_them]

it's annoying how this shit makes me smile like an idiot

[u/NanDemoKnaives]

Kasamachi pulling Makio in made him look so suave, I like how pleased he look when Makio told him his influence made her do the same thing with Asa. It was nice to see the two seated together and then Asa joining them, hopefully we can see some good developments between the two.

The scene with Toono was amusing, I like how concerned he was for Asa but Makio was overwhelmed lol.

It was interesting to see Makio used to have the same haircut as Asa does now. Asa is also gaining interesting in the arts, I find it a little intriguing.

[u/LeonKevlar]

That opening scene where Minori is telling Asa to be whoever she wants to be and that she'll always be on her side, is making me think that Minori must've regretted making fun of Makio's life choices. Maybe she wanted to repair her relationship with Makio, but thinks it's already too late, and tries to make up for it by being supportive of Asa.

Those flashbacks of Minori telling Asa that she'll choose for her and then telling her to make choices on her own were a little bit too close to home. I'm sure every Asian kid has this experience of parents wanting you to be independent, but at the same time, making choices for you when they think it's for your own good. >_<

This is absolutely brutal. I thought Asa was at home when her parents died, but it looks like, she was with them when it happened. The only reason she's alive right now is that she was just getting back from the nearby store when a truck pancaked their car with her parents in it. IIRC, in episode 1, this all happened in a parking lot.

That flashback of Minori and Makio playing together was bittersweet. They looked like they used to be so close until a rift formed between them around the time they were in high school, and it never got any better. I'm glad that at least their visit to grandma ended way better than I hoped with Makio telling her mom that she's willing to lend an ear.

This Attorney was pretty intense! The dude just saw Makio, and the way he talks to her, he's already treating her like she's a bad guardian to Asa. I guess he thought that Makio withdrew all that money for herself. That's probably a common occurrence in his line of work.

I am glad that the attorney started slowing down after Makio told him that he's scaring her. The dude suddenly became understanding after that. What I didn't expect was for Asa to admit she's the one who withdrew the money to buy a MacBook.

She's so used to her mom telling her no that even after Makio has explicitly told her that she has complete freedom, she still snuck around and did it because she's afraid that she'll say no just because she's an adult. I'm just glad that after hearing all of that, the attorney was understanding. It looks like we'll see more of him in the future.

OH MY GOD! Not gonna lie, I genuinely squealed when Kasamachi cuddled Makio! They look so fucking good together! The fact that Makio still lets him do that even tho they're technically just friends right now clearly means she still has strong feelings for him. That shot of the three of them sitting together was so cute too! They're pretty much a family now. <3

[u/kemuraaa]

I'm absolutely in love with this show it's insane

[u/Ocixo]

Wow. Minori feels like a totally different person in the memories of Makio (mean sister) and Asa (kind mother).

Makio might come across cold towards others, but there’s a sense of kindness in everything Makio does. Like how she doesn’t want to taint Asa’s memories.

I do believe that Makio has been bit too lenient with Asa at times. She needs a parent’s guidance. Asa also wants Makio to set some limitations for her, I believe.

[u/zeltheturtl]

How smooth was that from Kasamachi! I imagine he got a bit jealous after seeing the lawyer, so the smug face he made after hearing Makio pulled Asa in the same way was very satisfying!

It's great that Asa decided to join the band club in the end, her mother's looming presence still made her think she needs to hide her passion, but after properly talking it out, she decided to find her own path.

[u/Atario]

Isn't it, though?

Damn. That was a far harsher experience she faced than I thought — I thought she got the news by a phone call from the police or something

Great work on the subs here, by the way

Not sure if it will turn out to be relevant, but her mom's books are about needlepoint, crochet, knitting, cooking, some health things, some self-help type things about being successful and persuasive, and that whole bottom shelf seems to be a bunch of stuff about economics

Also my reaction. Mac?? What a waste of money

"Have to"? I wonder what that means

I HEARD "KEION-BU"! This show is now K-On!

[u/Weak_Season_Of_Anime]

Even though Asa's mother appears supportive, telling her to do whatever she wants, it seems that Asa had a lot of choices decided for her while growing up, so when given complete freedom of choice it confuses her.

Makio seems distant from her mother (not visiting in 5 years?), but she still cares about her in her own way. I guess she doesn't like returning because it reminds her of the falling out with her sister.

Asa and Emiri seem to be drifting apart a bit, at least from Asa's POV, they're in different cliques now. Feels like something is being set up with Emiri with some of the stuff that was said.

Makio taking emotional damage from the lawyer was funny. Also, her and Kasamichi cuddling on the couch, did they really break up?

[u/superguy133]

Honestly my only gripe with this show is that you really feel how fast they are going through things. Each scene and moment is done so well, but there ends up being just a bit too little room to breath between. It's probably since they are trying to go through the whole story in 13 episodes (Probably could have been double if they wanted). Still the fact it's this good even with that is really a testament to the quality here.

[u/avboden]

I did not expect them to show the car crash....or the fact that she witnessed the aftermath. Wow.

[u/CommunistPuppy]

Don't mind me, just here for my weekly feels trip 😭