Creating an anime that genuinely connects with the audience is difficult, but getting specialized critics to pay tribute is a milestone reserved for very few. The prestigious Japan Broadcasting Critics Association announced that Journal with Witch (Ikoku Nikki), the animated adaptation of the acclaimed manga written by Tomoko Yamashita, was crowned one of the four winners of the Galaxy Award for March. With this win, the series secures its candidacy for the annual awards to be held in June 2026.

The voices behind this award-winning coexistence

Conveying the complexity of two people who don’t understand each other but try to live together requires impeccable acting work. The jury highlighted how the anime managed to capture that feeling of inhabiting “different lands” within the same room, something that wouldn’t have been possible without the talent in the recording booths. Here are the main actresses who gave soul to this story during its 13 episodes:

• Miyuki Sawashiro as the novelist Makio Kodai.

Kurapika in Hunter x Hunter and Fujiko Mine in the Lupin III franchise.

• Fuko Mori as the young niece Asa Takumi.

The talented rising actress takes the reins of this complex co-starring role after shining in theatrical projects and supporting roles.

From the pages of Feel Young to the top of criticism

The anime’s victory is no coincidence if we look at the pedigree of the original material. Published in Feel Young magazine by Shodensha from 2017 to 2023, the manga accumulated an arsenal of recognitions: it was nominated for the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize, dominated the Kono Manga ga Sugoi! ranking of 2024, and topped the Da Vinci magazine list. By winning this Galaxy Award, the anime joins an extremely exclusive club of previous winners that includes gems of the industry like Sosuke Toka’s Ranking of Kings and Sumito Owara’s Keep Your Hands Off Eizouken!.

How to survive under the same roof with a stranger?

For those who haven’t yet seen why critics are amazed, the story moves away from romance to deliver pure human drama. After losing her parents in an accident, teenager Asa Takumi is taken in almost on impulse by her aunt Makio Kodai, a rather eccentric and misanthropic writer. The clash is inevitable: they are completely opposite poles, have incompatible life perspectives, and their misunderstandings are daily occurrences.

However, the award given this month applauds precisely how the anime uses its animation and sound design to portray a silent affirmation of mutual respect. It’s a story about healing and learning to coexist with someone who doesn’t understand you but is willing to try.

Considering that the association awards cultural impact and narrative quality, do you think this victory in the monthly awards will give the series enough momentum to win the top prize at the annual ceremony in June?