The non-credit versions of the Journal with Witch anime’s opening and ending animation sequences have been released on the Anime PONY CANYON YouTube channel.
Both sequences deliver a more fantastical and vividly colored look than the show itself, with a sense of texture inhabiting the visuals as well. The opening was storyboarded and unit directed by Skip and Loafer director Kotomi Deai, who is also credited for special processing. Meanwhile, the ending is credited to LIDENFILMS’ Kanako Sakurai, who depicts co-protagonist Asa in a rounder, gentler form.
The opening song is TOMOO‘s “Sonare,” while the ending song is Bialystocks‘ “Kotozute.”
Journal with Witch begin airing on January 4 (effectively January 5 at 12 AM JST) and is streaming on Crunchyroll. The anime is based on the Shodensha-published manga Ikoku Nikki: Journal with Witch by Tomoko Yamashita, which sees a shy novelist taking in her 15-year old orphaned niece.
The manga debuted in the joseimuke magazine Feel Young in 2017 and released its 11th and final volume in 2023. It placed first in the Book of the Year 2023 comic category of KADOKAWA’s Da Vinci magazine ranking and also inspired a 2024 live-action movie adaptation.
Crunchyroll describes the anime’s synopsis as such:
Reclusive novelist Makio Koudai has always preferred the company of books—but when her sister and brother-in-law pass away, Makio unexpectedly becomes the guardian of her 15-year-old niece, Asa Takumi. As they navigate grief, clashing personalities, and the challenges of living together, the two slowly open their hearts to each other, discovering warmth, understanding, and the meaning of family.
Staff
• Director: Miyuki Oshiro (Durarara Season 2 assistant director)
• Series composer and scriptwriter: Kohei Kiyasu (My Home Hero)
• Character designer: Kenji Hayama (Go, Go, Loser Rangers! animation supervisor, Tiger & Bunny co-character designer)
• Sub-character designer: Toshie Kawamura
• Costume designer: Kaede Aizawa
• Music: Kensuke Ushio (Tengoku-Daimakyo, Chainsaw Man)
• Animation production: Shuka
Cast
• Miyuki Sawashiro as Makine Kodai
• Mori Fuko as Asa Takumi
Source: Anime PONY CANYON YouTube channel
