Ikoku Nikki [Season 1 Episode 3]

“Ikoku Nikki” Episode 3: A Raw, Heartfelt Look at Grief and Friendship

Let’s cut to the chase: Ikoku Nikki Episode 3 is a gut punch— but the good kind. The kind that makes you pause your screen, stare at the ceiling, and text your best friend “we need to hang out soon.” This winter 2026 anime (yes, it’s that new) continues to follow novelist Makio and her teen niece Asa as they navigate life after tragedy, and this episode? It’s where the show stops tiptoeing around grief and dives straight into the messy, silent parts of it.

First, let’s get the basics out of the way. Directed by Natsuki Seta (known for her work on Bloom Into You), Ikoku Nikki (which translates to “Journal With Witch,” though the original title feels more intimate) is a slice-of-life drama about two strangers— a 35-year-old shut-in writer and her 15-year-old orphaned niece— forced to live together. Episode 3 doesn’t throw big plot twists at you; instead, it zeros in on the small, sharp moments that make grief feel real.

The episode centers on Asa’s school life, which fans on MyAnimeList are calling “painfully relatable.” Asa, still reeling from her parents’ death, struggles to connect with her classmates. When a misunderstanding with her friend hits her harder than she expects, we see her break down— not in a dramatic, screaming way, but in the quiet, snotty-cry way that happens when you’re alone in your room at 2 a.m. One fan put it perfectly: “Real sorrow comes gradually and silently as time goes by.” That’s exactly what this episode captures. Asa doesn’t cry at her parents’ funeral (we saw that in earlier episodes), but she sobs over a friend’s offhand comment. It’s messy. It’s human. And it’s why this show feels so different from other “sad” anime.

Makio, the novelist aunt, is also given more depth here. Fans are starting to pick up on her complicated feelings toward her sister (Asa’s mom). One commenter noted, “Makio has a more complicated relationship with Minori than what we see on the surface.” We get hints of this when Makio hesitates to talk about her sister, or when she watches Asa with a mix of guilt and longing. She’s not a perfect guardian— she forgets to buy groceries, she works late into the night— but she’s trying. And that’s enough.

The friendship subplot is where Episode 3 shines brightest. Asa’s fight with her friend and their eventual reconciliation hit close to home for a lot of viewers. “The talk about friendship is so good and real that it reminded me of my friend that I haven’t contacted in months,” one fan wrote. Another added, “Friendship means a lot to me, and I’m happy to see that even if she was feeling bad, she knows her friend didn’t do that to hurt her.” It’s a simple story, but it’s told with such warmth that you can’t help but smile through the tears.

Let’s talk about the voice acting, because wow. The newcomer who voices Asa is getting rave reviews. One fan called her performance “the best of the season so far,” saying, “She captures the awkwardness and pain of being a teen so perfectly.” Makio’s VA, too, nails the quiet exhaustion of someone who’s trying to be strong for someone else. Their scenes together— like when Makio awkwardly offers Asa a snack after her breakdown— feel so natural you’d think you’re watching a documentary, not an anime.

Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the pacing. Some fans felt Episode 3 slowed down compared to the first two. “The pacing felt like it dragged a bit,” one commenter said. But here’s the thing: Ikoku Nikki isn’t about action. It’s about the spaces between the action— the quiet mornings, the awkward dinners, the late-night talks. The slow pace is intentional. It gives you time to sit with the characters’ feelings, to notice the way Asa’s hands shake when she’s nervous, or how Makio’s eyes soften when she looks at her niece.

And can we talk about the ending? That final scene where Asa and her friend make up? It’s pure magic. No big speeches, no dramatic music— just two kids sitting on a bench, eating ice cream, and saying, “I’m sorry.” It’s the kind of ending that makes you want to hug your loved ones a little tighter. As one fan put it, “I almost cried at the end. Friendship really is everything.”

So, is Ikoku Nikki Episode 3 worth watching? Absolutely. It’s not flashy, it’s not perfect, but it’s real. It’s the kind of anime that stays with you long after the credits roll— the kind that makes you call your mom, text your friend, or just sit and think about the people you love. If you’re tired of over-the-top action or generic rom-coms, give this a try. It’s a gem.

As for the ratings? Fans are losing their minds over it. One user said, “I removed my 10 last week, but now I’m putting it back!” Another declared, “This is already 10/10 material by episode 3.” Even the haters are being shut down: “If you hated this episode, just watch something else.”

In a world full of anime that tries to be everything to everyone, Ikoku Nikki is content to be small, quiet, and honest. And that’s exactly why it’s one of the best shows of the season. Episode 3 is a masterclass in emotional storytelling— and I can’t wait to see what happens next.

Final Verdict: 9.5/10. A must-watch for anyone who loves stories about family, friendship, and the messy beauty of being human.

P.S. If you’re not watching this yet, what are you doing? Go stream it now. Your heart will thank you.