On its face, Journal with Witch seems like a story that has been done before, trying to capture grief and trauma and the unexpected bond between a guardian thrust into the role of caring for a younger child. However, I also think that Journal with Witch feels noticeably different. It is messy. There are no easy answers, and the moments of catharsis often feel unsatisfying. This isn't a flaw, it is by the very design of the show. Makio is a character whose introvertedness directly clashes with Asa's struggles with loneliness, and seeing the two try to navigate their relationship is frustrating in a way that other shows would often smoothen over too neatly. I like the fact that this show was willing to treat these issues as harder to solve because it gives it a degree of authenticity that makes it stand out. Another notable difference is how Makio hated her sister, and how that dynamic adds constant tension throughout, but in a way that runs counter to typical tropes. All of that said, I do think the show peaks in its first half. There is this very strong moment somewhere in the middle, and after that, it sort of just meanders on for a bit. I think it goes more into the side characters who never truly felt fleshed out (one of them, a baseball player, barely speaks). I get what the show was trying to do, but beyond not really landing as emotionally as the central relationship between Makio and Ana, I also just found parts of the second half boring. While I binged the initial episodes, I found myself putting off the last few and not really feeling a strong need to continue. Again, I think this is due to the shift in focus from the central conflicts to more ancillary high school drama that is just simply not as interesting. It's particularly unfortunate that it frontloads the best moments because the lasting impression I have is from the less impressive second half. The show has a very high rating, and I do get why due to how it portrays the messiness of human life, but for me personally, that second half was rough.