This show has been a highlight of my Sundays. It's so mature and poignant, which makes it feel like a breath of fresh air.
Moonster_child2026-01-31 01:35
Unfortunately, there are not many release likes this.
abandoned_idol2026-01-31 02:22
Let us hope that this is a harbinger of a fun trend.
[deleted]2026-01-31 16:25
[deleted]
abandoned_idol2026-01-31 16:30
That is true.
As much as we love anime, a subset of anime is still technically cartoons for younger audiences (and some very mediocre adult salarymen).
Not all anime is mature, "cartoons" will always exist both inside and out of Japan.
RottenPingu12026-01-31 03:12
Great to see some josei anime being produced. It's a fantastic story.
lemon9000982026-01-31 03:30
I love how this show contains a lot of things introverts and extroverts might not notice about each other, even though we all are watching the same show.
Like how in the last episode Makio made coffee so that she could escape into her room after being 'ambushed' by a friendly visitor. Or how Asa waited for like 2 hours (or a long time) before giving up hope that Makio would join her for dinner.
Some extroverts dont know that escape mechanism Makio used, and some introverts didn't notice how much eating alone bothered Asa.(Until they talk it out. Which is also kind of classic introvert/extrovert: the extrovert calmed down by talking it out, the introvert calmed down by escaping the situation.)
Its a great show.
zool7142026-01-31 07:36
Yeah, it’s only when after I was an adult that I notice why my dad was always so eager to eat dinner together. I mean most of my family aren’t opposed to it, it’s just we weren’t really rushing to it every night like my dad was. The whole of the previous episode was very relatable to me in that sense.
I quickly picked up how far apart they both fell in the introvert-extrovert spectrum. One obvious thing was Asa just so easily revealed her parent’s death to her group at her new school just cos she wanted to contribute to having a “thing”, despite being so adamant about not having people know in her previous school. It’s not about attention-seeking, it’s about being in the loop with the group and how restless and exhausting it’d be for extroverts to not be a part of it. While personally, getting that much attention from a group would’ve draining for me.
I’m really glad the show showcases these traits even if it doesn’t explicitly elaborate on them cos there is a misconception of extroverts being loud and friendly while introverte are shy and socially inept.
lemon9000982026-01-31 09:07
I liked how it seemed like Makio googled how to console a crying person when Asa was upset. Google said to go hug the crying person and talk to them, so she proceeded to 'hug' her and talk to her (or mostly talk at her, in the beginning).
I think if Asa heard a crying friend/family member she would just naturally rush to hug them and ask what was wrong. I think Makio might punch anyone who tried hugging her when she was really upset.
Ocixo2026-01-31 09:14
I liked how Makio at one point noticed the dirty mug on her desk (after having made a new cup of coffee), but ultimately didn’t return it to the kitchen because Asa and her friend were still happily chatting in the living room.
I did not need any words to understand Makio’s reluctance in that moment.
seninn2026-01-31 16:48
Too real.
lemon9000982026-01-31 18:45
That's how you can be sure she didnt leave her room because she wanted coffee. She also didnt go to the bathroom or anything like that.
She left her room because she wanted to talk with Asa, but not Asa +1.
I dont think Asa knows though, and probably thought Makio was avoiding her, not avoiding everyone EXCEPT her.
flybypost2026-01-31 11:10
> Its a great show.
Somebody mentioned that it feels a bit like Usagi Drop and that's one of the best compliments it could get.
Also the OST is more on the subtle side but absolutely fantastic.
hiimneato2026-01-31 03:39
Surprised it would be considered a "sleeper" given how highly acclaimed the manga is. I've actually been putting off starting the show because I've been reading the manga and I'm almost finished with it; I had no idea the adaptation was coming, so it's just weird timing. But the writing and composition are just fantastic, and from everything I've heard about the adaptation, I'm really looking forward to getting to watch the first few episodes in one go.
zool7142026-01-31 07:27
Yeah, I don’t really know what defines “sleeper” tbh. Like this show is certainly not gonna get the type of attention Frieren and JJK gets, but those that do watch it hold it in very high regard
lemon9000982026-01-31 09:09
I think sleeper means 'popular with people who have little disposable income'.
Twigling2026-01-31 14:53
> I think sleeper means 'popular with people who have little disposable income'.
That's definitely **not** what a sleeper hit is. It just means something that hasn't been overhyped and which has instead clicked with a certain audience, it then grows its audience by word of mouth. Sleeper hits appeal to people who like to discover something different that they are passionate about, that are original and beautifully written, that are often slow burns, etc.
soratoyuki2026-01-31 16:11
More like 'popular with people that haven't yet branched out from default combat shounen anime.'
KattleLaughter2026-01-31 08:40
It was so popular that they had a live action show for it. Haven't watched it but I read this anime is actually better than the live action so far.
Itsthatguyffs2026-01-31 20:13
Should i skip watching the anime and go read the manga? I like reading but how impactful is the manga compared to these 4 episodes that have aired?
DragonPup2026-01-31 04:09
I start my Sundays grinning ear to ear with 'Polar Opposites' and end up crying alongside 'Journal With Witch'
fatrabbit32026-01-31 06:10
Man I need more shows like this. The kids get more than enough of their power fantasy animes.
Fuzzy_Coat2092026-01-31 09:58
One of the best new animes this season. It's sad I don't see anyone talk about it.
Twigling2026-01-31 10:02
Agreed on both points, in fact it's quite possibly my favorite anime this season.
magumanueku2026-01-31 12:47
Arguably the best written show this season and I watch 20+ of them of multiple genres.
Chiinoe2026-01-31 14:32
Whos sleeping? I can't stop crying.
dancelordzuko2026-01-31 15:27
It's rare that I watch one single episode and know without a doubt that it's the AOTS for me. It may not be flashy like many other shows this season, but the writing is so good, the dialogue is so natural, and the characters are easy to relate to. I haven't seen the grief process portrayed so accurately in anime before this.
I hope more people stumble upon it between now and the end of the season.
Commentaires
As much as we love anime, a subset of anime is still technically cartoons for younger audiences (and some very mediocre adult salarymen).
Not all anime is mature, "cartoons" will always exist both inside and out of Japan.
Like how in the last episode Makio made coffee so that she could escape into her room after being 'ambushed' by a friendly visitor. Or how Asa waited for like 2 hours (or a long time) before giving up hope that Makio would join her for dinner.
Some extroverts dont know that escape mechanism Makio used, and some introverts didn't notice how much eating alone bothered Asa.(Until they talk it out. Which is also kind of classic introvert/extrovert: the extrovert calmed down by talking it out, the introvert calmed down by escaping the situation.)
Its a great show.
I quickly picked up how far apart they both fell in the introvert-extrovert spectrum. One obvious thing was Asa just so easily revealed her parent’s death to her group at her new school just cos she wanted to contribute to having a “thing”, despite being so adamant about not having people know in her previous school. It’s not about attention-seeking, it’s about being in the loop with the group and how restless and exhausting it’d be for extroverts to not be a part of it. While personally, getting that much attention from a group would’ve draining for me.
I’m really glad the show showcases these traits even if it doesn’t explicitly elaborate on them cos there is a misconception of extroverts being loud and friendly while introverte are shy and socially inept.
I think if Asa heard a crying friend/family member she would just naturally rush to hug them and ask what was wrong. I think Makio might punch anyone who tried hugging her when she was really upset.
I did not need any words to understand Makio’s reluctance in that moment.
She left her room because she wanted to talk with Asa, but not Asa +1.
I dont think Asa knows though, and probably thought Makio was avoiding her, not avoiding everyone EXCEPT her.
Somebody mentioned that it feels a bit like Usagi Drop and that's one of the best compliments it could get.
Also the OST is more on the subtle side but absolutely fantastic.
That's definitely **not** what a sleeper hit is. It just means something that hasn't been overhyped and which has instead clicked with a certain audience, it then grows its audience by word of mouth. Sleeper hits appeal to people who like to discover something different that they are passionate about, that are original and beautifully written, that are often slow burns, etc.
I hope more people stumble upon it between now and the end of the season.