I made the mistake of looking at the manga version of this episode’s events. I did so because I wanted to confirm what I’ve heard from manga readers – that Ikoku Nikki is going nowhere near fast enough to adapt the entire manga. And it isn’t – it’s at about 32 chapters in 11 (of 13) episodes, out of 54 total. So I have no idea how that’s going to be dealt with. But what I saw when I did that was a long section from Chapter 31 where Asa was digging into what sort of person her father was. It was almost entirely cut out and on the assumption that it’s not going to be added back in later, that makes me really sad.
Perception is a funny thing, I tells ya. I exited this episode thinking it was utterly fantastic, and in truth I still do. But I do think there’s a hole in this story where Asa’s father should be. If indeed that was true of him as a person – a hole in her life where a father should be – so be it. But even if so, Asa’s desire to understand him should still be part of this marvelous web the series is spinning. It may be a case of a hard adaptational decision given the limits of what the anime has to work with, but the absence of exploration of this topic is really the only quibble I have with Ikoku Nikki so far – in every other respect it’s been pretty close to perfect.
Believe me, I don’t toss off statements like that casually. “Deep” is a word that does get tossed around pretty casually about animanga, but this is a case where it can barely suffice. Man, there’s a lot going on here. I must say, too, that I really love looking at Asa’s face. Her reactions to the world around her are glorious – every emotion is spelled out in Sharpie. Makio’s face is wonderful too, especially as when she reveals something in it you know she means it. But Asa is her perfect foil. If astonishment was currency, Asa’s face would be Ellison and Musk combined.
Makio was easier for me, because to me we’re like 90% the same person even factoring in the chromosomal difference. But Asa has grown into her role in a big way. She was compared to an Akita dog last week and I can totally see that, but she’s also a sponge. She hears everything, takes it all in, and tries to figure out what it all means. Makio pushing her to journal was a giant win – it will help her so much. I adore the fact that she’s keeping a log of Makio’s salty diatribes about the idiots in the universe (like on TV). This is such an adolescent thing – you just know she’s going to start spitting those out later when she figures out the right context in which to do so.
As the Chiyo thing (the med school scandal) simmers on the back burner, reminding us that the pot is still cooking (Chiyo has been absent ever since), Asa looks inward and tries to figure out what she wants her place in the world to be. One of Makio’s words – “void” – puts her uncomfortably in mind of her father (sadly, that’s as far as the anime takes it). Valentine’s Day is arriving, and she’s acutely aware that she has no one to give chocolates to (finally cutting a deal with Yumi for some of her honmei, with a promise of White Day reciprocation). She and Emiri seem to be doing okay, though she keeps wanting to talk romance and Emiri keeps refusing to touch the subject.
It’s a dicey subject, too. Asa being obsessed with it at her age is totally normal. But she’s irked that she doesn’t have so much as a crush on anybody. Makio tries to sell her on the reality that not being interested in romance doesn’t make you defective, which I wholeheartedly agree with. But it doesn’t really fit, as Asa is very much interested in it – just not with anyone specific (yet). It would be tempting to suppose Makio was being self-referential but she very clearly has those feelings for Shingo. “Don’t expect and typical feelings or habits out of me”, Makio declares. But it isn’t quite that simple.
Another pearl of wisdom that Makio shares is “nothing in the world is totally irrelevant to you”. This is an incalculably important lesson for any adolescent to learn, though of course Asa just grasps bits and pieces of it for now. All these concepts she throws at Asa prompt a lot of “I don’t get it” complaints, to which Makio’s response is always “Then think harder”. Makio is much better at all this than she thinks she is, truly. Asa has access to a treasure trove of ideas that will help her in life, and it doesn’t matter if she doesn’t understand them yet. They’re in there now – she’ll remember them, even if she forgets that she does.
This all culminates in a remarkable three-way conversation when Asa walks in on a video call between Makio and Motsu (great to hear Kobayashi Sanae), one of her friend group. It ranges from Makio picking an outfit for her book signing, which Asa is astonished to learn Makio can handle (there are far harder situations for introverts than that) to Asa’s dilemma about whether it’s OK to stand out. Finally Asa chooses this audience to declare that she wants to sing. Which she does, the ED in fact. I don’t know if this means she’ll do the audition, but she at least has license to decide based on what she wants, not what she’s worried it says about her.
One last thing Asa says to Makio really hits home – “Don’t you ever get tired of thinking so much?”. If someone presented that question to me, I could only answer in the affirmative – but it’s not a choice. “Maybe I do” is what Makio offers, and it’s a stark contrast to how she reacted when Asa’s mother said these sorts of things to her. The lessons in Ikoku Nikki don’t only go one way. As much as Asa is soaking up from Makio (a ton), the old adage about teaching being the best way to learn is asserting itself.
Nadavu
March 17, 2026 at 2:02 amIkoku Nikki has been wonderful, but I do have some criticism to raise at this moment, which is unrelated to the manga that I thankfully haven’t read. Last episode, and moreso this one, feel to me like they’ve lost some of the laser-focus of the plot. A bunch of new characters suddenly appearing for the last leg of the show is not something I’m a fan of, even if I understand that this obviously wasn’t the case in the manga. Of course I knew they will become important enough to justify their being in the OP, but it feels late and unbalanced. I hope that this is merely a buildup, and that in the last two episodes it’ll all pay off big time.
I’m actually liking Asa less now than I did in the beginning of the show. She’s coming across to me as a plain teenager whose main distinguishing feature is being constantly moody about not having any. This isn’t a complaint about the writing – in fact, it’s probably doing exactly what it intends to, but I find myself wanting to see more about Emiri at the moment.
But yes, Asa’s face is a marvel (It’s the eyes, big and close together, a foil to Makio’s) and the voice acting is just top notch. I can listen to her going “oooh? eh?” for hours.
catterbu
March 17, 2026 at 3:56 amYeah. This was an interesting week to check out the manga, Enzo. Nearly an entire chapter was cut out, but I do think it speaks to where this adaptation’s priorities are. No spoilers but the chapter which is mostly cut out really is all about the expectations for boys and men. I found it quite an interesting and thoughtful exploration. However, this anime has (rightly) laser-focused on Makio, Asa, and the other women in the story. I do agree though that Asa’s father has been the biggest casualty of this. He has not been much more present in the manga than the anime up to this point, but the manga definitely benefits from being able to include more with him and his lack of presence. I could see if there is some future point where all of that comes to a point that the adaptation has some quick images suggesting more of this. I realize I am biased, but I really do think that reading and watching together is the best choice. I thought Asa’s song at the end was incredibly well handled by the anime and the lyrics really add to the scene. However, I think it is that much more powerful with some of the background from the manga. I am definitely curious how things will end. My hope right now is that we get a film conclusion, though that is probably too optimistic.
Guardian Enzo
March 17, 2026 at 8:38 am“Rightfully” is subjective. I would maybe go with “understandably”, if they’re looking at 13 episodes and done. But I don’t buy that this is a better story about the human condition when the focus on half the human race is brutally axed.
I would love to see a movie conclusion but I don’t think there’s much chance Ikoku Nikki is commercial enough. Even for an OVA. But given how good the anime is you’d like to think they have some sort of plan in mind more than just “stop”. Or skipping a bunch of content and flashing-forward to the manga end.
catterbu
March 18, 2026 at 2:51 amI take your point. I meant Ikoku NIkki is rightly focused on Makio, Asa, and the other women because that is definitely the main focus of the manga. If cuts had to be made, cut around them. However, of course I agree that the best option would be to include them, albeit with more episodes. And I agree that its commercial appeal is likely not high enough for something like a movie conclusion, but I have been impressed by how much traction it has gained. It has consistently moved up MAL’s ranking not just for overall score (only behind Frieren), but also raw popularity. Far from the true kaijuu of the season, but nearly double what I might have expected going in. Also, however much of a barometer Anikore is, for combined score and total # of ratings/reviews it is #5 and total number who have added it is #8. I guess I am comparing it in my mind to Senpai is an Otokonoko, which got a movie. But maybe that is too hopeful. Regardless, I just hope the anime gives the manga a strong conclusion.
Antony Shepherd
March 17, 2026 at 6:32 amI absolutely love this show and I’m doubtful anything else will come along this year to beat it, but I’m also picking up that the manga is better and so I’m really hoping some company picks up the manga for an English language release as that’d be a absolute must-buy from me.
I also can’t help thinking that had this come out some years ago it’d have got two cour and it makes me sad that something of this magnitude in all probability won’t.
And I’m kind of reminded of last year’s Kowloon Generic Romance, which was good, but the manga is better.
Guardian Enzo
March 17, 2026 at 8:43 amIndeed, KGR is a good case of an anime being forced to lose a lot of good textural material to meet the demands of time. I do think this show has done that more dexetrously on the whole though.
It’s a tough thing. Part of you has to acknowledge that it’s a miracle a production committee sees fit to adapt these series at all, though Mayuzuki does have a decent commercial pedigree.
Vance
March 17, 2026 at 10:42 amI’m not surprised that Emiri and Asa’s relationship has deteriorated to an extent given what she said last episode and how Asa has shown time after time again that she’s just completely unable to take a hint. I’m still convinced Asa is somewhat emotionally stunted due to her upbringing. I hope through Makio, Asa can continue to develop emotionally instead of be deprived of that due to her parents.