Image: TV-Anime „Ikoku Nikki“-Visual
AMBot | 04/20/2026 | Reading Time: 2 Min.
The TV anime series "Ikoku Nikki" (German title: "Diary of a Foreign Land"), based on the manga series by Yamashita Tomoko, has been awarded the Galaxy Award for March 2026. The award is presented by the Japanese Broadcasting Critics Association and honors outstanding programs, individuals, and groups that contribute to the improvement of Japanese broadcasting culture.
"Ikoku Nikki" tells the story of the shy writer Makio Kōdai and her niece Asa Takumi, who moves in with her aunt after an accident that claimed her parents' lives. The two contrasting characters—Makio is reclusive, while Asa is open-minded and direct—must first learn to live together. The manga series was published from July 2017 to July 2023 in the magazine "Feel Young" (Shodensha). The TV adaptation aired from January to March 2026 on channels such as BS Asahi and Tokyo MX. The main roles were voiced by Sawashiro Miyuki (Makio Kōdai) and Mori Fūko (Asa Takumi).
The jury's reasoning states: "The story of Asa, a 15-year-old girl who suddenly loses her parents, and her aunt, the writer Makio—two people with completely opposite personalities and values—depicts a cohabitation under one roof that feels as if they are living in different countries. The anime portrays this sensitively through a medium-unique depiction of inner landscapes and its sound direction. The calm gaze, which quietly acknowledges mutual respect and coexistence despite a lack of understanding, goes deep under the skin."
The Galaxy Award was established in 1963 by the Broadcasting Critics Association. The award is divided into four categories (Television, Radio, Advertising, Reporting). The award as a "Monthly Award" in the Television category makes the series a candidate for the annual Galaxy Award, which will be presented in June 2026.
"Ikoku Nikki" tells the story of the shy writer Makio Kōdai and her niece Asa Takumi, who moves in with her aunt after an accident that claimed her parents' lives. The two contrasting characters—Makio is reclusive, while Asa is open-minded and direct—must first learn to live together. The manga series was published from July 2017 to July 2023 in the magazine "Feel Young" (Shodensha). The TV adaptation aired from January to March 2026 on channels such as BS Asahi and Tokyo MX. The main roles were voiced by Sawashiro Miyuki (Makio Kōdai) and Mori Fūko (Asa Takumi).
The jury's reasoning states: "The story of Asa, a 15-year-old girl who suddenly loses her parents, and her aunt, the writer Makio—two people with completely opposite personalities and values—depicts a cohabitation under one roof that feels as if they are living in different countries. The anime portrays this sensitively through a medium-unique depiction of inner landscapes and its sound direction. The calm gaze, which quietly acknowledges mutual respect and coexistence despite a lack of understanding, goes deep under the skin."
The Galaxy Award was established in 1963 by the Broadcasting Critics Association. The award is divided into four categories (Television, Radio, Advertising, Reporting). The award as a "Monthly Award" in the Television category makes the series a candidate for the annual Galaxy Award, which will be presented in June 2026.
This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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