My Little Sister is My Sister - A thorough review of the fascinating characters and the depth of the story

"The one I love is my sister but she's not my sister" - The bond between siblings and the world of light novels

■Overview of the work

"My Little Sister is the One I Love, But She's Not My Little Sister" (Ore ga Suki no Haimouto Dakedo Imo To Janai) is a TV anime series based on the light novel by Seiji Ebisu. It aired from October 10 to December 19, 2018, and consists of 10 episodes. Animation was produced by NAZ and Magia Draglie, and the director was Hiroyuki Furukawa. It aired on AT-X and TOKYO MX, every Wednesday from 10 pm for 30 minutes.

■ Story

The protagonist, Nagami Yu, is a high school student who aspires to be a light novel writer. He has a beautiful and intelligent younger sister, Nagami Suzuka. Suzuka is the student council president of a prestigious girls' school, and is a perfect girl with excellent grades and excellent housework skills, but she is somewhat cold towards her brother Yu. However, one day, it is revealed that the "brother love comedy" that Suzuka wrote has won the light novel grand prize. Suzuka, who is not familiar with light novels or moe, asks Yu to write on her behalf. Although Yu is unwilling, he makes his debut as a writer under the pen name "Towa no Chikai" and struggles for his sister while interacting with unique people in the industry. As Suzuka's true feelings gradually become clear, the story follows the deepening bond between the siblings.

■Explanation

"My Little Sister is My Little Sister" is a romantic comedy about an awkward brother and sister who bond over light novels. The realistic portrayal of the light novel industry and the dialogue between the unique characters are appealing, and the story depicts the relationship and growth of the siblings in a moving way. In particular, it is striking to see how Yu, while working as a writer on behalf of Suzuka, begins to reexamine his own dreams and goals. The work also realistically depicts the behind-the-scenes of the light novel industry, the struggles of being a writer, and the path to success, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by light novel fans but also by general viewers.

■Cast

・Yu Nagami - Yu Hatanaka・Ryuka Nagami - Reina Kondo・Mai Himuro - Yui Ogura・Ahegao W Peace Teacher - Chinatsu Akasaki・Sakura Minazuki - Kazusa Aranami・Reika Kamisaka - Eri Kitamura・Mr. Esaka - Ayumi Mano

■ Main staff

・Original work - Ebisu Seiji・Original illustrations - Gintaro・Director - Furukawa Hiroyuki・Character design - Furukawa Hiroyuki・Series composition - Momose Yuichiro・Chief animation director - Furukawa Hiroyuki, Ohno Tsutomu・Prop design - Miya Akihide・Art director - Miyake Masakazu・Color design - Yanagisawa Kumiko・Director of photography - Imaizumi Hideki・Editing - Yanagi Keisuke・Sound director - Imaizumi Hiromune・Music - Yashikin・Music production - MAGES.
Animation Production: NAZ x Magia Draglie Production: Imoimo Production Committee

■ Main Characters

Nagami Yu is a high school freshman aiming to become a light novel writer. He has been into light novels since he was in middle school and has started writing, but he always only makes it to the first round of selections. Although he is a kind older brother who cares for his younger sister, he doesn't really get it when it comes to "little sister moe." He calls himself Towa no Chikai as Suzuka's representative.
Nagami Suzuka is Yu's younger sister. She serves as the student council president at the prestigious Shiraoka Girls' Academy. She is a perfect girl with beautiful looks, excellent grades, and an all-round talent for housework. Although she appears cold towards Yu, she actually loves her older brother very much. She won the Ranobe Grand Prize for her novel "This is the story of a younger sister who loves her older brother too much and ends up in trouble."
A classmate of Himuro Mayu. Her true identity is Enryuu Hon, a popular light novel writer whom Mayu admires. Although she is beautiful and has a high sense of pride, she fell in love with Towa no Chikai's work and became a big fan. She follows Mayu around in his private life, under the pretext of studying the secret of his talent.
・Ahegao W Peace Sensei An illustrator from the UK who is responsible for the illustrations of Towa no Chikai's works. She is a cheerful busty beauty who looks good in glasses, but she loves all kinds of erotic things and will blurt out erotic jokes at any opportunity. Her favorite genres are cruel and rape.
A promising new voice actress who was selected as the main heroine in Sakura Minazuki's debut work. Her voice quality, acting ability, and appearance are flawless. She is a big fan of Towa no Chikai's work, and her dream is to play the role of a younger sister. She pretends to be Yu's younger sister and calls him "big brother," but in fact she is older than Yu.
Haruna Kamisaka is responsible for illustrations for the major doujin circle "Ambivalent." Akino's younger sister. She used to be a big fan of Ahegao W Peace Sensei and called her "Ahhi," but now she sees her as a rival. She is strong-willed and has a hard time being honest.
Akino Kamisaka is the scenario writer for the major doujin circle "Ambivalents". She is Haruna's older sister. Compared to her younger sister, she is quieter and expressionless, giving her a mysterious aura, but deep down she is always concerned about her younger sister, who tends to act out of control. She is about to make her debut as a light novel writer.
Shinozaki Reika is Towa no Chikai's editor. She is a passionate editor who says she will do anything to make Towa no Chikai's work go down in history, even using her own model-like body, but this is actually the first time she has been in charge of a work. Contrary to her intellectual demeanor, her ideas are out there.
Esaka-san is the daughter of the owner of Maruneko Bookstore, where Yuu works part-time, and is also his senior at the same time. Although she looks like an elementary school student, she is actually a legal lolita who is an adult. She calls Yuu "Nagamin" and teases him at every opportunity. She is a big fan of Ahegao W Peace Sensei.

■Subtitle

Chapter 1 - Why my sister and I became light novel writers. Chapter 2 - How high will my sister aim? Chapter 3 - My sister and I are one light novel writer. Chapter 4 - I just wanted to catch up with my sister. Chapter 5 - I love my sister more than anything in the world. Chapter 6 - My sister and I at the Shirazakura Girls' Academy Culture Festival. Chapter 7 - My sister and I have a doujinshi battle that we can't afford to lose. Chapter 8 - About how I got a new little sister. Chapter 9 - My sister and I have special training at the amusement park. Chapter 10 - It's okay for me to be excited about my little sister.

■ Theme songs and music

・OP1
・Song Title - Secret Story
Lyrics: Mayumi Kon Composer: no_my
・Arrangement - no_my
・Song - Purely Monster ED1
・Song title - Introduction, development, turn, conclusion, introduction, break, quickness ・Lyrics - Haruko Momoi ・Composition - Yusuke Nomura ・Arrangement - Shinichi Yuki ・Singer - Junjou no Afilia

■Detailed episode commentary

In the first episode, "Why My Sister and I Became Light Novel Writers," it is revealed that while Yuu keeps losing the first round of the light novel award, the work that Suzuka wrote won the award. This episode is the trigger for Yuu to start his writing career under the name "Towa no Chikai" at Suzuka's request. In the second episode, "How high will my sister aim?", Suzuka's talent is contrasted with Yuu's efforts, and the relationship between the siblings deepens. In the third episode, "My Sister and I are a Light Novel Writer Together," Yuu and Suzuka work together to complete the work, emphasizing the bond between the siblings. In the fourth episode, "I Just Wanted to Catch Up with My Sister," Yuu's growth as a writer and his feelings for Suzuka are depicted. In the fifth episode, "I Love My Sister More Than Anything in the World," Yuu's love for Suzuka deepens, and the relationship between the siblings deepens even further. Episode 6, "Me and My Sister at the Shirazakura Girls' Academy Culture Festival," depicts Suzuka's school life and her collaboration with Yu. Episode 7, "Me and My Sister's Doujinshi Showdown: We Can't Lose," depicts Yu and Suzuka's struggles at a doujinshi sales event, providing a realistic portrayal of the industry. Episode 8, "About My New Little Sister," is an episode in which Yu reexamines his own growth and his relationship with Suzuka by getting a new "little sister." Episode 9, "Me and My Sisters' Amusement Park Training," depicts Yu and Suzuka training at an amusement park and honing their skills as writers. The final episode, "I Can Be Moe for My Little Sister," sees Yu and Suzuka's relationship reach its climax, depicting their bond as siblings and their passion for light novels.

■Character Analysis

Nagami Yu is a high school student who aims to be a light novel writer, and is torn between his love for his sister Suzuka and his dream of becoming a writer. His growth and feelings for Suzuka are at the center of the story, and viewers sympathize with him. Nagami Suzuka is a character who is a perfect girl with both intelligence and beauty, but hides her love for her brother. Her talent and feelings for Yu drive the story forward and deepen the bond between the siblings. Himuro Mai is Yu's classmate and a character who has the true identity of a popular light novel writer. Her pride and love for Towa no Chikai add depth to the story. Ahegao W Peace Sensei is an illustrator from the UK and a character who loves erotic stories. Her unique personality adds humor to the story. Minazuki Sakura is a promising new voice actress and a big fan of Towa no Chikai's works. Her pure love and acting ability add emotion to the story. Kamisaka Haruna and Kamisaka Akino are members of a major doujin circle, and the relationship between sisters is depicted. Their personalities and growth add color to the story. Shinozaki Reika is Towa no Chikai's editor, and her passionate personality adds tension to the story. Esaka-san is the daughter of Yu's part-time job and is a legal loli character. Her humor and love for Ahegao W Peace Sensei provide laughs to the story.

■Production background and staff's commitment

The production of "My Little Sister is My Little Sister" aimed to faithfully reproduce the worldview of the original work by Seiji Ebisu. Director Hiroyuki Furukawa focused on the realistic depiction of the bond between the siblings and the light novel industry, aiming to impress the viewers. Furukawa Hiroyuki was also in charge of character design, drawing unique characters based on the illustrations of the original work. Series composition Yuichiro Momose balanced the growth of the siblings and the realistic depiction of the light novel industry, eliciting sympathy from the viewers. Together with chief animation director Tsutomu Ohno, Hiroyuki Furukawa improved the quality of the character design and animation, enhancing the visual appeal. Prop designer Akihide Miya supported the realistic depiction of the light novel industry, and art director Masakazu Miyake enhanced the beauty of the backgrounds. Color design Kumiko Yanagisawa pursued the beauty of the colors, and cinematographer Hideki Imaizumi enhanced the beauty of the images. Editor Keisuke Yanagi adjusted the tempo of the story, and sound director Hiromune Imaizumi improved the quality of the sound. Music by Yashikin provided music that enhanced the emotions of the story, and music production by MAGES. improved the quality of the music. Animation by NAZ and Magia Draglie faithfully recreated the worldview of the original work, providing moving experiences for viewers. The production team, Imoimo Production Committee, worked hard to improve the quality of the work.

■ Viewer reactions and ratings

"My Little Sister is My Little Sister" was well received not only by light novel fans, but also by general audiences. In particular, the realistic portrayal of the bond between siblings and the light novel industry was highly praised, moving viewers. The individuality and growth of the characters was also praised, resonating with viewers. The development of the story and the appeal of the subtitles were also praised, providing enjoyment for viewers. The theme song and music were also praised, moving viewers. Overall, the quality of the work and the viewer response were very high, and it was loved by many viewers.

■ Recommendation points

"My Little Sister is My Little Sister" is a work that is appealing for its realistic portrayal of the bond between siblings and the light novel industry. In particular, the growth and relationship between Yu and Suzuka is moving and resonates with viewers. The dialogue between the unique characters is also appealing and provides enjoyment for viewers. The behind-the-scenes of the light novel industry, the struggles of being a writer, and the path to success are realistically depicted, making it a work that can be enjoyed not only by light novel fans but also by general viewers. The theme song and music are also attractive and will move viewers. Overall, the quality of the work and the viewer response are very high, making it a work that is loved by many viewers. Please give it a watch.