Onimai: I'm Now Your Sister!

The only reason why I decided to give this anime a shot is because of the fact it was going to be animated by Studio Bind. Therefore, I thought... "Why not? Looks interesting to me. A gender-bender anime about a failure in life who became a loli by his or should we say 'HER' now to give HER a second chance in life." Now I know what you're thinking, if you look into this out of context, it's essentially a story about a fully grown man who's living alongside middle schoolers who don't have the slightest idea of this PERSON's past, yet it's treating itas if the main character was never a grown man, to begin with. This review is here to give you the judgment needed whether this anime is worthy of your time. This anime gives off a similar feeling to Maid Dragon, in terms of its environment, atmosphere, the fluidity of its animation, and the existence of school kids in the picture. For a comedy anime, it has no business looking this good. Studio Bind may be a lot of things, but pushing out rushed products was never one of them and it proves just that despite being their 2nd known work after Mushoku Tensei. Hence, I'm looking forward to whatever anime they can make and never getting blinded by money. Mahiro, who is the main character (victim) of the anime, starts to get her crap together and decided to put some backbone into improving her life. How does she do it, you ask? Well, by making her befriend children who are way out of her age group but it's okay... "Because her body physically looks like a teen, therefore it's fine if she's hanging out with them, it's not like she's an actual stranger who has lewd desires." I, for one, enjoy watching this anime, but it's damn near impossible to try and defend the plot when you actually take a step back and realise what it's like in a nutshell. Thus, I'm not going to defend it and fully admit that it's detestable. Allow me to provide you with two perspectives about Onimai! "Why can't they just make Mahiro initially a female middle schooler to begin with?" - Point 1 Doing it this way should solve the 'grown male turned female child' issue, however, it would lose its reaching appeal. The only reason we're here, to begin with, is that Mahiro turned into a girl is the main catch or else, we wouldn't be here. It would lose its appeal and has no chance of standing foot against other seasonal anime. "Why make her befriend herself with children? Why not adults?" - Point 2 Honestly, I would also appreciate it if they do it this way. The story could easily just make her try to find a job (be a cashier or cleaner), get money for her household and meet new people, which solves two things, Mahiro being a functioning person in society and having friends to talk with. But no, then we wouldn't have our CGDCT and School section, to begin with. Hell, Mahiro has essentially forgotten almost everything she has ever learned back in her earlier school days, therefore she has to go back and do it again (although I don't think it has to be like this). I'd be lying if I said I didn't like this anime. I had a good time watching it, hell I thought it was going to be just a mediocre show. When you don't try to think about the bad things it built its foundation from, you get to see some cool wholesome and genuinely cute moments, aligning with adorable character designs, it's a blessing for the eyes. It fulfils the CGDCT theme most definitely. The characters are kind of a mixed bag, while Mahiro and Mihari ended up to be quite decent characters, there were particularly two characters that left a bad aftertaste whenever they take up screentime. Kaede and Miyo were so off-putting, for different reasons. Starting with Kaede, she's a walking fanservice icon, her boobs are big, she dresses up like a gyaru and has no problem wearing skimpy clothes, which honestly shouldn't be a problem if it shows them erratically, but it happens so often that it makes me want to stop watching for a while and take a breather. Another issue is with Miyo, who acts like a lesbian voyeurist for the most part and is mostly played for fan service jokes. The pandering is so obnoxious and out of place despite it being a cute wholesome anime. As for others except for Momiji, they act nothing more than tropes adding to the comedy it seeks. In conclusion, watch this if you want: - Cute characters doing cute things. - Really good animation and visuals. - Decent main character writing. I don't recommend it if you can't: - Turn off your brain thinking of the gross things in life. - Stand unnecessary fanservice in your face. - Dislike abysmal plot development. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Studio Bind has given birth to an anime like no other: a magical sex shift anime with cgdct stuff. If my parents were to walk in on me while I was watching this show, I would quickly switch to a porn tab, how would one explain a loli girl moaning? But let’s get to the real point, is it worth watching? If one is able to look past the initial shock factor of episode 1 then the show has a lot to offer. A fanservice episode doesn’t necessarily mean its the end of the world. The story starts off like any other simplistic gender-benders. An otakuero-gamer, room temperature IQ, socially inept brother got transformed into a young loli girl by his little sister. This is not the typical fanservice-laden anime, it is just another wholesome slice of life show like Kobayashi. This is a mixed review with some honest appraisal so expect up and downs fluctuating throughout. This show could’ve done well without the fanservice bait in the first episode, which seemed to be intended to entice loli lovers. However, this was a double-edged deal as it drove away as many viewers as it attracted. Little hype was generated by well-known YouTubers due to its questionable potential. Most viewer’s starting point is the trailer, and they were likely traumatized by the excessive fanservice, among other things. The only two unique aspects of this show are that the main character is surprisingly wholesome, not being a pervert or supporting incest. Story-wise, the way the pace goes this is absolutely perfect. Not an uncommon story since its about rehabilitation but they used a unique way to tackling this. The character development focuses on how the Hikikomori might recover by becoming a girl. Onimai takes a comedic and simplistic approach to the brother's recovery, and did it help him? The short answer is yes, but it took a harsh amount of sacrifices. These “women POV situations” are relatable to the female audience and the males would definitely be curious as well. It even helps build their main objective. I really like the knowledge this author has for these type of small things. The only noteworthy accomplishment achieved by a character in this series is their transformation from a naive and immature individual to a more mature and understanding one, as well as touching grass. In terms of the characters, Oshimai’s cast of characters aren’t that impressive overall. While they may initially come off as endearing, loveable characters, not much is truly fleshed out enough to really make a statement. Lots of side characters come and go merely getting small screen time. At later episodes the characters become more integral to the show, providing wholesome scenes and moments. The main characters, Mahiro and imuoto, also often create heartwarming scenes. The inclusion of yuri elements was expected, but the show has managed to avoid any incest relationships, which is truly commendable. Vibrant backgrounds, captivating artstyle, and aesthetically pleasing visuals make this show stand out. Its colour palette is far superior than the dull hues of many modern anime shows. This show art is incomparable it even made gyaru style look good on Mahiro. The character designs are well-crafted and you get a good feel of who they are. While their personalities maybe somewhat flat, they are still distinct enough to be recognizable. This show is sure to draw in viewers with its unique visuals and engaging enough characters. VA’s were slightly well chosen, they sync well with the characters portrayed. The OST of Onimai is quite exquisite, with a blend of melancholic melodies that perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere of the show. Although there is no OP/ED that stands out as particularly noteworthy since it was an okay level, but it is fitting for a sol-ish anime. The most controversial aspect of the show is unironically the animation of its opening sequence, which features blatant fanservice. Therefore, one may opt to skip it if they wish. It is impossible to assert that there is no merit in watching this show; however, it is far from excellent but close to being great. It offers some enjoyable moments, but still lacks any real substance. Despite its potential, it fails to present any endearing characters, making it a forgettable experience in the long run. Its unique art style and remarkable animation are its saving graces. If you are looking for story or plot, this show should be avoided however, it is a great option for those seeking something lighthearted and wholesome.

Onimai will go down as one of the best anime of 2023. Sadly, it’s also one of the misunderstood shows. It’s faced constant backlash and slander from people who based their entire judgement of the series on a few small scenes or a character design. This is not lolicon bait, CP bait, whatever you want to call it. Onimai is a genuinely well written and wholesome story about self-acceptance, growth and developing interpersonal relationships. Studio Bind’s second anime project could not be more different from Mushoku Tensei, yet it retains the same attention to detail, directorial prowess and film like artistic quality we’ve come to expectfrom the studio. The series follows Mahiro, a shut in Neet who has nothing really going for him other than his video game skills. He’s turned into a middle school girl by his mad scientist little sister and given a second chance at life. While it may seem like a wild premise, the show is extremely mild and focuses on Mahiro developing and strengthening relationships with her sister, new friends and coming into her own socially. It’s one of the best examples of the reborn story trope because it presents healthy solutions to social anxiety and depression in a surprisingly mature way. Yes, there are a few moments of fan-service throughout the series. It would not be anime without it. However, the fan-service never overtakes the importance of the story and these moments are fleeting throughout the series lasting a couples minutes at most. Of course, some would like to only focus on those moments instead of all the wholesome and cute moments in the show, which is a shame. I enjoyed seeing Mahiro grow up right in front of our eyes every episode. Seeing her go from just staying home all day and being depressed to taking the first steps of personal improvement like enrolling in school, hanging out with friends, opening herself up and becoming vulnerable to others, etc., it was a joy. By the end of this season it was like I was not even watching the same person anymore with how far she’d come. But it wasn’t just her. You could see the impact she had on those around her, even her little sister and that was the best part for me. It’s a shame that people got so caught up in a few moments of fan service in this show and allowed it to define their experience. There’s so many valuable life lessons in Onimai and I think we can all learn a thing or two. Like I said before, Studio Bind did their thing here. Every episode was so well animated. It’s nice having a studio working on this that doesn’t have a crazy work schedule for its staff. Every episode has so much vibrancy and the care that went into it is palpable. Probably some of the best booba physics mechanics I have seen in the medium as well. Great art style, consistent animation and solid direction. Can not ask for more. I could probably write a dissertation on Onimai, in fact I probably will in a video or something one day, but suffice to say this is a very heart warming story about coming into your own as a persona and opening yourself up to other people. It’s a scary feeling, but a very rewarding one like this anime shows us. Onimai gets 10 out of 10.

DO NOT WATCH THIS IF YOU: -Don't like Gender Bender, Cross-Dressing or Trans works -Don't like satire about sexuality and gender -Are sensitive to fanservice and find it in all its forms disgusting -Are a NEET who has been living under the tutelage of your younger sister for 2 years and does not wish to be represented on this show -An idiot who doesn't get jokes This is WRONG, absolutely WRONG. But in a discreet and provocative way, firstly uncomfortably funny and later cutely funny, but it's a story about getting another chance at life. Okay, so the story is that after two years of living a hikikomori life, Mahiro Oyama, aneroge-loving NEET, wakes up one day as a girl. All this coming from a drug made by her younger sister, Mihari, through an unethical experiment. Without his consent, Mahiro is now forced out of his bubble to live a new opportunity as a girl, act like a girl, dress like a girl… yes, anyone reading this will immediately notice something wrong going on there and I don't blame you if you find it repugnant at first, but sometimes one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, and trying to explore something out of the ordinary can bring unexpected results. Onimai is basically told as a Slice of Life, but with a bit of unreality and humor as the character's sexuality takes a major role in the development of the show. However, don't expect a serious and in-depth story from this, but rather a whole range of jokes and problems that Mahiro is going to have with his own self, be it from having to hide his masculine past in front of his friends to dealing with his menstruation periods. All these types of jokes can offend many who go to see this show. Fortunately I'm not one of those and I like when humor has its mischievous tone. The animation is its star point of the show, with the details and settings too vivid. Similarly, the rather colorful environment and flashy/moe character design is an appealing point for an audience that has been following Studios Bind's Mushoku Tensei for some time, even though Onimai is only his second work to adapt. The creative freedom taken by the production means that the program also bothers to make cultural references, especially video games, at certain points in the episodes. There's even some Titanic and Space Odyssey parody, plus a mahou shoujo transformation sequence, not entirely new to any parody, but quite elaborate - ironically its director, Shingo Fujii, had been a part of working on the Precure franchise before. Marika Kouno (Mahiro) and Kaori Ishihara (Mihari) return to reprise their leading roles, now in the TV version of Onimai. They had previously provided their voices for the Drama CD, released years ago. They both manage to capture the sisterly dynamic, especially Mahiro whose lazy and childish nature comes off quite well. Although the casting cannot be generalized as one of the most memorable, they fulfill their role in giving all the characters cuteness and personality. Both the opening and the ending are quite good, a standard electronic J-pop music style. But what really catches the eye is its video sequence that generally places too much emphasis on Mahiro's cute appearance; especially the OP, which is a fanservice fest, where at the beginning they show us some shots of her dressed in a sports uniform and school bathing suit - all this to give the viewer an uncomfortable but funny feeling that the person on screen was previously a boy. Or that comic “symbolism” where Mihari directs Mahiro on a banana boat to the Moon where a couple (one of them with a female figure) of rabbits make mochi. The ED, on the other hand, is a little more relaxed except that Mahiro is dressed in a bunny outfit and performs an improvised choreography inside her house with the rest of her friends, while the animation style is quite smooth and different from the rest; with a resemblance to the manga design. And speaking of fan service... As a reader of the manga, this draws attention to the great difference between the adaptation and the original material, with the character design being one of his main points, adding more color like Mihari's purple bangs. However, the most notable change is that of Kaede who receives a "buff" on her physical appearance, appearing to be much more gyaru and sexy than she is in the moeism of the manga. To all this, it is likely that manga readers feel that the anime places a lot of emphasis on fanservice - like Kaede's breasts, for example - but this is because the show seeks to extend some holes that in the manga it is reduced to dialogues and scenes quite short. Fortunately, unless you're allergic to a second of Mahiro in a cat suit, this mostly fades into the background and doesn't deviate from the original manga material. It is from there when the Oyama brothers begin to fulfill their role as protagonists of the comedy. All subsequent situations to the first episode give a different impression to the viewer that what is shown at the beginning is not as one might think. A bait to generate moral controversy. What at first is an unwanted forcing begins to show the results of Onee-chan's experiment. Although superficially, Mahiro begins to carry out certain activities that he did not do in his previous life as a boy, and if you take the premise with a certain amount of humor, you will be able to enjoy Onii-chan's evolution with joy. The rest of the characters, although they have a minor appearance than the Oyama sisters, are there to usher Mahiro into his new life. You've got onee-san Kaede, her tomboyish younger sister Momiji, yuri's shipper Miyo, and her spirited best friend Asahi. You also have Nemu, the class sleepy girl who makes certain appearances to a lesser extent. It's not the first anime where you've seen these character archetypes, and the show makes good use of the characters in every juicy situation with Mahiro, especially when her pacing is relaxed and doesn't rush to introduce all the characters in a combo. Perhaps the biggest problem that Onimai has, especially if you are a manga reader, are the risks taken by the production to adapt its content to the screen: from aesthetic changes to the characters to slightly rearranging the chronology of events. Likewise, those familiar with the manga will notice how the anime takes a slightly different tack by using fanservice to engage the viewer. But am I honest? This seems really entertaining to me. The few seconds where you see Mahiro being teased with her physical appearance or Kaede and Miyo's breasts are nothing compared to the rest of the content where the girls go out to have fun or share moments of school life - And more when this series is not oriented to being an ecchi, although I guarantee that someone who considers themselves a fan of it will enjoy it. Also, with this tendency to adapt works related to gender change (Fabiniku, Kendeshi, Reborn to Master the Blade, Ayakashi Triangle, etc.), Onimai is another one on the list for an audience that is looking for something even slightly different from the normal thing. You shouldn't feel guilty about enjoying every bit of the show, because the least you'll see is over-the-top fanservice. Yes, you will see Mahiro and other characters taking a bath, or showing Kaede and Miyo's breasts (one episode is literally titled "Mahiro Ponders Boobs and Identity"), but it works to push a more rebellious humor than usual from a moe comedy. Yet what really makes Onimai soar and take off is the production value and creativity. Despite not being the best comedy that exists, works like these show how important artists are in the media, who can write, draw and give life to the characters as they see fit. Some may have a different impression of Onimai, but if it had a standard generic CGDCT animation and design, and not an "unnecessarily" sakuga style of colors, it would at best be a disappointment and fade into utter irrelevance - Especially in the West where we tend to forget that a good part of these anime are aimed at the Japanese market. So what would you do if you changed your sex overnight? Would you change your lifestyle? Would you stop doing the same activities? Or would things be as usual? What would be your decision? For Mahiro Oyama, all of these and more, he had to answer in this brilliant, provocative, and cute show like Onimai.