Oniisama e...

With all respect to the small but dedicated fanbase who keep this nearly 50 year old series alive, “Dear Brother” is in many ways a forgotten, or rather overlooked, classic that offers a unique and exhilarating view into the formation of Shoujo as a serious method of storytelling. Drama and Romance at its best is not only its situations but rather its characters which drive and react to said situations, and “Dear Brother” excels at just that with not only an interesting and charming protagonist who has an intimate understanding of herself and her desires but also an even more impressive background cast capable ofstriking fear into the reader as well as garnering affection. This subtly anti-authoritarian story is conveyed rather excitingly through Ikeda’s (still) avant-garde panel layout and dramatic framing, and is an inspiration I would very much like to be pulled from in the future of manga and comics as a whole. Unfortunately this use of the medium can also be a weakness, as it is overused. Characters are so often overtly expressive and strikingly framed that it can be difficult to tell what are meant to be passing reactions from genuine devastation, making the tone feel a bit one note. “Dear Brother” is in many ways emblematic of more troubling and problematic aspects of Shoujo and Yuri, but I would argue that while many topics are handled imperfectly there are many scenes carried out with far more tact than what I am accustomed to today both within and outside these genres. The character Rei Asaka’s substance abuse can feel like a parody of itself at times, but I am also hard struck to give multiple examples of modern media that treat teenagers’ addictions with the severity such situations require, something “Dear Brother” is not afraid to do. I would also argue that “Dear Brother” succeeds as a Yuri even before the expectations of the genre were set in place. Nanako is willing to explore her feelings towards Rei not only within the confines of the relationship, but even outside of it, and it is very easy to assume that Nanako will continue to experience attraction to women even after the events of the manga. I am by no means arguing that “Dear Brother” is a pure and revolutionary expression of gender and sexuality, but I would argue that it does outpace many modern stories with similar themes because of Ikeda’s passion and authenticity. Overall I would really like to see more manga fans engage with “Dear Brother” on a serious level, regardless of whether or not they have interest in Shoujo and Yuri, and for that reason I would recommend this series to anyone who is willing to delve into its darker subject matter.

Oniisama E is a lovely, classic shojo that is absolutely worth reading, especially for anyone interested in the development of the yuri genre, as I believe it was highly influential on other series. I love Riyoko Ikeda's classic shojo art, huge eyes and dripping tears and all. I'm simply obsessed with the way she draws the masculine female characters! They look like real butch women! And the 70s fashion is incredible. (The only thing that threw me off about the art was that the pages often use solid black backgrounds just for effect, whereas I'm used to black backgrounds behind panels meaning this is a flashback scene-- this confused me for the first few chapters as I kept thinking I was skipping back to the past when actually the background meant nothing, haha...) The plot is VERY melodramatic, and the ending of this series is both somewhat abrupt and bittersweet. There are no happy endings here, but I didn't find the sadness to be over the top. And it was nice how the angst isn't centered on "I love her but we're both girls" or anything, just a passionate story of high school first love that ends tragically. For a short read that sweeps you up in the dramas and intense relationships of an all-girls high school, Oniisama E is one I highly recommend devoting a day to. I'm hoping this series gets officially licensed in English someday because I would love to own it in physical form.

Oniisama e is considered a classic shōjo manga from the 1970s. Written and drawn by the famous Riyoko Ikeda, also known for The Rose of Versailles, the story follows Nanako Misonoo, a young high school girl who regularly writes letters to her former teacher, whom she affectionately calls “Dear Brother,” to share her daily life at the prestigious Seiran Academy. The story is straightforward, coherent, and easy to follow. The drama is engaging, with a clear plot that encourages the reader to keep turning the pages. The dialogues are simple and effective in conveying the characters’ emotions. Inner monologues are very frequent, but they allow fora deep immersion into the inner world of certain characters, especially Nanako and Rei. The metaphors used are accessible and often elegant. However, the narration suffers from a lack of development. Many events are presented without being fully explored. The side plots lack depth and are resolved too quickly, which sometimes gives the impression that the story moves too fast. This issue is partly due to the relatively short length of the manga. The ending reinforces this feeling of haste. Events follow one another without leaving enough room for emotional impact or for the consequences on the characters to be fully felt. The arc surrounding the sorority and Kaoru no Kimi, for example, is handled rather abruptly: decisions and their outcomes are shown without a real exploration of the members’ reactions or inner conflicts. Still, the manga provides a certain sense of closure for most of the cast. The characters remain one of the work’s strongest points. They are charming, clearly distinct, and driven by believable motivations. As the protagonist, Nanako Misonoo stands out through her gentleness and sensitivity, which are well conveyed through her letters, making her a deeply empathetic character. Her relationship with Rei Asaka is particularly touching. Mariko Shinobu is bold and passionate, never hesitating to express her emotions; Kaoru, the courageous tomboy, always tries to give her best; and Rei Asaka, troubled and obsessed with Miya-sama, remains endearing in her interactions with the rest of the cast. Visually, one regrettable aspect is the lack of backgrounds. They are almost nonexistent, replaced by highly symbolic compositions of flowers, waves, and sparkling effects that surround the characters and their thoughts. While this artistic choice enhances the emotional and introspective tone, it sometimes comes at the expense of spatial and narrative grounding. In conclusion, Oniisama e remains a shōjo manga that deserves its status as a classic. With an easy-to-follow story, effective drama, lovable characters, and a strong focus on inner emotions, it is worth checking out. However, due to its sometimes rushed narration, it may be preferable to watch the anime first before, if interested, diving into the manga. In short: Dear Brother is a sensitive correspondence where emotion sometimes takes priority over narration.