More Than Meets The Eye: ‘Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister!’
by Tito W. James
According to Sturgeon’s law, “90 percent of everything is trash.” Therefore I’m here to find the gold in a seemingly trashy anime.
Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! is about Mahiro, a reclusive gamer who’s transformed into a young girl by his genius sister. Now, Mahiro must learn how to navigate in a girl’s body while also having a second chance at life. The series is a bold combination of the ecchi (raunchy) and iyashikei (healing) genres of anime.
The iyashikei genre is about portraying characters living out peaceful lives in calming environments, and is intended to have a healing effect on the audience. The genre emerged in response to the emotional hardships of natural disasters and terrorism.
Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! is an interesting genre-blend between sketchy and wholesome. On the surface, it looks like anime is reaching a new low, but as the series develops it becomes emotionally touching. If the anime was only ecchi it would be too creepy. But if it was only heartwarming, it would be too cute. Onimai‘s unique blend between spicy and sweet moments make it unique and worth watching to open-minded viewers.
Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! is now streaming on Crunchyroll.
