Dear Brother
Synopsis
When 16-year-old Nanako Misonoo enters the prestigious all-girls Seiran Academy, she believes a bright future awaits her. Instead, the unlucky girl finds herself dragged into a web of deceit, misery, and jealousy. On top of that, she is chosen as the newest inductee of the Sorority, an elite group whose members are the envy of the entire school. Having none of the grace, wealth, or talent of the other members, Nanako quickly draws the ire of her jealous classmates—especially the fierce Aya Misaki. To cope with her increasingly difficult school life, Nanako recalls her days through letters to her former teacher, Takehiko Henmi, whom she affectionately calls "onii-sama" (big brother). She also finds comfort with her four closest friends: her childhood friend Tomoko Arikura, the sociable but erratic Mariko Shinobu, the troubled musician Rei Asaka, and the athletic tomboy Kaoru Orihara. An impassioned drama about the hardships of bullying, Oniisama e... chronicles a young girl's harsh life at her new school, as she endures cruel rumours, heartless classmates, and countless social trials. [Written by MAL Rewrite]
Audience Consensus
Oniisama e... is a classic shoujo anime praised for its complex characters, mature themes, and artistic presentation. However, it is criticized for its excessive melodrama, rushed ending, and occasionally inconsistent storytelling. While some viewers appreciate its exploration of female relationships, others find the handling of LGBTQ+ themes frustrating.
Strengths
- Strong character development, particularly of complex characters
- Addresses mature and controversial themes intelligently
- Effective use of narration and visual storytelling
- Beautiful and detailed art style, especially backgrounds
- Well-executed music and voice acting
- Exploration of multifaceted relationships and friendships
Weaknesses
- Overly melodramatic at times, pushing believability
- Rushed or unsatisfying ending with unanswered questions
- Animation shortcuts and repetitive visuals
- Uneven pacing in certain character arcs
- Some plot developments are absurd or contrived
- Inconsistent portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes, with implications later retracted