Ranked #2260

Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru

Before you attack me with the "love is love" argument or instantly think this review is unhelpful because of the low ratings, please consider for a moment the reasons why I have given Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru (I Love My Younger Sister) these ratings.

Now, the story is definitely controversial and deals with a very taboo topic: incestuous love between siblings. To top it all off, both siblings are fraternal twins. It will not appeal to those who have religious or moral stances against these things, so I warn you that you won't like the story this anime has to tell if you have any qualms against incest.

My problems with the story was that it was too linear, too predictable and made for a very mediocre romance, which is what this OAV was marketed as. Also, I found it might have been more suitable if the anime was named I Lust After My Younger Sister because there was very little, in my opinion, of anything that could be defined as romantic love. Most of the OAV focussed on Yori's physical attraction to his sister. He states the contrary, but what he says and what he does (quite literally) are two different things. I cannot say that this was by any means a revolutionary story, and it does very little to sensitise people to the issue of incest--if anything, I think it may anger more people than it educates. The plot is basic. It does very little to serve the story than mixing in a few flashbacks of the siblings' past.

The art was mostly unimpressive as well. At most points, the character design was inconsistent: disproportionate bodies, eyes too close together then at regular spacing and a lot of other inconsistencies. The only truly standout thing about the art was the use of the lighting, and this is especially seen in the sunset scenes.

The sound was probably the best technical aspect of the anime. There were a lot of soothing, emotional piano pieces especially, and they were used at appropriate times, however, the score does not sound terribly original, which is its downfall. I am not saying it copied off other anime--it just sounds like the "same old, same old" type of music.

Here's what really disappointed me about this: the characters. In romance anime, especially in ones where certain themes and ideas have to be driven forward through interaction and dialogue, characters are the anime's most valuable resource. Yori is possibly bipolar, because his personality is paradoxical. While this set-up could make for deep characterisation of an emotionally troubled young man, it doesn't tap into this at all. So Yori's character is defined by his incongruous mood swings where he's distant and rough to when he's loving and careful. Iku is another character who was terribly weak. She allows herself to be manipulated by words, and acts according to the plot's convenience. The story needs her to be oblivious? Fine, she's oblivious. It needs her to be receptive to her brother's incestuous love? Great, she's receptive to his incestuous love. She has to be repulsed now? Okay, she's repulsed. See what I'm trying to say? Her behaviour does not resemble that of a character who thinks and acts according to her own personality, but her personality is tweaked to work with the flow of the story.

I cannot say that this was a rewarding experience for me in any way. I also wonder if this would have been well-received if Yori and Iku weren't related. Somehow I don't think their romance would matter to anyone then, which leads me to think that this as a romantic anime has failed as it mostly relies on its contentious theme of incest to make it different. Also, I cannot say that this is romantic in any way. It was definitely tragic, but for all the wrong reasons. Love hotels, coercing people into having sex, assault, meaningless sex followed by proclamations of love--it all seemed like a train wreck of high school drama. And these kids aren't even in high school yet.

Boku wa Imouto ni Koi wo Suru has the rare touching moments in it that will definitely appeal to the romantic in anyone, but given the delivery of what is definitely an unaccepted topic, it has only managed to be sub-par. With better direction, better characterisations, a neater storyline, clearer defined themes, and improved animation, this could have managed to be a decent anime. read more

I was drawn into this anime because of it`s title. It had said "I love my little sister" or "I`m in love with my little sister". I was like: "This has got to be interesting!" So i tried it out.

I knew what to expect. Incest. Throughout watching the whole OVA, you`re a little iffey about the whole brother x sister thing, but you get over it.
Yori & Iku really are the perfect & no-doubt cutest couple. [Way better than Angel Sanctuary`s couple.]
They have strong feelings for each other, they know what they`re doing is wrong, but they can`t help it because they`re in love. At the beginning, even they are a little iffey about trying the whole "relationship" thing out because they`re siblings.

I really liked this one && i never thought i would. I like it for the animation & how developed the characters are. I read the manga goes more in depth & if i were you, i wouldn`t check that out. But you`ve got to see this one. Especially if you`re into REAL Romance. [:
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