Ore no Imouto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai. Specials

21 minutes, 12 seconds.

This number is your one chance to save yourself from the disasterphe that is the Oreimo ending. Once you reach this point in the final episode of the OVAs, stop the playback and end it right there. So long as you do, it provides a perfectly solid conclusion to the series with no cop outs or asspulls, and the rest of the story can easily be left to your imagination. If you are a glutton for punishment however, proceed at your own risk. Know that what you see cannot be unseen though. Trust me on this one, take the blue pill and ... stay in wonderland Neo. You don't want to know how far down the rabbit hole goes in this case. I'll take you out for a juicy and delicious steak instead.

I originally was planning on writing a review for the entire series, but upon completing this crime against humanity, that idea was quickly jettisoned out the airlock like a refrigerator aboard the Bebop. I consider myself fairly lenient when it comes to entertainment that pisses me off, as I can usually see at least some redeeming qualities about it to overlook its flaws and misgivings, but what Oreimo did was such a travesty, so anger, much shitty, wow... Erhmm, what I mean to say is, this is basically the worst ending to a series I've ever seen; beating out Berserk in maximum trollage of its fanbase. There is simply no justifiable explanation for what it did. It is the one cop out ending to rule them all. Thus, out of sheer anger and resentment, I feel compelled to write this very specifically targeted review in the off-chance that I might spare even one other poor soul from being sucked into the empty void that is the experience you will feel in the aftermath of Oreimo.

As this is a sequel to an anime entitled "My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute", by now everyone who has made it this far should be well aware of the incest undertones that are pervasive throughout the series. For some this has been off-putting, but they've managed to stomach it because of the interesting relationships and situations that have developed, or perhaps because it is animated and therefore not real, they don't see it as a problem. In my case, I've never had any problem with it. In fact, I actually rather liked this aspect about the anime. Much like the series' focus on otaku culture, it allows viewers to see how a social taboo could be painted in a positive light, but instead of just preaching to the choir by only focusing on otakus, the author also gets us to consider other socially unacceptable conduct and whether we should be quick to judge others when suddenly confronted with another behavior that we might not understand. With all this in mind, much of what you will see in this sequel finale should really come as no surprise for the most part, as the series continues to deliver exactly what it bills itself as.

I wanted to preface myself with all this so as to not be misconstrued as hating on this anime because of moral objections or because I just didn't get my favorite waifu pairing. To be honest, regardless of who Kyosuke decided to pick in the end, I would have been mostly satisfied so long as the execution was handled well enough. While I do have my personal preferences, at this point I had grown attachments to all of Kyosuke's major love interests, so I could have easily seen the story going many different directions. But the problem is that it wasn't executed well enough. It was executed abysmally. Actually, I take that back. The narrative did a pretty good job with its execution I guess. By dropping a guillotine on itself in its final moments.

What's so baffling about this whole debacle is that the vast majority of the content in these OVAs was in fact handled masterfully. Unlike so many other nameless harems, the main character isn't a clueless dunce that is just going to string his love interests along indefinitely; he had actually chosen who he wanted to be with, and he was prepared to suffer the consequences and fallout that would inevitably come of it. Therefore, this finale largely consists of Kyosuke confronting each girl of his harem and turning them down until he is eventually left with the only one he truly wants. As a result, we are given a dramatic and satisfying display of emotions from all the characters that, even though it was often heart-wrenching to watch, it tugged at my insides in all the right ways, and it was building up proper closure to the series. For this, I was preparing myself to give the OVAs the highest rating of the entire franchise, as it was shaping up to be the most fulfilling arc of them all. Then, inexplicably, with a single whisper in the ear, the story completely derailed itself and threw away everything it was building up to. All of Kyosuke's efforts and sacrifices up until this point were rendered effectively pointless, and absolutely nothing was accomplished by the end of the series.

To explain precisely how everything I just described is possible would be to spoil the story, and I'd like to keep this segment of the review spoiler-free until I get to my final footnotes, but if you really must know why it is so broken, the best way I can describe it to you in vague terms is that this is the Mass Effect 3 ending of anime. Huge breaches in logic, no closure, no resolution, no nothing. In fact, the scale of the cop out was so great that with the way Oreimo ended, viewers could start watching a theoretical third season of it having no foreknowledge of any of the events that transpired in the OVAs, and they wouldn't even notice that they had missed anything of substance. Despite a series of what should have been life-altering decisions, drama-packed confessions, and heart-breaking rejections, none of it actually amounted to anything and the anime was practically right back to square one where it started in the first season. Everyone has varying tastes when it comes to storytelling, but I think it's fair to say that no one would want an ending that is virtually identical to its beginning.

I could talk about the voice actors, which were great at their roles. I could talk about the animation, which was fluid and lives up to the quality of the rest of the series, but all of this doesn't matter. The ending was just so broken and so forced that nothing else could save it. In spite of all this, my leniency still managed to squeeze 3 points out of 10 from me because there was so much else that the OVAs got right, but it's still bad. Really bad. This is the first time where such a small segment of the narrative has so greatly affected my score simply because it is that atrocious. When all is said and done, we are left with a conclusion that emotionally manipulates its viewers and then kicks them all violently to the curb. It's particularly more nefarious than most because other cop out endings are usually done due to their source material being incomplete, but Oreimo doesn't have this excuse. The light novels are finished, and this was the official ending that was chosen, which means there is likely no planned continuation that gives a proper resolution to the story, and there is nothing to look forward to in its source material to provide any solace. Still, for an anime to be capable of eliciting this much emotion out of me, there obviously has to be something special there. And there is. Oreimo is still overall a good series and it was a fun ride while it lasted, but the ending will break you, so I repeat: 21 minutes, 12 seconds. Save yourself and do not forget this number.

***** SPOILERIFIC FOOTNOTES *****

Now if by some chance you didn't listen to my advice and foolishly stumbled ahead anyway, I'd just like to say right now that I told you so. Anyways, it's time to take the safety gloves off and make some final points that I couldn't touch on in my spoiler-free section of the review. So as we all know (since you didn't listen to my advice), Kyosuke chose his sister Kirino, but we find out later that the secret words Kirino whispered in Kyosuke's ear were a suggestion for them to end their relationship after they graduate, and perplexingly Kyosuke agrees as if this is actually a great idea. She doesn't really give an explanation for this proposition, which is what makes it all the more confusing that Kyosuke would accept it right away, but presumably the implication is that because this is an incest relationship, they must have believed it could never work out in the end due to society rejecting them, so this was the only way they thought they could go forward. Well that's all fine and dandy, except then WHAT THE HELL WAS THE POINT OF ALL THAT SACRIFICE? So the writers expect us to believe that even though Kirino's selfishness would never allow this, and even though Kyosuke already told everyone his true feelings and turned down several confessions that could have easily resulted in life-long fulfilling relationships, they would both cast all this aside just so they could have an intimate relationship for a few weeks? There is absolutely no way this would realistically happen, and it is completely inconsistent with the characters' motivations. Granted, Oreimo has hardly been a realistic series, but even relative to its own rules that it establishes for itself, it just doesn't work.

Given this sudden and massive breach of common sense, it seems rather obvious that it was the writers' intent to cheaply avoid controversy while still trying to have their cake and eat it too. However, even putting aside the huge inconsistencies this creates with the characters just so they could have this contrived ending, how does this even truly evade the moral outrage that they sought to tap dance around? I don't know if anyone noticed, but Kirino and Kyosuke already confessed to each other! They already slept together! They already held a wedding and kissed each other! For anyone who strongly objects to incest at this point, the line has already been thoroughly crossed, but instead they think they can still just back up their car and no one will notice that the finish line was passed. And that's the most frustrating thing about this all. The anime had already reached the perfect place to finish, but it just kept on going. Going backwards that is, and yet if it had simply ended where it was supposed to, it was already set for greatness.

If you don't have the balls to fully commit to your incestuous ending, then at least have the decency to not completely screw your main character over and make him choose someone else. Otherwise this is just insulting and it doesn't satisfy anyone. It doesn't appease Kirino fans, it doesn't appease Kuroneko fans, it doesn't appease Manami fans, it doesn't even appease the moral prudes that object to the incestuous undertones which is the whole reason for the asspull ending in the first place, so again I ask, what was the point? Now because of the way the producers chose to chickenshit out at the last minute, not only does it leave the conclusion completely unfulfilling, but it also ruins one of the biggest messages that was emphasized throughout the series. Kirino was always struggling to reconcile her true feelings with the clashing values of the society that will judge her for holding them, and in the end she always decided that it was more important to be herself and not give up who she truly is, yet I guess in this case the message is, "Just kidding, go back to repressing your true feelings because now they're suddenly a bridge too far." What a fantastically hypocritical pile of bile. Screw you dickless, ball-less producers at ASCII Media Works that are likely responsible for this sleight of hand from the mangaka.

*Drops the mic*

It's impressive how a series can manage to alienate every part of its fanbase in just over one hour.

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS HEAVY SPOILERS.

Let me be clear: this is simply my opinion on the ending and not the series as a whole. Perhaps I will get around to that someday. I would be rating the series as a whole much differently. In any case, if you are reading this review I expect you have watched the first two seasons by now, so take that into account. Because it is just a trio of episodes/OVAs making up the ending, I won't bother making sections for each ... category.

While I generally don't like harems, I was able to sit through the first two seasons of OreImo without complaint. My main complaints about harems are their 1-dimensional girls and pathetically dense and oblivious MC. OreImo was able to deliver likable characters, and while they were by no means deep, they at least broke away from the stereotypes a tiny bit. The center of the harem, Kyousuke, was less dense and oblivious than the average MC, and while that isn't saying much, he was always relatively competent in his decision making skills. You should know all the girls by know, and their relationships with him. But which will he choose? With a title like "My Little Sister Can't Be This Cute", it should only take one guess.

This trio begins with Kyousuke figuratively picking off of the members of his harem one by one like a hitman (with the exception of Ayase, who was dealt with previously, and Saori who was barely an option in the anime adaptation at all). He seemingly breaks up with Kuroneko/Ruri again (didn't this happen before?) which leads to a lot of crying and drama which heavily contrasted the first time. He gets a laughable confession from Kanako, whose character had essentially no screentime in the anime adaptation, which makes the scene even more absurd for those not aware of the other source material.

After a Christmas Eve date, he finally declares his love for Kirino, who eventually accepts his confession. They decide to become lovers, and Kirino whispers something in her brother's ear which the viewer cannot hear.

After they start out their "romantic life", the story climaxes when Manami, who had made it her mission to prevent this from happening for years, appears in the park. She confronts the pair and the viewer is treated to a cat fight between Manami and Kirino, ending with Manami giving up her love for Kyousuke and leaving the park after a last minute morality lecture.

Afterwards, they get married (figuratively, but with clothing and church to match). They share a kiss. And then the credits roll.

Just kidding.

Kirino had whispered in Kyousuke's ear that they would only keep up their lover's life until they graduated. With that done, they agree to go back to being normal siblings.

In the end, Kyousuke burned his bridges with every girl in his harem to be with his sister for a matter of weeks. Some say the author was pressured into leaving an open ending like this, that a full-on Kirino end was the desired outcome, but that doesn't really excuse it. After two seasons of build up and "character development", the viewer is left with an ending where no one wins. I suppose Kirino got closest, since they shared a kiss after all, but their relationship burned out very quickly. Everything returns exactly to the way it was as the ED plays, in an almost Groundhog Day like ending. It was one of the most contrived, rushed, and idiotic ends to an anime I have seen, and it will leave a long lasting bitter taste in my mouth after two solid seasons.

Dear studios: please never do this again. Stories need some sort of resolution.

With the conclusion contained in this 3 episode special the OreImo series can be best described as a series that got progressively worse with each new release. The first season was very good, the second one was already lackluster and this... I have no idea what this is meant to be. The story is a directionless train-wreck, the characters are completely ruined (every last one of them) and the ending has the ability to induce anger even in the most docile of individuals.

Now let's have a look at all of this in detail. Some SPOILERS will be involved.

First off the story. So you've ... followed the anime or the light novel up to this point and know what's coming. Indeed the Kirino route is what the makers decided would be best to end this anime on. But hang on - in this 3 episode special you'll first have to wade through a field of absolutely awful, outlandish harem confessions in order to get to the ending. The dialogue is superbly superficial and while the characters scream/cry/slap each other during the vital parts of this special it just doesn't feel real because it's rushed and largely shallow. I actually laughed during those scenes, which is not something the makers were aiming for I'm sure.

The characters themselves are slaughtered mercilessly. Most of the female characters that possessed substance and depth were reduced to Confession girl no. 1, confession girl no. 2, confession girl no. 3 etc. A good example of that would be Manami. What in the world have they done with her? They've turned her into some sadistic villain that was plotting to destroy Kyosuke and Kirino's relationship all along. Moreover, we see her fighting. Real proper bare knuckle fighting! And if you think that's bad wait until you find out who drew first blood. I felt like I was watching DBZ for a moment there. And all of this from the most rational, docile and friendly character in the series. Just so out of place. Everything you knew about her from the 1st season is shattered in a matter of minutes. Likewise, nearly every character you liked will be ruined before the end with some complete outlandish plot point, which just makes you dislike the series as a whole.

Kyousuke was also ruined for a number of reasons. He seemed like a rational type in the first season, not so much in the second. In here he goes full retard mode. He turned down a grand total of 4 confessions + 1 more possible romantic development, risked a conflict with his parents and his friends for his sister. He does this without much thought. What further baffles me is that he was very prudent in the first season - always thoughtful of his future. He even discussed it with Manami when he was at her house in one of the episodes of the first season. In here, he has no idea what he's doing. He's thrown about like a leaf in the wind and his most rational explanation for this is that he does this because he's in "love" with (read: likes being the slave of) his sister.

And this brings me to the ending and it also brings me full circle to one of the earlier statements I made. The Kirino end isn't actually a true Kirino end. Turns out all he gets is a mock wedding & single kiss and they break up and return to their former status of brother and sister. In other words no conclusion, no resolution - the story is left open and you're left with a feeling of rage so intense you could go 12 rounds with a mutated alligator.

The only redeeming qualities here are art and sound which, as in the previous 2 seasons have stayed nearly perfect. But no matter how good those two components are, if the story and characters absolutely fail to deliver... well anything then it is obvious that the anime in question will end up with a low mark nonetheless.

All things considered, this ending is a total failure and I'll pretend that the OreImo series ends with the first season.

A score of 3 is very generous.

Let's jump right into my review, shall we?


Story: 1/10

The last 5 minutes of the final episode makes the entire rest of the series a pointless waste of time... so if you plan on watching this, just close your media player RIGHT AFTER the kiss that occurs during the final episode.

It's not possible to give a score lower than 1, but if there were a way to do it, then I would.


... Enjoyment: 1/10

I would be lying if I said I didn't enjoy this at all, but a 1 still counts as a mere speck of enjoyment right?

It's like going on a good roller coaster ride. It's a really good ride until it takes you through a tunnel. Unbeknownst to you, the tunnel is filled with concrete. You're cruising through the tunnel and then WHAM!

That's almost a completely accurate representation of what the last few minutes of this show were like. The only reason it isn't completely accurate is because you'd be dead if you went on that roller coaster, whereas this show leaves you alive and suffering.


Art: 7/10

The girls are cute. Not much else to say.


Sound: 5/10

Music wasn't anything special. Voice actors (Japanese ones) did a good job I guess.


Character: 4/10

There was character development throughout the series, and there was some development in these OVA's too... before the plummet that occurred in the last few minutes that is. Basically, Kyousuke and Kirino are back to square one as far as development goes, but they might have a little more respect/affection for eachother. That's it. That's all you get for sitting through two seasons.

There really is no other way to visualise the plot of these last three episodes other than the metaphorical fist of God flattening everything you once knew about a harem king and his own little world. Whether the ending itself is satisfactory or not is entirely up to you, your expectations and how soon you realised it was inevitable. This does not excuse the incredibly poor execution of the conclusion to a show I wish I could hold in the harem halls of fame.

I will, unlike many, avoid using spoilers in this summary because I believe these episodes should come with a warning label attached ... to them. Something like, "Attention human! If you continue down this path you are now aware this plot was rushed and condensed into far too few an episode number due to pressure on the author and writers." Not that it really excuses the poor quality as production could have been held back or simply spanned more episodes, but that was not the desire of the producers. This review will also be short, because there isn't much to comment on that isn't the same as a previous series or just wild opinions.

Story: 3/10
Any and all hope of a story is long gone by this point in the show. The only credit that can be given is that we simply have an ending, and not a series of questions that were left over from season 2. Though, if you were expecting to have your questions satisfied, you'd better leave behind any attachment you had to anyone and everything first.

Art: 9/10
The art was the same quality as the previous season, so of course it gets its usual high calibre score.

Sound: 8/10
Again, similar to the previous season and so high quality.

Characters: 4/10
I will not slate the characters to their deaths here, because they suffer enough in this short span of screen time. Instead, to summarise, no character is left untouched, with the exception of Ayase who was dealt with in the previous season. You will be shocked, and you probably won't like it. Even the incredible performance by Kuroneko is not enough to shield her from the inevitable destruction. You may even get angry when they mess about with Manami. I punched the desk and it hurt, a lot. If you've seen what's coming, at least this will be less painful to you than it has been for some other viewers - one of my friends literally screamed at his monitor upon viewing the aftermath of this tragic resolution.

Enjoyment: 2/10
Whilst I was somewhat shielded from the pain because I saw this coming back in season 1, it did not make this any more comfortable to watch. When you do decide to sit through it, bear with the whole hour in one go and make sure you have some time afterwards to sit and think about it, because it's probably going to be heavy on your mind.

The Final Verdict: 3/10
The whole project became more and more time constrained towards the end of season 2 so it was no surprise that when the three OVAs were released the quality was even worse. Despite all the negative criticism that the OreImo OVAs receive, I would recommend that you watch it to complete the season. It will at least give you a more complete finish, no matter whether you like or dislike it. There are also a few important ideas about the theme of incest that are almost-but-not-quite explored, which may promote some interesting topics to think on. Most importantly, if you can remember the good from the seasons before it, you might just be able to forgive some of the ending and save yourself from buying that new monitor.

The first season of Oreimo was an outstanding comedy anime. The second season was a lackluster sequel that took itself way too seriously, focusing on the harem that surrounds the main character, Kyousuke. The second season still managed to have some really good moments and I enjoyed it enough. These specials wrap up the second season.

This... this is just horrible.

I realize Kyousuke was a siscon, but thats not what bothers me. I can handle incest in various degrees. Though, I did find myself cringing in various scenes because... the romance is just NOT done well. At all. Even between two characters who weren't ... related, this would be dreadful. Its writen horribly and nothing that was done could ever possibly make me like the two characters.

I'd get into specifically why I hate Kyousuke AND Kirino, but that would take me all day. I'll sum it up by saying they're both selfish, disgusting, and greedy individuals who honestly deserve each other.

The ending to this was a complete joke. I can't even comment on it because I'm astounded by how much of a cop-out it was. Only made me hate both characters more.

The art and animation were good, as usual. The soundtrack was good. Everything else? No. If you're looking for an even somewhat satisfying ending to this series, just don't even bother.

PS- I know this is the ending to the light novels. I knew it wasn't going to be exactly what I wanted, but I expected something at least halfway decent.

This is a true ending of OreImo. First 13 episodes weren't finished in TV series, there was NO ending.
So, are these specials worth watching? I've seen them, because i've wanted to know the ending. Now i regret this, THIS insults me and the previous episodes. First season and most of the second were quite funny and fun. And this? I just wanted it to end as soon as possible.
Only art is good, music, like always, is bad. Characters- they WERE average, now they aren't, and this is surprising. Enjoyment- i liked the part when TsundeNee got hit by that... main character's friend?

DON'T WATCH THIS. ... It will only ruin your memory of previous series (yes, memories even of OreImo can be ruined....)!

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This review might contain spoiler?
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I regret watching it, I wish i left it at s2 and read the manga instead. It was a waste of time, literally. Who even thought it was a good idea to make this? Why the fuck did he refuse to date anyone that confessed to him? Siblings dating, heck marrying each other is wrong in so many levels. ''oH BuT sOmE pEoPlE aRe LiKe ThAt In ReAl LiFe!!!!!!!'' Yes but that doesn't change the fact that it's WRONG. I liked s1, s1 ona and s2 but this? No. Would i recommend watching it? No. Just drop it after s2.
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-SOME STREAMING SITES CONSIDER THE OVA'S TO BE FULLY PART OF THEIR RESPECTIVE SEASON. EPISODES 14, 15, AND 16 IF SHOWN ON THESE SITES ARE ACTUALLY THE OVA'S AND WILL HAVE A MAJOR, MOSTLY DETRIMENTAL IMPACT ON YOUR VIEW OF THE SERIES IF YOU WATCH ALL OF THEM OR SIMPLY FINISH EPISODE 16. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.

Keep in mind that the Original Author of the Light-Novel this series was based off originally wanted a full blown (W)incest relationship between Kirino and Kyousuke, but the publishers denied him that right fearing societal backlash and he had to write a "As Happy as possible" ending for their ... relationship. That in mind the anime chose to follow the Novels ending instead of what the author originally wanted and decided to keep the ending the same, instead of diverging it.


For those masochists out there that are perfectly fine with having their imaginations and overall enjoyment of a series absolutely obliterated with OVA's, sure, go ahead and watch these treacherous defilement's of what was legitimately a solid 7 or 8 out of 10 anime.

For those who are sane enough, happy enough leaving off on a good-point, or don't want their overall enjoyment of the anime ruined with late-entry OVA's that tacked on a closed-ending that literally undoes most of what the anime itself has been trying to do for the past... entire series... Don't bother.
Leave it off at episode 13. It was the original ending for the anime and was open-ended and which was actually a very proper, well-received, and well done story ending. They only tacked on the Novel/Do-What-Society-Wants-You-to ending (that the original author didn't actually want) with these OVAs and ultimately raised your hopes/enjoyment and then smashed them into dust.

If you are brave, or want to see an ending to the series that supports the Incest relationship between Kirino and Kyousuke that the entire series has been not-so-subtlety setting up, watch Episode 14/OVA 1 and Episode 15/OVA2 and you will be left hanging on a dramatically enjoyable experience that will leave you shocked and enthusiastic for the Pairing similar too "I'm so happy for them" ending.

The end of Episode 16/OVA3 after they prove their love for one-another, starts unraveling the entire series and turns it into a 5 or 6 out of 10(if even that high) instead of a 7-8/10. Simply because it has such a hardcore profound impact that ruins the entire experience of what you may or may not have expected of their Brother-Sister relationship.

Now time to rate the individual aspects:

Story 3/10: I would rate Episode 14/15(OVA1/2) a solid 8.5/10. Because they reaffirm the groundwork the series has been laying for a romantic relationship between Kirino and Kyousuke, and take it to "Screw Society, We're Happy!" levels. Going sofar as to show support and happiness for their relationship from most of their close friends. Even spurring it on because they see that they have a truly romantic bond ever since they met them.

However, if you include Episode 16 into the mix... You should take it with not just a grain of salt, but instead the utmost precaution and carry a 40kg bag of road salt. Episode 16(OVA3) continues the trend that Episode 14/15(OVA1/2) started. It escalates to a point of pure happiness for them as they reaffirm their love for one-another through various acts. Then it starts derailing the literal second they finish the latter. Avoid at all costs. Avoiding the consequences of Episode 16 ending leaves the group at a 9/10. If you continue, prepare for the entire series to plummet to a 5-6/10 as the plot foreshadowing throughout the entire anime is thrown away for "Societal Standards" via the publishing companies.

Art 6/10: Nothing special. Is what you expect from the series sofar. Nothing terrible and nothing great, albeit the series as a whole shies away from blood as pointed out roughly halfway through Episode 16(OVA3).

I didn't even notice it up until this point, which isn't half bad. But the story ended so poorly with Episode 16's ending that it immediately became prevalent in the noticeable flaws when the abundance of not-so-well-intentioned violence by some characters is considered. Episode 16 of course, finds another way to ruin the anime.

Sound 6/10: Nothing fantastic nor bad.

Character 5/10: The characters themselves up until Episode 16/OVA3 are solid and well done. Kirino and Kyousuke are well done and their love-to-hate bond that turns romantic is fantastically within character.

They have been abrasive to one-another and jealously guarded eachother throughout the series from potential rivals, which is solidly done and adds quite a few plot twists to both them and the other characters.
Then however, Episode 16 suddenly had them invert their personalities and instead of fighting for what they believed in, of which most of the second half of Season 2 along with most of Season 2's OVA's(All 3 of them up until the ending of Episode 16) was about their unquestionably budding romantic relationship, and the open happiness between them about it. They never question their relationship whatsoever, and are both very happy to have fallen in love with eachother. Then Episode 16 suddenly says "They gave up in Episode 15 an hour after they started being romantically involved with eachother, but prolonged the relationship to build memories."

The ending monologue even stamps out any hope by long-windily saying "We were immeasurably happy, we had an amazing time, we don't regret it... That's why I had to end it."

This can easily be avoided by not watching the last part of Episode 16, as everything else in the anime still makes sense. Episodes 14/15(OVA1/2) are done in such a way that you can easily not watch the Episode 16 ending and have a completely different experience in which they accept eachother as romantic partners.

Otherwise Episode 16's ending turns his ecstatic joy and her "planning ahead" into a mouthful of road salt as they fall so distantly out of their character and are openly ready to abandon their romantic lives for no viable reason, after they've been secretly vying for it for 2 just over 2 years in series and are legitimately both extremely happy about finally getting there.

Enjoyment 2/10: Self explanatory by this point in the review.

Overall: If it wasn't for Episode 16's absolutely uncalled for ending that had them suddenly stop everything they felt for one-another for no actual, viable, or believable reason... This would be a 8.5 or even a 9/10 ending for the anime.

Episode 16's tomfoolery ultimately brought it down to a 3/10 for these OVAs. But the series itself without the OVAs was open-minded and left the ending to the viewer to decide where it went (Quality ending), and remains a solid 7-8/10.

This is a giant conspiracy.

When looked at on the surface all of the other reviews are on how this series was very funny and enjoyable then took a turn for the worst during the OVA's. Ending in an absolutely dissatisfying taste towards fans of any of the vibrant characters within the show, this ending crushed any hope of a happy ending and even dashes the hope of what the OVA's OTP is all about by just cutting off romantic ties between the two siblings entirely by the end. But after long consideration, I realized this was completely intentional.

Lets start small with a clue. The main ... character (Kirino) obsession is over little sister video dating games. If the anime about dating your little sister were to become a game, like in the show, it would be among fans of the show that would buy it.

The the main guy blows off (4) 5 confessions the be with his sister for only a short amount of time when he knew it would end and asked his sister to marry him which doesn't make sense when for the whole show it shows how annoyed gets with her and lets not forget, the first thing Kirino did after she agreed to marry him was play more eroge (dating game), that just seems to unreal as a plot for this to be canon. I tend to see how the show ended where it did apart from the bonus episodes to draw a specific line that is visible if you think about it. Another of these subtle hints was from the episode where Kirino made an anime and talked about how companies make changes to writing to invoke something specific from their viewers.In this case the entire reason they made these last 3 episodes as upsetting as possible was for one reason

MAIN POINT

They made this ending so bad, fans would buy their own "date my little sisters game" to get the ending that they felt was most fitting to replace the bad ending.

That's it, the anime was too well written to be butchered like that in the end and this was the reason why, to promote the game.

(secretly becoming Kirino in the process)

Think about a dating game and its multiple paths, Kyosuke chose the little sister for no reason, and got the good/bad end and that was that, all girls could have been chosen, but rejected when he had a fair interest in most of them, certainly over his sister. that was to make you wanna choose for him in his position.

It was a great show that got sold out to anime companies for a profit, thats all folks.

Things fall apart.

Few endings have attracted more ire from fans than this one, and for good reason. Not only is the choice for Kirino and Kyousuke to form a couple utterly bewildering, but every other character in the series gets the short end of the stick to make it happen. Truthfully, the more I think about this ending the more things I find about it to hate. I hate the way Kanako’s feelings for Kyousuke were shoehorned in out of nowhere. I hate the way Manami is treated as the villain despite doing nothing wrong. I hate the apathetic manner that Kyousuke approaches the whole ... affair. And above all, I hate hate hate the way this ending will forever taint my positive memories of the rest of the series. Reading through my second Oreimo essay, it astonishes me that I was able to accept this and move on the first time I watched this show. How? How was I okay with this? How could anyone be okay with this? Imagine if, during the K-On! movie, the girls’ plane to London crashed and all of them died. That sounds horrible, doesn’t it? Well, that’s about how I feel about this ending. It’s completely out of place tonally, it’s poorly executed, and it forever haunts the series with this depressing spectre.

Now, for fairness sake, before I get too carried away with trashing the ending, I feel obligated to mention the relatively few things it actually does well. Episode fourteen’s confession scene was actually rather solid on an aesthetic level. If it didn’t come with all the baggage of incest and didn’t involve ruining no less than three girls’ hopes and dreams to make it happen, it might have even been a good scene. The way that Kyousuke tries to catch Kirino by running but ultimately fails to reach her is a nice way of hearkening back to an earlier scene showing that Kirino was inspired to take up running because she couldn’t catch up with Kyousuke many years prior. Likewise, the way Kyousuke ends up being assisted by Saori and Kuroneko really helps bring the narrative together in a neat way. I also particularly enjoyed Kyousuke’s line during his confession, “all love is gross, whether in eroge or in real life,” as it served as a surprisingly poignant way of rebutting Kirino’s constant proclamations of “gross!” over the course of the series. To sum up, the ending is bad not because of the way it is presented, but in spite of it. Most of the dialogue is good, everything is quite cinematic (in particular, the scene where Kyousuke forever rejects Kuroneko under the streetlamp has always stuck out to me), and production values maintain their quality from the rest of the show. The only problem is, well, the actual events that transpire.

Glad we got that cleared up. Now let’s talk about the bad.

The notion of incest was first noticeably implied around episode two or three of season two, and it only becomes more obvious from there. From this, it seems likely to me that this ending was not a sudden devilish idea upon the part of the writer, but rather a notion that he had been entertaining from early on. With this being as it may, it is astonishing to me that this ending is as messy as it is. Why does everyone confess to Kyousuke during the last five episodes if this was planned from the beginning? Why are so many characters hurt in the end? I simply don’t understand how he could let this happen. The rest of the series shows me that this man is clearly a fairly competent writer, so why? Did he do this as some kind of elaborate commentary on how normalizing incest eroge can lead to an anomie where people no longer see incest as a taboo? Almost certainly not. Will Kirino and Kyousuke’s love even last or is it merely some teenage fling that just happened to ruin the hopes and dreams of everyone around them? We can’t be sure. Ultimately, I don’t think we can ever know exactly what inspired the extraordinary lapse of reason that led to this ending. All we can do is wonder what happened?

I touched on this a bit before, but the worst thing about this ending (and this is a lofty distinction considering the boundless number of things that I hate about the way this show ends) is definitely how damned sad it is. No one ends up happy—not even Kyousuke and Kirino. After their cinematic kiss at the end of the final episode, we are led to believe that they don’t even stay with one another. Society will forever condemn their relationship, they ruined their friendships with several people to make it happen, and in the end they don’t even stay together! If that’s not the dreariest ending imaginable, I’m not sure what is… and they got the good end of the deal. As I have mentioned, Ayase, Kanako, and Kuroneko all have their hopes of love mercilessly shattered, but the truest loser here, I think, is Manami.

Good lord, I’m so sorry Manami. You didn’t deserve this. You didn’t deserve any of this. Not only is the scene that features her in the final episode the most painful in the entire series, it may very well be among the most painful scenes I have ever encountered in an anime. After confronting Kyousuke and Kirino about their relationship, she voices her disgust for what they are doing (a reasonable reaction to have, by all accounts) and then gets into a fistfight with Kirino. I’m not going to lie, I do like Kirino, but there was a real feeling of catharsis in seeing her punched mercilessly in the gut by Manami. Unfortunately, outside of the punch, nothing in this scene goes well for Manami in the slightest. She sustains substantial damage from Kirino herself, ultimately having her glasses broken. This leads to perhaps the eeriest part of the entire series for me. It is difficult for me to describe, but there is something deeply chilling about the way Manami looks without her glasses. The cute softness of her face is all but gone, and we are left with something harsh—almost scary. This is made all the more disturbing by what Manami says in this state: that Kyousuke and Kirino’s relationship can never survive, and more importantly that she has always loved Kyousuke. Kyousuke, of course, rejects her in an irritatingly bombastic fashion. Then, in return she says “that was the worst reply ever”— a line that would almost be funny if it weren’t so sad. In the end, while with Ayase, Kanako, and Kuroneko there was a definite sadness to their rejection, with Manami it’s outright depressing. I can’t help but think of how, after this scene ends, she will go home to realize that she has lost her best friend and love of ten years. And she lost him to his own sister—someone who he can never even stay with. All of this from a show that was once an upbeat comedy series.

I have rarely felt worse after watching an anime than after watching this scene. I felt empty and frantic and even a little bit nauseous. I wanted to bang my head against the wall until it gave way. I wanted to yell “FUCK YOU OREIMO!” at the top of my lungs. I wanted to run as fast as I could to nowhere in particular. Most of all, I wanted to purge this show from my mind, and perhaps from existence entirely. I am not an emotional man, but dear God, this scene—this ending broke me. I’ve heard that when it was first published, this ending caused such an outrage that many previous fans burned the entire series or sold it for almost nothing just to get it out of their possession, and I can see why. This may not be the worst ending ever, but it is certainly the most painful that I have seen. Between the way the harem elements were lazily shoehorned in, the way Kyousuke callously turns down the girls, and above all, the mean-spirited way that Manami is treated in her final scene—all in all, this is an ending that I will probably never forget. But for all the wrong reasons.

* * *

Let’s Talk About Incest!

One issue I have been skirting around in the discussion of this show’s ending is, of course, the incest. Now, I am not, on principle, against the use of consensual incest in fiction, but it has a very specific time and place where it is acceptable. Importantly, if a work is going to employ incest as a plot point (and if it wants to be taken seriously), it needs to a) treat the incest as an important plot element and b) treat the incest as a taboo. Neither of these things are really true of Oreimo. In fact, Oreimo’s ending treats incest in a shockingly irreverent fashion. This is particularly odd to me because the first season seemed quite self-aware and contained many jokes poking fun at the way incest is fetishized in modern otaku culture. One of its great strengths was the way it contrasted Kyousuke and Kirino’s growing platonic relationship with the sexual relationships in Kirino’s eroge. Yet, somehow the series ends with a complete reversal: an unequivocal embrace of incest. In a sense, this serves to cheapen the platonic relationship of the first season by suggesting that there was always a sexual element to Kyousuke and Kirino’s relationship. I can only ask: what happened? What was there to be gained by adding the incest element to this show? And if there was anything to be gained, why on earth was it executed so poorly?

To be fair to this show, not every element of the incest was poorly handled. The majority of the second season is dedicated to building up Kirino and Kyousuke’s romantic relationship, so there can be no complaints that it came out of nowhere. Moreover, a good amount of emphasis is placed on showing why the Kousakas developed their feelings for one another. The real star here is season two episode thirteen, which is probably the only genuinely good episode in the latter half of season two. This episode takes the form of an extended flashback narrated by Kirino. According to her, she looked up to her brother as a child but became disillusioned with him as he tended increasingly towards laziness and mediocrity during his adolescence. By the time the chronological start of the series came about, she had come to view the real Kyousuke as an entirely separate person from the brother she once admired as a child. This, I gather, is why she has few inhibitions about thinking about him romantically. Now, obviously this flashback sequence does not provide a complete picture of why this incestuous relationship came about; for instance, it does not explain at all why Kyousuke has no problems thinking about his sister romantically. Even so, it does a genuinely good job of putting Kirino and Kyousuke’s romantic relationship in a more believable context, so the flashback is certainly beneficial to the show’s overall narrative.

Sadly, my praise ends there. While the motivations are fairly well done, the social aspect of the incest is seriously blundered. To see just how poorly this is handled, one need look no further than the aforementioned scene with Manami during the last episode. Since she is really the only character to express discontent with the idea of Kirino and Kyousuke’s incestuous relationship, Manami can be viewed as a sort of voice for society. She says more or less what you would expect any normal person to say in this situation: “I think it’s disgusting for siblings to be in a relationship.” If Manami’s statements led to some kind of real discussion about the implications of incest then perhaps I would be okay with this scene, but that is not what happens. Instead, Kyousuke bellows some impassioned nonsense about how he wants to “bring on that real sister end!” without ever meaningfully engaging with Manami’s ideas. Likewise, when Manami brings up the central question of what the Kousakas’ parents will think, Kyousuke responds with a shallow “Please don’t tell my dad! He’ll kill me!”
This is the crux of the issue. The writer appears to believe that merely mentioning that there are moral and social issues at play with incest is sufficient to make it acceptable. Kyousuke, Kirino, and, indeed, the show itself, seem to brush off these issues as though they are totally irrelevant. But, of course, they are not irrelevant. Imagine, if you will, if Vladimir Nabokov's seminal novel Lolita ended with the adult Humbert Humbert marrying 12-year-old Dolores Haze and the only reaction to this was one character who says “Ew, don’t do that.” Obviously, this example is completely absurd, but it is worryingly similar to what happens in Oreimo. Despite incest being a serious taboo (not as serious as pedophilia, but still heavily frowned upon), the only negative reaction it receives is from Manami, and she’s framed as the villain. Saori takes the middle ground, saying that she doesn’t really condone it but that she’s not going to try and stop it either, and everyone else says nothing negative at all. The only explanation I can see for why incest is treated this way in Oreimo is that the writer was only really interested in employing it at a purely shallow, fetishistic level. At the same time, though, he didn’t want to look bad so he pretended to treat it seriously by casually mentioning moral issues. Pure and simple, it’s bad, lazy writing.

In the end, Oreimo’s objectionable treatment of incest is, at best, tasteless, and at worst an active detriment to the entire brother-sister dynamic established by the first season. It’s not bad enough to ruin the show by itself—not for me at least—but combined with the deluge of other shortcomings present in this show’s ending, it seriously taints my viewpoint of the whole series. This is especially unfortunate because I liked the first season before I saw how things concluded—I really earnestly liked it. But I’ll be damned if I ever want to watch, or even think about this show again after witnessing this atrocity of an ending.

Congratulations, by making it here you do not pass go, you collect no money, and in fact you feel as if everything Oreimo has built up to is snatched from you like candy from a baby.

To any unfortunate viewers such as myself (didn't listen to the reviews)
If you want any semblance of enjoyment from this otherwise amazing show, Please stop your last ova at 21:10.

I promise you, should you watch past the point of no return you will feel as though you were promised a ride on a roller coaster, only to be taken on a rubber ducky across a pond.

However, I will say ... this. The finishing touches provided by these 3 OVAs did in fact help to tie up loose ends.

The ending is just atrocious.

This ending while maybe not that bad on its own is brutal to watch largely because the rest of the series makes you care about the quality of these and about the characters that are involved and because even after going through the dissapointment of watching them it ruins any meaning or point by invalidating the entire relationship it builds. And while i can agree that this wasnt that bad from a technical perspective the reason people watch shows is for enjoyment so i dont see that as even coming close to compensating for the lack of enjoyment in this end. Also i get that ... i like a lot of others was biased by what i wanted to happen, but i would have been more satisfied if he grabbed literally anyone even a random bystander than with this, these were like being bludgeoned to death for an empty wallet by the end largely due to how it negated their relationship after killing everything else

Warning:
Possible spoilers ahead.

I have never been more mad at an anime and studio before. These three episodes were fantastic, truly amazing, until the last 5 minutes or so of the last episode.

A little bit of context:
This anime, for any who haven't watched it, is an anime focusing on societal morals, and the way they are subjective. And it handles it in a superb way. Instead of focusing on a point of view, instead of making one view right and the other wrong, instead of having a couple of people being the villains, who are incapable of changing opinions and want nothing but what they think ... is right, the anime goes out of it's way to make sure that all views are explored as much as possible, in a way that is fair and balanced. And they do it in a way that you might not even notice.

Towards the end of the second season, the anime as touched on otaku culture, polygamy, conceited morals, and a plethora of other things that go on in society. But the main two things are societal morals and incest. The main characters, siblings Kyousuke Kousaka and Kirino Kousaka, end up realizing they love one another, and then experience the dread of being on the other end of prejudice in society. This had already been experienced by Kirino, who was an otaku, and in fact, it is when she asks her brother who she hated for help fiding friends who she could share this with that the anime starts.

So far so good, you might be thinking to yourself, that is if you can get over the incest (I know some people can't, in which case you should never watch this anime). So why do i hate it and the studio now? Well, you know when a company starts to do something that people don't like? Normally, they would just stop, release a public apology, and move on. A 'cop out'. Well, this studio could have done that at the end of the first season. Because, at that point, while it was clear to everyone that the siblings loved each other, they hadn't started dating or really doing anything. They were just siblings with a platonic, positive relationship. Those who couldn't tolerate the incest had either left or started banging at the studio's proverbial gates. But the studio didn't cop out. They made a second season. Which was an action I loved. And at the start i loved this second season.

Now, back to the ending of the second season. Kyousuke and Kirino have admitted to one another that they love each other. They have started to have a relationship. Kyousuke and Kirino go to every friend they can, mustering support. Kyousuke denies every single girl that wanted to date him. They even have a mock wedding. While nothing official, it is of symbolic importance. At the end, the viewers have had an emotional journey that rivals pretty much any anime I have ever seen. We want them to be together, society be damned! They have their romantic kiss at the altar. At this point, they've done it all, cried together, laughed together, go on dates, slept together and kiss. They're relationship looked to be a long lasting one, full of hardship, joy, sorrow and society constantly a threat, but by the gods they would stick together. The final scene comes, they are on the street, it seems like a bit of fluff is about to happen, a moment for the fans to savour, a desert for the Amazing proverbial meal that was this journey of a incestuous couple who, against all odds had finally gotten their happy ending.

And then...they end the relationship. They end their loving relationship that they had fought tooth and claw for, that the viewers had wanted, that the studio had seemed to given us. And why? Well, that should be obvious, shouldn't it? It was a cop out. AT THE LAST EPISODE, AFTER TWO SEASONS OF HARDSHIP TURMOIL, SOCIETY BEARING DOWN, AFTER ALL THESE SIBLINGS WHO LOVED EACH OTHER HAD SACRIFICED TO BE TOGETHER, THE STUDIO HAS THE F*CKING GALL TO GIVE THE BIGGEST MIDDLE FINGER TO IT'S FANS EVER AND INSTEAD OF DELIVERING THE ENDING WE WANTED, INSTEAD OF LEAVING THOSE FIVE MINUTES OF SCREENTIME OUT, INSTEAD OF FOLLOWING THEIR OWN LOGIC AND SAY F*CK YOU SOCIETY, WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS, LIKE THEY HAD DONE, THEY INSTEAD PULL THE SLIMIEST, THE MOST DESPICABLE COP OUT THAT ANYONE HAS EVER EVEN F*CKING CONCEIVED!

And that is why I HATE this studio, this anime and especially this ending. Because of the absolutely deplorable manipulation of the viewers feeling. And there is no subjectivity or second point of view about it. This was absolutely the most immoral thing I have ever experienced. EVER!

[unspecific and ambiguous spoilers]

It was so close to being a good anime, after the torrent of abuse that was season 1, season 2 impressed me. I actually started liking kirino in the last few episodes, and came to terms with all the other ships sinking. But then came the last straw. If this anime faded to credits at 21 minutes, and 12 seconds, it would have been okay. There would have been unanswered questions, sure, but it would have been a trillion times better than what came after. That is, by far, the single worst written ending I have EVER seen in my life, ... and probably will not be topped. You made me go through so many sunken ships, so many moments where I had to physically walk away from my this anime to try and understand how stupid this MC is in season one, and then finally, there's a glimmer of hope in season 2, her tsundere ratio is no longer 100/0, its 99/1! And you finally made me like her in the last few episodes too... only to do this to me?!?!? Are you some sort of insane psychotic sadist? What could possess a person to play with emotions like that!?!



this is

the worst

anime

i have

ever seen


solid


1/10.


that is all

So my review here will try to not focus so much on the main series, just simply these three ONA's.

Now, immediately breaking that rule I wanna preface this by saying that the final episode essentially undid all the work the previous season and even previous two episodes had set up for it.

With that out of the way, this unfortunately creates a bit of a conundrum. While I'll avoid spoilers, the shows seems to want to shove both last second character development in the form of sudden love interests (I'll just say it's related to the Meruru scene). Additionally, it finally brings previous love interests from ... the previous seasons to the forefront and actually brought in a confrontation that we'd been waiting to see the entire time. Immediately, this is undercut by going back on the whole reason for this confrontation by going "lol jk," completely cheapening the entire experience of the show and ONA's.

From what I understand using outside information, the writer wanted a more clear cut ending but the network pushed back against it due to some perception concerns. Unfortunately this completely backfired on them by creating such a sour taste at the end of the series so as to make the entire story irrelevant and any plot progression meaningless.

It's unfortunate that so much about the series can be trashed into the ground with simply the last five minutes. If you avoid that last 5 minutes, all the series and these ONA's are a decent and interesting conclusion to a two season anime.

If the ups and downs I went through with these characters meant anything, I'm sure my review would be different. The characters are still strong, the art and sound is still the same, but that asspull of an ending takes a lot away from an otherwise enjoyable series.

Hello.

It has been a long minute since I have watched OreImo. But the entire anime is still vivid in my memory. Maybe because of how bad it was. As someone who doesn't believe in abhorrent anime too, OreImo comes close to one. The entire anime was truly boring to sit through and just didn't have any substance in which would make it somewhat decent. Discluding Ruri of course, and a few others. Maybe the animation too.

But the thing that really got me the most was the ending of the anime. Partially why I am writing this review. From a thread, I saw yesterday, to a ... literal shower thought, I come here. But that is not the point. The point is the bad ending and bad anime.

There is no point to the ending. Literally zero. I don't even know what to write anymore. You would think that after the events of the anime, something decent would come out. Apparently not.

Imagine, this dude, this one dude, dumps best girl for some spin-off Taiga, with her hair looking like Spongebob's pineapple house. Then goes on some nonsense like allowing this bruh Taiga to fight his childhood friend, and then having some fake wedding that wasn't even anything they stood by, you know, the equivalent to furry roleplay because owo ore imouto sugoku kawaii~~. Wow. Great writing.

I wasted 784 mins of life. Gone.

Nice.

So I leave questions for characters and staff alike.

I have a question for Kirino; why are you?
I have a question for Kyousuke; why are you?
I have a question for Ayase; why are you?
I have a question for Kurusu; why are you?
I have a question for Fushimi Tsukasa; why are you?
I have a question for ASCII Media Works; why are you?

I don't usually give 1/10 to anime lol. So I will go with 2/10, Ruri existed anyway so that was the nice thing about this.

784 mins.

Damn.

-This review is long.- I don't often feel the need to write reviews, this is my second one after seven years on this website, so take heed: These last three episodes are probably the worst I have ever seen in any anime, ever. I have watched a lot of anime, obviously not as much as many people out there, but I have watched all sorts from almost every genre. At this point I feel as though I have some (subjective) grasp on what constitutes an enjoyable anime, and every fiber of my being screams out that this is not it. This is not enjoyable. In ... fact, it quite literally ruined what came before it. I cannot help but look back at all the time I spent watching this series as lost, no, wasted, time. I hate that. I hate that the second season and these three episodes in particular made me feel that way.

The first season of this anime was good, I really liked it, which is why I am so surprised at how this all ended, and am taking the time to write this. The first season had a strange but funny story, with interesting themes to it, and entertaining characters. The second season, and then these last three episodes in particular, completely strip all of that away. Kirino is a conflicted person, she lives a hidden life, and the first season explores this. It looks at a portion of the population that thinks, feels, and enjoys different things differently, and asks: Why do we ostracize them? Why do we treat them the way we do? Is it right to treat them that way? Are they all the same, or is there a sliding scale? Can a person live in this dualistic state, both a part, and not a part, of that group?

Well, toss that out in the second season. Focusing on interesting themes and ideas is hard. Why not just appeal to emotion at all times, and really focus on fabricated filler drama?

What about the interesting story of a brother trying to help his sister? A brother trying to rebuild a relationship that he hadn't really noticed had died, and almost completely withered away? A story where someone needs help, where they cannot continue to live their life the way things have been going, and they need an outside source that will help them sort things out, fix things, and protect them as they go through all of this?

It is gone in the second season. Everyone knows about Kirino's secret, and almost everyone themselves is either an open or also a secret otaku. The conflict between the main characters, the supporting cast, and the world as a whole is gone. With no conflict, there is no story. At least, not an enjoyable one.

What about the characters then, at least we can still enjoy the fantastic characters that were created in the first season? Both yes, and no. Some characters do get their backgrounds explored, they do get fleshed out, and they become more enjoyable then before, but then they too also undergo changes which turn this anime into something it should not have been, and which was horribly ham-fisted in: a harem. Literally only one female character does not fall for Kyousuke. I will go into detail about the characters: (so stop reading if you don't want spoilers)

Kyousuke's character just gets straight up assassinated. What was once an interesting, thoughtful, multifaceted character turns into nothing more than the boring protagonist of your run of the mill harem anime. Anything you thought he was, or wanted him to be, is dead by these three last episodes. He was being pulled in a multitude of directions, his love for his sister and his need to protect her and fight for her, his strange fascination with Ruri and the way she was changing his life in weird and interesting ways, and his desire for a calm, peaceful, normal life with Manami. All of that ends. He throws both of those relationships away to be with his sister, which I suppose would be fine, if there wasn't a 'haha jokes on you' moment at the end when you find out it was all a game of pretend. When you find that out, and realize just what he threw away regarding those two, well, that is where the hatred starts.

Saori gets an interesting (but ultimately pointless) exploration of her background, and how she came to be an otaku. In the second last or last episode (I can't remember) the entire conflict between her and her older sister, whom she hated and who she felt ripped apart her life and her friends, gets resolved in a throw away line. Literally one line where she says they fixed it while they drive in a car looking for Kirino. What was the point? Why waste time exploring her development from a shy child into a shamelessly otaku adult, and her relationship with her family, if in the end it comes to nothing? Like I said above, it feels like this series wasted my time. At least she doesn't become the older, big breasted part of the harem. She keeps her dignity.

Ruri is elevated for a time from a minor secondary character, to almost a main character, in the OVAs of season 1 and start of season 2. She confesses to Kyousuke, and this relationship is the only one in the entire series (other than Manami) that actually feels earned or real, and that is due to the end of season 1. Not anything season 2 did. In fact, season 2 ruins what ever real character Ruri had, and what ever plans and motivations she was hatching. Why date the main character and break up with him, hinting that there is something going on, only for it to end with, again, nothing? Her character goes from background, to main, then right into the background again, like something interesting was planned, but there wasn't enough time, because there needed to be more cute girls added to the harem. They even break up a second time, while already being broken up, in one of the most needlessly dramatic, and character rending moments I have ever watched. Ruri as a character is turned into scrap.

This brings us to Ayase, and even more confoundingly, Kanako.

Ayase hates Kyousuke, and loves Kirino. What she wants most in the world is what makes Kirino happy, and believes that her brother has corrupted her. So why does she fall in love with him? The fact that she spent a month cooking and cleaning for him just makes it seem like some kind of weird Stockholm syndrome to me. There was no point in this anime previously where she expressed any romantic desire toward him, when he came to her house she would put him in handcuffs. She was not a Tsundere, she was just disgusted; then in love? What? I don't understand this. She even starts to become some sort of Yandere, with a knife and everything. At one point there is someone taking photos of Ayase and Kyousuke, and you wonder, is this how he gets her to fall in love with him? Does he protect her, show her that he really is a good guy? No, nothing happens, it never comes up again. She doesn't even find out that he lied about playing erotic games to cover for Kirino, which is what literally caused him to become scum in her eyes. She doesn't even mind the erotic figurines Saori gets him as a housewarming gift. She loves him anyway, and for no discernible reason, other than 'because harem.'

At least Ayase gets somewhat better treatment than Kanako, Kirino's other friend. By better treatment, I mean more screen time. Kanako literally meets Kyousuke three times, I counted, three times in the entire anime, before she falls in love with him. She meets him once at the start of season 1 and thinks he is a pig due to a misunderstanding, and then twice IN DISGUISE, as Ayase's manager. Then in season 2 she starts coming to his house to make him lunch, literally out of nowhere. I wanted to laugh at how absolutely ridiculous it was, because I thought it was building to some sort of joke, or a fiendish plan on someone's part. It wasn't. They needed to add a loli to the harem, and that was the best they had! Oh dear lord, how did this anime fall so far?

Kirino is essentially the same. You either like her or hate her.

Then it gets to the most disappointing part: Manami. This show should have been, in the end (because he can't ACTUALLY have his sister, come on) a love triangle between Manami, Kyousuke, and Ruri. Manami is everything Kyousuke wanted, the 'Queen of Normal' as he calls her, the epitome of a quiet life. That is what he states he wanted, what he always ever wanted, throughout the series. She is his childhood friend, the person he had slowly fallen in love with naturally over time, and who came to know him better than he knows himself. In the second season she becomes some sort of manipulative bitch, who seems to have been toying with and plotting against Kirino since their early childhood? What? She was the sweetest, most understanding character. She encouraged Kyousuke to help Kirino, it was at HER urging that he took up Kirino's fight, and throughout the series it is because of her that he continues. Why would she do that if she was plotting to have Kyousuke to herself from the start? She should have been driving the wedge between them in further, at every turn! It was a complete 180, out a the blue, and ended with Kirino and Manami literally coming to blows, punching and slapping each other. What is worse, it is Manami, one of the sweetest, most understanding and compassionate, most pacifistic characters I have ever seen in an anime, that throws the first punch! What?!

I honestly don't know how to end this review, just don't watch this. If you REALLY want, watch the first season, but stop there. If you REALLY REALLY want to watch the second season after all this,WHY? But DO NOT watch these last three episodes. Just, wow, I honestly can't believe how awful this show turns out to be, it is literally one of, if not the worst, endings I have ever seen, to anything. Seriously, don't watch this.

If you made it this far, thanks for reading my inane 6 in the morning ramblings.

Seriously, don't watch this anime.

Oh god, where to start? I hate to admit it, but most of the reviewers that say you shouldn't watch this or it will ruin the series were right, at least where I am concerned. I honestly did not like the rushed ending of the second season, despite me enjoying where it was going all until before the last episode. When he had his final encounter with Ayase is when the series just began to tank.

Kyo breaking up again with Ruri, a second time(?), was ridiculous due to so many reasons. Their relationship was enough to make him cry ... in the second season, yet he basically crushes her hopes for no reason and completely flip-flops, making the entire "ruri-arc" disingenuous at best.

That is only one of the plethora of problems within the first episode and a half of this "ending" I suppose the director would call this?

Besides the overwhelmingly bad pace, unnatural and distrubing relationship (blame science if you like incest, because even genetically it is wrong.), and the just absolute ridiculous plot and dismantling of every relationship buildup (including the nonexistent rushed one with kana?) this has just been an absolute, overwhelming let down, that I honestly wish was not made.

Ore no Imouto is very good anime but after watching 3 OVA eps ruined the show for me . This is my personal opinion so you may disagree with me.
Here is warning , if you think the ending of oreimo season 2 was good or ok then you should know that either the OVA will ruin the show for you (like me) or you will very enjoy the ending of the show and the light novel in general.
For me , everything gone bad since the ending of the first OVA episode. But i continue watching it because i want to know ... how Kirino and Kyousuke would deal with this problem and indeed i regert deciding watching the OVA before asking anybody if it was good or not.