Ore no Imouto - Episode 6 Discussion / Poll

[ChainLegacy]

I too feel that Kyousuke isn't showing any obvious signs of affection towards any character at this point. And while the setting was Minami's house (indeed an agreeable change of pace), the thing most telling for me in this episode was Kirino's jealousy. That isn't normal/realistic for a sister, which suggests either poor writing/planning or that she actually does have romantic feelings for her brother which seems to be the big question mark on this series.

[Cyz]

This is a rather change of pace. It's nice to see an episode without too much tsundere atmosphere in it. I don't know if he was just really dense but it's obvious that Manami has feelings for him....poor girl, but don't give up! The Tamura family themselves, well, I guess it's safe to say that they're willing to "give" Manami to Kyousuke anytime and anywhere. It's quite amusing how they want them two to ended in a rather more than romantic manner . As for Kirino, I really don't feel bad for her. As a matter of fact, I think she might deserve the karma or something though I can understand her loneliness after the whole time Kyousuke spends on her but hey, he has life outside the abuse too no and kicking his door everytime you pass by isn't going to help.

"Grandma, what do I do!? Kyou-chan wants to take a bath with me" ~ Manami

^ Haha, that really put a smile on my face

[Himeji]

Very nice episode, Manami is cuter than I thought... the two are fitting together really well, and kind of admitted already that they like each other.
Manami would be too boring for my tastes but she seems to fit nicely to Kyousuke.

Interesting to see how jealous Kirino is XD
I'm curious what she'll do to "get him back"
It seems she *does* want to be treated like the imouto in her games by Kyousuke (even though perhaps she didn't admit that to herself yet).

Originally Posted by Micchi

P.S. Is Halloween even common in Japan?

No, it's not. What Manami's family is doing is quite a novelty. It wouldn't surprise me if that was her whacky grandparent's idea

Originally Posted by Lange Neus

Minus points for not showing kirino masturbating furiously

Agreed.

Originally Posted by Lange Neus

Also, I can't quite get my head around grandparents harassing you into banging their granddaughter, and that is after you emotionally blackmailed her into sharing a bath with you.

They know that Nanami is too shy to do anything herself, so they have to help out and push a little

Originally Posted by Sackett

Or it could have been: "If a girl (other than me) confessed to you, what would you do?"

"I'd reject her, [because I already have you]".

That's how I see it.

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

Kyou-chan said he would refuse a confession because he liked a peaceful life

It can hardly get any more peaceful and uneventful than marrying Manami, so that should fit his taste there.

Originally Posted by Kaoru Chujo

But really, I think it may come down to which kind of girl each of us wants to see, or can identify with.

I can identify with none of the girls

[Reckoner]

Uh erm uhh....

This series the past two episodes has taken a turn in a direction that I do not necessarily appreciate.

So far it just seems to be setting up a romance between the sister and brother which is uh..... Yeah. Don't understand Japan's fascination with this "taboo."

I personally was quite bored during this episode. There's too animes to even count at this point that feature a perverted old man/grandpa. Not to mention, that they didn't pull off this rendition of such a person as anything remotely funny.

They did everything possible too to make sure that they would be in the same room together, which leaves a sour taste to say the least. There are other ways to get characters to open up to each other than forcing them into a ridiculous scenario.

Yeah, I rated this episode average, because that's really all it is. Average story telling.

[Hooves]

Originally Posted by Reckoner

Uh erm uhh....

This series the past two episodes has taken a turn in a direction that I do not necessarily appreciate.

So far it just seems to be setting up a romance between the sister and brother which is uh..... Yeah. Don't understand Japan's fascination with this "taboo."

They love the wincest that develops between a sister and her brother? It also has the perfect build-up so far, with Kirino playing so much Eroge Games, that she may even take lessons from them, and try it on her brother, since he is finally paying attention to her now (well... Not in this episode atleast..)

I personally was quite bored during this episode. There's too animes to even count at this point that feature a perverted old man/grandpa. Not to mention, that they didn't pull off this rendition of such a person as anything remotely funny.

They did everything possible too to make sure that they would be in the same room together, which leaves a sour taste to say the least. There are other ways to get characters to open up to each other than to force them into a ridiculous scenario.

It did work after all, they did realize some things about the other that would have never been said if that situation wouldn't have occurred.

Yeah, I rated this episode average, because that's really all it is. Average story telling.

Its just your normal episode, with your normal characters

[Kaoru Chujo]

Just to develop the "agree to disagree" a bit more:

Originally Posted by Mentar

I don't think I can agree with that, simply because there were no "tension and confusion" worth mentioning.

Tension and confusion come in many forms, some less dramatic than others. I prefer the less dramatic ones, even in fiction. Manami was on tenterhooks the whole time (maybe a bit more relaxed at the end) and Kyousuke was sometimes confused as to how he felt.

You can take the people at this household at face value. I didn't see anything which would require major contemplation to figure out. The Kirino household is very masked in comparison.

That's why I feel the affection in this household more. Hard to see much real affection even as siblings between Kyousuke and Kirino. But I expect that to grow.

I think this is the part where we have to agree to disagree. You didn't sigh inwardly when Kyousuke took the "must not date anyone else, but we're not dating" stance? Or when Manami was eagerly asking what they should do, and Kyousuke answered "Sleep"? Or when Manami was so obviously fishing for a reaction with the "nervous under a girl's roof" comment, and Kyousuke coldly answered "why should I be nervous here"?

Those were there, put there intentionally by the writers, but they were less blunt and more nuanced than I can recall seeing in other shows using this meme. And on the other side was Kyousuke's feeling that he wanted this relationship to carry on, wanted another sleepover, and would object to any other guy butting in.

I'll be honest: I don't like the Manami cute-gentle-meganekko-moeblob template in general.

I do think this is the main difference of opinion here. If she doesn't seem attractive, it's hard to feel the attraction. If she does, it's easy. I would never use the ugly word "moeblob," probably for anyone, let alone Manami. As I mentioned before, my affection for/identification with this type of character began with DearS.

But the person who really annoyed me this ep was Kyousuke. He was being either completely oblivious-stupid to Manami's openers (I don't think so), or he's really feeling nothing more than a convenient friend providing a peaceful environment for him, and he's keeping her at double arm's length since he doesn't want to commit.

Yes, he's being oblivious -- but less oblivious than I remember seeing in other shows. And from time to time, and at the end, I saw love -- even if it wasn't either passion or romance. Agape for a spouse rather than eros for a lover.

[Reckoner]

Originally Posted by Hooves

They love the wincest that develops between a sister and her brother? It also has the perfect build-up so far, with Kirino playing so much Eroge Games, that she may even take lessons from them, and try it on her brother, since he is finally paying attention to her now (well... Not in this episode atleast..)

Yes Japan for whatever reason is obsessed with the idea of forbidden love in anime, and when I say Japan perhaps it would be much more apt for me to say Otakus.

I don't mind this show as being one about a brother forming a stronger sibling bond with his sister as that's what I hope this is all about in the end... What I do mind is the kind of nonsense that they're seeming to hint at in the more recent episodes.

Originally Posted by Hooves

It did work after all, they did realize some things about the other that would have never been said if that situation wouldn't have occurred.

Yes, but it makes the story feel incredibly contrived, which for me and many others is almost NEVER a good thing. And no, you don't need this sort of ridiculous scenario for that kind of talk to happen. Why can't characters simply have conversations?

Originally Posted by Hooves

Its just your normal episode, with your normal characters

That's exactly my point. I can write a fanfiction about as good as this... The episode was simply forgettable. There's nothing for me to take from it.

[Triple_R]

Originally Posted by Reckoner

Uh erm uhh....

This series the past two episodes has taken a turn in a direction that I do not necessarily appreciate.

So far it just seems to be setting up a romance between the sister and brother which is uh..... Yeah. Don't understand Japan's fascination with this "taboo."

I don't quite get what fuels Japan's continuing fascination with it either.

I mean, I can understand and appreciate wanting to be bold, going into somewhat uncharted territory, and exploring a taboo like this back when doing so was extremely rare... but actually making common tropes out of it?

Oh well, it's not the only anime trope that I don't really get the appeal of.

That being said, I agree with Hooves. While I'm not into the incest idea, I nonetheless have to admire how skillfully executed that idea is in this anime so far (excellent foreshadowing, plenty of hints, gradual development, etc...). If it ends up going that way, anyway. Otherwise, they might have a hard time explaining the affection in purely platonic terms.


As for how Kyousuke acted at Manami's home...

The sense I get from him is that, at first, he was "Ha ha. Really funny, guys. Glad you're getting your shits and giggles at the expense of Manami and me."

Then, after Manami's grandmother suggested that she take Kyousuke up on his (joking) offer to take a bath with him, I think he finally was "... You guys are actually serious, aren't you?"

That was a bit jarring to him, and I think it took him awhile to decide how to handle the grandparents' obvious and serious attempts to get him into a romantic/sexual relationship with Manami (and how Manami was being generally supportive of it).

There's different ways to interpret his discussion while resting next to Manami in her room, and I'm divided on that, but as for his actions up until then, it's a classic case of misinterpreting serious statements for jokes.

[0utf0xZer0]

I find this episode really interesting to analyze because I think it tells us a fair bit about some of the characters, however, it was a bit of a letdown to actually watch. It felt like mood whiplash after episode 3-5 (which I thought were all completely awesome), and I just don't think that Minami is an interesting enough character to carry an episode on her own. However, I do suspect that a lot of what we've uncovered this week will come into play later, so I suspect that I'll eventually come to regard this as a "necessary weak episode".

The suggestion that Minami may stay over at Kyousuke's makes me giddy... I eagerly await seeing how Kyousuke will screw that up.

As for the shipping debate, I have to agree that the relationship with Minami lacks spark and that she seems like more of a fallback option. So as much as she's the kind of girl I like to see win occasionally, I have to stick with Kyousuke x Ayase. Seems like it would make for a more interesting storyline too. (The fact there are characters with some of Minami's traits I like better than her probably doesn't help.)

Originally Posted by Reckoner

I don't mind this show as being one about a brother forming a stronger sibling bond with his sister as that's what I hope this is all about in the end... What I do mind is the kind of nonsense that they're seeming to hint at in the more recent episodes.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm fairly certain that any hints of incest in this are just the author screwing with people's heads.

[Kotohono]

Originally Posted by 0utf0xZer0

I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm fairly certain that any hints of incest in this are just the author screwing with people's heads.

I really do hope that is the case here .

[HayashiTakara]

How could you not go into a series with a title like this one and not expect incest? just curious

[Kotohono]

Originally Posted by HayashiTakara

How could you not go into a series with a title like this one and not expect incest? just curious

Because it's a bit too obvious, and thus probably not true.

[0utf0xZer0]

Originally Posted by HayashiTakara

How could you not go into a series with a title like this one and not expect incest? just curious

First, because I initially thought it was going to be a comedy. Full on incest is generally the domain of romance-drama anime, comedy will only joke about it.
After that, because the increasingly serious plot and complex characterization made me think that the title was intended mainly to draw attention.

[Reckoner]

Originally Posted by HayashiTakara

How could you not go into a series with a title like this one and not expect incest? just curious

At first I didn't pick up this show because i thought exactly this. Then I heard a lot of stuff about it being good, so I picked it up and was entertained, which is good enough.

Anyhow, the first few episodes presented this show as more of a brother-sister bonding type of thing with a good amount of comedy sprinkled in, and right now I'm pretty much observing which route this show is going to take.

[HayashiTakara]

I can understand the reasoning, although it's probably wise to do a little research before stepping in. Within the title itself is incestial connotations, even if you might spoil yourself a little bit but it should at least let you know if the theme will agree with you or not, otherwise it'll just be belly aching with where the plot is going.

[Vexx]

Its an opportunity to do something *interesting* and more realistic... frankly, a "wincest" route would be disappointing in this series. And not because I don't appreciate a good story (I own Koi Kaze, am happily waiting for the main track of Yosuga no Sora, etc). I applaud them if the *idea* comes up either in sis or bro in this series ... but I'd applaud the writers more if the characters individually decide against that path. I think in the same lines as 0utf0x ... the writers are just poking at that fantasy faction. I'm not getting any sense that there are any plans to take the story that direction.. at least very far.

The story just hasn't been set up for such a route (implausibility issues) nor have any of the characters behaved to even remotely expect it.

[DJ Trouble]

Originally Posted by Triple_R

I don't quite get what fuels Japan's continuing fascination with it either.

Isn't it really common in Japan for couples to only have one child? Lately, the anime industry has been compelled to pander to the otaku, and with them mostly being lonely virgins with poor social skills, we get anime that focuses on a guy hooking up a girl, with little to no effort on his part. Little sisters come into play because they're cute, to people that don't have little sisters, which is a lot of Japan. There's also the fact that it's easy to set up situations where accidents happen, since little sisters live with their big brothers. And then, we also have the whole loli thing that makes them a good choice.

This is all speculation, of course, but I think those are the lines of thought that brought us this trope.

[Patriot's Blade]

is it just me? that i can't get the Ritsu acting all girly voice out of my head?

[Soconfused]

Originally Posted by ChainLegacy

I too feel that Kyousuke isn't showing any obvious signs of affection towards any character at this point. And while the setting was Minami's house (indeed an agreeable change of pace), the thing most telling for me in this episode was Kirino's jealousy. That isn't normal/realistic for a sister, which suggests either poor writing/planning or that she actually does have romantic feelings for her brother which seems to be the big question mark on this series.

I thought about it, and maybe, because Kirino hasn't had much interaction with her brother over the years, he's finally showing her some attention, and she's just acting prissy that that attention has been taken away, regardless for how long. You remember when she made the outburst "you left me alone for all this time and now you wanna be a brother" or whatever, well apparently she's wanted his attention for awhile now and never got it, so when he finally gives it to her she's probably become "addicted" and wants it all day errrr' day.

Also, I'm in awe that people think this show will turn to incest. It's just not going to happen. Maybe if she were the only real girl he interacts with in the anime, but the best friend for both of them pretty much throws the whole incest thing out the window, unless the anime turns into a really awkward mess, which I doubt anyone will let happen. You're all over thinking this anime waaaaay too much, just sit back and enjoy the ride.

[HandofFate]

Originally Posted by ChainLegacy

I too feel that Kyousuke isn't showing any obvious signs of affection towards any character at this point. And while the setting was Minami's house (indeed an agreeable change of pace), the thing most telling for me in this episode was Kirino's jealousy. That isn't normal/realistic for a sister, which suggests either poor writing/planning or that she actually does have romantic feelings for her brother which seems to be the big question mark on this series.

I didn't take her jealously as an outright sign of romantic feelings.
She's like 13. So she's a kid sister.

Not too long ago, she found someone to share and talk her hobbies with, she managed to get other friends to talk to about it, but Kyosuke was really the first she opened her hobby to about.

She then gets a package she's very excited about, a cute body pillow she wants to show him to share her 'otaku happiness' with. But he's missing, so she's a little peeved.

I think she's acting like a pretty realistic brat of a kid sister to me.