Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiinda ga.

Recently, My Sister Is Unusual

Characters

Mitsuki Kanzaki

MAIN

Hiyori Kotobuki

MAIN

Yuuya Kanzaki

MAIN

Yukina Kiritani

MAIN

Mei-chan

SUPPORTING

Soccer-bu Captain

SUPPORTING

Shoutarou Torii

SUPPORTING

Minami-sensei

SUPPORTING

Nanami Akesaka

SUPPORTING

Tennis-bu Captain

SUPPORTING

Kyouko Kanzaki

SUPPORTING

Suugaku no Sensei

SUPPORTING

Tetsuya Kanzaki

SUPPORTING

Ayaka Tachibana

SUPPORTING

Neko

SUPPORTING

Moa Torii

SUPPORTING

“Recently, My Sister Is Unusual” Season 1: A Controversial Blend of Comedy, Romance, and Supernatural Shenanigans

“Recently, My Sister Is Unusual” (Saikin, Imouto no Yousu ga Chotto Okashiin Da Ga.), a 2014 anime series adapted from Mari Matsuzawa’s shonen manga, dives headfirst into a peculiar mix of romantic comedy, supernatural elements, and risqué humor that sparked both intrigue and controversy upon its release. Directed by Hiroyuki Hata and produced by studio Project No.9, the 12-episode first season (plus an OVA) follows the chaotic life of Mitsuki Kanzaki, a teenage girl grappling with a new stepfamily and an otherworldly predicament that pushes the boundaries of taste and decency. Here’s an in-depth look at Season 1, its plot, characters, themes, and the polarizing reception it garnered.

Plot Overview: A Stepfamily Saga with a Ghostly Twist

The story centers on Mitsuki Kanzaki, a 15-year-old girl whose life is upended when her mother remarries, thrusting her into a new family dynamic with her stepfather and stepbrother, Yuya Kanzaki. Mitsuki, already scarred by a traumatic childhood marked by an abusive, alcoholic father and her mother’s string of failed relationships, struggles to adjust to this new arrangement. Her wariness of Yuya and her reluctance to embrace her stepfamily set the stage for the series’ central conflict.

Enter Hiyori Kotobuki, the ghost of a young girl who was infatuated with Yuya before her untimely death in a truck accident. Hiyori, unable to move on to the afterlife due to her unfulfilled desires, possesses Mitsuki’s body and forces her to wear an indecently shaped chastity belt (a device that raised many eyebrows). Hiyori’s mission is clear: she must use Mitsuki’s body to get closer to Yuya, fulfilling her romantic fantasies to build a “stairway to Heaven.” If Mitsuki refuses, both she and Hiyori face the grim fate of eternal damnation. This setup propels Mitsuki into a series of awkward, comedic, and often uncomfortable situations as she navigates her feelings for Yuya, her possession by Hiyori, and the challenges of her new family life.

The season follows Mitsuki and Yuya’s evolving relationship, punctuated by Hiyori’s mischievous interventions. From sneaking into Yuya’s room in a nod to Metal Gear Solid to navigating a water park while hiding the chastity belt, the episodes blend slapstick humor with fanservice-heavy moments. The season culminates in a bittersweet revelation: Hiyori and Mitsuki reach the “Gates of Heaven,” only to discover it’s merely the second floor, leaving Hiyori’s journey—and Mitsuki’s ordeal—unfinished, setting the stage for potential future stories.

Characters: A Mix of Heart and Absurdity

• Mitsuki Kanzaki (voiced by Hisako Kanemoto): The protagonist, Mitsuki, is a gloomy, guarded teen whose traumatic past makes her skeptical of her new family. Her struggle with Hiyori’s possession and the chastity belt adds layers of humiliation and resilience to her character. Despite the series’ comedic tone, Mitsuki’s emotional depth, rooted in her abusive upbringing, grounds the story in moments of genuine pathos.
• Yuya Kanzaki (voiced by Junji Majima): Mitsuki’s stepbrother, Yuya, is a well-meaning but oblivious teen who strives to be a good brother. His own backstory—losing his mother young and growing up with a workaholic father—mirrors Mitsuki’s loneliness, creating a subtle bond between them. His cluelessness about Hiyori’s antics often fuels the comedy.
• Hiyori Kotobuki (voiced by Aimi Terakawa): The ghost girl is both the catalyst for chaos and a tragic figure. Her unrequited love for Yuya and her desperate need to move on drive the plot, but her methods—often involving fanservice-heavy antics—make her a polarizing presence.
• Supporting Cast: Characters like Yukina, a spiritually sensitive friend who can see Hiyori, and Neko, an eccentric classmate, add quirks to the ensemble but remain underdeveloped. The series hints at a larger supernatural framework, particularly through Yukina, but leaves much unresolved.

Themes and Style: A Risky Balancing Act

“Recently, My Sister Is Unusual” attempts to juggle several themes: family dynamics, trauma, forbidden romance, and supernatural intervention. The show explores Mitsuki’s struggle to reconcile her past with her new family, offering moments of emotional resonance, such as her mixed feelings watching Hiyori (in her body) bond with Yuya. The series also delves into the complexities of step-sibling relationships, albeit through a controversial lens that flirts with incestuous undertones—a common trope in certain anime but handled here with questionable taste.

Stylistically, the anime leans heavily on fanservice, with Hiyori’s antics often pushing Mitsuki into sexually charged scenarios, such as implied masturbation or provocative situations with Yuya. These elements, combined with the chastity belt gimmick, sparked significant backlash in Japan, leading to a decency investigation and a shift to a late-night timeslot on Tokyo MX and Sun TV. The series was censored for broadcast, though the Blu-ray release later offered uncensored versions.

Visually, the animation is standard for a mid-2010s romantic comedy, with vibrant character designs by Futoshi Suzuki and a playful soundtrack by Ryousuke Nakanishi. The show’s humor often leans on pop culture references, like the Metal Gear Solid-inspired sneaking mission in Episode 6, which adds a layer of charm for genre fans. However, the reliance on fanservice and the slow pacing of the overarching plot can feel repetitive.

Reception: A Polarizing Experience

Season 1 of “Recently, My Sister Is Unusual” received mixed reviews, with a 6.47 rating on MyAnimeList reflecting its divisive nature. Critics and viewers praised the show’s attempt to blend emotional depth with comedy but criticized its heavy-handed fanservice and unsettling premise. A Reddit user on r/anime called it “one of the worst anime series I’ve ever watched to completion,” citing its low popularity (15th in its season) and comparing it unfavorably to lighter fanservice shows like OniAi. Others, however, found it entertaining as “light fanservice-y trash” that doesn’t take itself too seriously.

On the positive side, some Amazon reviewers enjoyed the series’ humor and open-ended narrative, with one calling it “a lot of fun to watch” and appreciating the dynamic between Mitsuki, Yuya, and Hiyori. The show’s female creator, Mari Matsuzawa, was noted for crafting a story aimed at young teen girls, though its explicit content drew criticism for airing at a time accessible to younger audiences in Japan.

Conversely, a Medium review described the series as “psychological horror” for its treatment of Mitsuki, highlighting the discomfort of her possession and the chastity belt as a symbol of her lack of agency. The review lamented the show’s failure to fully explore its intriguing supernatural and emotional threads, leaving many plot points—like Yukina’s spiritual sensitivity—unresolved.

Cultural Impact and Legacy

The series’ controversy in Japan, particularly over Hiyori’s explicit dialogue about masturbation, led to a notable decency investigation, underscoring the cultural tensions around anime content in mainstream broadcasting. Its late-night timeslot adjustment and censored broadcast reflect these challenges. Outside Japan, Crunchyroll streamed the series with English subtitles, and Discotek Media released it on DVD in North America in 2015, though the OVA was excluded. A live-action film adaptation, released in Japan in May 2014 and starring Tenka Hashimoto as Mitsuki, offered a different ending but retained the core story.

Despite its polarizing reception, the series has a niche following among fans of ecchi and romantic comedies, appreciated for its bold, if flawed, attempt to mix genres. Its unresolved ending, with Hiyori’s journey incomplete, left fans wanting more, though no second season has been produced as of 2025.

Final Verdict: A Flawed but Memorable Oddity

“Recently, My Sister Is Unusual” Season 1 is a curious artifact of 2010s anime—a show that dares to blend heartfelt family drama with supernatural hijinks and provocative fanservice, often to its detriment. Mitsuki’s emotional journey and the quirky premise offer moments of charm, but the heavy reliance on uncomfortable tropes and an unresolved narrative hold it back from greatness. For fans of ecchi comedies or those curious about controversial anime, it’s worth a watch for its sheer audacity. However, those sensitive to explicit content or seeking a cohesive story may find it lacking.

Where to Watch: The series is available on Crunchyroll (subtitled) and Amazon Prime Video. The Blu-ray offers uncensored episodes for collectors.

Rating: 6.5/10 – A bold but messy mix of humor, heart, and controversy that’s as intriguing as it is divisive.