Movies / Animé and Toons

Oreimo Limited Edition Complete Box Set

By Chris Zimmerman
March 13, 2012 - 13:35

Ever heard of a little show called Oreimo? Well you probably should have. The series was making media waves before it hit US shores solely for what the title translates into. The title is shortened from Ore no Imoto ga Konnani Kawaii Wake ga Nai, or My Little Sister Can’t be this Cute in English. Given the title and the content, it’s easy to see why the series would give some pause. None-the-less, Aniplex released the series Stateside, collecting the complete series along with its four episode OVA sequel.

The subject material of Oreimo is nothing new, having been tread upon by My Girlfriend is a Geek and Secret of Haruka Nogizaka. The topic of a normal young man discovering a young woman’s secret infatuation with all things otaku has made for sweet and humorous moments that have touched many an otaku’s heart. However, whereas those series used the discovery as more of a point of romance to create tension between the pair, Oreimo takes a more critical approach, neglecting the romantic aspects in favor of family dynamics.

Kyosuke Kosaka is a typical 17 year old student, whose tensions with his sister, Kirino, has created a rift between the two. One day he finds a DVD case in the doorway, depicting a magical girl drama on the cover. But what lies inside is not so innocent, causing Kosaka to question who the DVD might belong to. He soon discovers the DVD belongs to his sister, and not just that, it is just a sample of her otaku interests that stretch to hentai and eroge. In an effort to be a good brother and mend his relationship with Kirino, Kyosuke decides to support her hobby.

While the series plays up the charm and fluff as one would expect, the dynamic between the siblings and the exploration of family is the real driving force behind the show. Kirino, despite being a well standing student and successful model, is shown to be unsatisfied with her standing with her brother and wishes to have a better relationship with him. On the flip side of the coin, Kyosuke wants to be supportive of his sister, even if he doesn’t fully understand her obsession with otakudom. Though the anime doesn’t implicate the pair in an incestuous relationship, it drops enough hints to leave the matter ambiguous.

The series touches on a wide variety of otaku tropes, including conventions, cosplay competitions, midnight releases, maid cafes, and above all, otaku behavior. Much of the humor of the series is derived from Kyosuke navigating through the otaku festivities. The series does however make efforts to explore the reactions of friends and family toward Kirino and those like her.

Aniplex released the series as a limited Edition Box Set, with a wide assortment of extras to pique fan’s interest. First up are physical bonus materials that include a mini poster, a collection of postcards, aand a nifty booklet, which contains character profiles and models. The on disc extras are less than impressive, including only clean opening and closing themes. Fortunately the booklet is an appreciated touch that more companies should follow through on.

Though not groundbreaking, Oreimo is fun. Despite attracting controversy early on, the series is heartfelt exploration of family and what it means to accept other’s differences. The story is one that should prove relatable for anime fans, especially those who are insecure about admitting as much.

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Last Updated: November 29, 2025 - 16:51