When it comes to works inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s work the last thing that would come to mind is “slice of life romance.” That, however, would be an apt description for Ane Naru Mono/The Elder Sister-like One. The brainchild of Pochi Iida (born 1988), the same woman behind the art of Do You Love Your Mom and Her Two-Hit Multi-Target Attacks?, this peculiar ongoing series has come a long way from its ero-doujin origins to become a hit among otaku everywhere, cementing its creator as a rising star.
As an artist, albeit a reclusive one by her own admission, Iida has been active since the late 2000s, making a name for herself through illustration and light novel work. Then, on August 16th, 2015, around Comiket 88, she published the first in what became a continuing series of adult doujins. These proved paradoxically wholesome and popular enough that by May of the following year, ASCII Media Works had begun serializing a more safe-for-work version. The rest, as they say, is history.
Despite its premise and origins, the series has gained enough traction to foster an international fandom. Circa 2019. (Source: YouTube)
Still, what exactly is The Elder Sister-like One, and why has it gained such a following? Whether it’s the original doujins, or the published manga, you’re bound to find the answer pleasantly surprising.
Not Quite Madness
Both versions of the series follow the same premise. For so long, young Yuu Hasanuma has been suffering from neglect and abuse at the hands of his adoptive relatives. While otherwise left to his own devices, it’s little solace for the orphaned boy. One day, however, his latest ungrateful guardian, Ryou, suddenly falls into a coma, leading him to stumble upon and accidentally trigger mysterious markings in a nearby shed. Summoning a “demon” resembling an attractive young lady, he makes one wish in exchange for what he treasures most: that she become his big sister and be a family. No more, no less. Thus, begins Yuu’s adventures with the being, who takes up the name “Chiyo”, as they go about everyday life unconventionally, to say the least.
If the alternate title, The Sister of the Woods with a Thousand Young, doesn’t give it away, there are more than a few connections to Lovecraftian horror to be found. The titular onee-san alone is none other than Shub-Niggurath, an immeasurably powerful Outer God from the Cthulhu Mythos. Even in the more mundane forms she takes, the eldrich signs are there. Whether it be her hair subtly doubling as tentacles, sudden flashbacks to the past with seemingly little connection, or bringing drawings to life just by casually drawing, you’re often given just enough to be a tad unsettled. Moreover, it’s not clear throughout the series what exactly Yuu “sacrificed” in exchange for his wish, further adding to both an overarching mystery and a foreboding dread. Amidst all the hijinks, this faint sense of some unknowable truth lurking just beneath the surface remains as all-encompassing as in any classic cosmic horror story.
That being said, the series is also known for being remarkably wholesome, in its own way. On the one hand, the plot of an average self-contained chapter isn’t exactly groundbreaking, as much of it’s slice-of-life fare. Yet be it something as mundane as cleaning, romantic strolls through the park, or Yuu protecting his newfound stepsibling from a fiend, despite having an inkling of how powerful she truly is, there’s a strong emphasis on the leads themselves, especially with how increasingly genuine (and intimate) the main pair’s relationship becomes. This likewise extends to the handful of other characters introduced over time, further developing Ryou as more than just an abrasive uncle and tying his arc with that of a sympathetic yokai-like demon called Haru. In spite of the ever-present tinge of unspeakable nightmares, one can still find some semblance of happiness that’s theirs alone. That the mangaka’s able to convey this without being too jarring also has echoes of Lovecraft’s more bittersweet moments.
Beautiful Chaos
If there’s one other thing The Elder Sister-like One is known for, it’s the impeccable visuals. Iida’s stylized yet detailed art is in full force, regardless of which version you read. While the characters all have distinct appearances, special mention has to go to Chiyo. Each of her different manifestations, from the soft feminine flair of her human façade, to the myriad demonic forms she takes, are well thought out and consistent. That she’s able to sustain this quality even while drawing more action-laden and harrowing sequences, even switching up styles at points (from cutesy to full-on horror), says much about her talents as an artist. At times, the art can be so captivating, despite being otherwise raunchy or horrifying.
Then, there’s the elephant in the room: the original doujins. There’s no denying that interlaced with the blend of wholesome moments and cosmic horror are quite a few sex scenes involving the leading pair. Even so, rather than just being eye candy, these erotic escapades blend well with the rest of the work. Whether your tastes are more conventional or kinky, you can tell that the love between the two isn’t forced at all. Granted, these are mentioned by the mangaka as taking place after the events of the SFW manga. Nonetheless, it’s another indication that you’re bound to get a memorable experience, regardless of the edition.
With all that, it’s little wonder that The Elder Sister-like One has been as successful as it’s been. On top of the SFW version placing sixth in the 3rd Next Manga Award in 2017 for printed comics, which is rather impressive for a relative newcomer to the scene, the series has also grown popular enough to be localized overseas. Whether among anime fans or with professional reviewers, it’s already starting to get similar praise internationally. While it remains to be seen where the series will go from here, especially with the planned OVA still in limbo, this has certainly helped cement Iida as a rising star to keep an eye on.
Still, what are your thoughts on this work? You can find more stuff featuring Yuu and Chiyo, here on J-List!
