Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! (Onii-chan wa Oshimai!) became well known after a brilliant anime by Studio Bind, which we called the Best of Winter 2023 in our review. But with no second season of Onimai in sight and only one short chapter of the manga per month, there’s not much out there for Onimai fans, aside from buying the figures and other merch and checking out all the wonderful fanart. So, what can you do while you’re waiting for more? Why not explore some other titles that fans of Onimai might enjoy?
This article highlights some anime (often based on manga/light novels) and visual novels that you may enjoy if you liked Onimai: I’m Now Your Sister! Whether it’s the themes or just the relaxed tone with comedic moments, these all have something similar about them.Want to look for Onimai merch or Japanese physical copies of the manga for your collection? Using ZenMarket, who has kindly sponsored this article, is a convenient way to do this. They’re an import service that focuses on helping to order items from Japan, consolidating packages to keep the delivery costs down, and sending items worldwide. We’ve given an overview of our experience with their service and how to use it in a previous article.
Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl
If you liked Onimai for watching Mahiro deal with a new body and the social dynamics that came with it, you may enjoy Kashimashi: Girl Meets Girl. It follows Hazumu, a feminine boy who is rejected by his crush, and is then turned into a girl by aliens.
Despite the absurd premise and some humor that perhaps may not click with modern anime fans, it has a serious story that focuses on a love triangle with two girls, and the changes that occur because of this new body.
Take a Look At Available Merch Here
Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu
If you enjoyed Onimai for watching an introvert slowly open up with the help of new friends, Hitoribocchi no Marumaruseikatsu is worth watching. Hitori Bocchi has extreme social anxiety, but she has a goal: to make friends with everyone in her new class in middle school.
This series has a lot of humor around Bocchi’s anxiety and silly interactions with her new friends. If you enjoyed watching Mahiro open up to his friends in Onimai, you’ll likely enjoy this.
Take a Look At Available Merch Here
Wataten!: An Angel Flew Down to Me
Wataten!: An Angel Flew Down to Me is another title focusing on an introvert with social anxiety brought out of her shell, this time a college student who finds herself enamored with Hana, one of her much younger sister’s friends.
While the age gap may put some people off, any ‘romance’ seems more about Miyako finding Hana cute than anything else, and it serves as a catalyst to encourage Miyako to try new things and grow as a person. There are also plenty of moments of sisterly bonding and Hana using Miyako’s affections to her benefit while begrudgingly putting up with them.
As a bonus, this also happens to be one of the titles that Miyo recommends to Mahiro in episode 10 of the anime.
Take a Look At Available Merch Here
Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation
This one might be an unusual suggestion for Onimai fans, despite both being animated by Studio Bind. Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation is a fantasy isekai story where a NEET with similar habits to Mahiro is reincarnated.
While very different in tone and genre, this story shows someone somewhat forcibly given a second chance at life and has plenty of moments of personal growth.
Take a Look At Available Merch Here
Otome Domain
Otome Domain follows Minato, a feminine boy who finds himself crossdressing to attend a girls’ school due to some unfortunate circumstances. He ends up surrounded by and taking care of several girls who are more than a little unusual, including one that I imagine Onimai author nekotofu would like, with references to his barely disguised ‘specific interest’.
There’s a good amount of comedy about trying to fit in and hide his situation. While it never gets too serious or in-depth, there’s also discussion around gendered interests and skills, and how these don’t always need to match up, which may appeal to Onimai fans. It has touching moments, romance, and quirky characters who are a lot of fun.
You can check out our full review of Otome Domain here or Take a Look At Available Merch Here.
Some Other Series to Check Out
- Ranma 1/2 – A martial artist who needs to become a ‘man among men’ is cursed to become a girl when splashed with cold water.
- Gonna Be The Twintail – A young man transforms into a twintailed girl to fight aliens and protect what he loves.
- ReLIFE – An unemployed man takes a deal to use a miraculous medicine to look ten years younger and redo the last year of high school.
- Otoboku: Maidens Are Falling For Me – A young man crossdresses to enter a high-class girls’ school due to his grandfather’s last wish.
- (If you can read Japanese or where other methods exist) Ensemble’s and Ensemble Sweet’s ‘Otome’ visual novels, such as Otome Kishi ♥ Ima Sugu Watashi o Dakishimete, which all have crossdressing protagonists.
Thanks again go to ZenMarket for sponsoring this article. If you’d like to import any goods from Japan, please consider checking out their service and don’t forget to use code NOOKGAMING when signing up for 800 Yen worth of ZenPoints toward delivery.
If you are looking for more posts about anime, you may enjoy our look at some Overlooked Anime Games.
A gamer since the days of Amstrad and DOS and someone who has dabbled in a variety of professions. He enjoys a wide variety of genres, but has been focusing on visual novels and virtual reality in recent years. Head Editor of NookGaming. Follow him and the website on @NookSite.
