Gimai Seikatsu

This anime is realistic. Maybe a bit too realistic. The pacing, the camera angles, the dialogues, everything about it is non-standard. Typically, romance anime is just a full on try not to blush challenge featuring the main cast, but this anime casts that aside and delves indirectly deep into the psychological statuses of the characters. From the way its going right now, I don’t even know if it’s actually a romance anime or if its a psychological anime that expresses the irl troupes of just suddenly having a step brother/sister. The main theme these past episodes is that they are “strangers”, but they grow closer ... to feel somewhat related, and yet so distant. The pacing in this is so slow, but steady; and that’s probably the main reason that im calling it the most realistic anime i’ve watched.

The art and animation in this anime beats 99% of all the other anime in this genre out of the water. The lighting, the fluidity of motion; everything about it is triple A.

As for all i’ve said, i’ve marked this as mixed feelings as I wouldn’t be recommending this to everyone that’s asking for a romance anime. Usually, when people ask for romance anime, they would want something that would make them hyper blush or cringe out of excitement. This anime is not that, in fact it’s kinda giving the opposite. The first few episodes kind of give the feeling of black and white. It gives off a vibe of uncertainty, but at the same tine the anime portrays happiness some sides. The “comedy” in this anime is almost non-existent; there is almost nothing to smile about in this anime. However, this is still an enjoyable watch as it’s a breath of fresh air from all the romcoms i’ve watched so far.

This show I get Hyouka vibes mixed with Bunny Senpai with a sprinkle of what's been shoved in every season as of late (Gyaru). BUT the characters in the story enforce every episode that it's the show that you think you wanted when you picked it up but it's always reminding you that at the same time it's not really the show that you think it is? The MC was told to act more casual around his sister but then he still acts like a suttering fool while sometimes acting like Sakuta from Bunny senpai when he's given the chance to display his brotherly wisdom. ... But when he's around his college senpai he acts like Houtarou from Hyouka. And the sister dresses like a Gyaru but she's totally not a Gyaru. Like you want a typical incest story but NO dear watcher, a step sister is not actually what you think it is!! But something happens, which is what you're here for..but not really!

Like, what even is this? I hate anime that tries to fix itself like this with these annoying character types. The mellowed out scenes with long pauses are nice and enjoyable to watch. I'm just saying, I want this anime to be more direct. If it's an incest story don't beat around the bush.

Whenever a show starts with the stepsister, it’s kind of expected that that will be a siscon ultimately. But in this case, “Days with my stepsister,” from judging from the premise or the character's point of view about their surroundings, I thought this might be something new, like there won't be any siscon, which there isn’t. 

I personally avoid this kind of (siscon-related) anime because of its very genre and traumatic experience of Domestic Girlfriend, yet I started this show; the reason was already mentioned. Generic characters, plots, but only I expected that they don’t do any siscon what they pretend really well. From the starting, ... the female doesn’t see any kind of affection toward the male lead, and in episode 3, when they got their viewers, it simply turned out to be siscon promax. Degenerating as hell. 

Finally in the mal, people are questioning that if it’s a flop? I mean, to be honest, is there anything to flop? First of all, it’s a normal anime that has had any high hopes whatsoever. Secondly, it’s not made to be hit. I don’t know what people want from a degenerating siscon. 

About animation and production, it’s unique and satisfying if Studio Deen used this in other shows; I hope they would get a good response out of that. Also, Studio Deen completed the production before the half, which is appreciating where other studios keep delaying and postponing a show. 

Overall, some praises and etc., this is the most pretentious siscon, to be honest.