“Sister and Giant” official synopsis from Yen Press: “Reincarnated in another world, Hinako declines the cheat-like powers offered to her and instead takes a vow of sisterhood with the giant Ellis, becoming known as the Smallest Giant. A prim and proper lady might not have a lot in common with a fearsome titan, but the two share a goal: searching for those who once meant so much to them. However, they must be cautious, for just as their strength wins them fame, it also captures the attention of an ill-mannered paladin…”
Buy This Title
on Amazon by clicking on the image below
Isekai has long been an overly saturated genre, and while it has taken me some time to warm up to it, I have always personally found that the best stories come from the light novel format over manga. Notably, being allowed into the head space of the characters adds much-needed depth to an otherwise mostly formulaic approach to storytelling. This is not to knock the genre or the talent that does work within the genre, but there is a reason why not all manga fans gravitate toward it. This is where “Sister and Giant” becomes a welcome exception (it isn't even based on a light novel), crafting one of the coolest and slick debut volumes for an isekai title.
The series opens with a bang, with a small girl fighting against a large dragon only to have her giant sister come in and conquer the beast. Visually, it is a stunning prelude to what is to come with Be-Con, proving first and foremost that they are a distinguished talent at creating fantasy art. The volume, released in a slightly larger format, consistently delivers action sequences and builds up its characters through a strong visual direction. Moreover, Be-Con manages the proportions of the sister and her giant, which should go without saying. Still, with how many series falter at consistently portraying disproportionally sized charchters, the attention to detail is appreciated.
The visuals also emphasize the ‘dark' in dark fantasy, with Be-Con's art able to instantly transform panels into stunningly macabre moments. The background work, from landscapes to small taverns, is fully realized and adds to the worldbuilding. The characters are expressive and detailed in design, and when they spring into action, the flow of fights has an impact. Before approaching the story, “Sister and Giant” will draw readers in with its strong visual presence.
If You Liked Sister and Giant, Check Out This Article Also
While this is an introductory volume, there is still plenty of content packed in here to gauge how the story may progress. Hinako is one of the more fascinating characters to grace the genre. Notably, she opts out of taking the ‘cheat' offered to everyone who meets with Truck-kun, and her search for a fellow ‘otherworlder' is marred by a complex and violent relationship. Hinako's relationship with her larger sister, Ellis, adds a wholesomeness that gives some needed optimism in an otherwise bleak world. There is much to be unraveled in later volumes, yet Con-Be sets a convincing groundwork to instill trust that the series will improve with each entry.
The action and occasional horror elements work well here, largely under the artistic direction of Con-Be, but also due to the build-up. Hinako and Ellis are both adventurers, but besides the monsters they are paid to hunt, they deal with corrupt officials and other threats. One such interaction in the inaugural volume shows the two coming up against corrupt church authority. Seeing the degradation of beliefs for greed leading to a violent conflict frames the world's harshness and gives a rewarding foe for the duo to squash. Conversely, the inaugural volume shows the mistreatment of lower classes, with the two stumbling on a ‘first line of defense' treatment camp with children soldiers being mortally dismembered. It can get bleak, but for many fans of darker fantasy titles, “Sister and Me” is a sinister treat.
“Sister and Giant” is equally shocking and stylish; horror, dark fantasy, action, and isekai fans will all find elements to gravitate toward here. The series, which has been running in its native Japan since 2021, has the potential to turn into an epic, long adventure that fans won't want to miss out on. Grab the first volume, experience it for yourself, and get hyped for the second, slated to drop in September 2024.
