Review of Days with My Stepsister

This anime might be the standout for the summer 2024 season. Of course, given that its competition is the militant absurdity of "nokotan", the mid rom-com "Alya", the incomprehensible ode to stupidity "vtuber legend", that is a really low bar. This anime shone mostly because its competition sucked so hard. Anyway, I actually really liked this anime. This anime is about two teenagers, a boy and a girl, both who have been damaged by life and find trusting very difficult, who end up living in the same house because their parents married. In the beginning, they accept their situation, but really don't wanta whole lot to do with each other, and they agree to just get along but nothing more.

As the anime progresses, however, they begin to grow closer, and start trusting each other.

As with most romances (or quasi-romances) of this genre, though, the result isn't really the point, it's the journey. There are no (or very few) comedic misunderstandings, no domestic violence played for laughs, very little fanservice, nothing like that. Just two people who are bumbling through life just like all of us, and somehow learn to find comfort in each other as kindred souls. It's a sensitively treated story where they are no bad or good guys, just humans, and people learning how to trust.

A very sweet story. The only real criticism I have is that the story is a bit unfinished, but I think they were leaving it open for a second season, so I'll take it.

Recommend from me. And given the relative paucity of good anime in this season, that's a breath of fresh air.