Big sister

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Base Info
Moe Point	Big sister
Moe Point Synonyms	Older sister
Type	Family member
Related Moe Points	little sister, little brother, twins

A big sister refers to a woman that is older than oneself and has the same parents as them. It is also a term of respect for certain women who have powerful healing skills. It is also a moe point in ACG subculture.

Introduction

The basic meaning of "big sister" is a woman who is older than oneself and has the same biological parents as oneself, there are also unrelated big sisters, for example, in new families created due to remarrying, etc., if the daughter of one party is older than the children of the other party, she would become their new stepsister. Or if a slightly older lady whose parents have died adopts a child who is slightly younger than her, the latter will recognize the former as her big sister.

By extension, even if they are not blood relatives, one can address older women of the same generation as "big sister". Only for non-blood-related older women of the same generation, there will be a slight change in the name, depending on the age of the protagonist and the relationship they have.

The charm of a gentle big sister

Kukuri Tachibana, the older sister of the main character in 11eyes

Gentle big sisters are kind-eyed, smiling, physically weak, plainly dressed, capable of household chores, and kind-hearted, and they are the keepers of harmony in a group relationship by taking care of other characters younger than themselves.

They are usually found in stories set in an "absent parent" environment, a setting like the reality of parents who are temporarily unable to take care of their children, they would also say to the eldest child: "You are the big sister, you have to take care of your younger siblings". This type of big sister makes up for the lack of a motherly presence, and is a strong and powerful support for the other characters in their lives, a haven for them in times of frustration.

At the same time, gentle, healing big sisters show their feminine charm to the extreme, that is: while taking care of characters younger than themselves, she is actually a woman who longs to be taken care of by others.

Such older sisters may derive from tennen boke, harakuro, yandere, aho girl and other character archetypes, but they usually keep their gentle appearance.

The charm of a stern, strong big sister

In Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Olivier Mira Armstrong is the captain at Fort Briggs, she is also the big sister of General Armstrong

Stern and strong big sisters have cold eyes, a serious expression, extremely formal or casual outfits, amazing intelligence/strength, queenly temperament, are entrusted with "completing the task", and are usually team leaders. They mostly appear in stories with war/battle themes, and have a troubled past.

This type of older sister is a strong support for characters when carrying out tasks, but usually is respected by everyone because of their stern character, but even so, when someone is in trouble in life or in battle, they will lend them a helping hand and will not be a bystander. In short, stern and strong big sisters are the ones who highlight the feminine attentiveness from the masculine lifestyle/environment, that is, the constant attention to the wellbeing of each subordinate. And such an older sister is revered by her younger siblings, such as Iroha Miyamoto in Sumomomo Momomo, who despite being very petite and girly at heart, is skilled at kung fu and performs cleanly in combat. Thus, in front of her "little brother" Hanzo (who is actually a year older), she has a lot of authority, and what her "little brother" appreciates most is her sister's "stern" look.

Such older sisters will also be derived from the tsundere, baka (in terms of common sense or love), and other additional archetypes.

Japanese terms for big sisters

Ane (姉（あね）) is a term used to refer to one's big sister when expressing her to others or when writing/narrating. Will not be used in front of the sister.

Onee-chan/Nee-chan (お姉（ねえ）ちゃん/姉ちゃん) is a term of endearment for a big sister. It seems to have a more pampered meaning if pronounced with the "O" sound, rather than without it.

Nee-san (姉（ねえ）さん) is another term of endearment. It is the name used for the sister when someone else is present, or what a non-spoiled sibling calls the sister.

Onee-san (お姉（ねえ）さん) is a term of respect for the big sister of another person.

Aneue (姉上（あねうえ）) was the traditional name for a big sister in old times, mostly found in historical works.

Aneki (姉貴（あねき）) is a term for a strong woman in the position of a big sister. May also be used by a hard-headed little brother whose sister is too strong (the sister who always bullies the brother).

Onee-sama (お姉（ねえ）さま) is a term used in yuri works to express admiration and affection.

Sister/Sis (シスター/シス) is an English word, it is also a name given to nuns, but otherwise, there is no chance of using it in common Japanese. Also refers to little sister.

Characters with this moe point

This is just a list of a few classical characters ^(note) with this moe point. Please do not add an excessive number of characters to this list.

Real siblings

• Kagami Hiiragi (Lucky Star) [Little sister: Tsukasa Hiiragi]
• Remilia Scarlet (Touhou Project) [Little sister: Flandre Scarlet]
• Lunasa Prismriver (Touhou Project) [Little sisters: Lyrica Prismriver, Merlin Prismriver)
• Yui Hirasawa (K-On!) [Little sister: Ui Hirasawa]
• Maho Nishizumi (Girls und Panzer) [Little sister: Niho Nishizumi]
• Zofia (Rainbow Six Siege) [Little sister: Ela]
• Nakoruru (Samurai Shodown) [Little sister: Rimururu]
• Jean Gunhildr (Genshin Impact) [Little sister: Barbara]
• Raiden Makoto (Genshin Impact) [Little sister: Raiden Ei]
• Akame (Akame ga Kill!) [Little sister: Kurome]

Cousins

• Kara Zor-El/Supergirl (DC Comics) [Cousin: Superman]

Related

• Mikoto Misaka (A Certain Magical Index, A Certain Scientific Railgun [Cloned sisters: Misaka Sisters]