It’s time to talk family dynamics. In this OC analysis, we’ll specifically be looking at sibling relationships and how these characters interact with and influence each other.
Watch out – there may be spoilers ahead!
The Shimizu sisters (Eternal Rain universe)
The series primarily focuses on Toki and Atsuko throughout its two main arcs, but they are the middle and youngest, respectively, of three children. At the outset of the first arc, the oldest sibling, Yumi, has recently moved out. Yumi was always the caregiver and the one policing her younger siblings, and her departure leaves Toki with big shoes to fill, which means also now being the one to shoulder their parents’ expectations. Toki is confused and lonely without Yumi there to help her navigate her challenges at school, and Atsuko is frustrated by Toki’s moodiness and constant nagging. Though the younger sisters’ relationship does improve as Toki regains her emotional footing and they learn to work with each other as Keyholders, Atsuko’s hardheadedness is a constant headache for her.
The Hikichi sisters (Eternal Rain universe)
With their mother deceased and father absent, Kita had to take on a caretaker role to her younger sister, Shiori. She wants to be a good role model and protector for Shiori, but she’s just a teen herself, confused and angry with her father for abandoning them when they needed him most. Interacting with Toki helps her sort out her feelings a bit, and she treats Toki like a sister, too. In the meantime, Shiori knows Kita is doing her best, and she’s very attached to her. She looks up to Kita and wants to be brave and strong like her. When she’s introduced to the Keyholder team in Eternal Rain: REVISITED, her admiration extends to Kita’s friends, as well.
The Xie family (Eternal Rain universe)
Shaoqiang comes from a large family in a rural area that is still largely agricultural. He is the oldest of seven children, and as such is both boss and peacekeeper. As part of the Keyholder team, his big-brother nature manifests in how he collaborates with Takeshi and Sharon, patiently teaches Toki swordsmanship and mediates on his cousin’s behalf when her distrust and prickliness disrupt the harmony of the team.
Uakashie’s Air Keyholder siblings (Eternal Rain universe)
The only survivors of the Wind Gate’s Air Keyholder line, Shiél (known as “Sora” to his Keyholder teammates) and Shiékue (or “Hoshi”) are wards of Uakashie village’s doctor. With a similar dynamic to the Hikichi sisters, Shiél plays the roles of both parental surrogate and older brother to his younger sister, who is not very hardy physically. He has a tendency of being too self-sacrificing, and Shiékue recognizes this and steps up to protect him, as well.
The A.R.E Hikichi siblings (Eternal Rain universe)
Kita and Shiori’s Alternate-Reality Earth counterparts are the children of the head of the powerful Key-Seekers organization. With Takumi already in training to join the Seekers, he doesn’t get to see his little sister, Hiromi, very often. Granted, he’s a little awkward in his interactions with her since he’s been taught to stifle his emotions; but he cares for her very much. Hiromi usually recognizes his awkward attempts to show his affection for what they are and loves it when she gets to spend time with him during his days off from training.
Ariana & Rio (Dreamer)
Born of an ethically-questionable experiment and fostered by loving and protective parents, Ari and her younger brother, Rio, feel somewhat stifled in their rural town and are always on the lookout for adventure. While Ari is the boss, she and Rio are, without a doubt, a tag-team, getting into trouble together and bailing each other out of it.
The Onno siblings (Search for the Sky)
The story centers primarily on the middle and youngest siblings, Joel and Michiru (Michi). They are a pretty typical brother and sister, getting on each other’s nerves from time to time as a spoiled younger sister and grumpy older brother do, but in general getting along – due in large part to their older brother Sora’s kind caretaking. However, Joel is forced into the caretaker role when their father and then Sora disappear and their mother gets sick. Michi loves Joel, but she doesn’t like it when he gets even grumpier after their father’s disappearance. She takes advantage of her cuteness to get Joel to coddle her – and it tends to work.
