Oneesama
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Oneesama (お姉さま?) is a Japanese term which literally translates as respected elder sister, but can be used (especially by admirers) to refer to any young female. Oneesama can be used to literally refer to one's older sister; however, the less-formal forms oneesan and oneechan are more common. See Japanese titles for details of the differences between sama, san and chan.
[edit] Use in manga
Because it is such a formal term, it is sometimes used sarcastically in manga and anime to refer to snotty girls. In hentai, especially with bondage themes, it usually has the connotations of being sexually dominant and translated as 'Mistress'. Within the rest of anime and manga fandom, Oneesama is frequently understood to refer to a character in yuri. Since they are usually admiration objects, oneesama are not usually the central character in stories (this usually goes to the junior) although there are exceptions.
The archetypical onēsama is a high-class, graceful and beautiful senior classmate who has other characters idolize her to the point of being intimidated socially, creating the ironic situation she cannot make substantial friendships. Because of this she can be jaded regarding social classes, making her seem distant, unfriendly, and going through the motions of being a model student out of routine.
An oneesama usually meets her counterpart at some point in a story in the form of a charmingly imperfect girl who is too sweet, innocent, or clueless to be intimidated by her and merely wishes to make a new friend. Many oneesama may dote on and be ferociously protective toward these kinds of characters and are nearly always associated with them in stories. The latter have no formal jargon term, although they are sometimes called Little Sisters or, rarely neko (the Japanese slang for a stereotypically femme lesbian). These characters are usually shorter, with more childish trappings such as pigtails or ribbons. In contrast, Onēsama are usually designed with aesthetics of traditional Japanese beauty, and tend to have fairly muted color schemes very similar to each other (e.g., dark waistlength hair, milky skin, tall but slender build).
[edit] Examples
- Maria-sama ga Miteru's sempai school social structure provides textbook examples of oneesama, particularly Sachiko. Most fans cite Sachiko and Yumi's relationship in Marimite as the archetypical oneesama relationship.
- Chikane of Kannazuki no Miko could also be considered an oneesama type.
- Hazuki of Yami to Boushi to Hon no Tabibito both resembles an oneesama and treats her object of admiration much in the expected way. Ironically, she is younger and more naive than the latter.
- Shizuru Fujino from My-HiME is a very clear example of an oneesama, having most of the requirements mentioned above. Her 'little sister' would be Natsuki Kuga, of the same series though the latter has no particular traits that fit the litte sister role though is considered a tsundere to some degree. Later the 2 continued their relation ship in My-Otome, the alternate world of My-HiME.
