Light novel author Ghost Mikawa has achieved the remarkable feat of debuting not just one, but two new series in the Western market, including Looks Are All You Need and the focus of this review: Days with My Stepsister. With an anime adaptation set to premiere in the Summer 2024 season, now is the perfect time to delve into this story. Let’s explore what it has to offer! The narrative centers around Yuuta Asamura, a high school student who enjoys a tranquil life filled with school and part-time work at a bookstore.
His routine is suddenly disrupted when his father announces plans to remarry, which means Yuuta will soon have a stepsister. As an only child, Yuuta is initially intrigued by the prospect, especially since he believes his new sister, Saki, is still in elementary school. However, his expectations are shattered when he meets his new stepmother and stepsister, discovering that Saki is actually a high school student like himself and, to his surprise, the most popular girl in his class. Despite their circumstances, both Yuuta and Saki have experienced challenging divorces in their families and are committed to preserving their parents’ happiness, leading them to agree to maintain a respectful distance. Having grown accustomed to their independence due to their parents’ work commitments, both Saki and Yuuta are not inclined to seek support from others. Although Yuuta initially intends to keep his distance, he finds himself drawn into Saki’s life and uncovers the vulnerabilities hidden beneath her confident exterior.
Like him, she bears the emotional scars of betrayal from a parental figure and aspires to secure a well-paying job to avoid depending on her mother and new family. This first volume of Days with My Stepsister unfolds over a week, from Sunday to the following Saturday, resulting in a gradual narrative pace after the initial adjustment period. The relationship between the two siblings develops slowly, setting the stage for future interactions. This manga has one of the best stories that I have read, I recommend this to anyone who has wants to have a great laugh, I can’t wait to see where this story leads. (Manga has been provided to me by Yen Press for review purpose.
