Top 5 "Ara Ara" Onee-san Characters in Anime

You read the title. You've seen a list of the greatest big sisters in anime before. What exactly makes this list any different? Well, the "ara ara" big sister is a different beast entirely. The term itself does not translate inherently well into English. The most likely version of "ara ara" in our language would be something like; "My, my (what do we have here, then?)". The phrase is used in a seductively sarcastic yet teasing sort of manner to express pleasant surprise on behalf of the speaker when witnessing something a tad risqué. Usually, these characters are slightly older, more experienced, and more confident than the protagonist of their respective series but they could just as well possess more mental maturity than other characters on the screen instead. So, let's take a look at some of these characters in action!


5. Kaguya Shinomiya from Kaguya-sama wa Kokurasetai: Tensai-tachi no Renai Zunousen (Kaguya-sama: Love is War)

Kaguya lands at the bottom of this list due to her "ara ara"-ness only cropping up when she is in the proverbial driving seat. The entire plot of Kaguya-sama: Love is War revolves around the two main characters, Kaguya and Miyuki Shirogane, attempting to force the other into confessing their love. Both are too prideful to confess first and so a hilarious bout of bluffing and teasing ensues.

Kaguya is VERY prone to embarrassment. We see her nearly explode when Shirogane details his love of the moon while explaining the Princess Kaguya story during an evening stargazing session. However, things do a full 180 whenever Kaguya realizes she has the upper hand in any given situation. Whenever Kaguya backs Shirogane into a corner, you can expect a few "ara aras" to come bursting to the surface!


4. Shinobu Kocho from Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba)

Shinobu Kocho is everyone's favorite big sister Hashira and, ignoring the movie Mugen Train, is the most welcoming and supportive of the other Hashira (when she's not trying to ruthlessly chase down Nezuko that is). Shinobu, once things are explained to her, acts as the older and wiser sibling to three little tykes in Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke (also, we can't forget her protegé, Kanao Tsuyuri).
Shinobu, however, seems to not have always been this way. When we see flashbacks to her and her sister Kanae's first meeting Kanao, Shinobu is much more aggressive while her sister possesses a great deal more "ara ara" energy. After her sister passes away, Shinobu decides to better herself and force a smile, hoping to please her sister in the afterlife. Perhaps, she adopted the "ara ara" in a way to feel closer to her sister as well.



3. Alicia Florence from Aria The Animation

Alicia "Snow White" Florence is one of the most popular ladies in the entire city. She was promoted to prima at fifteen years old and is the youngest person ever to do so! Despite possessing such brains and beauty alike, Alicia has managed to stay humble. Her personality is calm, easygoing, and genteel. Things change, however, whenever Alicia comes into contact with her childhood friend, Akari.

Alicia's favorite phrase is "ara ara". She will use the phrase, even when the situation does not demand it being said (much to the chagrin of Akari). Akari, on the other hand, very much dislikes this turn of phrase and becomes visibly and audibly vexed whenever Alicia decides to tease her with it. A constant slew of "ara aras" accompanied by Alicia's patented giggling, is enough to send Alicia into an annoyance meltdown whenever the two are in close proximity to one another.


2. Kurumi Tokisaki from Date A Live

Kurumi Tokisaki emanates "ara ara" energy. She is strong, confident in herself and what she wants, and isn't afraid to get down and dirty with some of Shido's more daring commands. In the world of Date A Live, powerful spirits must be dated into submission, lest they go wild and destroy the planet. Kurumi is one such spirit that our protagonist must woo. However, due to Kurumi's confidence, the strategy with her is one more forthcoming.

Let's take the lingerie shop as an example. In hopes of forcing Kurumi to blush, Shido takes her lingerie shopping and picks out a particularly saucy piece of clothing. Kurumi, unfazed, not only tries it on but models it for him as well! Needless to say, with this kind of "ara ara" energy on the table, Shido and friends will need to rethink their strategy. As a fan favorite, Kurumi will always be remembered as a great "ara ara" character. The only problem is, she doesn't specifically adhere to the big sister type (due to her being the same or similar age to Shido). If only there were one more entry on the list…


1. Akeno Himejima from High School DxD

It had to be, Akeno is the definition of "ara ara onee-san". Over the course of DxD, much to the anger of her more reserved peers, Akeno is the first to confidently force herself onto Issei wherever possible. It seems that she has developed a sort of rivalry with Rias in a way. While other characters like Asia, Xenovia, and Koneko perhaps pose no threat to Akeno, Rias is the most similar to her in terms of looks and…*ahem*... personality and so Akeno takes great pleasure in not only teasing her lover but her tsundere competitor as well.

Akeno is a sadodere, which is arguably very important when it comes to the "ara ara" archetype. She loves watching her prey squirm before finally clamping shut. Akeno Himejima is the archetypal "ara ara onee-san" and one that all other big sisters looking to cause a little chaos should look towards for inspiration.


Final Thoughts

Before we conclude, we couldn't end this list without talking about the elephant in the room. Of course, we need to discuss Hitagi Senjougahara from the Monogatari series. Senjougahara, by all accounts, fits the description of a condescending big sister perfectly. She is a sadodere and she is not fazed by Araragi's perverted energy. While she is not a big sister to Araragi, she possesses the same energy as a Kaguya or a Kurumi. Unfortunately, her signature catchphrase is not "ara ara", it is "ara sou?" (is that so?). Senjougahara uses this more to tease her victim's lack of intelligence more than anything and so, she must be left as an honorable mention.

Regardless, these were some of the confident big sister-type characters of the anime world who love to tease their partners. Who is your favorite "ara ara" character in anime? Let us know down below!

demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba-Wallpaper-700x389 Top 5 "Ara Ara" Onee-san Characters in Anime

Writer

Author: Ruel Butler

Anime lover and aspiring fiction writer who's dream is to create a story to move the next generation in the same way that I have been moved by my favorite anime. Currently living it up in Tokyo and I wouldn't rather be anywhere else!

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