by December 6th is “Sisters’ Day.” It is the anniversary of the death of Saint Nicholas of Myra, said to be the model for Santa Claus, and is celebrated as a commemorative day in honor of the episode in which he saved three poor sisters.
In the worlds of anime and video games, older sister characters are a familiar presence. They range from the reliable, diligent carer of their younger siblings to the older sister who has her own pace but can’t leave them alone, to the caring, cherished by those around her… While the term “older sister” is used broadly, the characters can be pretty diverse. So, Anime! Conducted its annual reader survey titled “What’s Your First Older Sister Character?” From November 19th to November 26th, 501 readers responded.
The gender ratio was approximately 40% male and 60% female, with a slight female preponderance. The age demographic was primarily younger, with approximately 45% under 19 and approximately 20% in their 20s.
A wide variety of older sisters! Taking the top spot is Kanae Kocho from “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” With a support rate of approximately 10%, she leapt from fourth place last year to the top spot. Kanae Kocho was a former Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, the older sister of the Insect Pillar Shinobu Kocho, and the sister-in-law of Kanao Tsuyuri. Although she is already deceased at the beginning of the story, comments have been received acknowledging her kindness, such as, “From Kanae’s appearance in Shinobu and Kanao’s flashbacks, I could sense the extraordinary legacy she left behind for them.
Her always smiling, gentle demeanor must have had a significant influence on her,” and “She cared so much about her sister that she wanted Shinobu to find normal happiness and even tried to get her to quit the Demon Slayer Corps.” Fans who watched “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Castle Arc Chapter 1 – Akaza Returns” also responded positively, highlighting memorable scenes, such as, “I cried when Shinobu Kocho fought her nemesis, Douma, while remembering her sister,” and “I felt her pride as a Pillar and her love as a sister when she encouraged Shinobu, who had lost her will to fight.” Coming in second place was Shimura Tae from “Gintama.” Her approval rating was about 8 percent, the same as last year’s. Readers commented, “She’s Shinpachi’s older sister, a dependable older sister who’s made a strong presence in the series since its inception. Even Kagura calls her “big sister,” and she uses a naginata in battle! It’s so reassuring when she appears,” and “She’s the ideal older sister, so mature you’d never guess she’s 18. She’s carrying a lot behind her smile, but I love how she never shows weakness.”
Tied for 19th place was Okita Sougo’s older sister, Okita Mitsuba. “She raised Sougo, who lost his parents at a young age, and I love how tolerant she is. At the same time, she also shows her playful side, with an unusual love for spicy food, just like an older sister would,” commented one reader.
This ranking is based on a popular series that’s gaining popularity with the airing of the spinoff, “3-nen Z-gumi Ginpachi-sensei.” Coming in third place is Ran Mouri from “Detective Conan.” With a support rate of about 7%, she dropped from first place last year, but still maintained her place in the top three. Readers commented, “Conan calls her Big Sister Ran, and the other members of the Detective Boys adore her. She’s caring, kind, cute, and incredibly strong, the perfect big sister character,” and “She’s considerate, cooks delicious food, and is perfect in her personal life. Just being with her makes me feel safe. She’s my ideal.” “Detective Conan” features many older-sister characters, and even Hagiwara Chihaya, the leader of the police motorcycle squad, received a vote.
One comment read, “She’s the older sister of Kenji Hagiwara, who died in the line of duty while defusing a bomb. Just hearing the line, ‘What were you trying to say that day,’ in the teaser trailer for next year’s film makes my heart ache.” Her key role in “Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway,” due for release in April 2026, is attracting attention.
Here are some other comments! Regarding Zenin Maki from “Jujutsu Kaisen,” he said, “She was born into the Zenin family, a prestigious family of sorcerers, but unlike her twin sister Mai, she lacks cursed energy, so she is treated as a failure by her family. However, she is a reliable senior skilled at handling cursed tools. I am looking forward to seeing her in action in the third season, “Death Reunion.” Regarding Shinonome Ena from “Project Sekai Colorful Stage! Feat. Hatsune Miku,” he said, “She has a realistic older sister vibe, and I like how she cares for her younger brother Akito no matter what. She also has a sisterly feel towards the members of ’25-ji, Night Code de.'” Regarding Ozaki Koyo from “Bungo Stray Dogs,” he said, “When you think of ‘big sister’ in Bungo Stray Dogs, this is her! Not only Nakahara Chuuya, but also Dazai Osamu, who left the mafia, calls her that.
The only people who call her by name are the boss and the veteran Hirotsu…” For Purirun from “Idol PreCure with You♪,” there were also votes for currently airing titles, with one commenting, “She treats the fairy Meloron like a real sister, and Meloron calls her ‘Neetama.’ When she transforms into a human, she calls her ‘Onee-sama,’ which is very touching! Purirun and Meloron are sisters in the PreCure world.” In the 2025 edition, older sister characters from titles with new broadcasts or releases dominate the top three. Many comments noted that they were drawn to her kindness, strength, and reliability as an older sister.
Ranking Top 10 [When you think of ‘older sister’ characters, what comes to mind? 2025 Edition] 1st place: Kocho Kanae “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” 2nd place: Shimura Tae “Gintama” 3rd place: Mouri Ran “Detective Conan” 4th place: Remilia Scarlet “Touhou Project” 5th place: Nakano Ichika “The Quintessential Quintuplets” 6th place: Zenin Maki “Jujutsu Kaisen” 6th place: Ram “Re: ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-” 8th place: Yol Forger “SPY×FAMILY” 9th place: Shinonome Ena “Project SEKAI Colorful Stage! Feat. Hatsune Miku” 9th place: Zeil “Pokémon Scarlet Violet” (Response period: November 19th to November 26th, 2025)
Ranking Top 20 [When you think of “older sister” characters? [2025 Edition] 1st place: Kanae Kocho, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” 2nd place: Tae Shimura, “Gintama” 3rd place: Ran Mouri, “Detective Conan” 4th place: Remilia Scarlet, “Touhou Project” 5th place: Ichika Nakano, “The Quintessential Quintuplets” 6th place: Maki Zenin, “Jujutsu Kaisen” 6th place: Ram, “Re: ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-” 8th place: Yol Forger, “SPY×FAMILY” 9th place: Ena Shinonome, “Project SEKAI Colorful Stage! Feat. Hatsune Miku’ 9th place: Zail ‘Pokémon Scarlet Violet’ 11th place: Ozaki Koyo ‘Bungo Stray Dogs’ 11th place: Higurashi Kagome ‘Inuyasha’ 13th place: Kikyo ‘Inuyasha’ 13th place: Fuguta Sazae ‘Sazae-san’ 15th place: Big Sister (Sakura Sakiko) ‘Chibi Maruko-chan’ 15th place: Kodaiji Erika ‘Momentari Lily’ 15th place: Tanaka Saeko ‘Haikyu!!’15th Miyano Akemi “Detective Conan” 19th Okita Mitsuba “Gintama” 19th Omi Kanata “Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club” (Response period: November 19th to November 26th, 2025) This survey is part of a survey of readers’ opinions on “current interest and attention in anime works and characters.” The results are not intended to determine the superiority or inferiority of any character or work. We hope this article will allow you to learn about new works and characters and deepen your understanding and interest.
