Publisher Summary
Reincarnated in another world, Hinako declines the cheat-like powers offered to her and instead takes a vow of sisterhood with the giant Ellis, becoming known as the Smallest Giant. A prim and proper lady might not have a lot in common with a fearsome titan, but the two share a goal: searching for those who once meant so much to them. However, they must be cautious, for just as their strength wins them fame, it also captures the attention of an ill-mannered paladin…
Mangaka: Be-con
Translator: John Neala
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Letterer: Brandon Bovia
I purchased volume 1 of Sister and Giant: A Young Lady Is Reborn in Another World personally with my own funds.
Background
Sister and Giant is a manga series created by Be-con that is currently serialized in Enterbrain's Aokishi magazine in Japan since 2021.
Yen Press announced they had licensed the series for an English release in January 2024.
Review
This is an isekai (i.e., transported into another world) series where a black haired schoolgirl, Hinako, gets transported into a fantasy world from getting hit by a train. She meets a giant named Ellis and they go on to make a living hunting monsters and collecting their bounty. Hinako is looking for her friend who was also transported while Ellis is looking for a relative tied to her clan.
Similar to Executioner and Her Way of Life, the other characters in this fantasy world are fully aware of people transported from our world into theirs. They're even aware of the usual circumstances surrounding how people are isekai'd too (truck-kun says hi). I think this is a refreshing take because we get to see the sentiments of isekai'd characters within the fantasy world. For example, Paladin Nathaniel is aware Hinako was isekai'd and that people like her are granted cheat abilities by their goddess. He's pretty jealous about it but goes on to ask her what ability she received.
I really like how the author expands upon this idea and provides a world where there is an economic system around isekai'd people. Everyone who is isekai'd is called an 'Otherworlder' and is labeled as 'The Hero' out of tradition. The natives of the world are aware of the cheat abilities Otherworlders get and try to cater or suck up to them. Whether it's out of tradition, expectations of greatness, or fear for how disruptive their abilities could be on the ecosystem (a la Executioner and Her Way of Life).
What pulled me in was Hinako. Her backstory before the isekai was really fascinating and tragic but it explains how she treats Ellis. Their relationship is based on Hinako's perception of what a "big sister" should be. While she's the stoic and prim and proper type of character, she will openly care about Ellis and hold the Giants' moral values to the highest regards.
What I liked were the story's themes: vengeance, found family, and subversion. Both Hinako and Ellis are on a quest of vengeance. They want to rectify what has been done to them by people they cared about.
Both Hinako and Ellis, outcasts with no one to support or care for them, become a family with Hinako being the older sister. Hinako gives Ellis all the support and encouragement expected from an older sister. Ellis is still adjusting to having a supportive older sister but tries her best to take care of Hinako no matter what. When the story begins, the two have already established being a family.
The theme of subversion is prevalent throughout the story. The first example is the lack of a cheat skill from Hinako. She refuses one for her own personal reasons. This sets the sentiment that this will not be a power fantasy. Hinako is as vulnerable as everyone else who is not an Otherworlder. When it comes to combat, she's mostly dependent on Ellis. Another example is the subversion of relationships. Ellis was abandoned by her family but was shown love and encouragement after meeting Hinako. Hinako's relationship with her girlfriend and how that turned out was another subversion by the author.
The art style is pretty cool. The action scenes are decent but the character designs are what I enjoyed the most, especially for Ellis and Nathaniel. Nathaniel looked like a character out of Fire Force which I thought was cool. Ellis has a design that looks like someone out of a typical fantasy series but whose clothes remind me of a character out of Tales of Arise.
What I did not like was that they gave everyone (Hinako, Ellis, guild master, other adventurers) an introduction in chapter 3 via boxes with their name, race, and class being displayed in a menu-like box. The reader had already been introduced to several of them in chapter 1. It seemed unnecessary to do this in chapter 3.
Final Thoughts
If you're a fan of Executioner and Her Way of Life with a sprinkle of World's finest Assassin, a fan of edgy dark fantasy, or you're a fan of the subversion of the standard isekai tropes, you will enjoy Sister and Giant. I'm hooked and can't wait to see where Hinako's and Ellis's adventure will take them next!
Verdict: Buy It
Sister and Giant: A Young Lady Is Reborn in Another World volume 1 from Yen Press is now available at all retailers
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