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The Best Episodes of Dear Brother

Every episode of Dear Brother ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Dear Brother!

Binge this in 16h 15m•Peaking at 9.4/10

Misonoo Nanako, a professor's daughter, looks forward to her first day at the prestigious Seiran Academy, a girls' school that caters to the rich, or in her case, those with high test scores. She soon

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 28 - The Christmas Candles
    9.4/10(6 votes)

    #1 - The Christmas Candles

    S1:E28

    Everyone desperately looks for the missing Mariko, fearing for the worst. This includes both of Mariko's parents and even Mr. Shinobu's girlfriend, who calls her mother and apologizes. Ultimately, when Takashi manages to help Mariko calm down enough, she returns home. Mariko's father feels extremely guilty for his part on Mariko's emotional instability and attempts to talk to her too, with mixed results. Mariko is suspended and expelled from the Sorority for her attack on Aya. Believing the expulsion to be unfair, Nanako quits the Sorority as well.

    Director:Hideki Hiroshima
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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  2. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 3 - Nanako Is Disqualified?
    8.2/10(7 votes)

    #2 - Nanako Is Disqualified?

    S1:E3

    An insulting note is posted about Nanako's candidacy for the Sorority on the school bulletin board, announcing to the entire school that Professor Misonoo is not really her father. Nanako considers not going to the party, but Tomoko talks her out of it. The day before the selection party, Aya, claiming to be Fukiko, phones and leaves a message for Nanako that the party has been changed to a later time.

    Director:Kazuo Nogami
    Writer:Masami Mori

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  3. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 2 - The Glass Slippers
    8.0/10(12 votes)

    #3 - The Glass Slippers

    S1:E2

    Mariko looks out for Nanako before class, and shoves Tomoko out of the way when she finds Nanako. Fukiko comes to Nanako's class and announces three Sorority candidates: Mariko, Kaoru, and Nanako. Kaoru declines her candidacy because she is opposed to the very existence of the Sorority, and makes the excuse that she declines due to her poor health. Aya makes a scene, calling Mariko and Nanako unqualified to be in the Sorority, revealing to Mariko that everyone had known all along that she was the daughter of a pornography writer. Aya goes to attack Mariko, but Kaoru stops her. Fukiko gives Nanako the invitation to the Sorority selection party, which clashes with her plans for Tomoko over the weekend.

    Director:Takuo Suzuki
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  4. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 4 - The Music Box
    7.6/10(6 votes)

    #4 - The Music Box

    S1:E4

    Despite missing the selection party, Nanako has her interview, and humiliates herself. Mariko and Nanako realize that anyone could have left the message for Nanako, but Mariko correctly suspects Aya. Nanako and Mariko are notified of their selection to be in the Sorority, and Aya steps up her campaign of insults, revealing that Nanako's stepfather left his wife and child to marry Nanako's mother, who was a cocktail waitress.

    Director:Kazuya Miyazaki
    Writer:Chifude Asakura

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  5. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 1 - Magnificent Ones
    7.2/10(20 votes)

    #5 - Magnificent Ones

    S1:E1

    Nanako has her first day at Seiran Academy. Rei helps her on the bus, and Nanako is instantly captivated by her charm. At school, Nanako meets Mariko, who immediately asks her to be her friend. The school listens to a speech by Fukiko about the Sorority and Nanako and Tomoko learn about The Magnificent Ones - Hana no Sainte-Juste (Rei), Kaoru-no-kimi (Kaoru), and Miya-sama (Fukiko).

    Director:Yusaku Saotome
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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  6. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 5 - Thorns of Suspicion and Doubt
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #6 - Thorns of Suspicion and Doubt

    S1:E5

    Nanako sees Kaoru stops Rei from taking some pills. Fukiko invites Rei into the Sorority House to help out with work, but intentionally injures her hand. Rei demands that Fukiko bandage her bloodied hand, but Fukiko refuses. Nanako treats Rei's wound, eliciting Fukiko's quiet anger. Nanako is officially inducted into the Sorority, but has a nightmare that night where Fukiko attacks her.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Dear Brother

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  7. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 6 - Lost and Alone
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #7 - Lost and Alone

    S1:E6

    The bullying continues: Nanako's gym uniform is stolen and cut to shreds, and Tomoko won't lend Nanako hers. Kaoru lends Nanako her uniform instead. Nanako is attacked by sophomores who did not make it into the sorority last year. Devastated, she attempts to resign from the Sorority, but Fukiko discourages her from listening to her tormenters and promises that Nanako that she will protect her—but this causes Nanako to remember how Fukiko injured Rei. Afterwards, Nanako goes out to think and bumps into Takehiko. He comforts her and somewhat lifts her spirits.

    Director:Fumihiro Yoshimura
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  8. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 7 - The Darkness in the Clock Tower
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #8 - The Darkness in the Clock Tower

    S1:E7

    Depressed from her classmates' bullying, Nanako goes to the school's clock tower to spend some time alone. There, she sees Rei, smoking and throwing knives at a carving of Fukiko in the wall. Terrified but entranced by Rei, Nanako researches the origins of Rei's nickname and learns more about her from Kaoru. They part on good terms, but Aya and her friends begin attacking Nanako as soon as Kaoru leaves. She is rescued by Tomoko who threatens Aya and rekindles her friendship with Nanako.

    Director:Kazuya Miyazaki
    Writer:Chifude Asakura

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  9. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 8 - I Want You
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #9 - I Want You

    S1:E8

    Mariko tries to warn Tomoko off Nanako again, but Kaoru comes by and stops her. Fukiko invites Aya to the Sorority House and threatens her to stop bullying Nanako. Mariko invites Nanako to her birthday party - it is in a grand hotel room, but the only guests are Mariko's mother and Nanako. They return to Mariko's house, and Mariko and Nanako take a bath together. Mariko then tries to convince Nanako to stay overnight, but Nanako refuses because she'd promised her mother to be home. Mariko becomes upset and threatens to kill Nanako, causing Mariko's mother to restrain her as Nanako runs home.

    Director:Takuo Suzuki
    Writer:Chifude Asakura

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  10. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 9 - Relapse; Broken Heart
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #10 - Relapse; Broken Heart

    S1:E9

    Kaoru collapses from chest pains, so Nanako tries to fetch painkillers from Rei. Rei doesn't take the situation seriously, so Nanako slaps her. Rei is impressed by her boldness and gives her the painkillers, but Nanako is shocked by the amount of drugs Rei keeps in her pockets and the apparent severity of Kaoru's illness.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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  11. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 10 - Mariko...
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #11 - Mariko...

    S1:E10

    Mariko refuses to eat anything until Nanako forgives her, but Nanako is giving her the silent treatment. Kaoru notices Mariko's hunger strike and confronts her about it, angry that anyone would throw their health away when Kaoru herself is so ill. Rei watches Kaoru, Nanako, and Mariko participate in a volleyball game from a balcony, but sees Fukiko glaring at her from a distance and nearly falls off. Mariko faints and is taken to the hospital, where Nanako finally decides to forgive her.

    Director:Toshiya Shinohara
    Writer:Chifude Asakura

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  12. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 11 - Under the Elm Tree
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #12 - Under the Elm Tree

    S1:E11

    The Sorority members have a special study session at Fukiko's house. Fukiko invites Rei to join them, telling her to wait under the elm tree at five o'clock, but doesn't arrive. Nanako returns to school that night for her notebook, and finds Rei waiting under the tree, soaked from the rain and delirious with fever. Nanako tries to take Rei home, but she resists, unwilling to break her promise to Fukiko. Rei attempts to walk through heavy traffic and jump off a bridge in order to get back to the tree, but Nanako manages to stop her. She finally brings Rei home, but discovers that Rei lives alone in a dark, dreary apartment filled with mirrors. In her delirium, Rei thinks that Nanako is her treasured doll and hugs her.

    Director:Fumihiro Yoshimura
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  13. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 12 - The Scar
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #13 - The Scar

    S1:E12

    Nanako calls Kaoru to help take care of Rei. Kaoru arrives at Rei's apartment and slaps and yells at her for her masochistic devotion to Fukiko. She reveals that Rei's bracelet was given to her by Fukiko; she rips it off her wrist and tries to throw it out the window into the river, revealing a deep scar on Rei's wrist. Kaoru is forced to stop when Rei starts throwing knives at her, and Rei takes her bracelet back. Terrified, Nanako wonders whether or not Rei's scar was the result of a suicide attempt. Fukiko calls her to ask why she didn't return to the study group, and Nanako makes up a reasonable excuse. Fukiko pretends to believe her but correctly suspects the truth. She orders Nanako the next day at school not to get too close to Rei. Later, Nanako overhears Kaoru confronting Fukiko over what she'd done to Rei. During the argument, she finds out that Rei and Fukiko are sisters.

    Director:Hideki Hiroshima
    Writer:Masami Mori

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  14. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 13 - A Tale of Double Suicide
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #14 - A Tale of Double Suicide

    S1:E13

    Rei is well enough to go back to school. She confronts Fukiko, but is made docile with a few words. Tormented, she retreats to the clock tower and takes a lot of drugs. Looking for Rei, Nanako enters the clock tower, and finds her delusional and hallucinating. Believing Nanako to be Fukiko, Rei reveals that Fukiko had made a pact of double suicide with Rei when they were younger. She attacks Nanako with her knives, thinking that she is Fukiko and has arrived to fulfill that pact.

    Director:Takuo Suzuki
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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  15. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 14 - The Secret Door
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #15 - The Secret Door

    S1:E14

    Nanako desperately tries to escape from Rei, but fails. Rei attempts to stab Nanako several times before regaining her senses and breaking down in tears when she realizes what she is doing. They return to Rei's apartment and make peace. Later, Nanako tries to throw away Rei's drugs, but she catches her and angrily orders her to leave. Nanako goes to the beach and cries, but Rei finds and forgives her. Rei happily returns to school the next day despite the first day of midterms.

    Director:Shinichi Matsumi
    Writer:Chifude Asakura

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  16. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 15 - Fukiko: The Sea Rumbles
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #16 - Fukiko: The Sea Rumbles

    S1:E15

    A Sorority member named Junko Nakaya fails one of her exams due to having been seriously ill, so Fukiko orders her to resign. Nanako tries to defend Junko, but Fukiko tells Nanako to watch her place, as Fukiko was the one responsible for her admission into the Sorority. Later, Fukiko invites the Sorority to a party on her yacht. She takes back her earlier statement, saying that Nanako was admitted to the Sorority on her own merit. But then she questions Nanako if she knows any men, and when Nanako mentions her "penpal", Fukiko orders her to stop writing to him - or else. Later, Junko speaks to Nanako and tells her that she has decided to resign anyway, but thanks Nanako for trying to help her.

    Director:Fumihiro Yoshimura
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  17. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 16 - Comeback
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #17 - Comeback

    S1:E16

    It is Kaoru's first basketball game since her illness, and she is determined to win. Her playing is so great that the entire opposing team is forced to block her. Kaoru is injured during the game and blood spurts from her chest. She begs Rei to take her place in the game, and Rei does so, even though Fukiko had forbidden her from playing basketball ever again. Rei plays to her fullest, and despite losing the game, is more alive and happy then she had been in a while. Nanako realizes that Mariko is in love with Kaoru, and her envies her openness with her emotions.

    Director:Hideki Hiroshima
    Writer:Masami Mori

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  18. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 17 - Post Scriptum
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #18 - Post Scriptum

    S1:E17

    Nanako realizes that she has fallen in love with Rei, but is too nervous to say anything. One of her letters to her "Brother" end up in Fukiko's possession and she must face her wrath.

    Director:Takuo Suzuki
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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  19. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 18 - Into the Dream
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #19 - Into the Dream

    S1:E18

    After Nanako accidentally misses her bus stop, Rei takes her to the park. The two spend a happy morning together, and in a burst of emotion, Nanako confesses her love.

    Director:Shinichi Matsumi
    Writer:Chifude Asakura

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  20. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 19 - The Transient Game
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #20 - The Transient Game

    S1:E19

    Rei refuses to react after hearing Nanako's confession and begins to intentionally avoid her, breaking Nanako's heart. Kaoru, sensing Nanako's pain, tells her to give up on Rei, for "her soul is enslaved by a goddess," referring to Fukiko.

    Director:Fumihiro Yoshimura
    Writer:Tomoko Konparu

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  21. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 20 - The Gardening Shears
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #21 - The Gardening Shears

    S1:E20

    Nanako and Tomoko decide to go to Takehiko's university fair. They invite Mariko, but she is reluctant because she thinks the men will corrupt Nanako. Fukiko overhears her brother and Takehiko talking about the fair, and is furious that Nanako is going. She invites Nanako to her house for a tea ceremony on the morning of the fair and locks her in the storage room in order to prevent her leaving, but Kaoru hears Nanako and frees her.

    Director:Hideki Hiroshima
    Writer:Chifude Asakura

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  22. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 21 - The University Fair
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #22 - The University Fair

    S1:E21

    Nanako, Tomoko, and Mariko go the University Fair with Takehiko and Takashi, Fukiko's older brother. Mariko does her best to protect Nanako from the men, but ends up comically failing.

    Director:Takuo Suzuki
    Writer:Masami Mori

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  23. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 22 - A Summer's Serenade
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #23 - A Summer's Serenade

    S1:E22

    Mariko and Nanako are invited by Fukiko to her country house for the weekend to help her prepare for her birthday party. There, Nanako goes for a walk near the lake and sees Fukiko playing her violin sadly. That night, Nanako can't sleep and sneaks out and finds Fukiko insane and tormented in a room, reciting Shakespeare's Sonnet 18 over and over again. Nanako makes a noise, and Fukiko chases her through the house, but Nanako is not caught. The next day, Nanako questions a maid named Minako about the room - it is Fukiko's old bedroom that has been kept the way it was when she was twelve. Fukiko overhears them talking and fires the maid. Later, Nanako sees Fukiko swimming in the lake, and Fukiko pulls her in. Nanako nearly drowns, but Fukiko comes to her senses and saves her, apologizing that she'd only wanted someone to swim with her. At the end, Nanako re-encounters Minako and she tells her not to worry.

    Director:Shinichi Matsumi
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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  24. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 23 - The Forbidden Gift
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #24 - The Forbidden Gift

    S1:E23

    Home from the lake house, Fukiko and Rei visit Ms. Asaka's grave on the anniversary of her death, three years ago. The two are unusually civil; as they part, Fukiko invites Rei to her eighteenth birthday party. The party proceeds uneventfully until Rei, oblivious, plays for Fukiko the violin piece she had earlier played alone in the woods. Incredibly upset at hearing the song, Fukiko cuts the violin strings with a knife, then flees the room, effectively causing a scene. Rei runs after her, confused as to her sister's reaction, believing Fukiko's frequent playing of the song to be out of a fondness for it. Fukiko responds that she hates the piece more than anything else in the world.

    Director:Fumihiro Yoshimura
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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  25. Dear Brother Season 1 Episode 24 - Encore
    0.0/10(0 votes)

    #25 - Encore

    S1:E24

    Confused by the events of the party, Rei inquires of Takashi as to why the song upset Fukiko. It is revealed that, when Fukiko was twelve and Takashi eighteen, Takashi had brought Takehiko Henmi to visit their lake house. Fukiko had instantly fallen for the young man, and vowedto master a difficult violin piece that she would play solely for him. Due to an emergency, Takehiko was unable to attend. Relaying this story, Takashi realizes hat Fukiko had perhaps fallen in love with Takehiko. Later, Takashi mentions to Fukiko that he spent time with Rei, and that they discussed the events of six years previous. Feeling very emotionally violated, Fukiko leaves the room, to reminisce in private. The love she felt for Takehiko made her happier than anything else. When he failed to appear, her young heart was prematurely crushed, and her faith destroyed. In a fit of passion, she ran out of the room and attempted to drown herself in the lake.

    Director:Hideki Hiroshima
    Writer:Hideo Takayashiki

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Christmas Candles" is the best rated episode of "Dear Brother". It scored 9.4/10 based on 6 votes. Directed by Hideki Hiroshima and written by Hideo Takayashiki, it aired on 3/1/1992. This episode scored 1.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Nanako Is Disqualified?".