It is possible that that is an error in translation. In the original Japanese, Nina never called him by his name when they were children. She always called him 'Oni-san'. Translated, Oni-san means 'Older Brother'. In Japan, as a general rule, younger siblings do not call their older siblings by name - at least not without the appropriate honorific attached. Doing so would probably be considered excessively intimate... and rather rude.
Unfortunately, 'Oni-san' has no direct English equivalent. I guess the translators took the easy way out by having her call him by name... even though he technically did not have a name at that time. Frankly, it bugs me too.
Yes they were. But apparently, he came out first. So technically, that does make him older. In societies where seniority counts it does make a very significant difference. It does not matter if they were a year or a minute apart. The older sibling naturally assumes the greater responsibilities and has a duty to look after the younger one. The way the twins behaved as children showed that Johan was very aware of this.
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Unfortunately, 'Oni-san' has no direct English equivalent. I guess the translators took the easy way out by having her call him by name... even though he technically did not have a name at that time. Frankly, it bugs me too.
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Weren't Johan and Nina twins, though? Why would she call him "Older brother"?
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