With season 2 of Oshi no Ko releasing you know I had to give season 1 a watch.
Overall, my experience with the first season of Oshi no Ko was surprisingly better than I expected, considering I hadn’t watched any idol anime before. My initial assumptions that it would solely focus on performances were proven wrong, and I’m glad it wasn’t like the anime Dance with Devils, where music and singing were prominent throughout (because I ended up dropping that one). This idol anime, created by Aka Akasaka, the same mind behind Love Is War, brought a fresh perspective with its unique concept of teen pregnancy, a theme not often explored in anime.
The first episode, almost like a movie at almost 1.5 hours long, set the stage for what was to come. The tragic fate of Ai, forced to remain an idol even in her final moments, highlighted the dark underbelly of the industry. Had me a little teary. Sadly, after that, I found myself on the verge of dropping the series as it felt cute, fun, and light, but lacked that special spark to keep me fully engaged. However, around episode 6, things started to pick up as we delved deeper into the dark side of the idol industry and its’ affect on Akane. I also enjoyed witnessing Aqua’s exceptional skills in manipulating and fixing situations.
While I don’t hate Oshi no Ko, it didn’t quite make it to the top of my list. I hoped to see more growth from Aqua, especially in his interactions with Kana, who seemed to be the only one capable of challenging him and bringing out his humanity. The lack of character development, aside from Akane’s journey to shield her true self, left me wanting more. The multitude of characters introduced gives hope for future growth and exploration.
The simultaneous storytelling of various plotlines, from a murder mystery to idol industry challenges, revenge, and a love triangle, added depth to the series. The underlying plot of uncovering Ai’s true identity, reminds me of “How I Met Your Mother,” with its slower pace and the slice-of-life feel. As season 1 likely served to build the world and provide context, I eagerly anticipate a deeper dive into Aqua’s character in the upcoming season.
The complexities of Ruby and Aqua’s reincarnation along with the fact that they still have their memories of their past life, added an intriguing layer to their characters. Also, Aqua’s self-perception as a bad actor was so odd especially given his amazing ability to act as a character to deceive others showcased his multifaceted nature.
In conclusion, while I may not readily recommend Oshi no Ko to everyone due to it’s slower pace. I wil say if you have a specific interest in music, idol, and slice of life anime, then go for it. The potential for growth and exploration in future seasons leaves me hopeful. The multiple storylines, character dynamics, and underlying mysteries make this anime a unique and engaging watch.