Have you come across this girl?
You might have stumbled upon her while scrolling through your favorite social media platform, her radiant smile and captivating presence grabbing your attention.
Initially dismissing it as another typical idol-themed anime of the season, you couldn't help but notice her persistently appearing everywhere. Intrigued, you decided to give it a chance, expecting a wholesome and uplifting series similar to other idol-related shows.
However, as you watched the first episode, you realized your assumption couldn't be further from the truth.
This is how most people were introduced to Oshi no Ko, arguably the most hyped anime of the Spring 2023 lineup. With its debut episode alone, it swiftly trended and became a mainstream sensation.
But what propelled an idol anime to such staggering heights of popularity? Let's delve into the five reasons behind Oshi no Ko's widespread acclaim.
5 Reasons Why Oshi no Ko is Popular
#1: Captivating Story
A series has to be interesting – that’s the most important thing for any form of media, whether it may be slice-of-life, fantasy or anything in between.
But how could something like an anime about idols be interesting? Oshi no Ko may revolve around idols on the surface, but at its core, it explores the entertainment industry itself…with a reincarnation twist.
Reincarnated As My Idol’s Children
Yup, you read that right. While the official English release retained the title "Oshi no Ko," it essentially means "My Idol's Child", among other interpretations.
If you are a J-idol fan, you know what “oshi” means. It’s basically the same as “bias” in standard Twitter lingo. In this case, Ai Hoshino, the starry-eyed girl mentioned earlier, becomes the oshi of the gynecologist Gorou Amemiya and his patient, Sarina Tendouji.
Gorou and Sarina were the past lives of Aquamarine (Aqua for short) and Ruby Hoshino, Ai’s twin children whom she gave birth to at the age of sixteen. Tragically, these children will later witness the death of their mother inside their home, just moments before B-Komachi’s big concert at Tokyo Dome.
The Ups and Downs of the Entertainment Industry
Oshi no Ko's primary plot revolves around unraveling the truth behind Ai's death, with Aqua harboring a desire for vengeance against his father, whom he believes to be the mastermind behind Ai and his past self's death.
However, beyond Aqua's revenge-driven arc, what truly captivates viewers is how Oshi no Ko fearlessly delves into the darker aspects of the entertainment industry. A notable example is Akane Kurokawa's arc, which tackles the harrowing consequences of cyberbullying, drawing inspiration from real-life incidents.
#2: Popular Source Material and Name Recognition
Oshi no Ko is the brainchild of Aka Akasaka, the renowned author behind the immensely popular Kaguya-sama: Love is War series, and it is beautifully illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari, the creator of Scum's Wish. With both authors boasting their own devoted followings, their involvement undoubtedly played a significant role in catapulting the series to new heights.
And let’s not forget that the anime premiered just a few months after the release of the Kaguya-sama movie. The buzz surrounding the Kaguya-sama franchise undoubtedly piqued the interest of fans, who eagerly sought out the next work from the author.
The manga itself was already selling well before the anime, and the anime adaptation only further amplified its popularity.
However, it's worth noting that even with well-established authors, success is not guaranteed. Many manga artists are known to be one-hit wonders, and their subsequent works either flop or are prematurely canceled. This is where Oshi no Ko’s captivating storyline shines—it has successfully resonated with the audiences, evident in its immense popularity.
#3: Excellent Production Values
One of the series' greatest strengths lies in the dedicated anime staff behind it. Doga Kobo, the studio responsible for the adaptation, clearly proved their commitment to Oshi no Ko. This dedication is evident in the visually stunning artwork and exceptional animation quality that breathe life into the series. They didn’t even skimp out on the budget either—just look at how much budget they have spent on this music video!
Youtube: 【推しの子】Full moon…!/有馬かな【第九話「B小町」挿入歌】
Compressing the first ten chapters into a 90-minute episode is also one of the best decisions they’ve had for this adaptation. Viewers might get turned off by the length, but having Ai’s life narrated in one swoop, with her death being the climax of the episode, has shocked the casual viewers enough to make the first episode trend everywhere. After all, who could’ve expected the poster girl of the series—undeniably the most popular and most charismatic character—would meet her tragic fate in the very first episode?
#4: Marketing and Promotion
The producers have clearly spent a fortune on the anime adaptation, and a large portion of this went to its advertising. And they totally went all out for it!
Ai is seen everywhere in Japan. Posters and billboards of her are on the streets, shops, and even on buses. To top it off, her presence extended to iconic locations like Shibuya, Akihabara and Shinjuku, a level of promotion not commonly seen for all anime productions.
To top it off, they picked YOASOBI for its opening theme. YOASOBI has enjoyed tremendous popularity over the past few years, with each of their music videos earning millions of views within 24 hours. The song "Idol," which serves as the opening theme for Oshi no Ko, achieved immense success, reaching the top position on the Billboard Global Survey—a historic feat as the first Japanese song to achieve this milestone.
#5: Positive Word-of-Mouth
One of the driving forces behind Oshi no Ko's sudden popularity is the overwhelmingly positive word-of-mouth done by its viewers. Enthusiastic fans who thoroughly enjoyed the series eagerly shared their excitement, fueling discussions, writing reviews, and recommending the anime to others. Such organic praise and recommendations created a ripple effect, attracting a wider audience and contributing to its surging popularity.
In fact, the shocking first episode generated so much hype that Oshi no Ko soared to the top of online anime charts, initially securing the highest position on My Anime List and maintaining its position for a considerable period before settling at the top twenties. It also broke several records on HiDIVE, putting it into the top in total views and new subscribers.
Recap: 5 Reasons Why Oshi no Ko is Popular
#1: Captivating Story
#2: Popular Source Material and Name Recognition
#3: Excellent Production Values
#4: Marketing and Promotion
#5: Positive Word-of-Mouth
In conclusion, Oshi no Ko's popularity can be attributed to its captivating storyline that explores the entertainment industry, the influence of esteemed creators, exceptional production values, strategic marketing efforts, and the power of positive word-of-mouth. Together, these factors have propelled the anime to become an extraordinary success in the eyes of viewers and critics alike.
What do you think?
Who is your favorite character in Oshi no Ko?
Will Aqua ever be able to avenge Ai’s death?
Will Ruby know that her beloved doctor is now her twin brother?
Let us know in the comments or drop us a line on social media (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)! We’d love to hear from you!
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You can watch Oshi no Ko on HIDIVE, Bilibili and Netflix.
About The Writer
Cristy is a freelance artist and writer who has been obsessed with anime and manga since childhood. Her love for these imaginative worlds fuels her creative endeavors, and she shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.
