Asalas – Anime has long been a medium for showcasing complex emotions and stories that go beyond the surface. One of the most unique and emotionally charged series in recent years is “Oshi no Ko,” created by Aka Akasaka (also known for “Kaguya-sama: Love is War”) and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari (known for “Scum’s Wish”). Combining elements of idol culture, reincarnation, mystery, and psychological drama, “Oshi no Ko” stands as a masterful deconstruction of fame and identity in the modern world.
The Storyline: A Twisted Tale of Love, Rebirth, and Revenge
“Oshi no Ko” begins in an unexpected way: through death.
Gorou Amemiya, a rural doctor and devoted fan of the idol group B-Komachi, is especially fond of its 16-year-old rising star, Ai Hoshino. His admiration for her is innocent but deep — a mix of personal affection and sympathy for her position in the unforgiving entertainment world. One day, Ai arrives at his rural hospital — shockingly pregnant with twins — and Gorou becomes her secret caretaker, keeping her pregnancy hidden from the public to protect her career.
However, on the night of Ai’s delivery, Gorou is murdered by a mysterious stalker. Instead of dying, he is reincarnated as one of Ai’s twins, named Aquamarine Hoshino. His twin sister, Ruby, is also a reincarnated soul — his former patient, Sarina — who had also loved Ai deeply. The two are now reborn as the children of their favorite idol, living a surreal second life with knowledge of their pasts.
Tragically, their happiness is short-lived. Ai Hoshino is murdered by a stalker just as her career begins to soar, right in front of her children. This shocking event shapes Aquamarine’s life forever. From this moment, the narrative shifts dramatically: Aqua dedicates his life to uncovering the truth behind Ai’s death and punishing the people who orchestrated it — including, possibly, their unknown biological father.
A Deconstruction of the Entertainment Industry
“Oshi no Ko” isn’t just about rebirth or revenge. It is a multi-layered exploration of the entertainment industry in Japan — the idol world, acting, TV shows, underground fan culture, corporate exploitation, manipulation, and the emotional trauma performers endure behind their perfect smiles.
Each arc of the series reveals another dark corner of this world:
- The idol arc shows how image-based personas are manufactured and how stalkers, obsessive fans, and corporate greed can destroy a young performer’s mental health.
- The acting arc delves into method acting, emotional manipulation on set, and the power dynamics between directors, screenwriters, and actors.
- The reality TV arc reveals the dangers of editing, cyberbullying, and how social media can literally destroy lives.
Through it all, the series never forgets its emotional core — a tale of love twisted by fame and a search for truth in a world built on lies.
Main Protagonists: The Reincarnated Twins
1. Aquamarine Hoshino (Aqua)
- Role: Co-protagonist, former doctor reincarnated as Ai’s son.
- Personality: Intelligent, calculating, emotionally guarded.
- Motivation: Find and destroy his biological father, whom he believes orchestrated Ai’s death.
Aqua is the series’ emotional and intellectual heart. With memories of his past life and knowledge of the world behind the camera, he approaches everything with a cold, strategic mind. He joins the acting world not for passion, but as a means to get closer to the truth. His transformation from an innocent child to a vengeance-driven teen is both tragic and compelling. He often sacrifices his own emotional health to achieve his goals, making him one of the most complex characters in modern anime.
2. Ruby Hoshino
- Role: Co-protagonist, reincarnated as Ai’s daughter.
- Personality: Cheerful, passionate, driven by dreams.
- Motivation: Fulfill her dream of becoming an idol like Ai.
Unlike Aqua, Ruby genuinely wants to shine in the entertainment world. With no memory of her murder in her past life, she approaches stardom with pure excitement. However, she too carries deep emotional scars, especially after losing her mother. Ruby represents the hopeful side of the entertainment world — full of dreams, yet constantly in danger of being crushed by its realities.
Most Influential and “Strongest” Characters (Ranked)
While “Oshi no Ko” doesn’t feature superpowers or traditional shonen battles, characters are “strong” in the sense of influence, psychological complexity, manipulation, emotional endurance, and power over others. Here’s a list of the strongest characters based on those metrics:
1. Ai Hoshino
- Strength: Emotional control, charisma, dual identity (idol and mother)
- Why She’s Strong: Ai built a perfect image as an idol while secretly raising two children. Her ability to lie beautifully — to perform constant emotional labor — made her the heart of B-Komachi. Even after death, her influence drives the entire story.
2. Aquamarine Hoshino
- Strength: Strategic mind, emotional endurance, acting skill
- Why He’s Strong: Aqua sacrifices his own peace for revenge. He manipulates, deceives, and uses the acting industry like a battlefield. His psychological strength is staggering — though it comes at a cost to his own soul.
3. Hikaru Kamiki (The Biological Father)
- Strength: Master manipulator, deeply dangerous
- Why He’s Strong: Though mostly in the shadows, Hikaru is hinted to be the mastermind behind Ai’s murder and possibly several others. He represents the rot at the core of the industry, hidden under charm and success.
4. Kana Arima
- Strength: Childhood prodigy actress, emotionally intuitive
- Why She’s Strong: Kana has incredible emotional intelligence, which makes her a brilliant actress and also someone deeply empathetic. She represents the fragile human side of showbiz — capable of both brilliance and heartbreak.
5. Akane Kurokawa
- Strength: Method acting, psychological insight, emotional mimicry
- Why She’s Strong: Akane is perhaps the best actress in the series. Her method acting allows her to imitate anyone — including Ai — to a frightening degree. Her strength lies in her ability to understand and become others, even at the cost of her own identity.
6. Ruby Hoshino
- Strength: Determination, optimism, emotional resilience
- Why She’s Strong: Ruby’s cheerful exterior hides deep pain. As she grows, her strength lies in her belief in dreams and love — the very things that Ai embodied. Her arc is becoming darker, and her strength may soon rival Aqua’s.
Themes and Symbolism
“Oshi no Ko” means “My Favorite Idol,” but the phrase takes on multiple meanings. It’s about ownership, obsession, admiration, and how the line between love and possession gets blurred in fandom culture.
Key themes include:
- Truth vs Illusion – Everyone in the industry wears masks. The truth is dangerous, but also freeing.
- Love and Loneliness – Ai’s inability to say “I love you” truthfully shows how love can become a performance.
- Fame as a Curse – Almost every character suffers because of the fame they chase or inherit.
The star motif also recurs throughout the series — the idea that idols are stars to be admired from afar, never truly touched or known.
Conclusion
“Oshi no Ko” is a masterpiece of storytelling that blends the fantastical elements of reincarnation and mystery with the brutal realities of fame and manipulation. It’s a commentary on modern celebrity culture, a revenge drama, and a psychological character study wrapped in one brilliant narrative.
With beautifully written characters like Ai, Aqua, and Ruby, and a story that constantly evolves in both tone and scope, “Oshi no Ko” stands out as one of the most important anime of the decade.
Whether you come for the mystery, the psychological depth, or the commentary on idol culture, this series will leave you thinking long after the credits roll.
