Love can be expressed in many different ways, even if that means telling a few lies here and there. And when it comes to the cutthroat world of entertainment, lies can sometimes be the key to survival.

This is the main theme of the highly anticipated Oshi no Ko anime, which had one of the best premieres I’ve ever seen!

The premiere was so good that it felt like a full-length movie rather than just two episodes spliced together. The production was top-notch, from the direction to the character designs and sound. Every aspect of the show was flawless and kept me engaged from start to finish. The pacing was great too, with each character given enough time to tell their story and show their growth.

I do have a bit of a confession to make, the manga is one of my favourites of all time and Aka Akasaka is certainly in my top three mangakas. When episode 1 was released, I was excited to see how the story would be adapted. I wanted the series to be perfect, so I was watching closely for any missteps. But I have to say, I couldn’t find anything wrong with it! The premiere was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, and it had everything I was hoping for.

What makes me excited about Oshi no Ko is that it brings a fresh perspective to the idol genre. Aka Akasaka, the creator of the manga, added a unique twist by incorporating mystery and fantasy elements while shedding light on the industry’s dark side. The show reveals how the industry is governed by money, leading to the prevalence of lying and covering up scandals. It also educates viewers on how TV shows and casting work and how agencies push their talents to advertisers.

But Oshi no Ko is not just a show about the glitz and glam of the idol industry. It also focuses on what happens behind the scenes, exposing both the glory and horror of the business.

The show aims to humanize idols, showcasing their flaws and mistakes, and how these mistakes can have lasting consequences. This is why the line, “Idols are objects of worship. They sparkle through the magic of lies,” really resonates with me, as it makes me question whether the news about celebrities going on hiatus or taking a break is actually true or just a cover-up.

What I find brilliant about Oshi no Ko is that it challenges the common perception of the idol genre. It’s not just about charming personalities singing and dancing with a little bit of drama on the side. It’s far more complex and nuanced, which makes it a refreshing take on the whole genre.

True Tragedy

If you’re trying to avoid spoilers for Oshi no Ko’s premiere, now might be a good time to stop reading. But if you don’t mind knowing what’s up, then let’s talk about the show’s first half. It was clear right from the beginning that death was going to be a major theme, with Goro being murdered and Sarina on the brink of death. We’ve seen other idol shows like Idoly Pride, Selection Project, and Phantom of the Idol deal with the death of their own “legendary idols”, but Oshi no Ko takes things to a whole new level.

The show goes all out in portraying Ai’s death, even animating it in a stunningly beautiful way that pushes the limits of what animation can do.

I was fully expecting Ai’s death, but it still hit me hard. Even if you watched the scene on mute, the facial expressions of Ai, Aqua, and Ruby were animated with such precision that you could feel the heartbreak. The voice acting was also exceptional, with Rie Takahashi, Yumi Uchiyama, and Yurie Igoma delivering a heart-wrenching performance that had me in tears.

Takahashi, in particular, did an amazing job of portraying Ai’s carefree, happy-go-lucky nature, while also showing her softer side in the final moments. Uchiyama and Igoma were also fantastic, with Igoma, in particular, standing out despite being a rookie voice actress. And let’s not forget about Megumi Han, who had a brief but outstanding performance as Kana.

Anime of the Year?

Oshi no Ko is undoubtedly one of the most hyped anime of the year. In fact, it was voted as the most anticipated anime in numerous polls and snagged the top spot in its debut week. Its popularity is apparent, with it currently holding the top spot on MyAnimeList and its opening song’s music video hitting a million views on YouTube in just eight hours. Fans on Twitter can’t stop talking about it either. The premiere episode was undoubtedly amazing, but I understand that it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you’re not into idols or show business in general.

However, my biggest concern is that the premiere has set the bar too high, and future episodes may not live up to it. We’ve got ten more episodes to go, and if the quality starts to dwindle, it could end up being remembered as a one-hit-wonder. I hope that’s not the case, though. I’m rooting for Oshi no Ko to keep delivering the same level of quality that it did in the premiere, and if it does, it could very well become a modern classic in the anime world.

This might be nitpicking but my only other complaint is… Aqua’s hair as a teen. It looks NOTHING like how it does in the manga and although it’s the only issue I have, and that it’s a small one at that, I feel it changes his vibe completely. When I look at him, I don’t see the Hoshino Aquamarine that I know from the manga, but I digress.

Words cannot describe just how excited I am to see how they will adapt the rest of the series. I honestly haven’t been this hyped for an anime in a very long time. The premiere episode is available for streaming on Netflix and HIDIVE in North America and Europe.