The following content discusses events up to episode 4 of Oshi No Ko, My Star, currently streaming onNetflix,Hulu,Disney Plus, andAmazon Prime Video.Oshi No Ko’srecord-breaking launch skyrocketed to the top spot as the most-watched anime (at the time), unexpectedly dethroning the untouchableOne Piece,Demon Slayer, and other well-known series. However, the charm and originality of the gutwrenchingly dark Idol show seem to have died alongside Ai Hoshino, as the overplayed, all-too-familiar school theme dominates the storyline from episode 2 onwards.
Oshi No Ko’sgroundbreaking introductionhas begun to lose steam as the banality of juvenile tropes is now front and center. Do Aqua and Ruby have what it takes to finish off what Ai started? Or was their premiere merely a one-hit wonder?
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Oshi No Ko’s Bait-and-Switch
Oshi No Ko’sfirst episode is certainly a mindblowing affair. Although many familiar themes speckle the introductory storyline, nothing is as it seems. Every unexpected plot twist turns formulaic tropes on their head, leaving viewers pleasantly surprised and on the edge of their seats.Reincarnation means Isekai, right?Nope, not here! Anime Idols are cute, pure, and wholesome? Apparently, not always! Okay, so this is Ai’s “coming of age” tale, as a struggling yet glamorous single mother? Wrong again! There is simply no telling what will happen next. Well, until the story continues, that is.
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Once Aqua and Ruby take the reigns, the whole teenage school vibe takes root, which diverts the narrative from exciting to bland in a heartbeat. The child prodigies may be on the path to fulfilling their beloved mother’s dreams, but they are losing their audience in the process! This whole “Entertainment School” anime life is clichéd and targets a niche audience, which is why episode 1 made such an impression, as a revolutionaryaddition to the over-glorified Idol genre.Just ask Moonbin (2023), Jonghyun (2017), Sulli and Goo Hara (2019), and countless others about how wholesome and kawaii the Idol industry is. More transparency in the media regarding artists' real-life struggles would be appreciated, and might even reduce the amount of hate speech directed towards these hardworking entertainers. The world has seemingly forgotten that Idols are people, too.
Character Development or Disbursement?
Not all reincarnation stories are successful, and, unfortunately, Gorou Amamiya appears to have deflated during his journey. The supposedly stern and determined Aqua keeps finding himself in soppy situations, particularly when Arima Kana is concerned. The fact that he is desperately searching for his father is apparently a major focus and the driving force behind his actions, and yethis love-hate relationship with actingseems to dominate the spotlight. Aqua’s sister complex is a strange one, too (but thankfully, not perverted!)
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Meanwhile, Ruby is basically a carbon copy of Ai, minus the life experience and that instant-Idol factor (or so it seems.) Been there, done that, where’s the T-shirt? Kana also shares uncanny similarities with Ashida Mana’s real-life story, which is not a criticism, but doesn’t exactlyboost theOshi No Ko’soriginality.Overall, it seems that the complexity of Ai’s multi-faceted character has simply been divided up and shared among the next generation of performers. The concept is intriguing; however, the protagonists come across as rather flat, especially in comparison to Ai’s sensational stage presence.
Hope on the Horizon
Not everyone who became invested inOshi No Koduring its debutenvisioned the slice of life themecommanding the narrative so severely, but that doesn’t mean they should lose hope! Things may seem rather juvenile as far as episodes 2-4 are concerned, but Ai’s story is far from over. How about assessing the winning factors of the story and its future potential? (without divulging manga spoilers, that is!)
There may be a significant tonal shift if and when Aqua and Ruby discover their past-life connection. This could spur Aqua to encourage his precious Sarina to live life to the fullest, considering her untimely demise beforehand, and how he couldn’t save her. This revelation might teach him how to be protectivewithoutcontrolling Ruby’s life (and stifling her happiness.) And who’s to say these two are the only reincarnations on the table?
Oshi No Kowould greatly benefit from focusing on the reincarnation element more. Perhaps giving Aqua the opportunity to put his medical expertise to good use would add depth to his character (and cause some awkward questions to arise.) So far, there also seems to be more emphasis on the acting scene as opposed to the Idol industry, even thoughAi’s musical performances initially drew viewers in.If fans have to endure the school-life setting, then at least provide some Idol-themed entertainment along the way! At least Ruby’s debut is on the horizon, so perhaps theIdolm@sterenthusiasts can get their fix, too.
Ai is just sixteen years old when viewers first meet her. And yet her heartbreaking narrative is more adult-orientated than child friendly. In contrast, her kids (now also sixteen) come across as rather naive, despite their previous life experiences. Dealing with real-world issues like dangerous stalkers,teen pregnancy, and coping with unrealistic expectations caters to a more mature audience and makes these characters more relatable. Ai makes a bigger impact in one episode than her children have done in three, leaving a long-lasting impression on fans, who are now craving a second helping. Ruby, Aqua (and Kana) certainly have some big shoes to fill!
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