There are very few mangas that encapsulate dark themes. Be it corruption or powerplay, such works are a true rarity. Oshi no Ko is one such example with its portrayal of idol culture.
The series started as a rager with its first premiere. It is considered one of the finest works in the seinen genre. With its recent developments, however, we may have spoken too soon.
Aka Akasaka’s masterpiece took a nosedive with the manga’s recent chapters. But what surprised fans was the latest announcement. Like Jujutsu Kaisen, the manga is treading on thin ice.
With this sudden and unanticipated announcement, one thing is certain. The series fell flat in living up to the mangaka’s vision, especially through its misrepresentations.
Oshi no Ko pulled a Jujutsu Kaisen move
Of all the seinen manga, Oshi no Ko is being highly praised for several reasons. Firstly, because it highlights the reality of the entertainment industry. With showbiz, there are very few manga that manage to encapsulate its reality.
Akasaka’s manga does exactly that through its dark and compelling themes. Second of all, it is impeccable in terms of its intricate storytelling. This holds especially true with the mangaka’s extensive research. And there’s more to it.
Idol culture and worship have seeped into common households. So much so, that there is a need to dismantle this romanticization. The series outlines the dark and disturbing reality of the fan culture. Along with the obsessive and toxic fan culture it also highlights the powerplay.
Especially when it comes to the entertainment and talent agencies. Be it K-pop or J-pop, idol culture has been at the epicenter of criticism. The series attempts to bring forth the backdrop of the reality. However, a recent announcement denoted the manga pulling a Jujutsu Kaisen move.
On X, @AniNewsAndFacts made a crucial announcement regarding the manga.
Oshi no Ko Manga will end in 2 Chapters. pic.twitter.com/J6J6uRu58Z
— Anime News And Facts (@AniNewsAndFacts) October 31, 2024
Thank God. Free Akane from that garbage 🤦🏽♂️
— 優木 せつ菜 🇯🇵 | Love Live Superstar S3 SZN (@Nljigakulive) October 31, 2024
Never wanted a series I enjoy so much to end so badly. Holy shit.
— Horizon (@Horizon_28) October 31, 2024
❤️
When a story, a manga or an anime end, it’s like saying goodbye to a friend who is going to Undying Lands.
It’s not that they’re dead, they’re just gone, our window into their life closes, my window into the lives of these fictional people I grew to care about closes.— Gandeloft (@Gandeloft) October 31, 2024
❤️
When a story, a manga or an anime end, it’s like saying goodbye to a friend who is going to Undying Lands.
It’s not that they’re dead, they’re just gone, our window into their life closes, my window into the lives of these fictional people I grew to care about closes.— Gandeloft (@Gandeloft) October 31, 2024
The news had several fans divided. While most fans were in disbelief, others anticipated it. This is true considering the nosedive in the manga’s quality. This had to do with the mangaka’s initial vision regarding the series.
Aka Akasaka’s manga fell flat with its misrepresentations
Aka Akasaka is a celebrated name in the manga industry. The mangaka is popular for his seinen manga Kaguya-Sama:Love Is War. Both manga are exemplary works in the seinen genre. However, with Oshi no Ko, the mangaka may have faltered.
This is evident in his initial vision regarding the manga. While the series outlined the dark reality of entertainment culture, it failed in most aspects. Especially with its misrepresentations and deviations from the narratives.
What initially hooked fans to the series was its captivating and compelling storyline. Other than that, its dark and disturbing aspects regarding the reality of stardom are remarkable. It brings forth the ugly truths regarding power, ambition, and struggles in the idol spaces. The series isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, especially with its dark themes.
From murder to suicide, the series peaks in terms of its representation of reality. However, it faltered in its enmeshing of unnecessary romance. With several plot inconsistencies, it took a nosedive. To top it off, the muting of dark elements added to its downfall. And there’s more to it.
Compared to Perfect Blue, Akasaka’s manga missed the mark completely. Its underutilized potential blotted its possible growth and success.
Oshi no Ko is available for streaming on Netflix. The manga is available for reading on Viz Media.
