Review of [Oshi No Ko]

Oshi no Ko is another great work from the author of Kaguya-sama that often manages to reach the high-quality writing and storytelling of the letter while delivering a completely different tone and developing a much more serious and complex identity. Its masterpiece of a first episode manages to set an insanely high bar for what comes after and delivers a knockout feeling of suspense, but that becomes one of the issues of the show: it manipulates the viewer on the priorities of the story: what starts as the male lead’s quest for answers quickly develops into a deep exploration of highs and hellish lows ofthe entertainment industry and the toll it takes on its colorful and morally ambiguous cast of characters, while the major plot point of the premiere quickly retreats into a background storyline that barely develops over the course of this first season.

Overall, the uneven and jarring pacing may leave some with the sense of boredom, which is a shame, because the themes the show is actually interested in exploring are delivered with sublime writing (with one masterful episode in particular being a rollercoaster ride of emotions with tragic and poignant themes and commentary on modern society) and character development with Kana Arima as a standout character whose emotional journey is the most fascinating arc of the season.

Don’t let the uneven pacing deter you, the high quality of its story and characters definitely makes Oshi no Ko a must watch