Review of [Oshi No Ko]

Ever since I dropped the series two episodes in when it first started airing, i’ve only heard good things. I couldn’t comprehend how, seeing a 30 year old foaming out the mouth for a 15 year old is beyond weird. Yet, we get past the large question mark rather quickly, getting straight into the strong point of the show. That being, its depiction of the entertainment industry. Of course, there is more to the show than I realized, in fact, it’s very thoughtful in its presentation. But, there is so much that could’ve been done with this show that really could’ve pushed it beyond anythingprevious.

The whole depiction is good, unlike anything we’ve really seen in anime before. Looking into the abyss that is the entertainment industry, a hole that no one comes out of happy. A root for psychological suffering, an industry of lies. The worst part about the showcase is the little they do to show the good of entertainment. I’m not saying it isn’t accurate in its portrayal, but rather one-sided towards the negative. The collaboration aspect, the making of something bigger than yourself. Instead, they largely look at how the individual can carry, harm, or make a show. Don’t get me wrong, they do highlight this aspect, but with the most lackluster and dead highlighter they can find.

On another note, the whole depiction of the filmmaking industry is very surface level, with little understanding of the intricacy of the art. I just wish they would bring more attention to the smaller aspects of filmmaking, and how big of a difference it makes. Mainly, sound. Sound is the most important part, and the show clearly understands that with its delicately crafted soundscape. So far, editing and atmosphere are the two main subdivisions of filmmaking that are explored. There is potential to make something truly great here.

I mean, they take the whole “starting again” aspect of the reincarnation in the Isekai genre, which is arguably what makes the genre so great, and flips it into the entertainment industry. That’s practically a gold mine for self-improvement and character realization. There were loads of options in which they could've utilized this to deliver whatever the show pleased. There’s an alternate universe out there where this whole first season told the story of their adolescence as they have to hide their true identities, pretending to be babies that have no idea what’s going on. Not only would it have wonderfully explored the crippling aspect of the entertainment industry with how it effects Ai, who I thought was criminally underused in this season, it would’ve built up a story of trauma that could easily be carried into the second season when they are high-school students.

That’s one of my main issues. They handled the whole tragedy of Ai way too early. Afterwards, they did little to show how it affects them to this day. I mean, Aqua plays the same exact type of person who killed his mother. All he thinks about it is that is ironic. It’s clear they suffer in silence, but jumping over 10 years is absurd. It totally skips over the whole traumatic beginning. Not only that, how can they possibly put up with keeping their identities secret while also being traumatized by their pasts? In general, they don’t utilize this whole reincarnation aspect enough.

In fact, they kind of dodge around the most intriguing aspects of the reincarnation. That being, the fact they knew each other in their past lives and were heavily influential on each other. It’s all so sloppily done, like how Ruby doesn’t want to reveal her true age thinking “he’ll look down on me”, and the whole idea of them not questioning how they remember their past selves, or how this is even possible is ridiculous. They expect me to believe these characters are genius prodigies, yet they can’t grasp how they are even in the situation, let alone try and figure out anything they can about it. The performances in the show aren’t great at all, nor are the songs. Yet the show wants me to believe Ai and her children are geniuses, as well as the other characters. It’s not believable at all.

The characters themselves are intriguing nonetheless. Even Aqua, who I thought was a total creep and abysmal character when I first watched the show as it was airing. They aren’t perfect, and very often not agreeable in the slightest. But, they surely have charm and the show understands how to grab your attention using them. Unfortunately, some of the more intriguing characters aren’t given as much attention. In fact, the best themes the story touches on are sprouted from the minor characters who don’t get as much screen time as they deserve.

Still, the series is good and definitely worth watching. If you aren’t familiar with the nature of the entertainment industry, this will be an eye-opening experience. If you are familiar with the industry, this will be a good look at how everything operates in a nicely oiled machine. But, if you’ve been involved in entertainment industry, this will be rather disappointing depending on how you view it. I personally think the industry is one of the most artistically advanced, and an epitome for the capabilities of collaboration. Not only that, it’s a work heavily infused with the doubtful nature of the industry, whether is self doubt or not. This is where the story really shines, when it isn’t focused on the main storyline of a revenge fantasy that is hardly developed.

It’s the little things like the posters in the directors room hilariously decorated with posters like “Foam Club” and “Truck Driver”. The damaging effects of media on the individual, this show gets so much right. It doesn’t paint the industry in a good light, and don’t get me wrong, it really isn’t the best industry to be involved in. Still, there should be more stances on the greatness it offers. Give this a watch, it has its moments.