Let's start with the first episode. We have a doctor who's obssesed with idols. So much that he even watches a DVD in a patient's room at work, very professional. And we're not just talking about any idol, but Hoshino Ai, the brightest star of them all. The same girl who's also pregnant and comes to the hospital where our doctor works. Lovely, how convenient is that? Now, he does have a reason for liking idols so much. He actually met Sarina a few years ago, a terminally ill girl who was a big fan and, since he got very fond of her (to the point of having her as his phone wallpaper), he began to like Ai a lot too. It doesn't sound like an excuse at all. Anyways, the doctor promises to help Ai, but he gets worried about her safety when noticing a suspicious person near the hospital, follows him into the forest, where he ends up getting killed. What a shame. Or not, because he gets reborn as Ai's child, Aqua, along with Sarina, the same young girl from years ago, who's now his twin sister, Ruby. She died way before him though, so I can't help but wonder what did she do in the meantime while waiting to get reincarnated. Watch TV in limbo? We'll never know.
Next we have plenty of cringe-worthy parts, which are supposed to be funny, I think. Instead of showing us some wholesome family moments, they fetishize them. But that's also supposed to be funny, I think. Good thing they made the first episode movie-lenght, because I don't know how many people would keep watching until Ai's death otherwise. Yes, that's how the first episode ends. But at this point I'm asking myself, why even be sad about it? I'm sure she will just reincarnate later on, it's so obvious.
After the way they ended the first episode, one would think a thriller/mystery type of story is about to begin, but nope, that's not what happens. Aqua takes part in a reality TV show called Love Now later on, and finally, the real question is revealed. Who's best girl? Who will Aqua choose? Things like that. Drama will, of course, follow our main character everywhere he goes.
And with this I want to talk about episode 6 a bit. We have Akane, who's an aspiring actress and part of Love Now too. The thing is, she didn't get much screen time in the show due to the love triangle between a charming model named Yuki and two other boys. And as she's pressured by her agency to so something to stand out, she gets angry at Yuki for walking off with one of the boys and accidentally scratches Yuki's cheek with her nail. This causes a massive uproar on the internet, so much that she even gets death threats. Akane isolates herself until she decides to end it all and jump off a pedestrian overpass, but Aqua is there and saves her just in time. Next episode everything is fine because Akane and Yuki made up. The issue is brushed off so quickly, it's almost disrespectful. How is that even meaningful when they act like it's not as serious as it seems? This episode also caused a lot of controversy, since it is strikingly similar to Hana Kimura's own tragic story. That upset Kimura's mother, claiming that copy-pasting the events indicates Aka Akasaka’s lack of originality and skill in writing. And that made a lot of fans harass and criticize her online, which is ironic, because didn't the episode just show how bad cyberbulling is? I don't think I have to continue explaining how toxic and messed up that is.
The characters are not remarkable or special in any way. And here I want to mention the one that bothered me the most. Miyako, the fake mother of Aqua and Ruby. At first she is portrayed as some crazy, egoistical and greedy woman, who tries to ruin Ai's career. But the kids make that weird "Divine Appearance" thing and she's so scared, she somehow completely forgets her whole personality. And she helps them out everytime she can now, because why not?
Ai was a really interesting character but unfortunately, they didn't do anything to make her stand out. Other than those starry eyes, nothing about her leaves an impression. She was there to justify Aqua's revenge, forever a symbol of something and not a real person. Just an idol. How ironic. The problem is that you can't claim to be insightful regarding a real industry with real people, when you're not even trying to write characters that at least seem like real people, and by extension create a believable representation of the industry. No, the author choose melodrama and bad jokes instead.
Ruby kind of feels like she's just... there. I truly believe that the show wouldn't be any different if Aqua was the only child of Ai.
But Aqua, oh Aqua, how cliche you are... He is supposed to be a smart adult and yet, he goes around dedicating his whole life to revenge without thinking of the consequences at all. Surprisingly immature for someone who's actually a lot older on the inside. Also, his stoic attitude combined with his incredible intellect seriously reminds me of Ayanokoji from Classroom of the Elite, who also sees people as "tools" that help him reach his goal and nothing more. Coincidentally, they both have a harem and get admired for no aparent reason.
Except for maybe one or two that actually have a little bit of personality (like Arima Kana), the others are either there just to make Aqua look cool or they don't leave an impression at all.
Not everything about Oshi no Ko is bad, the music was good. We have another great opening from Yoasobi, that one's a total banger and I'd probably understand if you were watching this show just to hear it. The ending song is pretty forgetable though.
I can see the effort and dedication they put into making this anime, I understand and respect that. But the author could've handled things with more care, especially since they approached some sensitive subjects as well.
In conclusion, the show is not as bad as it could've been, at least it's somewhat entertaining. But it's not the revolutionary masterpiece everyone considers it to be either.
