Idol culture is a captivating facet of the entertainment industry, and it has a profound impact on fans. These men and women, whom we place on a pedestal, are often worshiped as if they were deities; Perfect, pristine, and incapable of fault. When a fan reaches a delusional level of obsession, they become what is called a stan (stalker fan), and often, they insert themselves into the lives of their Bias (favorites). 

They don’t see them as flesh and blood beings with real-world dreams and problems. So, when they make a human mistake, it can (and more often not) lead to a significant emotional upheaval. This is the impetus to the start of the story of Oshi no Ko【推しの子】(English: My Favorite Idol / Their Idol’s Children).

Sixteen-year-old Ai Hoshino is one of the most popular idols in Japan and a member of the girl group B-Komachi. However, when she finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, the circumstances of which remain a mystery, she escapes to the mountains to have her twins delivered by Gorou Amamiya, an OBGYN and one of her biggest fans. 

But on the night she is due to give birth, Amamiya is murdered by a Stan who seems to know the most closely guarded secret in the history of Japanese entertainment. Instead of entering the kingdom of heaven, he finds himself reborn as Ai’s son, Aquamarine (aqua for short). Later, he discovers that his twin sister, Ruby, is also a reincarnated fan. For a time, their lives are happy, and Ai, who keeps their existence a closely guarded secret from the press, even starts to rebuild her career. 

Then tragedy strikes. Ai is murdered by the same crazy fan who murdered Amamiya, and he does so in front of Aqua. He and his sister are taken in by Ichigo and Miyako Saitō, the president of Strawberry Productions (Ai’s management company) and his wife. As they get older, Ruby becomes interested in becoming an ido while Aqua falls into acting.  Aqua and Ruby are the only two who know each other’s secret, and Aqua only starts acting as a way of discovering who helped stan murder his mother.

Tall, handsome, and mysterious, Aqua becomes a fan favorite himself and not only finds himself cast in a television drama based off a popular manga but also ‘reality’ dating show for teens.

Licensed in North America by Sentai Filmworks, the eleven episode series starts with a feature-length pilot and it’s incredibly captivating. You can view all of season one and simulcast season two (which premiered on 3 July) on Hidive. 

It also has an incredible soundtrack. The opening theme to season one is the epic-rock dance track “idol” (“アイドル”) from pop duo YOASOBI.

The ending theme “メフィスト” (“Mephisto”) by Queen Bee is also just as powerful and addicting.

Both singles can be streamed / purchased online. I recommend Qobuz as they offer a 24-Bit/96 kHz download.

More anime reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned!