Manga Reviews Reviews Yen Press

Manga Review: [Oshi No Ko] Vol. 1 (2023) by Aka Akasaka & Mengo Yokoyari

A perfect pairing of two iconic mangakas.

“Gorou is a gynecologist and idol fan who's in shock after his favorite star, Ai, announces an impromptu hiatus. Little does Gorou realize that he's about to forge a bond with her that defies all common sense! Lies are an idol's greatest weapon in this outrageous manga from Aka Akasaka (Kaguya-sama: Love is War) and (Scum's Wish).” (Yen Press)

“[]” has been a title surrounded by buzz for some time, with a proper release becoming an inevitability. Largely, this rests with its creative team having both crafted outstanding work and already established fanfare–though the peculiar plot undeniably played into this intrigue. Now that the manga is finally here and in print, how does it actually stack up and how much can one really ascertain from the series of the first volume?

While the first volume of “[Oshi No Ko]” only hints at the story's future direction, the introduction is a peculiar Isekai story that establishes the series' willingness to go in bizarre directions while exploring greater issues like the relationship between fans and idols. This feat is further impressive in the abundant amount of story it packs into the first volume while also ending at a point that indicates the subsequent release to start on a completely new narrative path. Admittedly, this is difficult to quantify without heading into spoiler territory, but readers are certain to be impressed by Akasaka's way of packing an abundance of peculiarities and twists in the inaugural release while still making it simple to follow and deeply engaging.

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Navigating a rather large-scale story, Akasaka still manages to chime in with the comedic wit that made “Kaguya-sama: Love Is War” such a popular title. Additionally, darker-themed tangents lean into the psychological genre to help push the dramatic elements further. Again, showing a balance of various storytelling elements, the book is not quite a comedy or a thriller but rather borrows from each genre to really punctuate the surreal and tragic nature of “[Oshi No Ko]”. This allows even questionable moral moments such as being reborn as an idol's kid to be oddly adorable and quirky, with a sinister tinge that pokes at the often-overlooked morality of such situations. If anything, the awkward morality and questionable scenarios carry an odd charm that warrants a closer look at the book by anyone intrigued by its premise or invested in the creators.

Visually, Mengo Yokoyari's visual prowess is undeniable, with a knack for capturing the emotions of her subjects notably conveyed through the eyes. In fact, the ‘bloodline of idols' having stars in their eyes, while a bit too spot on, is particularly beautiful in how Yokoyari makes them the central focal point in many panels. The few color panels on offer further make the artwork pop, which is something that will, hopefully, stay consistent throughout each subsequent release. Ultimately, Aka Akasaka & Mengo Yokoyari prove to be the perfect pairing for a project like this, with Yokoyari's art fitting perfectly into the highly expressive story that Akasaka aims to tell.

“[Oshi No Ko]” is a book largely left best to reader experience and further discussion among the fandom, and this review should largely serve more as validation that the hype around the book is warranted. As a fan, it will be exciting to come back once the series is complete and revisit it as a whole. That is, admittedly, putting a lot of faith in an inaugural release but it does feel inevitable that “[Oshi No Ko]” will be one of the most talked about and revered series of 2023. If you like a series that hides its depth under a shiny veneer, this should be a must-read.

About the author

Adam Symchuk

Adam Symchuk is a Canadian born freelance writer and editor who has been writing for Asian Movie Pulse since 2018. He is currently focused on covering manga, manhwa and light novels having reviewed hundreds of titles in the past two years.

His love of film came from horror and exploitation films from Japan that he devoured in his teens. His love of comics came from falling in love with the works of Shuzo Oshimi, Junji Ito, Hideshi Hino, and Inio Asano but has expanded to a general love of the medium and all its genres.

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