Oshi No Ko’smovie-length first episode released to resounding praise, quickly claiming the top spot on MAL. With a story hailed for its insightful, behind-the-scenes look at the world of showbiz, the anime had been highly anticipated indeed. Releasing in asuper stacked seasonto boot, it had a lot to live up to. It didn’t disappoint.
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Created by renowned Mangaka Aka Akasaka (story) and Mengo Yokoyari (art), Oshi No Ko tells a story that deftly juggles mystery, supernatural elements and a critical look at idols and idol culture. If its unique premise, gripping plot and charismatic characters have left you hungry for more, you should definitely check out the following similar shows as well.
A highly beloved series, Nana tells the story of two girls sharing the same name, who end up living with each other after they arrive in Tokyo chasing love and dreams. Nana Komatsu is a cheerful, naive romantic who comes to Tokyo to be with her boyfriend, while Nana Osaki is a punk vocalist looking to make a career in music after splitting with both her band and her boyfriend.
While Nana Osaki’s goal may seem the more apparent similarity between the two shows, it’s the depth of the characters, the mature tone of the anime and its themes of love, friendship and personal growth that will really resonate with Oshi No Ko fans.
9Tokyo Revengers
Both Oshi No Ko andTokyo Revengersshare similarities in their plots, albeit with different settings. Where the protagonist in Oshi No Ko is climbing the ranks of the entertainment industry to enact revenge, Tokyo Revengers sees its protagonist trying to climb the ranks of a delinquent gang to prevent a future tragedy.
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Apart from this basic plot structure, both anime also have supernatural forces at work. If you like this kind of underdog to top dog arc, you’ll definitely want to check this popular show out too.
8Smile Down The Runway
Where Oshi No Ko takes you backstage in the wider world of entertainment, Smile Down the Runway focuses specifically on the fashion industry. In a particularly difficult field, Chiyuki Fujito battles to forge a career as a model, despite the restrictive requirements she faces. Initially dismissed, her dreams seem unattainable till she discovers her classmate, Ikuto Tsumura, has tremendous potential as a designer.
Both anime take you behind the glitz and glamour of their respective fields, and give you a detailed look at the workings of each industry. If your professional curiosity is what led you here, both anime serve as a great workplace tour.
7Kaguya-Sama: Love Is War
Kaguya-sama: Love Is Waris one of the best romantic comedy andnon-battle shonen animeout there. Its quirky characters, hilarious shenanigans, and premise that pits two reluctant lovers in a battle to get the other to confess first is what made Aka Akasaka a household name among anime fans.
The show’s tone and genre could not be more different than his work on Oshi No Ko, which just goes to show how versatile he is. That classic style, particularly in how his characters can surprise you with their depth, is more than evident. Easter eggs in Oshi No Ko also confirm that it shares the same universe as Kaguya-sama, so you don’t want to miss out on either.
6Scum’s Wish
If Oshi No Ko’s art style looks familiar to you, it’s because you’ve seen it in Scum’s Wish. Created by Mengo Yokoyari, Scum’s Wish is a story about Hanabi and Mugi, two high school students whoseem like the perfect couple. However, in reality, both share the pain of being in love with someone they cannot be with, and use each other as a substitute instead.
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In both series, the characters carry a magnetism and darkness you can’t take your eyes away from. In tone, Scum’s Wish is actually more similar to Oshi No Ko than Kaguya-sama is, even though Mengo Yokoyari is credited for the art, not the story. Also like Oshi No Ko, it doesn’t hesitate to delve into the more mature, messy aspects of its subject matter.
5Summer Time Rendering
Summer Time Rendering is another anime that shares elements very similar to Oshi No Ko. It follows the story of Shinpei Ajiro, who returns to his hometowndevastated by the death ofhis childhood friend. Shinpei soon learns that her death may not have been an accident at all. Strange incidents keep happening, and an old folktale from his hometown resurfaces: If a person sees their doppelganger, they will die shortly after.
What makes both Oshi No Ko and Summer Time Rendering so compelling is the way they expertly combine their mystery and supernatural elements. In both cases, the main character is driven by the death of someone close, and works to find answers to the tragedy pragmatically. If you liked the supernatural aspects of Oshi No Ko, you’ll definitely like Summer Time Rendering as well.
4Rascal Does Not Dream Of Bunny Girl Senpai
One day, Sakuta Azusagawa spots a stranger loitering in his local library. To his surprise, and despite her efforts to be noticed, it seems like no-one else can see her. When he confronts her, Sakuta learns she is Mai Sakurajima, his senpai who was once a popular child actress. What’s more, she has slowly been turning invisible to the people around her, due to a rare disease among teenagers that manifests in supernatural symptoms.
Like Oshi No Ko, Bunny Girl Senpai delves into themes of emotional health and pressure within the world of show business (for some of its characters) combining them with a supernatural twist. While the focus in each anime differs, both contrast the real life and reel life of celebrities, humanizing them with emotionally engaging stories.
3Skip Beat!
Skip Beat! and Oshi No Ko both involve protagonists who get into showbiz to enact their revenge. Kyouko Mogami, unlike Aqua or Ruby, may not want to go so far as to kill the target of her revenge, but she isn’t lacking in intensity. She vows to become a bigger star than her celebrity ex-boyfriend, who used her and tossed her aside.
On the surface, Skip Beat! might seem like a more casual, comedic version of Oshi No Ko, but its characters share the complexity and emotional depth that makes Oshi No Ko so captivating. It also shows that performers, to put up convincing acts, are often forced to confront deep wounds and draw from their own trauma.
2Perfect Blue
Perfect Blue, by studio Madhouse, is perhaps one of themost recognizable animated filmsof its time. Even those who haven’t seen it will likely be familiar with some of its iconic stills. It follows the story of Mima, an ex-idol who leaves her group to pursue a career in acting. Unfortunately, what she hoped would be a fresh start quickly becomes nightmarish, as her career stalls, her former group’s popularity soars in her absence, and she is harassed by somebody who can’t accept she isn’t an idol anymore.
Perfect Blue doesn’t shy away from showcasing the most disturbing aspects of idol culture. As Mima slowly loses her grip on reality, her character resembles several of Oshi No Ko’s. Its dark outlook is especially mirrored in Oshi No Ko’s biting commentary of the hate and apathy so often spread on the internet.
1Vivy: Fluorite Eye’s Song
In spirit, Vivy is probably the closest anime to Oshi No Ko for a very simple reason: neither are actually idol anime. Where Oshi No Ko is a supernatural mystery set within the entertainment and idol industry, Vivy tells the story of an AI songstress who is tasked with preventing a war between humans and AI in the future.
Both anime share idols and the idol industry merely as a setting, with their plots focused on grander narratives. However, each vividly captures the magic idols and their music bring to the audience. Idol anime may not be for everyone, but both these shows, with their emotionally rich stories, universal themes andjaw-dropping animationare easy recommendations for anyone with even a casual interest in the subject.
