Oshi no Ko has used its unique plot and storytelling to become a powerhouse of the season. The numbers certainly don’t lie, with the original manga passing over 12 million copies in circulation recently. HIDIVE had even stated that the anime has become the streaming service’s #1 series launch in the platform’s history. There’s no doubt that Oshi no Ko took the anime world by storm, but how did it fare with younger audiences?
Recently, the Japanese website Otana Answer polled over 2,500 young Japanese anime fans on what their favorite/what the best anime has been in 2023 so far. An overwhelming majority have said that Oshi no Ko was their favorite this year.
The top ten answers for “Best anime of 2023” based on the same poll were cited as:
-
- Oshi no Ko
- Tokyo Revengers Season 2
- Demon Slayer: The Swordsmith Village Arc
- My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999
- Magic and Muscles
- Pokemon
- The Dangers in My Heart
- Uma Musume: Pretty Derby- Road to the Top
- Blue Orchestra
- Konosuba- An Explosion on This Wonderful World
Oshi no Ko: Road to the Best Series of 2023 So Far
The list itself is pretty dynamic, showing that it’s not just one genre ruling them all. While many of the titles have aspects of comedy, there is always something more there. Still, the dark fantasy drama Oshi no Ko was able to rise to the top. This love for Oshi no Ko is, again, unsurprising with just how the franchise as a whole has been treated. Before the end of season 1, it had received an announcement for an upcoming season 2. At the same time, it had received a behind-the-scenes documentary, special looks before its initial release, and much more promotional material to bring fans together.
At this time, it is unknown when season 2 of the Oshi no Ko anime will officially air. It is expected to be available sometime in 2024. Currently, Shueisha’s Manga Plus platform is releasing manga in English. It can also be purchased physically from Yen Press.