Oshi no Ko has unveiled 14 fresh illustrations in honor of Nov. 4's "li Oshi no Hi" day, an annual event commemorating the franchise's inception in 2019.
As per Anime News Network, Oshi no Ko shared the official creators' artwork through a press release. With fans eagerly anticipating the second season of the series, li Oshi no Hi day gives them an opportunity to pay tribute to their beloved characters through exciting new visuals.
Oshi no Ko's director, Daisuke Hiramaki, along with assistant director Chao Nekotomi, character designers Kanna Hirayama and Shun Sawai, and chief animation directors Tomoya Atsumi and Miki Matsumoto, are among the creative team behind the new artwork. Other animators involved in the project include Takeshi Osame, Kenji Sawada, Asami Hayakawa, Honoka Yokoyama, Kimiaki Mizuno, and Ayaka Muroga. Yūsuke Yamamoto, who directed the opening sequence, and Naoya Nakayama, who directed the ending sequence and music video, also contributed illustrations.
The events in the Oshi no Ko anime series take place in the ruthless world of Japanese show business. The series follows the story of Gorou Amemiya, a doctor who takes it upon himself to secretly deliver the child of a pregnant young starlet named Ai Hoshino. He does this to help her make a scandal-free return to the stage. However, his good deed ends tragically when he is killed by Ai's delusional stalker on the night of her delivery. Miraculously, he is reborn as Ai's child, Aquamarine Hoshino. The glamorous facade of the entertainment industry hides its dark side, putting his favorite star's success at risk. Can he assist his new mother in achieving stardom? And what will he do when an unthinkable disaster strikes?
Aka Akasaka, the creator of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War, and Mengo Yokoyari, the creator of Scum's Wish, collaborated on the award-winning Oshi no Ko manga, which has been adapted into an anime series. Since April 2020, the manga has been serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Young Jump. The first volume was released in July 2020, and as of July 2023, it consists of 12 standalone volumes. Shueisha has licensed the English version of the manga for its Manga Plus app, while Yen Press publishes the series in English.
In August 2023, Akasaka announced that there would be a hiatus for Oshi no Ko due to health reasons. "I became ill some time ago, and after discussing it with those involved, I decided to take a month-long break. I apologize for this interruption. As I write this message, I have fully recovered and am ready to deliver my best," stated the creator.
Oshi no Ko Season 1 is available to stream on HIDIVE. A date has not yet been set for Season 2, which is expected to be released sometime in 2024 or 2025.
Source: Anime News Network
Editor's P/S
As a fan of Oshi no Ko, I am thrilled to see the release of these new illustrations in celebration of Oshi no Hi. The creators have truly outdone themselves with these stunning pieces of art, which capture the essence of the series and its characters so beautifully. I especially love the illustration by Daisuke Hiramaki, which depicts the main character, Gorou Amemiya, in a tender moment with his mother, Ai Hoshino. It's a heartwarming and emotional scene that perfectly encapsulates the bond between these two characters.
Overall, I think these new illustrations are a fantastic way to celebrate Oshi no Ko and its fans. They're a testament to the hard work and dedication of the creative team behind the series, and I can't wait to see what they have in store for us in the future.