Oshi no Ko Anime/Manga Comparison Part 2

 

    Welcome back to Beyond The Anime for another anime/manga comparison, the second half of the hit Spring 2023 show Oshi no Ko! My first comparison covered episodes 1-5 of the anime series, which adapted manga volumes 1&2. This review will discuss volumes 3&4 and the rest of season 1. Spoilers ahead! 
    Each arc in this series so far has explored a new part of the entertainment industry - first a successful idol group, then a struggling TV miniseries, and now a reality dating show and a beginner idol group. The alternating perspectives of Aqua and Ruby really plays up their different approaches to show business. Aqua is a firm believer in using lies to protect himself, while Ruby strives to be open and honest at the start of her career.

 Ruby's shocked response to Aqua's TV persona in the manga is slightly different from its anime counterpart - she says her "brother is a dark type with an introvert aura", almost like she's comparing Aqua to a Pokémon.

    The dating show arc introduces a great group of new characters, including Akane and Mem-cho who are now series regulars. While the story itself is largely the same in both manga and anime form, there are subtle differences between the two, starting with something as simple as the name - in the manga, the dating show is called "Love For Real" (short for "We're about to fall in love for real"), and the anime version's title is "Love Now". 

     Aqua is playing the "nice guy" role (and secretly finds it exhausting) just as he would for an acting job, with his only goal being to cruise through this show and get the director to reveal some new tidbits of info about Ai, but some struggled with the dating show format more than others. The teenage cast members chat about the show towards the beginning of the arc, and Mem-cho offers some advice. "What they want from us now is something more extreme." Akane wrote this down in her notepad, and is later shown reflecting on it when her manager was yelled at because she wasn't making a strong enough impression. This sentiment seemed to add to Akane's feeling that she would have to push herself outside her comfort zone to stand out. 

    It's interesting that the anime version adds an extra line: "People these days want to see something more extreme. Well, your options depend on how much of a risk you can handle." This foreshadows the incident that follows very well, when Akane accidentally hurts Yuki while trying to take on more than she could handle - playing the "villain" role as suggested by the crew.

Aqua rescuing Akane, full page image from manga

    While the majority of the emotional scenes unfold the same way in the manga as they did in the anime, a few parts hit even harder. There were even more hurtful messages towards Akane shown in the manga. I won't repeat them here, but there was an added focus on the comments criticizing her mother (which was one of the things that seemed to trigger Akane's guilt the most) and those saying that they wanted Akane to "disappear". The anime saved the harshest comment for last, but in the manga, there were other similar remarks to break her spirit. 

    In the scene where Aqua saves Akane on the bridge, the main differences are in the way this scene is framed between the anime and manga. The chilling picture of Akane in a warm atmosphere, when she seems relieved before abruptly switching to show the reality of the situation, that she's standing in the rain with a depressed look on her face, was only in the anime. The manga also includes an extra shot of Aqua pulling Akane from the ledge at an angle that shows Akane's legs were fully over the other side as she was in the process of falling, which really heightened the sense of urgency. 

    In the anime, right before finding out that Aqua was taken to the police station following the rescue, Kana says everyone has a few flaws and something about them that can give rise to criticism. Her line in the manga, while expressing the same sentiment, does so with a dose of sarcasm that seems very fitting for Kana: "You know what they say - those who have no vices have seven, those who do have fourty-eight. Everyone has a flaw or two. We've all got something that could make us targets." The heartwarming solution, a video made by all of Akane's friends within the Love Now cast, was the same in both versions, but actually getting to hear the soundtrack by teen musician Kengo along with Mem-cho's pictures was a nice touch.

Nobuyuki comforts Yuki after the incident

    A short extra chapter at the end of volume 3, which was not adapted in the anime, shows Yuki blames herself (at least partially) for what happened with Akane. She mentions trying to "light a fire" under her, likely as an attempt to help Akane stand out when she was struggling, and Nobuyuki reassures her that it's not her fault. Yuki's actions can come off as a bit ambiguous at times, especially with the reveal that she was fully aware the camera was rolling when she forgave Akane for slapping her. Even though I feel her genuine care and concern for Akane came across well enough in the anime, this scene goes a long way towards showing without a doubt how she truly feels. It also gives some nice behind the scenes relationship build up for YukiYuki as a real couple supporting each other during a difficult time. 

The new B-Komachi, left to right: Mem-cho, Ruby & Kana

    The following arc about Ruby reviving her mother's idol group is much more lighthearted than the one that precedes it, while still keeping the focus on a group dynamic of young stars supporting each other. Ruby's approach is completely different from her brother's, as she says right away that she doesn't want their first video together to be based on a lie (in other words, a staged event), and happily welcomes Mem-cho into the new B-Komachi along with Kana because she believes that anyone should have the chance to be an idol. 

    One of the highlights in the anime adaptation of Japan Idol Fest, much like the premiere episode focused on Ai, is actually getting to hear B-Komachi's songs and see their dance choreography on stage. It really adds to the hype of watching the characters in concert.

Mem-cho's reaction when Aqua invites her to join the new B-Komachi

        Just as I noted in my review of the first half, the artwork of the manga is adapted beautifully in the anime down to the smallest details. In scenes like the one pictured above, the vibrant colors of the anime enhance the backgrounds - lighting up the city at night, and the stage during their performance. The anime takes full advantage of this during Ruby and Kana's heart to heart talk before the show, moving the scene from an average backstage room to a hallway with large windows displaying a brilliant sunset.

    The only visual choice that seemed a bit off in the anime was Aqua's black star eye when he was bickering with Kana (as usual). In the manga version of this scene, he was simply shown with the "dark type" aura Ruby described hanging over them as a visual representation of his frustration. The black star seems purposeful, tied to his thoughts of revenge against his father, so it looked out of place in this context, but that was the only misstep. 

Kana in her music video, "Full Moon"

    A cool addition in the anime is Pieyon's boot dance, which Ruby and Kana participate in for their special reveal on his YouTube channel, being shown in step-by-step detail with a very catchy soundtrack. It plays like a real exercise video, and I've even seen an hour-long version on YouTube for anyone who wants to try the Pieyon challenge. Likewise, Kana's music video for "Full Moon" was also played in full - visuals, lyrics, and all. Aqua's glowstick dance was hilariously awesome as well, and I enjoyed seeing all three of the girls react to it (instead of solely focusing on Kana in the manga). It was clear that a lot of care went into these scenes for the adaptation, making good use of the anime medium. 

   This is a very faithful adaptation, so most of the changes are minor - like Aqua and Akane's ice cream date taking place in a café in the manga and an outside venue in the anime, or an extra scene in the manga where several aspiring idols ask Mem-cho for her autograph backstage. However, there was one chapter from volume 4 that didn't make it into the anime. 

Mana, an idol watching Ruby perform at Japan Idol Fest

     After the new B-Komachi's first concert was a success, another idol who was performing that day was shown watching Ruby shine on stage, and that led her to realize she could never be that same kind of star. It was an interesting look at the way an idol can become disillusioned if their dream doesn't exactly match up to the reality, but it also didn't feel like much was lost by leaving it out. 

Ruby shines on stage at Japan Idol Fest

    When I first watched the anime, I was surprised by how quickly the Idol Fest storyline wrapped up to tease the next arc, the stage play Tokyo Blade, but it was the same way in the manga as well. There were even a few anime-only additions offering hints at what's to come, like showing Melt practicing his lines in his first appearance since the Sweet Today arc from volume 2, and Ruby visiting her mother's grave as she and Aqua are being watched by a crow. That final shot gives the ending a more ominous vibe than the manga, which concludes with Tokyo Blade's director playing up the rivalry between Akane and Kana that's about to happen on stage. 

These two are competing for more than just Aqua. Season 2 hype!

    This completes my Oshi no Ko anime/manga comparison until season 2! At the time of this posting, the collected manga volumes of Oshi no Ko have caught up with the anime but will not yet move past it until volume 5 releases in February. However, anyone who wants to read ahead can find the full series up to the latest chapters on Manga Plus. The manga is definitely worth a read, even for fans who have already seen the anime.  

    For more spring anime comparisons and reviews, check out my Favorites of Spring 2023 where Oshi no Ko won big, my Insomniacs After School anime/manga comparison and Otaku Elf history facts. Stay tuned for my Favorite Manga of 2023 and Favorite Anime of 2023 rankings, coming soon! 

Oshi no Ko is currently streaming on HiDive, and Amazon Prime's HiDive channel. The manga is available in print and ebook, and on MangaPlus. 

*Images from the Oshi no Ko anime and manga, screenshots taken by me. Banner made by me in Canva.