[SPOILERS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE SHOW]

So this anime blew up....A LOT. I honestly thought it was going to be boring as shit and just not my cup of tea because Idol anime were never really my favorite and I also barely seen any because it's just a bunch of music videos stitched together with an overdramatic plot. Of course this isn't EVERY Idol anime, but my impression and expectations were low nonetheless.....but then episode 1 premiered. I am not going to lie, it reallyy surprised me at first because this anime that looks so decent and just maybe meh became #1 on MAL?!?!?!? Then I searched on social media and google and it's just people telling me to watch it and thumbnails of people crying XDXD This indicated that some fuckery went on, and me being a bandwagon whore, I watched the first 1 HOUR AND 20 MINUTE first episode of Oshi No Ko.
The results??? A damn near masterpiece.

Let's get on with the pros gentleman.

Pros:

Animation-
OKAY SO! The animation DID NOT need to go that hard. This is for an Idol anime right? So I thought that it would be mid at best but at the first minute, it blew me away. It's so nice and so fluid! Characters could be standing and doing nothing and it would still be animated like if it was God himself. From the starry eyes to the nail art on the characters, it is so detailed and animated beautifully. The hair strands flowing in the air so naturally to the blinking of the hypnotic eyes of the characters, IT'S ALL JUST SO WONDERFUL. I legitimately have no complaints in the animation department, it is done so well. This was made by Doga Kobo which has done some noticeable works (Shikimori's Not Just A Cutie, Monthly Girls Nozaki-Kun, Plastic Memories, Umaru-Chan, etc) but none of them were able to capture what Oshi No Ko has as much. Most of their works are animated well, but not like Oshi No Ko. I can tell that they tried their damndest to make the show look as beautiful as possible and look so fluid. I commend Doga Kobo.

Story-
The storytelling in Oshi No Ko is great! Given that the same author made Kaguya-Sama Love is War! It is also confirmed to be in the same universe as Love is War which is CRAZY because these two are completely different tonally, maybe we will get a Kaguya cameo one day XD.
Okay so, the story is about an idol rising to popularity named Ai. Ai has recently been keeping a secret from the world, and that is her pregnancy from a anonymous man. A doctor who takes care of the physically ill and a fan of Ai encounters her in the hospital for labor. He promises to deliver her babies safely so that she can be a comfortable mother and a successful idol. The doctor also has a patient that was recently deceased and is the main cause of him becoming a big fan of Ai. One day a stranger took the doctors life and was reborn into one of Ai's children named Aquamarine. Another crazy fact, he is a twin with his sister who is named Ruby, also known by the audience as the deceased girl that the doctor took care of. Both of them gained consciousness and strived to keep Ai's secret and also be content with their lives as her children. That is, until one fateful day that spiraled the twins out of control. Ai has been killed by a stalker and are left to be raised by her managers. This event led to Aqua going into a dark path of revenge and Ruby's obsession into the idol world. The story tells the dark sides under the entertainment industry and how it can affect people in it. The consequences can be fatal.
Now I didn't expect this anime to delve deep into the entertainment world, I just expected an idol anime full of songs, dancing, and a bit of drama, BUT NO!! This shit blew me out of the water. Granted, I might be overreacting, but no, I actually really enjoy the story and the direction by Doga Kobo is magnificent. The first episode could indeed be a fucking movie cuz GODDAMN, 1 hour and 20 minutes?!?!? SHEEESSHH.
The progression is also really decently paced, with Aqua having his own plot. I would say there are 2 plots. Plot A is Aquas revenge story and him trying to find out about the person who indirectly killed Ai, so he goes into the entertainment industry to investigate and find out. Plot B is Ruby and friends banding together to make an idol group and rise into fame with Ruby wanting to respect the legacy of her mother. Out of these two, Aqua's is more interesting, but Ruby has her moments as well. We get a lot of information of how things work in the industry and how something so little can really ruin your life. There are things in the show that tells its audience of how things work and the consequences of people in it like greedy and corrupted higher ups, directors who slander the source material, misunderstandings, the toxic expectations, child actors, performing advice, cyberbullying, and a lot more. Oshi No Ko digs deep in scenarios that actually can happen in real life, like toxic fanbases that can completely destroy a persons life and child actors that get screwed over by the industry because they are not in their prime anymore. There's more to it but the main point is that Oshi No Ko writes the story very well, and I can't talk about it too long or this gonna go on forever, but the main story is the entertainment industry with other plot points such as Aqua's revenge and Ruby's dream of being an idol. All of this correlates into one big bow that hasn't been completed yet. (season 2 coming soon doe ;))

Now this part may be personal and is also the reason why I like Oshi No Ko so much. In episode 6, we go into a character named Akane. She is a very talented method actor and an improviser. She goes into this reality dating show that Aqua attended (with the intention of investigation) and has done a mistake. She accidentally hurt one of her co-workers during shooting. She was obviously very remorseful, but what came of it is one of the most heartbreaking and real shit I have ever seen. The directors edited and cut parts of what really happened which gave the audience an impression that Akane is a villain and should be bullied. Akane got cyberbullied and doxxed by online people who assume that the show is actually real and this is how she acts. It became so bad, that people in real life started to bully her. This led into a heartbreaking realization on what is going on. Akane became extremely depressed and suicidal. At some point, she was about to end it all until Aqua saved her.
It was actually really hard to watch and made me feel like shit for the rest of the day. This is because that I have experienced such things before. Not to get sentimental or anything but I was bullied HARD in middle school and in return, it gave me 2 years of pure suffering and depression. It doesn't help that one of my family members almost 'did it' successfully after their abusive relationship with a horrible person. It was a hard time which is why this episode kinda gave me PTSD and made me feel sick. Not to say it was bad, it was really well written and good, but I don't think I'll come back to that episode due to my personal trauma. It really tells how good a show is when it speaks to me that way. This specific episode also sparked quite a controversy.

This section is to give regards to the actual person who committed suicide that experienced the same thing. This episode was inspired by that situation, except that they didn't make it. I will send my condolences to the family members who experienced that and I hope that person can fly high :) Now, I will never forgive what the Oshi No Ko fandom has done. Ironic isn't it? A show that tells you that doing that shit like attacking and cyberbullying someone can be fatal, has a fanbase that did the exact same shit. The victims mother has spoken out that she doesn't find the episode very well due to her trauma. She is allowed to dislike it and I understand why she wouldn't watch the episode. So to say the FUCKING AUDACITY!! These people said disgusting things towards the mother and BULLIED HER!! The same fanbase from the same show, did what they were told NOT TO DO!! I have never been more pissed off to fandom before, other than Steven Universe. Whats worse is that Oshi No Ko fans also resorted to incest like BITCH WHAAATTTT?!?!?! I am disgusted with its fandom and I hope those mfs chug oiled and cooked roaches and crickets. I hope your parents divorce and make you go to military camp because you mofos obviously don't know how to behave. I hope you motherfuckers don't become parents and get circumcised. I hope you motherfuckers get bullied to hell and see how that feels. I outta razor your goofy ass haircut and throw you into a pit of ratas, stupid ass bitch.

I am getting hella sidetracked.

Characters-
The characters in Oshi No Ko are so dynamic and so non-1 dimensional that I am actually rooting for EVERYBODY. I have none or very few complaints about the characters, but save those for the cons. I really like everyone, so let's get on as to WHY I like them.
-Aqua is a cunning, intelligent, and manipulative motherfucker. He could do ANYTHING just to get closer to his real father. Bro could be oiled up and naked with a clown mask in public if it would mean to get closer to his revenge goal. He can be very intimidating and sometimes questionable when it comes to his actions. He has a very "i dont care" attitude, but that could be further from the truth. In the midst of his revenge, he actually cares about the people around him and never goes too far if he needs them for something. He went above in beyond to find his father, he got into Ai's personal phone by trying her password 400 times, he got into a show to be close with the director (who knows Ai) and got a DNA test from him using a cigarette, he does any and all deals the director tells him to just to gain a bit of information, he gets close to Akane because she is associated with a theater that Ai was in, he is going to be in a production by the same theater just to get closer, and brother doesn't even like acting XDXD But, the moments where he actually cares is so heartwarming. He saved Akane from suicide, he did a video collage of her to regain her reputation, supports Ruby and her friends with her dream of being an idol, bro pretended to be Pieyon to comfort Kana, showed up at their concert to give Kana and others confidence. You cannot tell me this man is a sweetheart deep inside. He isn't 100% a ruthless revenge filled villain, which is why I love Aqua as a character.
-Ruby is a hyper, passionate, kind, and extroverted character that brings joy and life into any scene. While we have the dark and broody plot A, we have the lighthearted and fun plot B. Ruby wants to respect her mothers legacy so she wanted to create an idol group with the same name as Ai's, B Komachi. Although Ruby is less prominent in the show than Aqua, she still has her moments such as the last 2 episodes. She really shines when she comforts other characters, show her willpower in becoming an idol even with her average skills, and also has a bit of jealousy when it comes to her brother. Now I know it's weird that her and Aqua are overprotective of each other, but I just see it as a sibling bond and it makes sense given their backstory. Ofc, mfs will be weird basement dwellers and ship them :/ but yeah, Ruby is so kind and has a lot of features like Ai's which can be uncanny to some. I do know that she becomes a better character soon in the manga and I cannot wait (I saw a panel of her dark star eyes and she looks insane).
-Kana is hardworking, sassy, playful, and smug asf. She was an annoying and narcissistic child when she met Aqua, but she became my second favorite character. Kana and Aqua's interactions are always golden considering that she is so overdramatic and sassy with him that it's fun seeing a polar opposite of someone to Aqua. Aqua always deals with her shit, but he never lets go of their friendship and actually has a liking to her. Kana used to be a child actor, but since her 'prime' days are over, she struggles to find work now that she's older. That can resonate with many child actors who no longer could find work. Instead she is stuck with subpar productions and can be manipulated by higher ups. Her acting performances are really good though which is why I get pissed when people underestimate her XD But the best part about her character is how she has very low self-esteem. She acts like she is super confident, but he self doubts way too much and never has confidence which is the opposite to what she acts on the outside. Her childhood acting days rattled her so much that she doubts anything she does like singing, dancing, and acting when she does those things far better than anyone else. Which is very relatable to many women and men and also can be inspiring when she overcomes it at the end (for the most part) and decides to just have fun and do her best. She won't satisfy everyone and that is ok because she has her friends and her own fans for support. I honestly am rooting for Aqua and Kana ;)
-Akane became the star of episode 6 and 7 due to how dark it was. I really feel sorry for her and I cannot wait to see more of her in season 2. Akane is also super passionate, but she worries too much and is super nervous. She can also be super talented, especially with acting. Although she is shy and sensitive, she can bring a big ass performance. She is so good, that Aqua genuinely got so shook that he started tweakin for the rest of the episode XDXD Her Ai impression in episode 7 genuinely got me that I really think she pulled Ai's soul out of the shadow realm and put it in her body bruv XD But yeah, her episode is a masterpiece and I am really rooting for her. Although I do like her and Aqua interacting as well, it doesn't feel as authentic than Aqua and Kana. Probably because her and Aqua are more like work buddies than anything else, but she does have a crush on him in a way. (I still am with Aqua x Kana). There isn't much of her, but I know we will see more of her next season which is her theater. The arc is known as 2.5D Stage Play which where her and the others can really shine, so I am excited.
-Mem is a character that is not shown as much as the others, but does have her moments. She's really quirky, stylish, cutesy, and a passionate streamer who wants to become an idol. She is shown in the reality dating tv show with Aqua, but her character rose into being in Ruby's idol group. She is also known to be popular in streaming which is how she gained a lot of fans in the idol industry. She is also shown to give a lot of advice towards others due to experience. I didn't expect her to be 25 years old, yet here we are XDXD She gave a lot of advice to Ruby, Aqua, and Akane whenever they are in a situation, which I appreciate. I hope I get to see more of her character.
-Miyako is also a character in the show that was mean, but became nicer except it's after episode 1 :3 She used to be a gold digger in a way and was pissed about the whole situation since she had to babysit Ruby and Aqua in episode 1. She raised both Aqua and Ruby after their mother was killed which is why I came to like her after episode 1. She is obviously a mother figure and I love how she is so supportive of Ruby and Aqua and raised them very well. She also gives advice and context to the industry world like Mem :3 Momma Miyako Supremacy
-Ai Hoshino. The moment has finally arrived. I cannot believe how much the advertisements did us dirty XDXD I assumed she was the main character since she was EVERYWHERE. But....the next day the mf was dead :( I cannot believe how they managed to make me cry, they hyped her up and gave her a character arc only for her to never show up again >:,( She was quite immature and clumsy when it comes to motherhood given that she was 16 when in labor, but her love for her children and her efforts gave me a smile to my face. She is also extremely charismatic and has a dark undertone to her. She has never loved anyone before, so for her personal sake, she got kids to see if she would feel human. She had a rough childhood so I understood why she is the way she is. People fell in love with her in the 1st ep only to TAKE HER AWAY FROM US RAAAHHHHH. Her last speech made me cry buckets, and I never really cried on much anime other than like 3 so for an anime to make me cry, it deserves a high score. She is a wonderful person and mother and is very talented. If she didn't die, she would've had a successful career with her children and the thought of it makes me depressed because ITS NOT REAAALLL >:O Great character, fuck the marketing team XDXD

There are other minor characters in the show, but they have a little to no importance, but the ones that do are the director, Taishi, Gorou, and Sarina. You will see these 3 more in episode 1 and 2, other than that, not as important as the other characters. (They do have major importance in episode 1, but I only rate the ones that are shown throughout most of the show)

Voice Acting-
JP VA's NEVER MISS!!! They all did a swell job, especially Ai's VA. She absolutely slayed brotha and her speech had the audacity to make me cry. I would like to applaud Rie Takahashi for her performance as Ai and would give her the award as the best one in the show. OBVIOUSLY everyone did a fantastic job in the JP department. Now, whoever the fuck did the dub in HiDive deserves to walk in ice with no socks and I hope your room is hot as fuck at night to the point where you develop insomnia with your bitch ass. The dub absolutely SLANDERS the sub and it's absolutely criminal how they fucked up Ai's speech at the end. Sentai dubs were always so garbage, their sound equipment sound like they got it from a guys Call of Duty headset with their tiny ass microphone. Sentai dub also slandered the fuck out of Vinland Sagas dub, thank the lawd that Netflix picked it up and did a better job than that pile of excrement.

Soundtrack-
A thing that no one I see talks about is the music in Oshi No Ko. I swear, most of the parts where I started to cry is because of the soundtrack!! Oshi No Ko has music that is mixed with piano and violin, and if you know me, music like that gets me more wet than me in ovulation week past 12 AM at night. Violin music is underrated as fuck and I'm tired of pretending that it is MIDDDD!!! Oshi No Ko's music is fantastic and when that violin hits, IT HITS. The intro will go down as one of the most popular intros in anime, but what I don't see appreciation in is the outro. I admit, the outro actually gets me more than the intro. The outro is absolutely gorgeous and emotional, so that gets a reward for the most underrated piece of music in the show :D I hope they continue to orchestrate PEAK next season.

Art Style-
I cannot say it enough, but OSHI NO KO IS GORGEOUS. I love love love the eyes as the characters. They all have galaxy starry eyes that are just so well drawn and is consistent throughout the entire show!! I also love the smooth, scribbly, and stringy art design everyone has, it really heightens the aesthetic and atmosphere of the show. The art style actually kind of reminds me of Kyoto Animations art, specifically Silent Voice and Violet Evergarden. I really have no complaints. I like how the art style changes when something dark happens. Characters eyes no longer become galaxy like and instead just black with a smidge of their og color, it can be creepy. Another example is when Aqua's star eyes change and become black, it means that some fuckery is about to happen. Akane unlocking her starringan is also another example. I don't know how else to describe it, it's GREAT.

Now, cock sucking is over, I am going to the cons gentleman.

Cons:

Story-
The story of Oshi No Ko is great, but I do have a few issues. The pacing can be quite slow sometimes and there are a lot of complaints about that. Personally, it doesn't bother me that much, but it does feel like a tonal whiplash when we go through something so heavy and horrific then HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY. Not a major issue, BUT I did have an issue with one particular scene. I believe it was episode 2 when Aqua and Taishi were having a moment together, but the mother kept interrupting. It felt more annoying than comedic and completely took away the moment. There hasn't been other issues like that in the rest of the show thankfully, but the pacing feels a bit slow at times and a few moments of tonal whiplash :0

Characters-
Ruby is the main issue I have in the character department. Other than her being friendly and wanting to become an idol, what else is there to her? She's one of the few that has less character than the rest. I wish we had more of a other side to her. She is also missing half the time because the story really wants to focus on Aqua, which granted is a bit more interesting but they could have spiced up Rubys plot a bit more. I do like that she has her moments, specifically the last 3 eps and Pieyons ep but I hope they make me like her more in the future and her arc becomes more interesting. Other than that, she needs more character and spice up her arc and screen time :3

So guys, that'll be it for today. My back hurts because I have been typing for 3 hours like my usual reviews :D This show is a big surprise and I cannot wait for season TWOA

Oshi No Ko gets a 9/10 because fuck yeah, good show >:D

Side Note- Pieyon is kinda--- HEAR ME OUT HEAR ME OUT, the things I would do to this MAN. I would [REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED] and [REDACTED][REDACTED][REDACTED] LIKE LAWDY SHAW-[REDACTED][REDACTED].