Oshi No Ko produces once again a high quality show. However, was it really that good (This review has full-spoilers considering people have watched the first season)?
To be fair, I genuinely was mesmerized by the first season show of this anime series - I might be able to write a review about this eventually, but I have decided that it would be rather apt if I went backward instead of dwelling on it from the beginning. I was in-awe not only due to performance but also the appreciative quality that had been displayed throughout the entirety of the show, along with the direction of casting and perspective given were immaculate at best. Overall, it did generate overwhelming and dramatic scenes in the most epic way possible, leaving their audience craving for more as the storytelling narrative, intricate details, including the overall detailed efforts put during that season providing an immense experience; a sight to behold.
However, if lying is the highest form of love, then everything about Oshi No Ko also is what has been so wrong regarding the entertainment industry.
The scene where Kana got stumped by one of La La Lai actors, Taiki Himekawa, indicates the begining of 2nd Season.
"By straying itself from the current plot, Oshi No Ko delivers goods, which is also where the problem begins."
Alright, I am not going to be more specific about this. We all know what we have been waiting for - Tokyo Blade arc. And the awaiting was worth it: By straying itself from the current plot, Oshi No Ko delivers goods, which is also where the problem begins.
First of all, not only the fact that the main plot will be partially annihilated if not covered by the caveat of which aforementioned show is being used as a device whereas it becomes the McGuffin of this series, but also it diverts the direction that Oshi No Ko currently possessed with the main premise of an ideal revenge, one that is done out of love for his own idol, which appears to give this show a lot of meanings. So, the only problem here is that the transition shift to this plotline was hardly smooth let alone seamless, which is rather disappointed considering this used to be this series' main prowess when it comes to show's delivery. Instead, its reliant on "La La Lai production" concept as the telltale of the story was too blatant, as if directly telling, "Hey, this show is about Ai, so it makes sense to add them as the plot device." but prefers to refuse on elaborating what it is about in a deeper aspect, not to mention the sudden arise of conflicts provided just in the beginning of this show, vaguely obscuring the current plot device that was strayed from the previous one to be abandoned even further.
If you happen to be a manga reader, I will give you the context: When you read it, have you ever felt anything that stuck during each panel or whether that something was a bit too static with too many implications during this arc? If yes, I feel you then, because it really was the case. Such a per chapter transition that was supposed to be seamless becoming rather frigid if not dense, as if the water has transformed into an ice cube, which also means we need to 'crush' the plot by biting if not nibbling it into small bits, leaving you in distaste considering the arise of conflict was supposed to be taken aback for a little while, therefore not this earlier. From the sudden shock to a sudden critic out of nowhere, this show was supposed to be better at its delivery. To me, this was longer Oshi No Ko series I would recognize, with some of scenes felt like ones made out of slideshow despite these characters apparent movement. But hey, at least it's not power presentation despite it being an obvious flaw as the show's first ever mistake.
However, this wasn't even the main problem, but rather the beginning of implications whereas our main character claimed to 'struggle' yet survived anyway: The main issue actually occurs when this show couldn't give anything other than what was provided in manga therefore it did become a show that solely adapted the manga without giving an extra variant that used to be the recipe formula of this series, from Aqua saving all of heroines possible, to the "shocking" (MEH) reveal regarding the true nature of this series once it has strayed from the current plot which is, again, the ideal form of revenge.
Both of these were me getting overwhelmed by Tokyo Blade arc as Aqua, while also getting mesmerized too as Kana.
This scene honestly was hilarious.
McGuffin-aside, Tokyo Blade really was a great arc, given the way 2.5 D narrative was being compelling once integrated into the plot, it gves you another perspective to see in the entertainment industry: Not only it was rough but also would become a failure once you couldn't resist. The do-or-die situation was clear here, the comedic plot really was getting me invested, which is the kind niche of Oshi No Ko I would recognize it for. Meanwhile, the absurdity of some other scenes were displayed perfectly - mangaka authors that were in-debate, roasting and insulting each other with sickburn punchlines while working on lots of chapters in a day surely was a hilarious remark to see. Not to mention the scene whereas Kana and Akane bickering each other with some cynical and edgy remarks, sarcastically referring to each other with names while pushing each other into the cliff of despair, with none of their partners were even trying to stop them and instead they sit back and watch the way it unfolded. My goodness, it really was much better akin to the show, as the plot finally revealed how it was back then and why they did what they did in-before.
I really love the fact that she was genuinely terrifying by the presence of their aura, which adds more to the comedic aspect of this show.
Now, put-aside all of these as the complexity didn't stop there. "Now, what about Ruby?" must be the next concern here given she is the main heroine, as in if Aqua is the hero then she is the heroine - alright... stop with that joke, it's no longer funny as I really want to put Aka into coffin for making this canon.
Well, here comes the most troublesome part...
I got to be honest with all of you, it's not that I have a disdain towards Ruby, let alone with her arc on itself. It's just that seeing where everything has been rough from the beginning, you wouldn't expect more. Now, I'm not going to spoil you with anything as it will ruin the show as a whole - trust me, you don't want to know - but in a hindsight, as an anime audience, you may think, "Yeah, this is good for the show. Ruby finally got the spotlight." However, this is exactly where the troublesome lies. Not only that the plot completely ruined, done and dusted, once Tokyo Blade arc ended, this also was the beginning of where such an issue should have been avoided earlier. And once more, too many characters insertion and conflicts that arise at once were too overwhelming with the direction of this show was akin to Christoper Colombus' Santa Maria ship before it was sunk by the storm during his most important voyage. And yes, I feel like it needs to be mentioned given the ambiguity of direction this series currently holds as well.
Overall, was it really that good? I must say it is despite with a lot of 'buts' in the end. For instance, it really is good but there shouldn't be too many slide scenes that ruin the artstyle's potential with those static background scenes. Or else, it really is good but the direction was nowhere and instead, the ship just sailing in the middle of ocean, literally a nowhere place to reach its destination. However, credit where its due, it gives you once more quite a compelling show despite of its flaws. And as the show begins to be more or less better than its predecessor, but also getting worsened in some aspects. The music and sound aspect were really good, the artstyle was a sight to behold the visuals were compelling, the voice actors were great, and that arc was immense: Which is disappointing because this season will always be known for Tokyo Blade but nothing else meaningful afterwards despite being the McGuffin that is provided as a cherry on top in this series.
Alright, that's all and to end this review, enjoy these scenes of Akane pouting below:
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