Are you looking for anime like Oshi no Ko, Doga Kobo’s masterpiece? If the dramatic plot, gripping storytelling, and unique idol premise hooked you, this list of anime like Oshi no Ko is for you!
Oshi no Ko follows Gorou Amamiya, an obstetrician who delivers the children of famous pop idol Ai Hoshino. On the night of the birth, tragedy strikes as an obsessed fan murders Gorou. However, the story takes a strange turn when Gorou finds himself reborn as Ai’s son, Aquamarine (Aqua for short), retaining his memories from his past life.
Little does he know, his twin sister Ruby is also a reincarnation, holding the soul of Sarina Tendouji, another Ai fan who passed away. Together, the twins take on the demanding world of entertainment while Aqua grapples with the mystery of his mother’s murder.
While there’s no replica of this series, we’ve compiled seven anime like Oshi no Ko that capture similar themes.
7 anime like Oshi no Ko: From idol series to mystery titles
Love Live! School Idol Project
Oshi no Ko explores the competitive world of professional idols, showcasing the industry’s intense training, sacrifices, and dark side. We see the rise of B-Komachi, a group striving to make it big, focusing on its members’ struggles and motivations.
Love Live! School Idol Project is an idol anime like Oshi no Ko that offers a more lighthearted and inspirational take on idol culture. It follows Honoka Kosaka, a girl determined to save her school from closure due to declining enrollment. Inspired by popular school idol groups, Honoka rallies her friends to form their idol group, μ’s (pronounced “muse”).
Love Live! shines in its animation and portrayal of captivating stage performances. Like Oshi no Ko’s B-Komachi, μ’s faces challenges like choreography, songwriting, and self-doubt. But their journey is filled with heart, friendship, and catchy tunes that ignite your inner fan.
If you’re obsessed with the energetic performances of B-Komachi in Oshi no Ko, you’ll enjoy the infectious energy of μ’s in Love Live! School Idol Project.
The Idolmaster
The Idolmaster (stylized THE iDOLM@STER) is an idol anime like Oshi no Ko that dives into the same world of aspiring idols chasing their dreams.
While Oshi no Ko throws you into the whirlwind of B-Komachi’s rising fame, The Idolmaster offers a contrasting perspective. It follows 765 Production, a talent agency similar to Ichigo Production, Inc., nurturing a group of hopeful idols.
While it is an idol anime like Oshi no Ko, The Idolmaster takes a more intimate approach. Each episode focuses on a different idol’s backstory, exploring their motivations for chasing stardom and the challenges they overcome.
Unlike Oshi no Ko’s focus on the initial climb to fame, The Idolmaster explores the pressure of maintaining success. It showcases the intense demand idols experience to maintain a perfect image and deliver showstopping performances consistently.
If you enjoyed Oshi no Ko’s portrayal of idol life but want to see the other side of the coin, The Idolmaster is a perfect choice. It offers a deeper look into the workings of talent agencies and the challenges faced by idols who are already in the spotlight.
Kaguya-sama: Love is War
Kaguya-sama: Love is War, created by the same author as Oshi no Ko, Aka Akasaka, dives into the world of high school romance. However, unlike the dramatic twists of Oshi no Ko, Kaguya-sama is a romantic comedy.
It follows the story of Kaguya Shinomiya and Miyuki Shirogane, two prideful members of the student council who are secretly in love with each other. The catch? They’re both too prideful to confess their feelings first, so they participate in elaborate schemes and mind games to try and make the other confess.
Despite the genre differences, both Kaguya-sama and Oshi no Ko showcase Aka Akasaka’s talent for crafting complex characters. While Oshi no Ko delves into heavier themes, Kaguya-sama explores its characters’ difficult past through humor.
Both anime feature Aka Akasaka’s signature wit, with unexpected comedic moments that will leave you laughing.
Interestingly, both Oshi no Ko and Kaguya-sama: Love is War exist in the same universe, though their stories don’t directly interact. This fun fact is revealed in the fictional manga “Sweet Today,” a title read by characters in both series.
Nana
Nana, another anime like Oshi no Ko, focuses on young women in the music industry and offers a more grounded experience compared to the latter’s fantastical elements. It follows two polar opposite women, both named Nana, who become roommates in Tokyo, Japan.
Nana Osaki, a punk rock singer with a fiery personality, chases her musical dreams with her band, the Black Stones. Nana Komatsu (often nicknamed Hachi), a kind-hearted girl, moves to Tokyo to be with her boyfriend.
Despite their contrasting personalities, the two Nanas form a strong friendship. However, as their lives unfold, they face the harsh realities of love, ambition, and the music industry.
Both Nana and Oshi no Ko explore themes of friendship, young adulthood, and chasing dreams in a demanding industry. They also delve into the emotional rollercoaster of love and loss, particularly within the context of the music scene.
Kageki Shoujo!!
Kageki Shoujo!!, an anime like Oshi no Ko, dives deep into the demanding world of acting. It offers a thematic counterpart to Oshi no Ko’s exploration of the idol industry.
The story centers around Sarasa Watanabe, a student who dreams of portraying traditionally male roles. She auditions for a prestigious all-girls acting school alongside Ai Narumi, a disgraced J-pop idol. Despite their contrasting backgrounds, both girls are accepted and thrown into a rigorous training program.
Both Oshi no Ko and Kageki Shoujo!! depict the intense pressures and sacrifices young people face in pursuit of their dreams within the entertainment industry. They showcase the cutthroat competition and the emotional toll that comes with striving for excellence.
While Oshi no Ko focuses on the glitz and the other side of the idol world, Kageki Shoujo!! offers a more grounded look at the dedication and discipline required for a career in acting.
Skip Beat
Skip Beat! and Oshi no Ko share a surprising similarity: a protagonist fueled by revenge within show business.
An anime like Oshi no Ko, Skip Beat! follows Kyoko Mogami, a selfless young woman who devoted herself to supporting her childhood friend, Sho Fuwa, in his dream of becoming a pop idol. However, her world shatters when she discovers he only sees her as a maid, not a friend or potential lover. Infuriated by his betrayal, Kyoko goes on a path of revenge — to surpass Sho in the entertainment industry and prove her worth.
While Oshi no Ko’s Aqua seeks to uncover the truth behind his mother’s murder, both protagonists are driven by a sense of injustice. They enter a competitive world they weren’t initially passionate about, fueled by a desire to overcome someone who wronged them.
Both Skip Beat! and Oshi no Ko present a bleak show business, highlighting the intense pressure, manipulation, and sacrifices aspiring stars face.
Additionally, both narratives feature strong female leads who defy expectations and handle the entertainment world on their terms.
Erased
Erased, an anime like Oshi no Ko, features a protagonist trapped in extraordinary circumstances who must solve a past mystery with tragic consequences.
The story follows Satoru Fujinuma, a young man with a strange ability — he can travel back in time moments before a life-threatening event. His world is turned upside down when he is framed for his mother’s murder, and he’s sent back 18 years in the past.
While Oshi no Ko’s Aqua grapples with his mother’s unsolved murder, Satoru in Erased actively tries to prevent a crime from happening in the first place.
Both protagonists race against time, piecing together clues and confronting potential suspects. The mystery elements in both anime forces the characters to confront secrets and the complexities of human behavior.
While Oshi no Ko delves deeper into showbiz, Erased explores themes of childhood trauma and the lasting impact of unsolved crimes.
That’s it for our list of anime like Oshi no Ko. With a variety of genres to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Happy watching!
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