It’s probably about time I sat down to write about Oshi no Ko Season 2. Hands down, this is the most talked-about anime of the Summer 2024 season. In this part, we dive deeper into the challenges of adaptation—specifically, transitioning from manga to stage play. Season 1 already touched on a similar storyline, but I feel this arc digs into it with more practical depth. Viewers get a closer look at the inner struggles of an author when their work is adapted in a way that strays from their vision.

Adaptation Woes: Exaggerated Yet Relatable

To be honest, since this is just an adaptation into a stage play, I found mangaka Abiko’s intense reaction a bit over-the-top—though it fits the dramatic world of Oshi no Ko and its cast. For something like a manga-to-anime adaptation, which carries much higher stakes, I don’t think it’s unreasonable for a mangaka to fiercely protect their work. We’ve seen how a stellar anime adaptation can skyrocket a story’s fame and revenue—think of what Ufotable did with Kimetsu no Yaiba or WIT Studio with the early seasons of Attack on Titan. For a fledgling mangaka, getting an anime adaptation might be the biggest break of their career. So, I totally get why someone like the creator of Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer publicly called out their botched anime adaptation online. A disastrous adaptation can absolutely hurt how the original work reaches a broader audience, especially for up-and-coming manga that haven’t yet built a solid fanbase.

For fans of the source material, it’s tough to tell whether a production team is genuinely passionate and responsible or just spouting PR fluff to sound good. Take the live-action Cowboy Bebop adaptation: longtime fans were floored when director Shinichiro Watanabe himself said Netflix’s series wasn’t the Cowboy Bebop he created. Despite being promoted as a consultant, he wasn’t even sure if his script feedback was taken seriously.

Conflict and Resolution in Season 2

In Oshi no Ko Season 2, we see that the scriptwriter is actually talented and dedicated—it’s just that he and Abiko-sensei don’t fully understand each other. They clash over the unique strengths of different mediums and a lack of clear communication. Their conflict is pretty straightforward and could’ve been solved with a direct conversation. In reality, though, these situations can get uglier and far more complicated. Overall, I think the anime handles adaptation-related issues well, keeping it simple and accessible while still offering a balanced perspective from both sides. After wrapping up this conflict in the first three episodes, the story shifts its focus to Aqua in episodes 4 and 5.

Aqua’s Lingering Trauma

Oshi no Ko once again unearths Aqua’s inner turmoil. More than a decade later, he’s still deeply haunted by Ai’s death. My issue with this is that, if I recall from Season 1’s premiere, Aqua was a doctor in his past life. For someone with that background to suffer such severe PTSD just from seeing someone’s blood feels off to me. Then there’s Akane agreeing to help Aqua with his revenge—I’d think if Aqua truly had an adult’s mindset, he’d feel guilty dragging an innocent girl into his dark plans, exploiting her love for him.

The First Episode’s Lasting Echoes

These problems were predictable from Season 1. I went against the grain back then, arguing that the first episode was overhyped by the anime community. ‘Success or failure in the first episode’—that hour-and-a-half premiere undeniably fueled the show’s fame and success. But now, it’s the root of some character development issues. I’m not trying to stir controversy just to stand out, but even when I watched that debut, something felt off. The author shoehorned reincarnation and childbirth into a story meant to reflect societal realities. To me, those early plot twists were mostly shock value, adding little meaningful depth to what came later.

And wasn’t all the manga drama a while back—spawning countless ‘insect’ memes—tied to Ruby recalling those first-episode details? Ruby, if you can forget it, just let it go—why dwell on it? :v

A Worthwhile Watch, With a Caveat

So, in summary, Oshi no Ko Season 2 is still an engaging and worthwhile anime—if we can just wipe our memories of that premiere. Picture Aqua as an ordinary kid, inexperienced in life, seeking revenge for his mother’s death like a young Thorfinn from Vinland Saga. That’s the lens that makes it work.