Aka Akasaka reflects on the ending of “Oshi no Ko”

Mangaka Aka Akasaka, known for creating hits like Kaguya-sama: Love is War and Oshi no Kohas shared his thoughts on the ending of his most recent work in a recent interview. After more than four years of serialization, Oshi no Ko It concluded on November 14, 2024 and closed a cycle that Akasaka describes as transformative for both him and his characters.

A closure planned from the beginning

The successful Japanese mangaka revealed that, from the beginning, he was clear about how he wanted it to end Oshi no Ko. Still, he allowed the narrative to evolve organically and this was a decision that marked a change from his initial approach as a creator. “Before, I used to control every detail. With this play, I let the characters guide the story,” he explained.

This flexibility gave rise to surprises such as the evolution of MEMcho, an originally secondary character who gained prominence thanks to the artistic interpretation of Mengo Yokoyari, the series’ illustrator. According to Akasaka, collaborations like this enriched the universe of the story and allowed him to explore unexpected facets of his characters.

Aqua, one of the protagonist twins, is another example of this evolution. Initially conceived as an emotionally accessible character, he became more complex and reserved as the plot progressed. For Akasaka, this change reflected his intention to explore deep themes, although he admits that they are not always evident to readers.

A time of change in the manga industry

Taking into account series like Shingeki no Kyojin and Jujutsu Kaisen, that have left indelible marks, Akasaka pointed out that the manga landscape is changing. “It is common for many works to be shorter now. However, I am grateful to have had the freedom to close Oshi no Ko at the time I considered appropriate,” he commented and attributed this possibility to the growing openness of the market.

The author confessed to feeling constant pressure to maintain the interest of readers and meet the expectations of his collaborators, especially Yokoyari. “I wanted it to be a meaningful work for the readers and also for Yokoyari Mengo-sensei,” he added.

For the mangaka, this incredible success that the work achieved was the result of a collective effort, an idea that he considers central to the work. “One of the themes of Oshi no Ko is shared creation,” he expressed and added that his experience with Kaguya-sama It taught him the importance of teamwork on ambitious projects.

The author also mentioned that Oshi no Ko is a tribute to the relationships between creators and the challenges they face in the entertainment industry.

Akasaka reflected on the impact of the success of Oshi no Ko and how this generated both satisfaction and fear. Although he is grateful for the recognition, he admits that the pressure to meet expectations was overwhelming. “We were constantly arguing about how to handle this success,” he revealed, referring to his conversations with Yokoyari.

For fans, the end of Oshi no Ko It marks the closing of a stage, while for Akasaka it represents a new beginning full of possibilities. Although the author joked about taking up farming, his followers hope that his talent does not disappear and that he will eventually return with a new story.

Japanese football continues to grow economically and sportingly

Since its premiere in 2020 in the magazine Shukan Young Jump, Oshi no Ko It has captured the attention of many people, more than the author could have imagined. The story is special to many as it addresses the challenges of the Japanese entertainment industry in a raw and honest way. The series also stands out for the way it deals with themes such as reincarnation, emotional abuse and media manipulation.

Currently, this successful work has a total of fifteen manga volumes published and two anime seasons. In addition, it has been announced that it will have a film and drama adaptation, both scheduled to be released at the end of 2024.