Why Recent Idol Anime Are Surprisingly Entertaining
An exploration of how Japanese idol and anime cultures collaborate to create engaging works that appeal not just to kids, but to adults who enjoy deeper themes.
I first learned about [Oshi no Ko] through the song "Idol" by YOASOBI, and I ended up getting completely hooked. The third season wrapped up recently, and judging by the original manga, it looks like it might conclude with the upcoming fourth season. Opinions on the ending of the original manga might be divided, but personally, it felt satisfying. If anything, I'm more excited than anxious to see how the anime adapts that ending.
As for the manga, after drinking with friends in Yokohama Kannai until dawn, I went to a manga cafe and read the entire story in one sitting (the manga is completed). I was deeply impressed by how the author managed to pack so much theatrical flair into the entertainment/idol theme without letting the overall structure fall apart. However, the third season of the anime felt slightly stretched, making me think the production team faced their own share of industry struggles.
Idol anime have expanded widely, covering both female and male idols through franchises like The Idolmaster and Idolish7, both of which originated from games. It has truly cemented itself as its own standalone genre.
Amid this, I decided to binge-watch "Phantom of the Idol" (Kami Kuzu ☆ Idol) over a weekend. It aired during the same Winter 2026 season as [Oshi no Ko] Season 3. Running for just 10 episodes, it's a straightforward show. However, as is common in Japanese anime, it uses a supernatural premise to highlight everyday themes, making it a comfortable and enjoyable watch.
【Phantom of the Idol】
According to Wikipedia's synopsis: "Yuya Niyodo is a lazy half of the pop duo ZINGS, who performs only for the money, refuses to sing or dance, and hates fan service. After his agent threatens to fire him, Yuya meets the ghost of Asahi Mogami, a passionate female idol who passed away in a tragic accident. Desperate to keep performing even after death, Asahi possesses Yuya's body, helping him rise to the top of the idol world." That summary pretty much covers the whole story lol.
It has a somewhat similar vibe to "Ya Boy Kongming!" (Paripi Koumei), a manga and anime I really enjoy, where a historical figure from the past is reincarnated in modern times to guide a rising artist.
While the anime lacks depth regarding the protagonist's obsession with money and only skims over Asahi's background (likely due to limited runtime), it does an excellent job of highlighting and exaggerating modern "Oshi-katsu" (supporting your favorite star) culture. It helped me understand Oshi culture a bit better. While I enjoy going to concerts and events, I realized my level of casual attendance is completely different from true Oshi-katsu lol. It made me realize that actively engaging in supporting an artist might actually be quite fun. (I remember talking to two young German girls years ago who were following a Japanese male band around, and though I couldn't comprehend their motivation back then, I understand it a bit better now.)
Interestingly, the show spends about a third of its runtime focusing on the conversations and comedic antics of three female fans supporting ZINGS rather than the protagonist himself. Years ago, when my former employer hired AKB48 for a commercial (just as they were starting to blow up), I visited the filming site a few times. I never expected AKB, pioneers of this fandom style, to become so massive (though they have quieted down now). The term "Oshi-katsu" came later, but the concept definitely solidified during that era.
Today, the Oshi-katsu market in Japan is reportedly worth a staggering 4.1 trillion yen annually! To put that in perspective, the domestic anime market is around 3.8 trillion yen, and the game market is 2.1 trillion yen. Combined, Japan's unique entertainment ecosystem holds massive economic weight. While it doesn't compare directly to Japan's core automotive industry (71.6 trillion yen), it is an industry that cannot be ignored.
At its core, "Oshi-katsu" seems to stem from a **universal human emotion**: the desire to support someone who is working hard, to feel closer to them, and to understand them. In its smallest unit, this is no different from family. When a parent, child, or sibling works hard, we want to support them and even offer financial help if we can. In that sense, Oshi-katsu might just be a modern name for an age-old human behavior.
I look forward to seeing more idol and fan-culture anime in the future. Hopefully, a character will appear that makes me want to start my own Oshi-katsu journey.