【推しの子】 16 [Oshi no Ko 16]

推しの子 [Oshi no Ko] #16

by Aka Akasaka (Writer), 赤坂アカ, Mengo Yokoyari (Illustrator)

「その全てが『君』で『星野アクア』だったよ」　最終章『星に夢に』クライマックス!!　アクアの復讐は最終局面を迎える。真に復讐すべき相手は、果たして…!?　そして、アイがついた「15年の嘘」、それに込められた想いも明らかに――。芸能界の光と闇を描く衝撃作…最終16巻!!

Genres: Manga, Drama, Mystery, Fiction, Seinen, 漫画, Psychological

290 pages, Paperback

First published December 18, 2024

About the author

AKASAKA Aka
Name (in native language): 赤坂アカ

Zodiac: Virgo

Blood Type: O

Reviews

[Ricarda · Rating 2 out of 5]

All I can say is that I'm glad I read the entire series in a month or so, because that ending would have been FRUSTRATING if I had kept up with this mess for multiple years. At least the final volume cover is stunning ...

[Carter Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

Usually I can stand a bad or relatively bad ending, but the last parts of Oshi No Ko have absolutely ruined the entire series. The ending has thrown all the characters growth in the trash and gone for a sad ending just to do it when it doesn't make sense with the the story arcs and development of the characters. This was one of my favorite mangas I'd ever read and it went from one I collected to immediately knowing I'll sell off every volume I own because it was a series ruined by horrible writing and pacing in the final stretch.

[Void Starlight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series but seriously why the hate though. I’ve kept up with this series for years. I honestly think Aka Akashi was just writing an ending that was fulfilling. Just because it’s a sad ending doesn’t mean it’s horrible. I can name thousands of books that are sad but people still love them. (Ex Red Queen & I Have No Mouth and I must Scream )But for real this is the most realistic/exploiting thing I’ve seen. If you really hate this book so much to give it a one star you’ve missed the point of the entire series. Disappointments you are.

[Ran · Rating 1 out of 5]

Worst decision of my life to get baited by this series!
Negative rating if I could
Atleast I am free after years of being in toxic relationship with this series ..

[Breshna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The problem with the author aka akasaka is that he always leaves the manga with an ending that feels empty and unfinished and moves on to another manga. the same happened with Instant Bullet, i have been reading this for 2 years, and im disappointed to see that in the end they didnt even give my girl ruby many chapters, they gave her reaction in only the last chapter :(. I hoped that before everything had happened they could have at least shown more interactions between aqua as ruby.
My disappointment is immeasurable and hence, my day is ruined.

[kirie 👻 · Rating 1 out of 5]

don't get me wrong: I've always been fond of morbid pieces. my problem with oshi no ko is the line that was drawn for the reader only to be thrown away of the path in the very final steps.
I keep asking myself what in the hell the affair Kana has for Aqua was supposed to mean. I mean, Akane's feelings make sense; it wasn't love, it was just a feeling of admiration and being indebted to someone who took you from rock bottom. Kana means so much to me - that was one of the few things this piece gave me - and I just can't accept that she was in love with the ml during her entirely lifetime just to not have an proper answer about that, not even a clear hint that could have her surpass those feelings.
that deadly incident... was it really necessary? there were so many smarter ways to resolve that conflict, so many possible endings that could tie up all the loose ends in the plot.

ah, the loose ends. where do I even start?
the raven girl was never properly explained; speaking of which, how did she know that Ai's soul was lost and could never be restored?; why did Sarina and the doctor reincarnate at the same time when they died in different years?; why the fuck did they make the twins kiss?; why was Hikaru incapable of having paternal affection for his children, who were also children of the person he admired most in the world?; what would Ai think of her twins kissing each other on the mouth while acting like herself and their father? /not a really serious one; why create a love triangle and not get anything relevant out of it?; etc. I got tired of thinking about it.

anyway, I'm curious to have access to the opinions of people who liked this shitty ending.

[Kaya Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright. I was scared seeing the major drop in ratings on this one; I was expecting the worst. Although I'm a smidge disappointed, I can't call this a bad ending. Could it have been better executed? Maybe. It definitely feels like something is missing. But it managed to stir some feelings within me, and that's an achievement. That shit was sad 🥲

Ultimately, I find Oshi no Ko quite unique. You can tell by how I read all these volumes one after the other and so fast how addictive it was to me. My favorite aspect of the story was definitely getting to know so much about the Japanese entertainment industry -- a ruthless world, let me tell you. I wish the mystery plot was resolved differently, and this would've been an even better series.

One thing... who is crow girl, exactly?

[Benedicte V. A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

LMAOOO HOW DID THIS SERIES FALL OFF THIS HARD

[Lucy Tonks (the invisible life of a reader) · Rating 3 out of 5]

thanks that was depressing
i was simply sobbing in the last 4 chapters
but this was kinda disappointing and tragic

[Ning ☆彡 · Rating 5 out of 5]

thank you for this incredible series i'm crying i am UNWELL

[lily ⊹ ₊ ⁺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

₊˚⊹♡ ˚ ➺ 4/5 ✧

there are many mangas out there that try to depict the lives of idols but i really think that oshi no ko is the best

read : 20.10.2024 - 14.11.2024

[Greg · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 I loved this whole series. The drama and characters were fantastic. The art was amazing. The deep dives into so many different areas of the entertainment industry were fascinating and fun to read about. That said this finale is definitely going to be divisive. I can understand many fans not liking it. I will definitely miss this cast of characters and will be looking into other works by these 2 mangaka. No regrets from me I loved it.

Ai Hoshino on the final volume of Oshi no Ko

Read 12/11/2024

[Caroline · Rating 1 out of 5]

The cover is very beautiful but the ending was pretty bad.

[Natalia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really disappointing ending, and showcasing the aftermath of Aqua's actions felt extremely rushed, especially for Ruby.

[Neli]

Hmmmmmm.

Me vi hace años la primera temporada en emisión y hace unos días la segunda y tercera y dije uf, con lo que queda pa la cuarta me lo leo, que son tres tomos y medio (del 13 al 16, que son los que me he leído y los que incluye esta review). La historia es muy entretenida y a mí me ha tenido bastante enganchada, con mucho interés por los personajes y por los derroteros que iba a tomar, así como las decisiones y la evolución. Lo que sí, elijo creer que el final es la resolución del arco de la película y que todo lo demás es un poco epílogo hecho por un fan (?), porque sino vaya despropósito. Y porque ignoro la cosa problemática de la película, que quien lo haya leído sobreentiendo que sabe lo que es. Y no estoy hablando de la trama de Hikaru.

No sé qué nota ponerle a la historia, ignorando el final supongo que un 7 alto.

Ea, ya le he dado cierre a una obra que llevaba acompañándome un tiempo y está bien que aunque sea insatisfactorio al menos esté acabado.

[Klaudia (Czytelniczka z Księżyca) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Z jednej strony jest mi ogormnie przykro, że to finał serii, ale nie można jej ująć, że nie został tutaj ukazany słodki koniec, tylko zostawia gigantyczną dziórę w sercu fana. Ogromnie się cieszę, że dałam temu tytułowi szansę.

[WA. Prakosa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Akhirnya Tamat!

[Nanari ᓚ₍ ^. .^₎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!!!
Great writing, great quotes that never failed to send chills down my spine! I know this ending is controversial but this is just what I think and based on my subjective taste.
This has actually been my fav series EVER for a while. To call the ending a plot twist is an understatement. So happy to have finally caught up with everything. Forever in my heart💗








P.S.
It had me ugly crying
…Yes…
I know I’m emotional and cry easily—like, all the time—but this had me UGLY CRYING, OK?!
it’s good, I promise!!!
At least for me it was…

[H. Astrid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Super disappointed with the outcome. I feel like I might appreciate the series a bit more with time overall, but there really is no excuse for the ending being the way it is.

Oshi no Ko went from being in my top 3 of all time to just being among the masses. There was a lot of potential for this story to end up as a classic, but this ending ruins any chance of it.

I only recommend this series as a whole if you’re able to appreciate the journey overall, even with a bad ending.

[Percit · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's such a heart breaking ending, I sometimes say that I enjoy endings where the hero doesn't win, because it's fresh and not so common, but here it was terrible, really sad about all characters, they all deserved better

[Kiyoyo · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 el manga completo

[Cohen Muters · Rating 3 out of 5]

In reincarnation stories, romances can’t be ethical unless they date upward, but even that might be strange. With that in mind, this was the only available route.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just booked a psychiatrist

[Santiago Buitrago · Rating 4 out of 5]

Y con este habrán sido 306 libros leídos este año. Algo que no pensé que pasara.

Este año se terminaron varias series que venia siguiendo desde hace un buen tiempo (por ejemplo Boku no Hero lo venia siguiendo desde hace casi 8 años) lo cual hizo que me tomara el tiempo de escribir para cada una de estas series.

Ahora es el turno de Oshi no Ko que, con sus altos y bajos, es una buena lectura y bastante cortica con solo 16 volumenes. Sin entrar en detalles profundos de la trama, cada personaje que gira alrededor de Aqua y Ruby se hacen querer mucho y hay algunos de ellos que estan muy bien escritos, con sus complejos, aspiraciones y razones del porqué de sus acciones.

Con respecto a la trama, es profunda cuando hablamos del trasfondo tratado: lo que se miente en la industria del entretenimiento, en especial con el negocio de los/las idols. Desde el capítulo 1 (El que catapultó el anime) nos tienen metidos en la trama, pasando por las relaciones que forma Aqua (algunas para cumplir su proposito de matar al asesino de su madre hasta las que descubre viviendo con Ruby, Akane o Kana) e incluso aceptar las realidades que conlleva el haber reencarnado (en especial para Aqua, pero Ruby tambien tiene que afrontarse a ello).

Los arcos estan bien y el final no esta mal. Y esto segundo es importante porque la gente queria un final feliz (cuando Aqua decía, desde el principio, que si era necesario llegaría a las últimas instancias); prefiero más finales reales. No toda historia termina feliz, con todos estando bien o cumpliendo las expectativas de todos. Los finales felices solo se perpetuaron porque la narrativa se volvió un escape, siempre, de lo que no queríamos afrontar. ¿Son necesarios esos finales felices? Si. ¿Debería haber más finales grises y fuertes? Tambien.

No hay muchos personajes que permitan hacer un top extenso, pero tal vez si para un top 5. Sin entrar en muchos detalles, porque si se mete bastante con el desarrollo de la trama, mis personajes favoritos son Aqua, Akane, Hikari, Kana y Ruby. Primero porque estamos expuestos a ellos 24/7, segundo porque son de esos personajes que, como diría Shrek, son como una cebolla: tienen capas. Lo único que tal vez me dió bastante rabia tirando al final, fue la infantilización un poco extrema de Ruby (si, que Ruby es basicamente una niña que reencarna, pero la Ruby del penúltimo arco es una joyita).

Es una serie que muestra el porqué de su boom mediático, al igual que se puede ver el porqué a tanta gente no le gustó el final: la presión de la expectativa (de lo que tambien habla la serie). Este final ha sido la prueba fehaciente que la capacidad lectora de la gente es mínima y solo vive de los momentos que pasan por allí y dejan tirado los arcos generales de sus personajes y la historia. Y no solo con esta obra sino con Boku no Hero, Jujutsu Kaisen, Shingeki no Kyojin, entre otras que, aunque el final no sea la panacea, no son malos finales para lo que nos han mostrado por años (pero, por favor, nada de seguir separando el final entre último capítulo y epílogo. La mayoría de estos finales se sienten mucho mejor si se leyeran esos dos pedazos como un solo capítulo).

[Isbat Bin Hossain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of the Entire Series

First of all, the overall rating for this series is 4.5, rather than 3 for the final volume.

[Oshi no Ko] is one of the most unique and creative manga series I have ever read. The author, Akasaka Aka, has done a fantastic job of creating both an intriguing thriller and an in-depth look at the Japanese entertainment industry. Almost all of the main cast is well-written and likable. The plot grips you from the start and never lets go. Also, it would be a crime not to mention Yokoyari Mengo's incredible drawing skills that bring the manga to life.

But with all the gushing out of the way, I have to say that the last couple of volumes were somewhat of a letdown—especially the final one.

(Spoiler warning from here on out!)

The ending felt a bit directionless, as if the author had lost their way in deciding how to conclude the story. It felt like the whole point of the 15-Year Lie movie was made moot by the ending. I’m not sure if there were any constraints placed on the manga, but everything felt very rushed (not that this is anything new in the manga industry).

Throughout the 15-Year Lie movie arc, it was established that Kamiki was abused by adults in the film industry and that his crimes stemmed from a fear of rejection and responsibility. And then it was like, lol, just kidding... He’s actually a psychopathic manipulator. I mean, yeah, we already got that part, but didn’t the whole point of Ai's video message become insignificant and pointless because of the ending? Or maybe I’m just sulky because Aqua died 😡.

Anyway, despite a lackluster ending, this is definitely a great manga series and one of my favorites.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Breakups, revelations, stabbing, lies, murder, and death ‘ —- they are all interconnected and they are woven beautifully in this final volume.

[Oshi no Ko] might have many haters but it taught me life lessons to move on with our lives and keep living. Death is a hard topic along with rejection. But, such is life; and, this is how this series ended.

It could have been better, but the creators rushed the ending. Oh well. At least it ended within four years.

[Sol González · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leo las opiniones de otros lectores y veo que odian el final, yo creo que no había otro camino.
Cualquier otra opción sería una versión rosa, sin color y mal hecha. El personaje tenía una meta fija y llega a ella. Varias veces engaña haciéndote creer en pasteles y peluches pero la vida no es un sueño y las personas no son solo blanco y negro.
En una historia donde lo importante era ver detrás de las máscaras y entrar en la psique, terminar a medias no le haría ningún favor a nadie.

[Zhao · Rating 4 out of 5]

I CANNOT believe I am about to write this sentence, but IN DEFENSE of Oshi no Ko here is my review....

I will say I am certainly biased in giving this series some praise, as I am someone who read Love is War and also watched it (ONK is written by the same mangaka as LIW). Aka Akasaka always tended to be incapable of writing serious media. Any time he would write a serious arc containing heavy content, he would end it with comedy -- yes, I am aware LIW is a comedy, but there are some times where in a comedy story you should let the grim parts of life breathe into the story. At the end of the say its a slice of life, and in that slice, there is bound to be sorrow. However, I digress, this is not an essay for LIW or Akasaka in general...this is about Oshi no Ko.

To put it straight, the most interesting thing about ONK is how FUCKED it is. Especially in reference to the fact that Sarina-chan's soul is in Ruby's body, and the doctor's soul is in Aqua's body, and they are born to their favorite idol. It puts the audience in an impossible moral position. Oddly, ONK reminds me of Homunculus in some aspects; it's fucked in content, but the manga is very seinen. With that said, I'm going to start viewing ONK more as a seinen manga and not a thriller, horror, comedy, or slice of life. I started to view this manga / mature in the first introduction of Ai Hoshino. There is no black and white in ONK; it makes the reader stand in gray, which to me is the whole point. It is a critique of the idol industry, having unanswered questions. Are people meant to get famous? Are there ethical ways for people to be famous? Is there such a thing as an ethical fan? Are fans even ethical? As the reader racks their brain for an answer, the story only progressively gets worse, and you realize that practically everyone has issues and no one is sane as a product of the industry they were raised in.

I think each character strongly presents a different talking point. AI represents the mastery of lies, Aqua represents the downsides of the idol industry, and Ruby represents the blessing it is to be an idol. A combination of good and evil existing in the same representation of the show equates to the ambivalence of the relationship Ruby and Aqua have, and Aqua's demise, as well as Ruby's painful success. I also think that the romantic relationships that happen, besides the normal romantic implications, express such a good point in the idol world, that yes, idols and famous people in general love their fans, but they have a right to place a limit on that amount of love, and why should they suffer the consequences of it? We act like we own the attention of those that we give love to, when in reality, it's our fault, more misunderstanding, and murdering their character and the image of who they are in our minds, exactly like Ai Hoshino's fate. The twins, as a whole, also represent revenge. It just shows how this industry of fame is a whole generational cycle, fame produces unwanted love and entitlement, and leads to the death of someone, then it births revenge, and that revenge just acts as a catalyst to repeat the same cycle over and over.

Ok ENOUGH glazing though, this manga is a huge improvement for Akasaka. I was honestly shocked that HE wrote this; it's totally unrecognizable from his writing style, and it doesn't express clear plot holes and is questionable and pointless. Firstly, Aqua and Ruby are incestual; there's no other way to put this. Though I am not against immoral content being in a story, I am against it when it's confusing to get at why it's included, or it is taken too lightly. I do not believe, based on Akasaka's previous content, that this is done for fetish or it's meant to be taken as a love story, but his issue of writing things too lightheartedly really shows with this topic. Taking Homunculus for example again, we SHOULD be disgusted at some actions Ruby takes, we should be horrified that the lack of real love in her life and the validation of fans has moved her concept of love so far. Its NOT clear enough that it's scary or bad. It becomes clearer when Aqua talks about how he doesn't want to live anymore and that he knows his mere existence is a parasite in Ruby's life. His personality is fractured by the end of the manga between the doctor and the actor, just like his will to live. That brings me to my second point, we should have totally gotten more input from Aquas thoughts, he is a very interesting character, and I think it would just enrich the story for the audience to hear more from him. My last point is the plot holes that this story leaves. We never really find out who the girl with the crows is, and she seems very important. I mean, she is literally the reason Ruby and Aqua exist. The force of reincarnation should have been explained much better if they were going to include her; her character is quite literally pointless, she's just there to be mysterious. But mysterious things are always good.

Besides that, ONK has a lot to analyze, and the ending is very compelling. It's definitely a story that I will never forget, and that will be on my mind when I read and watch other things. It's unique, and for now remains in my top 10 manga until I read more.

[Svetla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitivamente los japoneses no saben escribir finales... Adiós a mi telenovela de los miércoles.

[jinna. · Rating 4 out of 5]

And with that the entire story is completed 🥺 I... don't think I'll ever emotionally recover from this..😭