Oshi no ko, Vol. 4

推しの子 [Oshi no Ko] #4

by Aka Akasaka, Mengo Yokoyari (Illustrator), Davide Campari (Translator)

"Nel mondo dello spettacolo, la menzogna è un'arma." I gemelli Agua e Ruby si stanno facendo un nome nello showbiz. Aqua ha partecipato a un reality show romantico... e si è messo con l'attrice Akane Kurokawa! Come proseguirà il loro rapporto, dopo la fine del programma? Dal canto loro le rinate B-Komachi, il gruppo idol di Ruby, stanno per affrontare il primo concerto!

Genres: Manga, Mystery, Seinen, Fantasy, Fiction, Comics, Drama

187 pages, Paperback

First published May 19, 2021

About the author

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

Zodiac: Virgo

Blood Type: O

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as strong as the previous volume but I’m still interested in seeing where this story is going to go. Aqua is determined to figure out what happened to Ai.

[Sarah ♡ (let’s interact!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oshi No Ko has the cutest artwork and the most engaging story line! Can’t wait for volume 5! I’m probably going to start watching the anime before its released too:) 💖

Ruby has finally achieved her dream of resurrecting her late mother’s idol band, B Komachi, with three new idol members - herself, Kana Arima and Mem-cho. Kana is a former child star who feels aged out as a teenager and Mem-cho is a popular YouTuber. The new group is chosen to perform at Japan-fest, will they get their act together in time?
Aqua is still wanting to learn more about his late mother’s life and career to hopefully find out who was behind her tragic murder. Will accepting a role in the Tokyo Blade play, held at a venue where his mother - Ai Hoshino - used to perform, lead him closer to the truth?

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

i need more aqua content
the moment he's on page, all the feminism leaves my body. i would do anything for him

anyway, i'm not sure how i feel about the love triangle as i can't see aqua treating either of those girls right...

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The various subplots of Ruby's idol road come to a fruition as her 0wn 3-person idol group debuted in an idol festival, with something new, something old, and something borrowed: the new iteration of her mother's old group.

[fia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seeing Kana’s self deprecating attitude towards herself broke my heart. I’m glad that Aqua was able to help her out. I’m personally rooting for Kana and Aqua since they get along so well, and, like Ruby said, he can be more of his true self with her.

Speaking of Ruby, I’m starting to like her more and more. At first, she was kind of an okay character, but seeing more of her is great. Also, I completely forgot that she had a crush on Aqua in their past lives, which is, again, so weird and awkward.

[Kristin ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely not the direction I saw this going in when starting this series, but I am enjoying it nonetheless.

Each volume is packed to the brim with content it feels like.

[Hoppipolla · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 en realidad

Hasta aquí llegó el anime, la primera temporada cubrió hasta el último capítulo de este tomo.
Supongo que a partir de ahora podré disfrutarlo mejor y leer más detenidamente y mis impresiones quizás cambien, hasta ahora he sido generosa dando estrellas porque como vengo del anime he sentido que no podía ser imparcial, ahora comienza mi experiencia lectora de verdad.
A grandes rasgos y en general me parece una obra disfrutable, pero para leer una sola vez y ya está.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the weakest volume so far. The idol stuff is fine, and I enjoy the trio but that part of the industry isn't as interesting as the acting side to me. And the murder mystery seems to be put heavily on the backburner which is a shame. That's what I'm intrigued most about. However, looks like next volume we'll be back into the acting stuff with a movie/tv show going on. Excited for that.

[melinameetsworld · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is volume is more bkomatchi focused, i dont care a lot about that at this moment of this story but love kana arima storyline. i want to protecte her, shes just like me fr. also its canon that aqua feels like his old self (before ai's death) when hes with her ♡. i SCREAM when aqua did the idol dance to cheer up arima.

[Moira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so stinking good I can't wait for the next volume to come out in English 😭

[Seroxx83 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Kaya Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art style is so pretty and the story keeps me reading. Very good!

[Sephy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series remains very endearing and there’s something about the art style I just really like

[Kata · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐

[Carys · Rating 4 out of 5]

enjoying the love triangle but love triangle seems too nice a term bc it’s literally just one charaxtwr manipulatign the other two but idk im having fun

[Mersi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Definitely one of the better ones

[poet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idols?!?!???!

[Szybki Zum Zum Traktor · Rating 5 out of 5]

SYF MI SIE NA READING GOAL'U ZROBIIIIIIŁ

[Genres and Journals *Tia* · Rating 3 out of 5]

This volume wasn’t as enthralling as the first two. There are so many characters who look too similar and there are too many tedious subplots. Honestly, I just want to find out what happened to AI. And also I’m ok with following Ruby and Aqua too but these extra people are obnoxious…I’m looking at you Arima.

[Angela Auten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't wait to get into the next arc. The anime is already releasing, but I'm going to wait for all 13 episodes to be done!

[Tachan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Après un début assez tonitruant, je dois avouer que cette partie-là de l’intrigue m’intéresse moins. L’anime avait réussi à en tirer le meilleur et à donner un autre rythme que je préférais.

En effet, ce tome entame déjà la transition entre la 1e et la 2e saison de l’anime. On n’a pas vu le temps filer et heureusement dans un sens, car on est dans le ventre mou pour moi, du moins pour quelqu’un qui s’en moque un petit peu de la formation du Girls Band par Ruby et ses amies. Moi, ce qui m’intéresse c’est l’enquête d’Aqua et la carrière de ce dernier, or ils sont totalement en retrait ici…

On referme ainsi bien vite l’épisode de la télé réalité d’Aqua avec pour seul bénéfice la rencontre et découverte d’Akane dont on a hâte de voir le potentiel à tous les niveaux : sur les planches, en tant que love interest d’Aqua et rivale de Kana. Mais à nouveau, c’est en retrait ensuite… Non, le tome se concentre sur la formation et le lancement du nouveau groupe B-Komachi et là, ça va très vite, trop vite. On a certes toutes les étapes obligées. On a même du syndrome de l’imposteur, beaucoup de travail, du déguisement d’Aqua pour les aider et une première scène, mais j’ai eu l’impression de survoler et donc de ne pas ressentir grand-chose, alors qu’on était pourtant concentrés sur Ruby et ses blocages, ce qui n’est pas inintéressant. C’est donc la forme qui a pêché.

Heureusement, cela semble se cantonner à ce tome et on devrait, dès le prochain, repartir du côté d’Aqua pour quelque chose de plus sombre, moins showbiz / idol pur, avec plus de complexité. J’ai d’entrée hâte car j’en ai adoré l’adaptation animée.

Tome un peu en deçà pour moi, pas qu’il soit mal écrit, mais il va trop vite et coche un peu trop facilement les cases pour les filles voulant monter leur groupe. Je m’y suis ennuyée malgré que ça se laisse lire. Il faut dire que je lis la série pour l’enquête et les progrès d’Aqua ce qu’on a peu vu. Heureusement que ça va bientôt revenir.

Article complet : https://lesblablasdetachan.wordpress....

[Isabel Tan · Rating 5 out of 5]

While all of the volumes so far have been nice and suspenseful I feel like this volume is definitely my fav. I am extremely Kana biased though so yes. I really like the tension between Aqua and Kana in this volume and how he was like if u continue like this my feeings might get hurt. Also kana is just the most relatable out of all the characters like I’m so sorry but Akane can just suck it for all I care.

Like the thing is that Aqua clearly does not feel anything towards Akane. The only thing he might feel is just awe because of her acting skills. The only reason why he was momentarily attracted towards her was because of her resemblence to Ai. And girlie was expecting them to actually be a thing? I also feel that Aqua and Kana just have so much more chemistry like it was only when Aqua was playing baseball with Kana was when he realized that he actually had no interest in Akane and only like the persona he put on. I do like that Akane was very straightforward and so was Aqua with his answers about only liking her acting. Moreover, I feel that Kana was so relatable about like how she just could not meet anyone’s expectations and Aqua just being there to comfort her even as that pigeon man dude. Like she even fell for the pigeon man a bit which shows that like she only really likes Aqua because of his personality. I mean like maybe not only but that was certainly a big part of why she did. My last point is just that like Aqua only helped Akane caused its a you know life or death situation who wouldn’t help someone in a time like that? But he wore the stupid mask bird thing just because of her and you cannot convince me otherwise. Anyways yes! Relatability 5/5 Romance+ Banter 5/5 so overall a five star!

[Philip McCarty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welp, this volume was a step down, but still delivered. I'm wondering if this stretch will lead into more interesting payouts down the line, but the B Komachi stretch isn't quite my jam. I did find it interesting to learn more about the idol industry at the festival, such as the big room the newbies get and the light sticks changing depending on which idol you are cheering on. This volume felt mostly dedicated to Kana Arima, who seems to be getting the most development in this series overall. She's basically grappling with self doubt about her worth since she was once a child actor and not able to really break out from there. Ruby and Mem-cho make her their center, and this just makes Kana feel even worse as she doesn't feel she has what it takes. Ultimately, she does step up and chooses to push as hard as she can because she has one fan (Aqua), whom she also loves (probably.) Interestingly enough, the highlight of this volume was a chapter where it focuses on an idol from one of those huge groups who never quite made it where she wanted to be, and so chooses to leave the idol industry on her own terms. I really thought this was a strong bit showing what these paths could lead to and the work that will need to be done to succeed.

[Lorie Ham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is a combination of the supernatural and mystery set in the world of Japan’s Idols. In Vol 1 an ob-gyn named Gorou is suddenly thrown into the world of his favorite idol, Ai Hoshino. She is pregnant with twins and she has come to him to help her with the birth, but it is important that it be hush-hush. He doesn’t realize that this will change his life forever! He is murdered, and he and one of his patients who died end up being reborn as her twins. Then Ai is murdered and Gorou, who is now Aqua, is determined when he gets older to find her killer. In the meantime, his sister Ruby is determined to become an idol like their mother. Agua also gets involved in the world of entertainment, but only in pursuit of his goal

I decided to read the manga of this series after seeing season 1 of the anime. This is definitely one of my favorites and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I love everything about this series. The behind-the-scenes glimpse into the entertainment industry in Japan, the supernatural elements, and the murder investigation. The artwork is great, the covers are beautiful, the characters are interesting. Vol. 5 and 6 are already out, and Vol 7 will be out next month.

[Nazish Ahmed (Nazish Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not as good as the previous 3, but still pretty good.

When I read the previous volumes last year, I thought that Aqua was cold, aloof, and always in his own head, but we find out that that's not always the case. It's also mentioned by Ruby that when Aqua is with Kana, he starts acting like his old self from when they were little kids. I really like Aqua and Kana together, they have some things in common, like underestimating their own showbiz related talents. He acts different when he's with her than with other girls, etc. They also just look great together and I also just like Kana more than Akane.


Blog: nazreads.ca
Twitter: Naz_readsanime
Instagram: nazreads01, nazcosplay, nradesigns, charmedanimegirl01

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

If there is one thing you can count on this series, it is being unpredictable. I feel this reminds me in that regard of Black Butler. I am on for the ride but have no clue where it is going to take me. The art and story continue to mesh well together and while I thought volume 3 was a tad better, there is not much of a drop off in entertainment and that alone is worth its weight in gold. Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari continue to blend this entertaining story that definitely does not go straight forward in its story telling. I am starting to appreciate more of the characters within this volume as well.

[AguacateConCara · Rating 3 out of 5]

❌ SPOILER ❌ 31-40
Mira, yo entiendo que Arima esté en este momento de su vida donde su carrera está en un declive que afecta su personalidad y salud mental, y que ser una adolescente no ayuda, PERO no creo que convertir a un vato en tu meta para alcanzar la mejor versión de ti sea lo correcto. Espero que cambie.

En cuanto a Akane, me encantó la perspectiva del personaje en el tomo anterior y espero que estas dos chicas evolucionen a ser más que el interés amoroso del protagonista. Ambas son tan talentosas, no pueden odiarse.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

AQUA HAS REDEEMED HIMSELF. He put on the stupid duck mask just to get Kana to talk to him and then did the stupid dance to cheer her on. Kana had so much inner turmoil surrounding her popularity, Mem and Ruby, as well as her feelings towards Aqua.

Aqua has to remind himself that even though he’s technically in his late forties, he’s not that man anymore and has a new life to live. His goal is to take revenge for Ai, but what about what Ai wanted for him. In the first Vol., he said Ai deserved to have normal children, so why doesn’t he start acting like it?

[Melisa Yilmaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a Kana lover I love the cover art and this volume! I love how we see Kana's warped self worth and how she got to that point. Memcho being recruited was also so cute! Her giving up her dream for her mom reminds me on how Ruby in her past life gave up her dream but is now continuing it FOR her mom. Kana finally getting out of her shell is also not just beautifully written but drawn as well, I love Kana's galaxy eyes. Aqua's reaction to Kana preforming was also so sweet and reminds the read that Kana is in the competition for Aquas heart, yet this isn't her full plot for this volume.

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Another solid volume of Oshi no Ko. I’m really starting to enjoy this one. 4 volumes in covers the first season of the anime I believe. I’ll have to give that a watch soon.

Volume 4 is mostly about Ruby, Kana, and Meme-cho getting their idol group established and performing their first live. Who’s gonna be the front woman? It also deals a lot with Kana’s insecurities and finding her place.

Kana on the cover of Vol. 4

Read 12/1/2023
Manga of the Month For the Manga Squad November 2023