The highly anticipated third season of the anime “Oshi no Ko” is set to premiere in 2026, and fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this dark and captivating story of the entertainment industry, reincarnation, and revenge. A new visual featuring Aqua Hoshino has been released, hinting at the character’s continued descent into darkness as he pursues his goal of avenging his mother’s death.
Oshi no Ko Season 3: What to Expect
Release Date and Production
The “Ichigo Production Fan Kansha-sai 2025” event confirmed that Oshi no Ko Season 3 will premiere in 2026. The anime is produced by Doga Kobo, with Daisuke Hiramaki returning as director and Kuniyasu Nishina and Chao Nekatomi as assistant directors.
Story Arcs
Based on the manga, Season 3 is expected to cover the following arcs:
- Mainstay Arc: Ruby Hoshino’s journey in the entertainment world takes center stage as she appears on a web variety show alongside Aqua.
- Scandal Arc: Dark secrets about the Hoshino family are likely to emerge, potentially creating turmoil for Ruby and Aqua.
- Movie Arc: This is the longest arc in the series and may require a full season of its own.
New Characters and Cast
Two new cast members have been announced:
- Mamoru Miyano as Hikaru Kamiki
- Hina Kino as Tsukuyomi
Aqua’s Visual: A Descent into Darkness
The new visual of Aqua portrays him in a more mature and brooding light, hinting at the darker path he is treading. The visual features Aqua in a teal argyle vest donning circular, wide-lens glasses while holding a blue, heart-shaped lollipop.
Ruby’s Journey
Season 3 will delve deeper into Ruby Hoshino’s journey as she navigates the challenges of the entertainment world. As her popularity grows, she will face new challenges and temptations, potentially leading her down a dangerous path.
The Popularity of Oshi no Ko
Oshi no Ko has garnered immense popularity for several reasons:
Unique Storyline
The series features a unique blend of genres, including drama, mystery, and supernatural elements. The story revolves around reincarnation, the dark side of the entertainment industry, and the quest for revenge.
Compelling Characters
The characters in Oshi no Ko are complex and well-developed, each with their own motivations and flaws. Aqua’s brooding nature and Ruby’s determination have resonated with audiences, while the supporting cast adds depth and intrigue to the story.
Social Commentary
Oshi no Ko offers a sharp critique of the entertainment industry, exposing its exploitative practices and the pressures faced by idols. The series also touches on themes of identity, truth, and the nature of love.
Excellent Production Values
Doga Kobo’s adaptation of the manga has been praised for its stunning visuals and exceptional animation quality. The studio’s dedication to the project has helped to bring the world of Oshi no Ko to life.
The Meaning Behind the Star Eyes
The star eyes in Oshi no Ko are a visual cue that represents a character’s emotional state and connection to lies.
Ai Hoshino
Ai Hoshino’s two eye stars represent her lies to her fans about loving them and her insecurity about whether she truly loved her own children.
Aqua and Ruby Hoshino
Aqua and Ruby each have one eye star, representing their connection to their mother and their own lies. Aqua and Ruby lack a second eye star because they are not insecure about love like Ai was. While Ai feared she didn’t truly love her children, they were fully confident in their adoration and support for their mother, and to them, loving their idol was a sacred truth.
Akane Kurokawa
In rare cases, other characters can obtain star eyes when they are consumed by strong emotions or are forced to lie about their true nature. Akane Kurokawa gained star eyes when she attempted to become Ai Hoshino in order to win Aqua’s affection.
Oshi no Ko: A Cultural Phenomenon
Oshi no Ko has become a cultural phenomenon, with its manga selling over 20 million copies by November 2024. The anime adaptation has been streamed on HIDIVE and Netflix, and a live-action series and film have also been produced. The series’ opening theme song, “Idol” by Yoasobi, topped the Billboard Global 200 Excl. U.S. charts, breaking records as the first Japanese song to achieve this feat.
With its unique storyline, compelling characters, and sharp social commentary, Oshi no Ko has captivated audiences worldwide and cemented its place as one of the most popular anime series of recent years. Fans eagerly await the premiere of Season 3 in 2026 to see what dark twists and turns await Aqua, Ruby, and the rest of the cast.
