Oshi no Ko Season 3 Locks in Release Date With Special First Look
Oshi no Ko was one of anime's biggest surprise smash hits in recent years, premiering to near universal acclaim in April 2023. The first season would go on to receive praise for its darker premise and fearless critiques of the entertainment industry. Its follow-up second season was also well received, and ended on a cliffhanger that signaled the even darker tone shift to come in future arcs. Season Two concluded in October 2024, and fans have waited with anticipation for more details regarding the upcoming Season Three.
Finally, Oshi no Ko has announced a 2026 release window for its highly anticipated third season, alongside an all-new promotional image. It has yet to be confirmed whether the season will be a one-cour or two-cour release, though from the newly shared image, it can be inferred the anime will cover the manga's Mainstay Arc, one of the lengthier sections of the story's latter half.
Oshi no Ko Season 3 Is Slated for a 2026 Release
The Highly-Anticipated Return Is Planned for Next Year
Oshi no Ko will return in 2026, though an official exact release date has yet to be announced. Given where Season Two wrapped up, along with the length of coming arcs, it is reasonable to assume the upcoming season will cover the manga's Mainstay and Scandal Arcs. The Movie Arc which follows is the longest in the entire series, and will likely require its own season to cover in its entirety. If a second cour is announced, however, then there's a chance the Movie Arc might be included.
The series is now officially entering its second half, and Season Three will be the first step toward the endgame, slowly laying the groundwork for Oshi no Ko's finale. The story's subject matter only continues to get darker from this point on, as Ruby enters the spotlight for much of the upcoming action. Some fans have expressed concern, however, as the ending of Aka Akasaka's and Mengo Yokoyari's original manga has remained a controversial subject since the final chapter's release in November 2024.
Oshi no Ko Will Begin Towards Its Controversial Finale
The Original Manga's Ending Was Divisive Among the Series' Fan Base
Oshi no Ko's manga ended serialization to a somewhat lukewarm reception. A portion of the fan base felt the series' finale was fitting for the overall narrative, while another portion felt the ending to be one of the weakest in recent years. While the anime adaptation produced by Doga Kobo still has a ways to go before it reaches its conclusion, some fans have begun to express concern over the series' eventual finish. However, public perception of manga endings have been known to flip following the anime's version of events, as seen fairly recently with Attack on Titan.
Until the time comes for the anime to conclude, fans can rejoice in knowing Oshi no Ko will return in 2026. A few of the most pivotal moments of the entire series are set to appear during the upcoming third season, so fans will want to keep a close eye on the anime for further announcements.
Oshi No Ko
- Release Date
- April 12, 2023
- Network
- Tokyo MX
- Directors
- Kim Seong-min, Kouki Uchinomiya
- Writers
- Jin Tanaka
Cast
Takeo OtsukaAqua (voice)- Yurie IgomaRuby (voice)
Oshi No Ko is a 2023 Japanese series that follows a small-town doctor's encounter with a popular teen idol leading to an entanglement in the cutthroat entertainment industry. The narrative explores themes of ambition, identity, and the hidden realities behind fame as the characters navigate complex personal and professional challenges.
- Streaming Service(s)
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