Oshi no Ko was one of the best breakout new anime series in 2023, and fans have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a second season. The series kicked off its anime adaptation with a stunning feature-length episode with one of the best plot twists in 2023, gaining one of the best streaming debuts for an anime as a result.
With Oshi no Ko's widespread popularity, Season 2 has been highly anticipated, and luckily, a new season has been confirmed to be in the works right after season one's finale. Looking back at season one and using the manga source material as a guide can give fans some clues as to what season two will have in store as well as which cast members are likely to be returning when the new season arrives.
Oshi no Ko Season 2 Release Date and Episode Count
The second season of Oshi no Ko has been confirmed to be arriving in 2024, but an exact month or date has yet to be announced for the series. November 2023 saw the series cast members unite for a special event that included a teaser trailer for the 2024 premiere as well as a new visual for it.
It's likely that in the coming months, a more exact timeline for Oshi no Ko Season 2 will be revealed, but it is suspected that the second season will premiere sometime during the 2024 Winter lineup. This year is shaping up great for anime fans, with both the Spring and Winter seasons being stacked full of amazing anime that are returning in 2024.
The first season of Oshi no Ko contained a total of eleven episodes, but it remains to be seen if the show will get more episodes in season two thanks to its growing popularity. Oshi no Ko's English dubbed episodes were released between four and six weeks after the episode premiered in Japan, meaning those who watch the dub may even be waiting until early 2025 for new episodes, depending on how late in the year Oshi no Ko Season 2 premieres in Japan.
Oshi no Ko Season 2's Story Arc
The first season of Oshi no Ko adapted the first forty chapters of the original manga, concluding at the end of the First Concert Arc. It's safe to assume that Oshi no Ko season 2 will follow a similar formula, and it's likely to continue to be an anime adaptation that remains faithful to its manga source material, too.
Season 2 of Oshi no Ko should kick off with the 2.5D Stage Play Arc, which begins with Chapter 41 of the manga. This new arc sees the cast rehearsing for a stage play adaptation of the Tokyo Blade manga. The 2.5D Stage Play Arc is the longest in the manga series so far, spanning across three different volumes and introducing many new characters as well as including ones from previous arcs.
After the opening night of the play, the series moves into the Private Arc, which will take Oshi no Ko's drama and mystery elements to new levels. The arc sees Aqua learning more about the mystery of his father while B-Komachi travels to film a new music video that ends with some devastating revelations.
Oshi no Ko Season 2 Cast and Crew
Oshi no Ko Season 2 will once again be handled by Doga Kobo, the Japanese animation studio that produced the first season. The studio has become known for its romance anime adaptations, including Koihime Muso, YuruYuri, and even slice-of-life comedy series like Himouto! Umaru-chan.
Oshi no Ko is full of lovable characters, like Akane, Ai, and Kana, and the second season will undoubtedly introduce new characters into the mix as the series adapts more chapters of its manga source material. While new voice actors for these characters have yet to be announced for the upcoming season, the main cast will likely return to reprise their roles, including:
New Characters in Oshi no Ko Season 2
While the main cast of Oshi no Ko will stay the same in season two, the upcoming 2.5D Stage Play Arc introduces a variety of new and exciting characters. Some of these characters have actually made small cameos in the anime during the first season, and fans can expect them to be featured more prominently in season two.
Toshirou Kindaichi is one of the founders of the Lala Lai Theatrical Company, and he appeared briefly in the premiere episode of the series. At the end of the first season, the screenwriter who adapts the Tokyo Blade manga into a stage play also makes a brief cameo. Both characters will be featured more in the new season, as Oshi no Ko's story explores the Lala Lai Theatrical Company where Aqua's mother and father met.
Other important characters who will be introduced include Abiko Samejima, the mangaka behind the popular Tokyo Blade series, and Taiki Himekawa, the award-winning actor who is part of the Lala Lai Theatrical Company and acts in the play. Both will be featured heavily in the 2.5D Stage Play Arc, and Taiki will go on to be featured more heavily as a supporting character as more about his relationship with the main cast is revealed.
Oshi no Ko's Live-Action Adaptations and Prequel Story
The breakout success of Oshi no Ko Season 1 has seen the franchise reach new heights, and along with a second season of the anime, it appears that a live-action TV series and movie are in the works. The news was reported by Shuukan Josei Prime, with Toei, the studio said to be producing the live-action adaptations, not denying the claims.
While the Oshi no Ko manga is on a hiatus, fans can enjoy a spin-off manga story revolving around Ai Hoshino. The interlude serves as a prequel story and gives more depth and background to the overarching protagonist of Oshi no Ko.
Where to Watch Oshi no Ko Season 2
Oshi no Ko is licensed by Sentai Filmworks, and the first season is available for streaming on Hidive for viewers in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Ireland. Viewers in the Asia-Pacific can stream Oshi no Ko on the Ani-One Asia YouTube channel, Netflix, Bilibili, and iQIYI.
There have been no reports of any licensing changes for the series, meaning that when Oshi no Ko Season 2 arrives, it should be available on the same platforms around the world. The series is also available to watch on Amazon with the Hidive add-on and is also available on Amazon for direct purchase.
