Critical reception
The anime adaptation received widespread acclaim for its storytelling, animation quality, and thematic boldness. Lauren Orsini of Anime News Network wrote in her review of the premiere that Oshi no Ko "offers a potent combination: the glitz of the industry and the gritty darkness just underneath—and I'm certain we haven't even scratched the surface." Ali Griffiths of Digital Spy praised the series' depiction of the production of dating shows and Akane's cyberbullying, describing Oshi no Ko as a "compelling watch". Kambole Campbell of Polygon described in his review that "[the series] leverages the reincarnation premise for both the wild dramatic potential of its revenge plot line, but also as a way to have a pair of fans see behind the curtain, with different perspectives and impossible hindsight." In contrast, David Opie of Radio Times felt that the anime had changed its content and impact compared to its premiere episode, writing: "the show no longer stands out as unique in the same way that the first episode did."
Mike Hale of The New York Times listed Oshi no Ko as one of the best international shows of 2023, calling it both "sprightly" and "goofy". Vulture named it one of the best anime series of 2023, praising its humor and the handling of characters' performance from the expression of the feelings. The website wrote: "Aside from its unhinged backstory, the real fun of Oshi no Ko is the drama it mines from its analytical portrayal of the entertainment industry and how business conflicts with art."
Mitsushima Erio of Real Sound praised in their analysis that the animation quality in concert scenes captures "a power that comes from within and overwhelms the viewer in a way that defies rational explanation," adding that the first episode alone conveys "the same satisfaction felt after watching a high-quality film." In another article from the same publication, Nozawa Yoshinori highlighted that episodes six and seven, centered on online harassment and Akane's emotional recovery, "delicately portray the darkness of the entertainment industry and social media, and the human relationships of real life."
The second season, aired in summer 2024, also received critical praise. James Beckett of Anime News Network, previously skeptical of the first season, noted in his preview guide that by the second season he had come to fully appreciate the series' strengths, particularly "how the story interrogates the complex and often toxic nature of life in the entertainment industry," concluding that "Oshi no Ko is a marvel." However, he again cited the main criticism regarding the protagonist Aqua, whose "cold, calculating personality makes him intrinsically hard to support." In contrast, Gracie Qu of Anime Trending considered the second season superior to the first, highlighting that the rivalry dynamic between Akane and Kana is refreshing as it depicts "two women competing to be the best in a ruthless industry," a trope usually reserved for male characters. Asian Movie Pulse highlighted that the season shows "the transformative power of theatre," noting that characters become a cast capable of moving audiences to tears with layered performances, and called the series "an informed and empathetic look at the world of stage and music video production."
The third season began airing on January 14, 2026. Lauren Orsini of Anime News Network, who had previously reviewed the first season, wrote in her analysis of the first two episodes that the season starts at such a remarkable level that it made her pretend and dream that the manga ending she didn't like "never happened", highlighting the new opening and ending as reflective of the series' central narrative themes: "flawless performances for a world that barely mirrors reality." She also expressed hope that the anime could serve as a re-reading of the story, especially if Doga Kobo can soften the original final problems or even change it in some way. CBR included the third season among the most notable anime releases of 2026, praising that "the mystery feels alive and the animation is impossible to look away from," noting that the series continues using the entertainment industry as a crime stage: "danger exists not just in dark alleys, but in contracts, connections, and the way powerful people protect their image."
