Introduction

Those who have read our few articles dedicated to Oshi no Ko (like our second season review here) know I have a lot of love for the franchise. Delving into the darker, unseen world of idols, actors/actresses, and Japanese media life, Oshi no Ko has always given us a fusion of drama, supernatural elements, and eerie realism. We have finally entered the third season—and completed it—but is this third entry in the animated adaptation of Oshi no Ko worth watching, especially with how many great anime aired this season? I’m going to let you know in our spoiler-free review of Oshi no Ko Season 3! Be mindful—no spoilers for this season, but I’m going to assume you’ve seen Seasons 1 and 2, as I will be spoiling portions of those seasons.

Story

Aqua and Ruby Hoshino have both been going through quite a bit. B-Komachi has grown in popularity, giving more work to Ruby, Kana, and MEM-cho, as well as Strawberry Production, which is pushing the girls to their limits. Aqua and Akane’s relationship seems to be growing stronger, at the cost of Kana losing Aqua’s friendship as he pushes her away to avoid complications. Yet, behind these seemingly normal issues lies a darker world—especially for Ruby. While Aqua appears to have stepped away from his revenge plot, Ruby has been quietly seeking vengeance for their mother and sensei (who Ruby still doesn’t know is Aqua) in the background. Knowing that stardom is the only way to further her plans, Ruby begins to manipulate her friends, family, and those in the idol and acting world to make her name shine even brighter than Ai’s. Soon, the Hoshino siblings will reach their limits and push their friends and companions in directions they shouldn’t.

I want to spoil so badly how the story of Oshi no Ko Season 3 unfolds. Every bone in my body would love to tell you what Aqua does to specific characters or what revelations Ruby uncovers in her pursuit of vengeance. The beauty of Season 3, though, is seeing these epic realities unfold for yourself. Oshi no Ko has always thrived on showing you the seedier side of the idol world and how much these performers endure unseen by their mass of fans. What I also love about Oshi no Ko is that it takes that reality and intertwines it with drama and a small tinge of revenge and the supernatural.

Season 3 still focuses on Ruby and Aqua, but Akane and Kana each get some major episodes as well. Akane is still fueled by her love for Aqua, with that tinge of psychosis driving her to prove she can shoulder his plot to find Ai’s killer and deliver judgment. Kana, meanwhile, is now wrestling with her own desire to remain an idol or continue chasing broader stardom. Even though these are side stories to the bigger plot—which does begin to reveal its endgame this season—they carried real meaning, fleshing out characters who are quite relevant and far from filler. I was happy to see Kana finally grow a bit more and to see Akane eventually make a significant decision regarding her dating life.

Animation

Oshi no Ko may not be an action anime packed with fight scenes or a sci-fi that leans on mecha and kaiju, but despite that, the animation is often breathtaking. Characters are animated with a high degree of definition, conveying their emotions and occasionally hinting at the true intentions behind their masks. Ruby has proven to be the biggest animation focal point of Season 3, as she runs through a gauntlet of surreal feelings. Pressured by her circumstances and pulled deeper into a world of deceit, Ruby has become someone whose darkness only people like Aqua can fully see. Doga Kobo showed that they took the success of the previous two seasons and poured it into this third outing, with several segments that burst with color, artistic ambition, and pure anime greatness.

Manga vs. Anime

When I reviewed the second season, I was only partially into the manga. As of now, I’ve finished the entire manga and know exactly how it ends and where it goes. Oshi no Ko Season 3 had the toughest job yet, covering not one but two arcs—the Scandal Arc and the Mainstay Arc—both of which pack serious emotional weight. Without spoiling either version, trust me: they did an admirable job. Aside from a few minor dialogue adjustments—nothing significant—both arcs are handled exceptionally well in Season 3. I was honestly surprised that some of the manga’s most heartbreaking moments actually hit me even harder in animated form. I don’t want to step on the toes of manga fans, but Season 3 of the anime might be my preferred way to experience these particular darker segments of the story.

Conclusion

Yeah, I loved Season 3 of Oshi no Ko—if this review didn’t make that abundantly clear. The twists and turns of the story, even though I knew they were coming as a manga reader, still hit me in the heart and never let up from episode to episode. The siblings and their struggles, the various side characters making tough decisions, and the relationships collapsing and beginning anew made Oshi no Ko Season 3 a spectacular entry in this already illustrious series. I can’t wait for the fourth—and final—season coming in 2027, as it will determine whether this anime stands as a perfect adaptation, surpasses the manga, or rushes a particular arc that will cement the series in the hearts of anime fans worldwide. Regardless of that outcome, Season 3 is a must-watch for Oshi no Ko fans, and if you loved it—or want to talk about it further—leave a comment below. I’d love to discuss everything I couldn’t here.