With Aqua and Ruby’s saga officially over after the conclusion ofOshi no Ko, fan reception wasn’t exceptionally strong to the final chapters. Due perhaps to expectations of a happier ending and more pleasant epilogues for its male lead, the seinen manga still captivated public manga discourse with its poignant commentary on the entertainment industry. As the manga’s artist,Mengo Yokoyari, took to X(formerly Twitter), she addressed the difficulty of having a nuanced and frank discussion afterOshi no Ko’sconclusion, especially with how hard she worked on it.
Oshi no Kodoesn’t need to qualify itself, though. According toOricon’sNovember 2024 update, it has 20 million copies in circulation and is a massive hit anime series. The seinen manga explored themes of revenge and renewal as two tragically lost souls were reincarnated as the children of their favorite idol, who would soon witness her murder.Love it or not,Oshi no Kowas a powerfully compelling series with biting commentary on show business that’s a tough act to follow.
Oshi no Ko Artist Won’t Comment Beyond How Hard She Worked on It
Mengo Yokoyari Doesn’t Wish to Feed Negative Discourse
As spotted on X, Mengo Yokoyari issued a crucial tweet with her stance on commenting onOshi no Ko’sdivisive ending. The manga has a poignant conclusion, which, as Yokoyari’s illustrations indicate, deserves to be appreciated for its joyful and vibrant conveyance ofOshi no Ko’shopeful final message. Yokoyari issued her statement,refusing to comment on the series to prevent negative discourse, instead focusing on how the series was a labor of love.Yokoyari has restricted replies to her tweets to only those she follows or mentions.
Given how Yokoyari even took the reins for the series withOshi no Ko -Interlude-in the summer of 2023, it’s clear how much it meant to her. Nothing else truly needs to be said, as she helped accomplish a massive feat and an impressive collaboration with Aka Akasaka, creating a buzzworthy seinen manga andgroundbreaking anime to follow.But Akasaka himself remarked on Yokoyari’s contributions toOshi no Ko.
Mengo-sensei has made a hit with Scum’s Wish, which isn’t based on an existing story or a separate writer’s script. She is capable of writing interesting manga without me.
-Aka Akasaka
In a July 23, 2025 interview withAnime News Network, Akasaka-sensei pointed out Yokoyari’s strengths as a mangaka and her value as a collaborative partner. He mentions her work onScum’s Wish, its status as a hit, and how valuable she was in the creative process of bringingOshi no Koto life. With Yokoyari’s previous work helping form the basis of Akasaka’s entertainment industry drama, theOshi no Koartist doesn’t need to say more, as her collaborative partner and body of work speak for her contributions immensely.
Oshi No Ko
Cast
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.
