The dramatic anime series Oshi no Ko took viewers by storm when it premiered in April 2023, quickly becoming one of the most talked about shows of the year. After an emotionally charged first season that gave an unflinching look into the highs and lows of the Japanese entertainment industry, fans are eagerly anticipating the next chapter for the reincarnated twins Aqua and Ruby. While details are still scarce, here’s everything we know so far about the highly anticipated Oshi no Ko season 2.
Oshi no Ko Season 2 (Anime) Expected Release Date
Shortly after the season 1 finale aired in June 2023, a second season of Oshi no Ko was officially confirmed much to the delight of fans. However, a specific release date has not yet been announced. Given the 10 month lead time between the season 1 announcement and premiere, viewers likely have several more months of waiting before the next batch of episodes air.
Animation production schedules vary, but popular shows often have a 1-2 year break between seasons. If Oshi no Ko follows a similar timeline, season 2 could potentially return in spring or summer 2024. Some speculate it may even be pushed back to 2025 due to the high quality animation required. Fans hope more concrete details will emerge soon, but for now they’ll have to satiate themselves by rewatching season 1.
What Source Material Will Oshi no Ko Season 2 Cover?
Season 1 of the anime deftly adapted the first 40 chapters of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari’s manga series, which amounts to about one third of the full story. This means there is plenty of content left for season 2 to cover as Aqua and Ruby’s journey continues.
Major upcoming manga arcs that could be adapted include stage play production, variety show appearances, and a big budget film shoot. The overarching story also progresses with Aqua getting closer to locating his estranged father and learning more secrets about his mother Ai’s murder. Season 2 will likely conclude this central mystery.
Fans of the manga are eager to see key moments brought to life in the anime, like powerful confrontations, emotional revelations, and further exploration of the twins’ motivations. There is certainly no shortage of drama and turmoil coming for the siblings.
Oshi no Ko Anime Part 2 Expected Cast Members
The Japanese and English voice actors who brought Aqua, Ruby, and the other key characters to life are expected to reprise their roles for part 2. This stellar cast includes:
- Takeo Otsuka as Aqua Hoshino in Japanese, voiced by Jack Stansbury in English.
- Yurie Igoma as Ruby Hoshino in Japanese, voiced by Alyssa Marek in English.
- Megumi Han as Kana Arima in Japanese, voiced by Natalie Rial in English.
- Lynn as Miyako Saito in Japanese, voiced by Christina Kelly in English.
- Rumi Okubo as Memcho in Japanese, voiced by Juliet Simmons in English.
- Manaka Iwami as Akane Kurokawa in Japanese, voiced by Kristen McGuire in English.
Many of these voice actors are fan favorites known for other popular anime roles. Their emotional voice acting helps bring the complex characters of Oshi no Ko to life. Barring any unforeseen casting changes, fans can expect to hear these same voices in the highly anticipated new episodes.
What Themes and Subjects Will Oshi no Ko’s Season 2 Explore?
The first season of Oshi no Ko stood out for its willingness to frankly explore the dark side of the entertainment world. Season 2 will continue to develop those themes, delving further into the ambition, friendship, trauma, and industry pitfalls experienced by its flawed yet endearing characters.
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Viewers can look forward to more insightful commentary on the fickle nature of fame, the corrupting influence of power, and the mental health impacts of constant public scrutiny. The story provides a revealing look at the hidden side of show business through the eyes of its young rookie protagonists.
Aqua’s ongoing character arc will also take center stage as he continues on his morally ambiguous quest for answers about his mother’s murder. His methods become increasingly unscrupulous, testing his relationships. How he copes with the psychological toll of his obsessive revenge mission will be central to season 2’s narrative.
Will There be an English Dub for Oshi no Ko Part 2?
The subtitled Japanese audio was joined by an English dub halfway through Oshi no Ko’s first season, which was well-received by viewers. Given this success, it is very likely season 2 will receive an English dub as well.
Popular streaming platform HIDIVE spearheaded the season 1 dub, so they are the most probable source for the new episodes. Sentai Filmworks produced the English vocal dub track for season 1, and fans hope they will return to bring consistency between the voice casts. The English dub helped widen Oshi no Ko’s audience, and those new fans will be eagerly awaiting dub release details.
Where Can Fans Watch Oshi no Ko Season 2 Anime Online?
Oshi no Ko is a HIDIVE exclusive in the US and UK, with season 1 only available to watch on that streaming platform. Barring any unexpected licensing changes, season 2 will presumably also debut exclusively on HIDIVE for international fans.
In Japan, the series aired on TV networks prior to becoming available on streaming services. There is a possibility season 2 could get a similar television premiere before streaming, but HIDIVE looks to be its eventual worldwide home.
HIDIVE offers the series subtitled or dubbed, though dub episodes premiere a few weeks after their subtitle-only versions. The streaming platform is where North American and British fans can catch up on season 1 and watch the new episodes as soon as they drop.
Oshi no Ko’s New Season 2 Announcement Trailer
Shortly after the season 1 finale aired in June, fans were treated to a brief but exciting teaser trailer announcing Oshi no Ko would return for season 2. The 40 second trailer doesn’t reveal much, but provides a few quick glimpses of what’s in store.
We see Aqua and Ruby dressed in new stylish outfits, likely for their evolving idol and acting gigs. The pair look slightly older, reflecting the passage of time between seasons. Though the twins appear more confident, the trailer ends on a sinister note hinting that dangers still await them.
Brief clips are shown of Ruby dancing, Aqua acting, and flashes of other cast members. The montage is set to tense musical score that promises season 2 will deliver more of the drama and stakes that defined season 1. It’s just enough to get fans hyped for the next chapter of the story.
The Wait is Agonizing, But the Payoff Will be Worth It
The runaway success of Oshi no Ko’s first season left fans craving more of its provocative explorations of celebrity life and captivating characters. While it could be a long wait before the highly anticipated new episodes drop, they are sure to be well worth it.
Until then, catching up on season 1 and reading the manga source material will give insight into where Aqua and Ruby’s unpredictable journey may head next. Once a premiere timeframe is announced, the countdown will be on. But Oshi no Ko has already proven it delivers compelling, high quality storytelling that resonates with audiences. Season 2 is hotly tipped to become one of the most binged and talked about anime of 2024. The game of fame goes on!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When will Oshi no Ko season 2 be released?
The exact release date for Oshi no Ko season 2 has not been announced yet. However, the first season aired in Spring 2023, so fans speculate season 2 could premiere in late 2023 or sometime in 2024 based on typical anime production schedules.
2. How many episodes will there be in Oshi no Ko’s season 2?
The episode count for season 2 has not been confirmed. Season 1 had 11 episodes. Many anime seasons are around 12 episodes, so season 2 will likely be a similar length.
3. What manga chapters will part 2 cover?
Season 1 adapted the first 40 chapters of the manga. Part 2 will likely cover the next major story arcs from chapters 41 onwards, including stage play, variety show, and film arcs.
4. Will the same voice actors return for season 2?
Yes, the main Japanese and English voice cast from season 1 are expected to reprise their roles in season 2, including actors for Aqua, Ruby, Kana, Memcho, Miyako, and Akane.
