The end of Oshi no Ko was already decided years ago
Mangaka Aka Akasaka, known for his successful manga 'Oshi no Ko', has reflected on the end of the series in an interview, and after more than four years of serialization, he shares his satisfaction and thoughts on the journey he has traveled with his characters. Speaking about the closure of this work, Akasaka expressed that he now wants to take some time to relax and focus on more everyday aspects of his life: "I want to do something more rooted in daily life, maybe even dedicate myself to agriculture," he said.
Akasaka assures that the ending of 'Oshi no Ko' was carefully planned from the beginning, and although he was clear about the fate of the story, the author admits that his working method changed over time. While in his early works he strictly established every detail, in 'Oshi no Ko' he left room for the characters to develop organically, allowing the narrative to take on a life of its own. This led to surprises, such as the evolution of the character of MEMcho, who was initially conceived as a secondary character, but her role in the story expanded thanks to the interpretation that illustrator Mengo Yokoyari gave her.
The author also highlighted the case of Aqua, one of the main characters, who was originally presented as emotionally accessible. However, with the development of the plot, Aqua became a more complex and reserved character, a change that was due to the experiences she faced within the story. Akasaka reflects that this evolution adds a richness that may not be obvious to readers, but nonetheless reflects his intention to explore deeper themes in the characters.
Responsibility for the completion of major works
With the end of works like 'Shingeki no Kyojin' and 'Jujutsu Kaisen' still fresh in readers' minds, Akasaka feels that the manga environment is changing. According to him, the manga industry is advancing rapidly, and it is now common for many series to conclude more briefly. However, Akasaka expresses his gratitude for having had the freedom to close 'Oshi no Ko' at the time and in the way he wished, a luxury he attributes to the transformations in the market: "It's a good time to be an author," he says.
Despite the pressure that comes with the success of a work, Akasaka confesses that he felt a responsibility to keep the story exciting until the end, not only for the sake of his readers, but also for his collaboration with Yokoyari Mengo. "I wanted it to be a good work for the readers and for Yokoyari Mengo-sensei," he said, admitting that part of the creation of 'Oshi no Ko' was an act of generosity towards his partner.
'Oshi no Ko' as a social phenomenon and teamwork
The popularity of 'Oshi no Ko' and its anime adaptation catapulted the work to become a cultural phenomenon, along with its theme song performed by YOASOBI. Akasaka sees this success as the culmination of a deep desire: to create something meaningful together with other artists and collaborators. This focus on teamwork, Akasaka notes, is a lesson he learned from his previous experience with Kaguya-sama: Love is War, which made him aware that truly successful works require the joint effort of several.
Akasaka says that one of the themes of 'Oshi no Ko' is precisely the collaboration and interaction between creators, a reflection of his own desire to develop projects together and that extends beyond manga, involving music and other entertainment media. "I think that one of the themes of 'Oshi no Ko' is the creation shared with others," said the author, revealing that for him the work represents a tribute to those relationships.
Between Satisfaction and Fear: The Impact of Success
Finally, Akasaka spoke about the success of the work and the ambivalence it generates. Despite the joy of seeing his work well received, there is also a pressure to meet expectations and a sense of responsibility that he shares with Yokoyari Mengo. "There's a burden of responsibility that falls on us that scares us a little bit," he admits, revealing that the two authors frequently argued about how to handle the success of 'Oshi no Ko'.
For fans, the end of 'Oshi no Ko' represents the closure of an era, while for Aka Akasaka, the future seems uncertain but full of possibilities. Although the idea of farming is a running joke, fans hope that Akasaka's talent will not fade away and that, sooner or later, he will return to the world of manga with a new work.
Source: Official Site
