The Anime Momma Blog

TL;DR: [Oshi no Ko] (S1) is emotionally intense rather than action-heavy. It explores grief, trauma, identity, and revenge through a story about reincarnation and the dark side of the entertainment industry. While not graphic, it contains heavy themes including murder, suicide, abuse, and cyberbullying. Best for preteens+ with parental guidance.

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Section 1: [Oshi no Ko] (Season 1; 11 Episodes) — At a Glance

Anime Summary | Taken Directly from MyAnimeList

In the entertainment world, celebrities often show exaggerated versions of themselves to the public, concealing their true thoughts and struggles beneath elaborate lies. Fans buy into these fabrications, showering their idols with undying love and support, until something breaks the illusion. Sixteen-year-old rising star Ai Hoshino of pop idol group B Komachi has the world captivated; however, when she announces a hiatus due to health concerns, the news causes many to become worried.

As a huge fan of Ai, [Doctor] Gorou Amemiya cheers her on from his countryside medical practice, wishing he could meet her in person one day. His wish comes true when Ai shows up at his hospital—not sick, but pregnant with twins! While the doctor promises Ai to safely deliver her children, he wonders if this encounter with the idol will forever change the nature of his relationship with her.

Genres & Themes

Drama, Reincarnation, Showbiz, Slice of Life

MyAnimeList Rating

PG-13+ | Teens 13 and over

The Anime Momma Rating

PG-11+ | Parental guidance recommended between ages 11–12

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Section 2: Star Levels

Each category below is rated on a five-star scale:

 ⭐️ = very little present |  ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = a lot present

• Action/Violence Level: ⭐️⭐️☆☆☆ (2/5)
• Addiction Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
• Blood/Gore Level: ⭐️⭐️☆☆☆ (2/5)
• Inappropriate, Heavy, or Mature Themes or Conduct: ⭐️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
• Alternative Lifestyle Themes:  ⭐️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
• Level of Magical Elements: ⭐️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
• Level of Romance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

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Section 3: Star Levels—Explained

Action/Violence Level

While this series does contain moments of violence, it is far more emotionally intense than physically graphic. Much of the danger is talked about rather than shown, and the weight comes from the characters’ trauma rather than constant on-screen fighting.

Doctor Gorou—now reincarnated as Aqua, the son of idol Ai—becomes driven by one singular goal: to find and kill the person responsible for Ai’s murder. This revenge plot hangs heavily over the story, shaping Aqua’s decisions and emotional state, even when there is little physical action happening on screen.

Parents should be aware that while this isn’t a battle-heavy anime, it is emotionally heavy.

Addictiveness Level

I fell head-first in love with this anime.

The storytelling is gripping, emotionally layered, and surprisingly thoughtful. It draws you in not through constant cliffhangers, but through deep character moments, mystery, and quiet heartbreak. It’s the kind of show that makes you say, “Just one more episode…” and suddenly it’s 2 a.m.

Blood/Gore Level

There are a few significant scenes involving blood, but they are more tragic than gruesome.

Doctor Gorou is pushed off a cliff and left bloodied and unable to move. Blood is visible on his face, head, and neck, but the scene focuses more on helplessness than gore.

After their reincarnation to become Ai’s children, all seems to be going well for Aqua and Ruby. That is until years later, when Ai is found and fatally wounded by an obsessive fan. This is one of the most emotionally intense moments of the series. After her killer runs away, Ai slumps against their door to keep Ruby from seeing her as well, talking to her through the door as she and Aqua cling to each other. 

It is absolutely devastating.

• This moment becomes the emotional foundation of Aqua’s revenge arc. It is mildly graphic and very heavy. Parents should be aware that sensitive viewers may find this scene deeply upsetting.

Inappropriate, Heavy, or Mature Themes or Conduct

This series does contain occasional profanity, mature themes, and innuendo, but I’ve found that this anime is far more modest than many others.

Several characters joke throughout the first season that Aqua has a “sister complex” due to how protective he is of his sister, Ruby. This joke does not go any farther.

One character, Pieyon, is a muscular man who often wears a speedo and a bird mask. While his outfit is ridiculous, his behavior is surprisingly wholesome and PG.

Alternative Lifestyle Themes

This series opens with middle-aged Doctor Gorou openly adoring a 16-year-old idol. While his admiration is not sexualized, it may feel uncomfortable to some viewers. His affection stems from seeing her as a symbol of hope for sick or struggling children—particularly a terminally ill patient he once cared for, named Sarina.

A few episodes later, Kana briefly wonders if Aqua might be homosexual after misinterpreting his motives about suddenly agreeing to work on set after she mentions a “cute male actor,” but this is quickly cleared up.

Level of Magical Elements

The primary supernatural element is reincarnation. Gorou and Sarina are reborn as Aqua and Ruby, retaining their memories of their past lives.

There are no spells, monsters, or fantasy battles—this is a grounded, real-world story with one supernatural twist.

Level of Romance

Romance begins slowly but becomes more prominent as the story progresses.

Kana has a very obvious crush on Aqua and is thrilled to reunite with him after years apart. Aqua doesn’t return her feelings in the same way, but he is consistently kind, encouraging, and protective of her.

Because the story centers on idols and acting, several characters adopt on-screen personas. Aqua participates in a dating-style reality show called Love Now, where he is paired with Akane. He makes it clear to everyone—including Akane—that he sees it as a job rather than a real relationship.

• When asked by Akane and the other girls on the show, Aqua describes his “ideal girl” as someone like B-Komachi’s Ai. Though he does blush and get bashful when Akane successfully pulls off acting like Ai during the show, this is framed more as admiration and inspiration rather than romantic, inappropriate, or obsessive desire.

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Section 4: Specific Notes for Parents & Guardians

One of the most refreshing aspects of this anime is its modesty. Compared to many other modern anime, the clothing is generally age-appropriate, with very little fanservice.

That said, there is an important future concern I must address, particularly for manga readers:

In later chapters, Ruby and Aqua finally learn each other’s true identities from their past lives. This leads to Ruby growing romantic feelings toward her own twin brother—not because she sees him as her brother, Aqua, but because she sees him as Gorou. This storyline borders on incest, but it has not yet appeared in the anime. Extreme discretion is advised for families considering the manga.

• I am likely downplaying the extent of their relationship, but it has yet to cross into anything inappropriate in the anime. I assure you, if/once it does, I will be sharing this with you.

Ai’s backstory includes emotional abuse, abandonment, and deep trauma, which shaped her warped understanding of love.

In Episode 6, Akane attempts suicide after severe cyberbullying. Aqua saves her at the last moment. The following episode addresses the emotional toll of online cruelty, why victims often stay silent, and the long-term effects of shame and isolation.

While executed beautifully and handled carefully, this scene is very, very heavy.

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Final Thoughts

This is not a lighthearted idol anime.

It is quiet.
It is reflective.
It is heartbreaking.

And it asks deep questions about love, identity, trauma, and how our past shapes our present.

If your child is sensitive, prone to emotional overwhelm, or struggles with grief-related topics, I recommend watching this together or previewing episodes first.

What I appreciate most is that this anime doesn’t glamorize pain—it examines it.

It reminds us that behind every smiling idol, every perfect performance, and every carefully curated image… there is still a human being.

And that, friends, is a lesson worth talking about.

Thank you for reading this review of [Oshi no Ko] (Season 1). 💛 Read Next: [Oshi no Ko] (Season 2) – Anime Review

[Oshi no Ko] recently released its third season, and I am dying to watch it!

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