Highlights:
*Here are some great manga like Oshi No Ko that you should read.
*From Kaguya Sama to Phantom of the Idol, this list consists of many gems.
On Wednesday, November 13, 2024, Aka Akasaka’s popular supernatural murder mystery manga Oshi No Ko came to an end. After an impressive run that started in April 2020, the series became a fan-favorite for its stunning artwork and gripping storytelling. If you are missing the dark and tragic twists of the series, we come bearing gifts.
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The 5 Riveting Manga Like Oshi No Ko
The tale of twin siblings Aqua and Ruby ended on a tragic and sour note, highlighting the toxicity of the idol industry. Now that it’s over, many fans feel like there is a hole in their hearts. Thankfully, there are many amazing manga series that can help fill the void. From Nana, which has become an iconic fashion manga to Kasane, which highlights the darkest parts of the acting industry, these 5 manga series are a must-read.
Kaguya Sama: Love Is War
| Author | Aka Akasaka |
| Publisher | Shueisha |
Although not very similar to Oshi No Ko, this psychological rom-com is also written by Aka Akasaka. Miyuki Shirogane and Kaguya Shinomiya are the President and Vice-President of the student council of a prestigious academy. Despite their overly polite front, the two are rivals who try to demean each other at every turn. However, Shirogane and Shinomiya are head-over-heels in love with each other. The hilarious yet engrossing series focuses on their struggle to make the other person confess their feelings. Their psychological battles and rivals-to-lovers story is a lighthearted and entertaining read.
Nana
| Author | Ai Yazawa |
| Publisher | Shueisha |
The story of Nana Komatsu and Nana Osaki has become iconic due to the mind-blowing depiction of friendship, love, and the entertainment industry. The two Nanas meet by chance and later coincidentally start living in the same building. Osaki is in a band called Black Stones. Her boyfriend Ren is in another band called Trapnest. When Komatsu begins a relationship with Trapnest member Takumi while falling in love with Black Stones member Nobu, things start turning complicated for both Nanas. The series perfectly depicts the negative effects fame and love can have on a beautiful budding friendship. The dark undertones and the sad ending is quite reminiscent of Aka Akasaka’s masterpiece.
Phantom of the Idol
| Author | Hijiki Isoflavone |
| Where To Read | Ichijinsha, Kodansha |
Another lighthearted addition to the list, Phantom of the Idol is exactly what its name suggests. Yuya Ninodo joins the ZINGS idol group to earn easy money. However, his extremely lazy nature stops him from doing idol activities, causing his popularity to drop. On the verge of being kicked out of the two-man unit, he meets Asahi Mogami, the ghost of a very popular former idol who wants to enjoy the limelight for a little longer. Yuya allows Asahi to possess him while doing idol activities, leading to some hilarious encounters. The way these two navigate the entertainment industry is refreshing and eye-opening.
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Erased
| Author | Kei Sanbe |
| Where To Read | Yen Press |
If you love Oshi No Ko for its supernatural and murder elements, then Erased might be the perfect fit for you. The plot revolves around Satoru Fujinuma, a down-on-his-luck manga author who suddenly gains the ability to go back in time right before a deadly incident. This power allows him to stop tragic events from taking place. However, Satoru is sent back 18 years when his mother dies at the hands of an unknown assailant. Now a child, the protagonist not only has to unmask a serial killer, but also save the lives of his friends. Much like Aqua, who spends the whole series finding his mother’s killer and plotting the perfect revenge, Satoru has to put his life on the line to find the murderer before it’s too late. The gripping tale keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Kasane
| Author | Daruma Matsuura |
| Where To Read | Kodansha |
This dark and twisted tale is perfect if you want to read how the obsession with fame and beauty can completely overtake someone’s life. Kasane Fuchi is a talented actress, but she has an ugly face that causes her classmates to constantly bully her. Before dying, Kasane’s mother gives her a lipstick that allows her to take the face of anyone she kisses. Kasane uses this magical product to take the face of Nina Tanzawa, a gorgeous but talentless actress. As time passes, both Nina and Kasane start getting hungry for more, leading to a bottomless fall that’s out of their control. With themes of bullying, self-harm, and murder, Kasane is even more disturbing than Oshi No Ko.
Missing Oshi No Ko? Here are some great ongoing manga series that you can enjoy for a while.
