In an unexpected turn of events, the highly anticipated live-action adaptation of “Oshi no Ko” has hit a roadblock as artist Mengo Yokoyari has announced her decision to step away from the project. As fans eagerly await the release of this much-loved series on the big screen, the absence of Yokoyari’s artistic touch has raised questions and curiosity among enthusiasts.
“Oshi no Ko,” which burst into the anime scene in 2023, quickly skyrocketed to the top of the popularity charts, captivating audiences with its unique storyline and distinctive character design. The official announcement on January 24, 2024, that the series would be receiving a live-action film and drama series, was met with excitement and anticipation.
The drama series is set to be exclusively distributed worldwide on Amazon Prime Video during the winter of 2024, while the live-action film will see its theatrical release in Japan under the banner of Toei. The manga, a collaboration between Mengo Yokoyari (art) and Aka Akasaka (story), made its debut in 2020 and continues to enthrall readers with its ongoing narrative. The anime’s first season aired in the spring of 2023, and the second season is eagerly awaited by fans in 2024.
However, the buzz surrounding the live-action adaptation took an unexpected turn when Yokoyari, the talented artist responsible for bringing the manga’s characters to life, revealed that she would not be part of the project. In a tweet, she explained her absence from the live-action venture: “It’s hard to tweet at this timing because no matter what you tweet, it will be written in the article! (Don’t do it!) I was nervous when people were mad about that guy’s blonde hair. As for the live-action, I was in charge of supervising everything (sorry! I couldn’t secure a schedule. (It was impossible!) I’m looking forward to it from a viewer’s perspective!!!”
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While Yokoyari expressed her eagerness as a viewer, her inability to clear her schedule for the live-action adaptation might leave some fans disappointed. One of the challenges the live-action project faces is faithfully bringing the manga’s unique character design to life on the screen. Yokoyari’s artistic vision played a crucial role in crafting the memorable appearances of the characters, and her absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans.
“Oshi no Ko” is currently available for streaming on HIDIVE, and its official synopsis reads: “When a pregnant young starlet appears in Dr. Gorou Amemiya’s countryside medical clinic, he takes it upon himself to safely (and secretly) deliver Ai Hoshino’s child. But on the eve of her delivery, he is slain by Ai’s deluded stalker — and subsequently reborn as her child, Aquamarine Hoshino! Now, he wants to help his new mother rise to the top, but what can a child do about the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry? And what will he do when disaster strikes?”
As fans eagerly await the release of the live-action adaptation, they will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on how the project unfolds without Yokoyari’s direct involvement. The unique world of “Oshi no Ko” has left a lasting impression on fans, and the transition to live-action promises to be an exciting journey, albeit with a new artistic direction.
