Many anime series and films focus on the idol industry, but Perfect Blue and Oshi no Ko compete for the top spot for viewers. To settle the debate once and for all, we weigh in on which one showcased the idol world better: Oshi no Ko or Perfect Blue?
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Perfect Blue: A Psychological Thriller About the Harsh Entertainment Industry
Perfect Blue is a popular psychological thriller film released in 1997. It follows Mima, a member of the well-known trio called Cham. The group was not famous but had a strong and solid fan base.
When Mima decided to retire from the girl group to focus on her career as an actress (under the recommendation of one of her managers), her fans had mixed reactions to her decision.
She started receiving threatening letters, having a creepy website about her life, and getting an obscene phone call.
She realized that her acting roles started replicating her real life, making her confused about which was reality and which was not.
It also came to the point that people around her began to die.
What makes this thriller anime film famous is its approach to attracting viewers.
The animation does a splendid job of making each scene life-like. Viewers relate to Mima as she starts to wonder what is happening in her life.
The narrative is so on point that viewers have no idea what to expect next. It is multi-layered with a great approach to illusion and the dark side of obsession.
As the horror film progresses, viewers wonder if they are watching it from the point of view of a lunatic or a killer.
Oshi no Ko: A Mystery Anime That Highlights How Tragic an Idol’s Life Can Be
Oshi no Ko certainly has a way of tugging at the hearts of its viewers. It starts with a popular idol, Ai Hoshino, who surprisingly gets pregnant.
Despite her lack of knowledge about motherhood and love in general, she chose to keep her children, even if it might affect her career.
The supernatural anime added a mix of reincarnation as she gave birth to twins; one turned out to be her fan while the other turned out to be the doctor who helped her during pregnancy.
While the series seemed to be going well as Ai started to get more gigs and projects, she was murdered one day by her fan after finding out the truth about her pregnancy.
The once bright and cheerful series took an incredibly dark turn as one of the twins, Aqua, vowed to find out who was behind Ai's murder. He believed that his biological father caused the incident.
Oshi no Ko takes a refreshing take on the entertainment industry. Through the twins, it tries to highlight the idol world and the acting industry equally.
While its colors and tone are bright and cheerful, the anime shows viewers that becoming an idol or actor takes a lot of work.
The hard work, sacrifices, and even criticisms celebrities have to endure are unbearable. Not to mention they must please their fans at all times.
The animation was perfect for delivering the message and the narrative, giving each character a chance to explain their thoughts and emotions.
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Oshi no Ko vs. Perfect Blue: Which One Showcases the Idol World Better?
Of all the anime series and films released, Oshi no Ko and Perfect Blue have realistic approaches to the idol world.
Both are not afraid to expose the dark and horrible side of the idol industry, which makes for a very intriguing watch.
However, if we were to choose one, Perfect Blue’s real-life attack showcased the idol world better.
Since it is from the perspective of Mima herself, viewers get to see how the industry unfolds in her eyes.
Ai did get her perspective shown in the anime, but it seems like Oshi no Ko focuses more on Aqua’s revenge rather than Ai's experience.
Don't get us wrong, Oshi no Ko and Perfect Blue are both amazing works.
They both have unique approaches and impactful storytelling that stay with viewers even after the end.
But overall, Perfect Blue’s disturbing and creepy lens puts a rather exciting and harsh criticism of the idol culture that will make viewers worried about their favorite celebrities (if they have any).
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