Oshi no Kois a hit anime and manga series about the dark side of the idol music industry in Japan. After first debuting inWeekly Young Jumpin 2020, the series made the leap to anime in 2023 to staggering success. According to one recent report,Oshi no Kowas Kadokawa’s biggest money-making anime in recent memory, grossing about $60 million during the last two years. While more anime is on the way, with a new season in the works for 2026, theOshi no Komanga ended in 2024, leaving fans to wonder what’s next for its creators.
Soon afterOshi no KoillustratorMengo Yokoyari announced a new one-shot manga, author Aka Akasaka revealed his next project:a new fantasy romance manga series calledMaerchen Crown. Set to begin serialization on March 20 inWeekly Young Jumpmagazine,Maerchen Crownwill feature art by Aji Chika (Record of Ragnarok) along with series composition by Aoi Kujira. Right now, story and character details are slim, but the publisher is promising“a fantasy romance set in a fairytale-like world that follows the love story of a prince and a princess.”
The Rise of Aka Akasaka Continues
Expanding Creative Horizons With a New Series
Aka Akasaka is a renowned Japanese manga writer known for his twisty storylines and unique humor. Born in Japan, he gained attention with his breakout hitKaguya-sama: Love is War, published inWeekly Young Jump. The series earned acclaim and an anime adaptation in 2019, establishing him as a leading creator.
Expanding his creative range, Akasaka co-createdOshi no Kowith illustrator Mengo Yokoyari in 2020, blending dark themes with satirical commentary on Japan’s celebrity culture.Despite its sometimes disturbing content, the series proved to be a near-instant hit, resulting in a TV anime and a live-action adaptation.
What’s Next for Oshi no Ko’s Creators?
A New Chapter Begins
Following the massive success ofOshi no Ko, both Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari appear set to explore new creative directions. Fans wonder if Yokoyari’s one-shot manga is laying the groundwork for a future series, while Akasaka’s upcoming fantasy romance,Maerchen Crown, promises a new adventure—one possibly ripe for an anime adaptation of its own. Fans may have said goodbye to theOshi no Komanga, but the next chapter for these creators is just beginning.
