As a manga reader I was eager to see what the adaptation of Oshi No would look like I was also hyped to see the opening because its one of the most entertaining aspect of an anime and its also a clear way to see if the studio gets the source material and how much efforts they are going to put into the adaptation. And I can say I clearly wasnt disappointed. In this review Ill link the songs lyrics with the story in the purpose of directly analyzing the anime through its op TV Size : https://www..com/watch?v=PgBvV9ofjmA https://www..com/watch?v=PgBvV9ofjmA Full : https://www..com/watch?v=ZRtdQ81jPUQ https://www..com/watch?v=ZRtdQ81jPUQ Idol by Yoasoabi is a huge hit. It became Global No.1 on Apple Music and it also got super popular on many other platforms. 220https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/684405431686267115/1123575344037900308/l2BaLn4TUKcznvOwS25PMeFUOHUqxQFLEVbCO7yo7NsrQLGrkky75vZFqdWW3l3ld4BAMnc8yLTQgs1024ndv1.png 500https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/684405431686267115/1123575281236590662/image.png As of now the full song has around 200 millions views on within only 2 months of release. Its clear people like it and its good enough to make many people that arent familiar with the anime resonate with the song. 500https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/684405431686267115/1123582884788326460/001size105.png I think its kinda funny how appreciated the song became on a large scale. Its kinda meta since the song highlights Ai an idol that reached the peak of her popularity. Idol is sort of a tribute of her and since just like in the story she became insanely popular in the anime community the fact that a song about her also becomes extra popular is just very fitting. Its kind of like Idol is Ais song. Thats how good the interpretation of Oshi no Ko and Ais character is in this music. Couldnt beat her smile it stirred up all the media Secret side I wanna know it So mysterious Even that elusive side part of her controlled area Complete and perfect All you say is a bunch of lies Starting out with a bang within its first seconds the openning already completely captured my attention. It breaks the perfected image fans creates in their head about their favorite idols. Even more so it even says that idols are the ones purposely lying and putting up airs to misguide the perception of their fans. Dear miss genius idol unmatched Youre my savior youre my saving grace Whats interesting is that despite this song clearly saying that Ai is a fake and that she excells at lying and duping people shes also simultaenously being praised and worshipped by the same song in the same verse. It gives the music a creepy vibe even though it sounds so lighthearted. 500https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExNWNyMDMwMjFlMnF3Y2thN3h3ZHc1eTZwMHczN2FzcndmZmV3OGY0ciZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/qsxCbJPammDQARtIXv/giphy.gif Its like her lies are being acknowledged but not condemed making it very cynical. What did you eat today? What book do you love? Whenever you go out for fun tell me where do you go? Havent eaten anything Its a secret unknown Any questions youre facing always acting so vaguelyl These are a bunch of questions idols are usually questionned about in their interviews. One could think they should only limit the questions to things like : the release of their albums their vision for the future of their career or what inspired them to make this etc. But no. This is not what the public want the public want to know everything about the artist. This is also due to the fact that many artists even more so for idols dont only promote their products in this case songs but they also promote their person. They create a persona that attracts people. The original term of idol litteraly means an image or representation of a god used as an object of worship. No wonder the choristers in the song sound like theyre chanting for a God. No matter what personnal questions will be raised Ai will always put on her goofy mask and deflect it. theres also more down to earth reasons they wont answer things about their tastes imagine youre an idol and you say you like this book and later on this book creates a huge controversy youll be associated with that So unconcerned although you brightly glow Any seemingly unveiled secrets are as sweet as honey Confusing why why why? Essential lie lie lie So what is your type of guy? Any partner? So now answer this I dont have any idea how I could love anyone I dont seem to know what it signifies Cannot find out if its true or its a lie Once again theres somebody whos fallen for the words and cues Made him lose his head over you This part of the lyrics only solidify the previous ones but it also says that all the mystery around her and the unanswered questions are part of what makes her endearing. If you leave it at that you could say the moral of the story is that Idols are just dishonest people who trick their poor victims into making them fall for them. It wouldnt explain why this opening is so confusing tho. Why is all the idols dishonesty admitted ? Why does the song says such uninspiring and crude things with an upbeat music ? That emotion melts all hearts all eyes on you Cause you are perfect the most ultimate idol Unrivaled will not appear again Its the brightest star reborn yes indeed Using that smiling face That I love you again Now everybody is lured and captivated by you The pupil that you got The words you vocalize Even when untrue its your perfected Ai=love 500https://media.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExbDN3MjVnYWY3bzc4NWRkZXhidTZiOTdybW9nM3pydjgxYjFheXh2aCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/ehHiEIKovISfWwyMPi/giphy.gif The reason why the symbolysm for Ai is a star is because she brights so fiercly upon everyone. Life is unforgiving cold and dark. We need moments of escapism not to be submerged by our own distress. Thats why Ai is a God to her fans. Shes the one who allows them to forget their incapacity agaisnt fatality the pressure of society and their own finitude. Even if its for a moment she makes them see light in all this darkness and make them want to chase it. For some her smile became the only reason for them to live. Because she smiles theyll live another day filled with hope example:Ruby. The thing is that she shines so britghly that just like night butterflies to light theyre attracted to her luminescence to the point of being blinded by it so much that they can never let go of her and go back to facing the darkness of real life. Escapism is only good if its your motivation to face the dark aspects of life if you only use it to avoid the inevitables dark aspects its just a delusion. Morever Ai is only human she cant be pure light. Thats why she lies to everyone and make them believe in her flashy shining in the hope of creating actual light. On a psychological level this is also what Ai does with love. She pretends to love people around her until eventually this turns into actual love. She does it for herself but she also does it to make poeple happy her lies are a saving. If people use it correctly and not selfdestructively her lies are love. I used the official english translation of the lyrics established in Yoasobis song YOASOBI / Idol English Ver. transcirbed by : https://www.animesonglyrics.com/oshinoko/idol https://www..com/watch?v=RkjSfZ30GM4 https://www..com/watch?v=RkjSfZ30GM4 CONCLUSION To conclude I want to add a layer to my analysis. Another symbolysm used for Ai is her being a mother. As I firmly believe that Ai is general representation of idols I think her being a parent is an important thing to consider when interpretating the story. Ais dishonest love is similar to a mothers love. She puts on a brave front and make herself look unbreakable so that her children can feel reassured and become as strong her. She protects her children from the coldness of life and some of her lies/deceptions are necessary. The blackflash is that it can create two types of individuals : Ruby and Aqua who use their moms brightness for different purposes throughout the story. Idol is a great song sang by a great singer highlighted visuals brought by an amazing studio. Im glad Oshi no Kos staff is so passionated by the story and actually took the time to understand. Perfect op and godtier adaptation of the source adaptation