Fans of the critically acclaimed anime Oshi no Ko have reason to celebrate as the highly anticipated third season has been officially announced for a 2026 release. The announcement came during the Ichigo Production Fan Kansha-sai 2025 event, where a teaser visual and video featuring Ruby were unveiled, sending a clear message of the potential Oshi no Ko season 3.
The teaser visual, shared on the anime’s official X/Twitter account, showcases Ruby in a striking pose, hinting at her pivotal role in the upcoming season. The video, which accompanied the visual, has already garnered significant attention, with fans speculating about the storyline’s direction. The event also revealed the franchise’s first official puzzle game, adding another layer of engagement for dedicated followers.
A Look Back at Season 2
The second season of Oshi no Ko, which premiered in July 2024, focused on the Tokyo Blade stage play, a 2.5D adaptation of a manga within the anime’s universe. The play featured key characters like Kana Arima (voiced by Megumi Han), Akane Kurokawa (Manaka Iwami), Aqua Hoshino (Takeo Ōtsuka), and Melt Narushima (Seiji Maeda), each bringing their unique flair to the production. The season was well-received, further solidifying the anime’s place as a fan favorite.
The Journey to Oshi no Ko Season 3
The anime, based on the manga by Aka Akasaka (Kaguya-sama: Love is War) and Mengo Yokoyari (Scum’s Wish), first premiered in April 2023 with a 90-minute debut episode. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon, breaking records on streaming platforms like HIDIVE, where it became the service’s most successful series launch. The manga, which began serialization in April 2020, concluded its final arc in November 2024, leaving fans eager to see how the anime adaptation will continue to expand on its rich narrative.
Awards and Accolades
Oshi no Ko has been a critical darling, winning first place in the 2021 Next Manga Awards and securing the Best General Manga category at the 46th Kodansha Manga Awards in 2022. It has also been nominated for prestigious awards like the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize and the Manga Taisho Awards. With over 3 million copies in circulation, the series has cemented its legacy as one of the most impactful manga of its generation.
What’s Next for the Franchise?
In addition to the anime and manga, Oshi no Ko has inspired a live-action film and television series, both of which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in late 2024. A stage play adaptation of the 2.5D Stage Play arc also ran in Osaka, further expanding the franchise’s reach. As fans eagerly await the third season, the teaser visual and video have set the stage for what promises to be another thrilling chapter in the Oshi no Ko saga.
