‘Oshi no Ko’ Reading Order: All 9 Arcs & 13 Volumes

Oshi no ko is a seinen manga written by Aka Akasaka and drawn by Mengo Yokoyari. It has been published since April 23, 2020, in the Weekly Young Jump, then published in bound volumes by the Japanese publisher Shūeisha. 14 volumes have been released since February 2024. An anime adaptation produced by the Doga Kobo studio was announced for April 12, 2023, premiere. This article will be your ultimate guide to the narrative arcs of the Oshi no ko manga, as we will tell you everything you need to know about them.

Editor’s Note: This reading order was updated in April 2024 with the release of manga chapter 144.

How many Oshi no ko arcs are there?

As you can see, the overall structure of Oshi no ko manga is quite simple. The story progresses in a linear fashion most of the time (there are some flashback moments), and with 144 chapters comprising the series, there are nine narrative arcs. This is a relatively solid number in comparison to the number of chapters since most manga with so many chapters generally have the same number arcs, so Oshi no ko actually works like most other works in the series.

Oshi no ko manga arcs in order (at a glance)

In this section, we are going to bring you an overview of Oshi no ko manga arcs at a glance

1. Prologue Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 1 (1–10)
   • Episodes: 1
2. Entertainment World Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 2 (11–20)
   • Episodes: 4
3. Dating Reality Show Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 3–4 (21–32)
   • Episodes: 5
4. The First Concert Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 4 (33–40)
   • Episodes: 3
5. 2.5D Stage Play Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 5–7 (41–66)
   • Episodes: TBD
6. Private Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 7–8 (67–80)
   • Episodes: TBD
7. The Main Story Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 9–10 (81–100)
   • Episodes: TBD
8. Scandal Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 11 (101–108)
   • Episodes: TBD
9. Movie Arc
   • Volumes (Chapters): 11–TBD (109–TBD)
   • Episodes: TBD

In the next part of this article, we are going to tell you how you should watch the series in chronological order.

In what order should you read Oshi no ko?

Fans of Oshi no ko will need to start with the first volume of the manga, but they will then have to follow the release order of all the chapters in order to normally follow the evolution of the plot. It’s a lot of material, but the best way to approach it is to simply follow the release order, as it coincides with the evolution of the plot.

Oshi no ko manga arcs explained

1. Prologue Arc

It details Gorou’s reincarnation as Ai Hoshino, his Oshi’s son, as well as his early years as Aquamarine Hoshino. Ruby Hoshino, her twin sister, her guardian Miyako Saitou, Ichigo Saitou, the president of Ai’s company, and Miyako’s husband, well-known filmmaker Taishi Gotanda, and phenomenal young actress Kana Arima are all featured.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

2. Show Business

The arc depicts the tale of twins who start high school, mature into young adults, and gradually make their way into the entertainment industry for private reasons. Ruby’s college classmates Frill Shiranui and Minami Kotobuki are also cast, along with Ai-related producer Masaya Kaburagi, Melt Narushima, “Sweet Today” mangaka Yoriko Kichijouji, and other actors.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

3. Dating Reality Show Arc

In order to find out more about Ai from producer Kaburagi, Aqua enters the reality show My Love with a Star! (also known as LoveNow). Actress Akane Kurokawa, YouTube star Mem-Cho, model Yuki Sumi, dancer Nobuyuki Kumano, and a band member named Kengo Morimoto are among the other series co-stars who appear in it. YouTuber Pieyon, who is connected to Strawberry Productions, is also featured.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

4. The First Concert Arc

It talks about Mem-participation Cho’s in the reformed idol group B-Komachi, the previous idol group of Ai Hoshino, and his appearance at the Japan Idol Festival. As a lead-in to the following arc, it also includes Raida Sumiaki, a company representative that focused on organizing and managing events, and Mana Suzushiro, an idol retiring after the festival in two weeks’ time.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

5. 2.5D Stage Play Arc

It covers setting up the play’s opening night and preparing the theatrical version of the well-known manga Tokyo Blade. Abiko Samejima, the Tokyo Blade manga series creator, Goa, troupe performers Lalalie Taiki Himekawa and Sakuya Kamoshida, and the director Toshirou Kindaichi are all there.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

6. Private Arc

It features coverage of the music video shoot for B-new Komachi’s song in Miyazaki, where Aqua and Ruby were born and spent their two prior lives, as well as the surprising revelation Aqua made in relation to the secret surrounding her father. Gorou and Sarina are now done. It includes B-Komachi Himura, the composer of the original band, Anemone Monemone, an anonymous male who is said to be the father of Ruby and Aqua, and an unknown woman who somehow seems to be tied to the reincarnation of Sarina and Gorou.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

7. The Main Story Arc

The arc focuses on Aqua as he discovers the secrets of Ruby Hoshino’s two sisters and the ongoing mystery his father first found. Ruby Hoshino first entered the entertainment industry by participating in a web-based variety program featuring Aqua. The cosplayer Meiya, his sister Mimi Yoshizumi, a VTuber, Shun Yoshizumi, the assistant director of the special show Dig Deep! One Chance, as well as the director of Urushibara, a famous entertainment show, are all present.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

8. Scandal Arc

It discusses the potential scandal surrounding Kana Arima, not long after an incident in which a paparazzi snapped a lewd photo of her with a budding director, as well as the extreme measures Aquamarine Hoshino took to address the situation. Masanori Shima, a recently celebrated director, is featured.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

9. Movie Arc

The plot of this arc covers the production of the documentary movie titled 15 Years of Lies. Currently, this arc is comprised of only five chapters, as it is an ongoing arc that has only just started. The arc further develops the story and shows the protagonists in a completely new situation. As of this moment, it is impossible to predict how the story will evolve due to there being a small number of chapters as of the time of writing.

Chapters and Episodes included in the Arc

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