Oshi no Ko Season 3 Review: The '15-Year Lie' Arc Is Not Entertainment, It's Therapy for Sociopaths

Look, if you came here expecting cute idols doing cute things, you are in the wrong neighborhood. Season 3 of Oshi no Ko has officially dropped the veneer of "showbiz commentary" and decided to just be a straight-up psychological horror show.

And I am absolutely living for it.

The "15-Year Lie" arc isn't just a movie production; it's Aqua Hoshino dragging everyone he knows into his personal hell, handing them a script, and saying, "Act natural." It is messy, it is uncomfortable, and it is easily the best thing airing this season.

Aqua Hoshino Needs a Therapist, Not a Director

Let's address the elephant in the room: Aqua is losing it.

In previous seasons, his edginess felt calculated. Here? It feels desperate. Watching him play the role of the culprit—essentially reenacting the trauma that destroyed his life—is visceral. It’s not "cool" edgy; it’s "someone please call waiting services" edgy.

The way Doga Kobo animates his eyes during the rehearsal scenes? Chilling. The usual star-eyes are gone, replaced by this hollow, black void that makes you want to look away. It’s a masterclass in visual storytelling that puts generic shonen rage faces to shame.

The War of the "It" Girls is Getting Uglier

Kana Arima vs. Akane Kurokawa. This isn't a waifu war anymore; it's an acting deathmatch.

Akane is terrifying. Her ability to channel Ai Hoshino is no longer just a neat party trick; it's a weapon she uses to dismantle Aqua's defenses. There’s a scene in Episode 3 where she switches personas mid-sentence that genuinely gave me goosebumps.

Meanwhile, Kana is struggling, and honestly? Thank god. Seeing the "Genius Child Actor" actually hit a wall and spiral adds a layer of realism that this show desperately needed. She’s the only human element in a cast full of monsters, and watching her try to keep up is heartbreaking.

The Industry is Rotten to the Core

This arc pulls no punches about the movie industry. The casting couches, the favoritism, the "creative differences" that are just code for huge egos clashing.

It’s cynical as hell. We see producers trading favors like Pokémon cards and directors treating actors like disposable props. If you thought the Reality Dating Show arc was dark, this makes that look like Teletubbies.

!WARNING This season touches on heavy themes of PTSD and exploitation. It is NOT for the faint of heart.

Review Score

Score: 9.2/10

Pros:

• Aqua's breakdown is beautifully animated.
• The sound design during the quiet, tense moments is suffocating (in a good way).
• Akane Kurokawa carries the entire emotional weight of the show on her back.

Cons:

• The pacing in the first two episodes is a bit slow.
• I miss the upbeat idol songs (just kidding, I don't).

Watch this if you want to feel bad about the entertainment industry but look good doing it. If you value your sanity? Maybe stick to a slice-of-life.