Oshi no Ko First Original Manga Exhibition Announced for July: Mengo Yokoyari Says “No Panel Can Ever Be Drawn the Same Twice”

Oshi no Ko exhibition has been officially announced as the first-ever original manga exhibition for the globally popular series, set to run from July 22 to August 11 at Matsuya Ginza Event Square in Tokyo.

Following the manga’s conclusion in November 2024, Oshi no Ko continues to enjoy immense popularity. The exhibition, titled Manga Oshi no Ko Exhibition: The Miracle of Stars (JP: 星のキセキ, Hoshi no Kiseki), will immerse visitors in the world of the series, showcasing iconic scenes and story moments through illustrations. It will also feature commentary from creators Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, offering insight into the behind the scenes process of the work.

A Newly Drawn Ai Hoshino Visual Leads the Exhibition

The key visual for the exhibition features a newly illustrated drawing of Ai Hoshino by Mengo Yokoyari. Accompanied by the emotional tagline “Even so, I am truly glad I was able to meet her,” the visual captures the gaze of protagonist Aqua Hoshino along with the feelings shared by fans, drawing visitors into the story’s world.

At the venue, visitors will be welcomed by a heartwarming space featuring Ai, Aqua, and Ruby together during their childhood. The exhibition is divided into several themed areas, including “The Entertainment World,” highlighting Aqua and Ruby’s rise in show business, “Their Determination,” depicting the story’s climax, and an “Illustration Gallery” featuring Yokoyari’s color artworks.

The exhibition brings to life the dual nature of the series, portraying both the brilliance of idols and the harsh realities of the entertainment industry, as well as the revenge story surrounding the truth behind death. A special photo spot featuring MEMcho, known as a “professional at going viral,” will also be available.

Exclusive Goods and Visitor Bonuses

A wide range of original merchandise will be available, including items featuring the newly drawn key visual. These include an acrylic badge collection with eight designs, a bellows sticker set, a CD style memo themed after the “Green Pepper Exercise,” a quilted folding mirror, and a TWINS long sleeve T shirt with an acrylic badge.

Tickets will include timed entry options, with advance lottery sales beginning May 1 via Lawson Ticket. Several ticket types will be offered, including those with exclusive goods. Bonus items include a strap attached phone tab featuring the new key visual.

Visitors will also receive a “SPECIAL VIP PASS style sticker” with one of six random designs, featuring signatures from Ai Hoshino, Aqua Hoshino, Ruby Hoshino, Kana Arima, MEMcho, and Akane Kurokawa. Ai’s signature will appear in an exhibition exclusive design.

Creator Comments (Full Translation)

■Aka Akasaka’s Comment
This is the first Oshi no Ko exhibition dedicated to the original manga. Which means you will be able to fully immerse yourself in and appreciate Mengo sensei’s artwork to your heart’s content.

As for me, please think of me as just a garnish, and instead take this opportunity to reflect on the countless days of effort and dedication that Mengo sensei has poured into her craft.

If I were to put it simply, Mengo sensei is the tonkatsu, and I am the pickles on the side. That is the kind of balance we have, so I hope you will enjoy it in that way.
Even after six years, I was never quite able to draw Ai the same way.

■Mengo Yokoyari’s Comment
The world of Oshi no Ko continues to expand endlessly. And now, in this era where so many related works are available all around us, I find myself wanting to return once more to the original manga and truly appreciate it again.

Thank you for your patience. Thanks to the efforts of so many people, this exhibition has become something truly wonderful.

Once again, I feel that drawings are something alive, something that can only be created in that exact moment in time. Manga is a continuous accumulation of those fleeting moments. I believe that no panel can ever be drawn the exact same way twice. The same goes for the storyboards.

Our weekly meetings felt like intense face offs on a stage, much like the performances in the 2.5 dimensional stage arc. They were truly fun and irreplaceable memories.
If this work has become even a small part of someone else’s memories somewhere, there would be nothing that could make me happier.

Source : ORICON NEWS