The Secrets of Oshi no Ko's Opening | WIAOP? Idol, YOASOBI 

Guys, I really think he likes the Oshi no Ko OP.

Hey Fun Fact: This song is based on a Oshi no Ko short story written by Aka Akasaka titled "45510". If you haven't already, you should check that out. It may help you see this song with new eyes. PS. It's not a spoiler for anything future in the manga (I don't think), and it's probably canon.

I love the choice to dwell so much on Ai's mouth when she's such an eye-focused character.

1:48 "Mem-cho is the only one who doesn't have any confirmed link to [Ai] so far, but given that she's secretly 25 and has aspired to be an idol since she was a young girl, the timing does line up for Ai to have been her inspiration as well." In episode 9 at 3:58 there's a flashback of Mem-cho as a child holding up "Ai fan forever!" signs as she watches one of Ai's performances, so it's actually confirmed

One thing about the first shot of the kids on stage that should be mentioned is how it syncs up with the Japanese lyrics. For Aqua, the lyrics are from the perspective of fans or an interviewer, asking questions about the Idol's personal life: "What did you eat today?", "What book do you like?", "Where do you go to play?" and he turns and walks away from these on that last question, right as they say the words どこに行くの？ which, on their own, could also mean "Where are you going?!" showing he has no intention of dignifying any of it, even as the audience demands he come back and answer their questions. Then as the song shifts to the Idol's answers, Ruby takes the stage, ready to give the audience what they want. "I didn't eat anything." on the smash cut in, "That's a secret!" on the zoomed in 'shh!' gesture, and "no matter what you ask, she's too evasive" on the playful tongue-out wink-smile, almost like she's taunting them for a question she can't answer. Both the lyrics and the choreography surrounding them are so simple yet so in-tune that it does a fantastic job of showing the character difference between the twins.

Not sure if anyone's commented similar but the brief x over ai's abdomen could also symbolize for her breaking the taboos of idolhood and having children, meaning she did things that lead to children which is a huge taboo in idols since there is an obsession with virginal purity within the culture, x for a part of her own body that "doesn't belong to her but instead to her fans who expect purity, something that should be untouched, untainted", just been mulling it over a bit after seeing it pointed out

The Mem being inspired by Ai theory would make sense. She is the one who recognized that Aqua's description of what he wants in a girl lined up with Ai. Considering she's been out of the public eye for a decade it would be a massive leap for anyone who isn't a fan loyal even through her death to still have her called to mind so easily s the first answer of who matches his criteria.

the about half of the lyrics are almost word for word quotes from the LN "extra" chapter about one of the old B Komachi idols reminiscing about her time in the group and how much she both lothed Ai and was Ai's biggest fan. We learn the origin of the password Ai had on her cell phone, and most of the stuff in the song come from a Q&A from an old discord server the band had where some fans could ask questions. the first part (in the opening) are mostly the questions and Ai's answers in the discord server, the second part are quotes from the old member of BKomachi and how much she loathed Ai, and the third part are quotes from the old member of BKomachi as she deletes Ai's answers from the server, as she reveals her love for Ai as an idol. she's deleting the answers to shield Ai's memory... by removing answers which were not "good" for an idol to make. note, the passcode was the first letters of the first names of the original bkomachi's members. something Aqua could have guessed in days not years had he known anything about Ai beyond the idolized Venus her turned her into in his head

The sequence of Goro before a black void with a few glowstick moving around followed by Aqua in the same position surrounded a chaotic dance of frantic movement is so powerful to me for some reason. The juxtaposition of his past and current lives and how he was basically thrust into the world of entertainment directly under the spot light.

I see that someone has already brought up the "45510" short story - yes, it definitely has deeper meaning than just "a random password that Aqua managed to find through brute-force trial-and-error" - but I'm mostly chiming in to say that my interpretation of the red penlight section was a bit different from Geoff's. Apparently that red-pink that keeps showing up is specifically the color a fan would use to show that Ai was their favorite (their 'oshi'), just like how red, yellow, and white were used in the next-gen B-Komachi performance at the end of the season. So the red lights aren't predatory! Instead, we watch the doctor just barely beginning to "see the light" of Ai fandom. The glasses breaking show the transition of his death, and then in his next life as Aqua... the red light he sees is now an overwhelming obsession. IMHO.

in episode 9 at 3:59 in memcho's in short backstory she holded two fans that said ai is my idol forever

The ED deserves its own analysis imo

Here’s a fun fact that you probably don’t know about the opening. 45510 is referencing a spin off light novel about one of the Ai’s fellow members of B-Komachi. I won’t get into the light novel for spoiler purposes(you should be able to read it after watching the anime cuz it doesn’t go into the manga stuff) but I will add that the lyrics of the opening directly quote the story several times and also the rap part is from the pov of her fellow members. Feel free to go back and listen

I'll be honest, Mr. Basement. I was a HUGE fan of your What's in an OP videos and I miss them dearly. I hope we get to see more on this channel at least.

The second shot of Aqua in front of the crowd of glowsticks is always my favourite. It always reminded me of a raging fire, which I interpreted as the intensity and dangers of the audience, and how quickly it can turn/burn the performer. With the first shot of a crowd being viewed by his past life, and the second being viewed by Aqua, it made sense to me that after his childhood experiences with the dangers of fame, he would see the crowd as an inferno and be wary of them.

I don't think "Ruby is pure" is the message of the opening. In the full MV she is holding hands with Shadow Ai, implying a darker side to her character

I was surprised you didn't mention "45510", the short story that the OP song is based on (several lyrics being lifted directly,) until I realized you haven't read ahead at all.

I think you missed it, when we saw MEMcho as a child in her back story we can see her being a big fan of Ai, wearing and holding Ai goods

Small correction: while Daisuke Hiramaki is indeed the series director, the OP is directed by Yuusuke Yamamoto.

Honestly, this OP was amazing when I first saw it, and then when HDive added the English translation, I was completely blown away by how perfect the lyrics are. Definitely one of the best OP's I've seen, and Yoasobi is just excellent with their own music video, and their live concert video, as well. To note, you've commented that it reached #1 on the Worldwide Billboard chart (not including the US), but it also reached #7 on the Billboard 200, which does include the US, and it is the highest any Japanese song has ever reached on that chart. The fact they did the English version of the song themselves is also insane to me.

Oshi no ko's decision to do an hour-long first ep is a option I wish more studios had a say in. Being able to cover a very important but slow opening arc is great. So glad season 2 got announced immediately after the final episode aired. I've really been enjoying the manga. I hope season 2 gets the same love season 1 did.

Man, now I’m super hyped to see what they come up with for the next OP - especially since the 2.5D Stage Adaptation arc is one of the manga’s most popular.

Another facet of that shot the group of crows: crows are worldwide often linked to wisdom, but what is the term for a group of crows? A _murder._

I think your point on the ravens/crows might be spot on, so far watching your video I'm reminded they fly up around the stalker after the cliff scene and in the swirling darkness that becomes the first gorgeous shot of Dark Eye Aqua at the end of Ep1.

Important missed detail, Goro standing and lookign at red glowsticks specifically is a reference to his obsession with Ai, since red glowsticks are Ai's color. (Mentioned by Ruby)

I really hope you keep doing these

15:55 I get relentless hyped for these "What's in an OP?" videos. The ones about animes I love take me back to every detail of joy and anguish I felt on first watch. Geoff...please, never stop putting g these out. It is a highlight of your online career to me.

I was thinking the other day, watching the final episode, "I could really go for a 'What's in an OP' video for this show." Well done.

Can't wait for you to read the manga, I was surprised to hear you haven't read yet. I typically get my recs from you and catch up. I'm ahead for once! Hope you enjoy (and also make a very very long video I can binge and rewatch when I'm jonesing for something to put on).

Just like in Love is War those crows are there on purpose as foreshadowing that you will see near the end of season 2.

The shot of Memcho moving around possibly implies that she is acting as a teenager idol while the next scene where she gives a smirk while turning around and a shadow above her head, implying that she is infact lying about her age and is much older. The lyrics at the time were "Its like the sweetest peach, so out of reach" (possibly Ai's stardom) "but seems one could breach." Like what Memcho is trying to do.

the crows are also a reference to someone who appears later in the manga

When Geoff learns about the significance of the crows... 👀👀👀

I missed these so much!! Thank you, Geoff! These analyses bring attention to so much that goes unnoticed!!

One thing you missed was when the camera pans in on Aqua's face in the beginning of the video he performs a theatrical move known as Exit Stage Left (An orderly and uneventful departure, timed so as not to detract or distract.) when it switches to the scene with Ruby and has her stay in the center stage under a spotlight.

Would you be interested in doing a similar analysis of Yoasobi's music video for Idol? It is basically just a separate OP for Oshi no Ko, with a focus on Ai.

I'd love to see a breakdown of the openers/closers of G Witch. The heartbroken wail that kicks off the second closer seems to constantly highlight the gut punch at the end of almost every episode in the second half and made me seek out the lyrics and give some thought to the meaning

I love to watch your “what’s in an op” videos, and was especially excited when this time around it was the Oshi no Ko op!!! If you decide to make another one of these videos I highly suggest (ask very sincerely) that you cover the second link click op, it’s indescribable.

i've missed WIAOP so much!! Please do more 🙏

I always look forward to your OP analysis, I hope you make more!

The bit about crossing out phrases in the intro and outro are great comedy. Excellent work... (The rest of the video is pretty good too.)

I NEED MORE OF OPENING ANALYSIS PLSSSSS

I'm so glad. I love this OP so much already, and now I get to love it even more. Thank you so much.

The ravens do reference a specific supernatural thing that happens later on. We don't have any answers to that thing that happens, but it's a bit of foreshadowing that there are other things at play here.

❤❤❤❤ I really needed this video and I didn't know about it

Something I also note is how when Goro/Aqua is standing on the stage surrounded by the lights, the colour is red, Ai's colour, as if he's trying to put himself in her shoes but he's standing still, unable to replicate her moves showing the disconnect between his desire to understand her and his inability to understand her.

I'd never heard of this anime before you talked about it on your main channel. Now I'm obsessed

I’ve been waiting for this

Yay!!!!!!!! What's in an OP is back!!!!!!!!!

The best and worst thing about this OP does is that it stays rent free in your mind all day.

Great video!

There were several moments in the OP where I tried assuming the context of a small segment, aside from Ruby carrying on Ai's legacy by grabbing the Star, I could barely grasp any of them properly. This actually blows my mind how less then a second moments in this OP carry so much meaning. (Even tho I think it sorta spoiled the fact that Mem-Cho is gonna become a member of B-Komachi. haha) I really enjoy the OP analysis vids of yours. I REALLY wanna see you tackle the Magical Destroyers OP one day. (If that's even remotely possible lmao.)

So hyped for the return of “What’s in an OP.” Real talk it’s most of my favorite content of yours.

Note: in Mem-Cho’s flashback, she actually holds a sign that says something like “Ai is forever”.

Excellent upload tie in 😁

Aqua: "I AM YOUR DOCTOR" Ruby: "NO, IT CAN'T BE!"

I really enjoy the What's In An OP series. Hope this channel lets you do more of them, or even reupload some of the older ones. The one I'm dying to watch was the one you did comparing Re:Zero and Konosuba's first seasons, it's been removed but it was mentioned in the Konosuba S2 OP analysis so that's how I heard about it. If you get a chance, I'm very anxious to see that video fixed and reuploaded at some point.

Love you analysis

Ooo, thanks for pointing out the parallels of Aqua and Ruby! I didn’t really appreciate the shots where light falls over Ruby face while shadow overtakes Aqua’s until now :00 💖

I'm so glad there's a "what's in an op" for this!!

Omg yes! Feels like the last op analysis video was forever ago lol

This video literally gave me goosebumps.

WIAOp is the best content you do, my guy. Keep it up.

god damn what a great analysis of the intro

Haven't watched this series yet, so I'm just dropping a like and a comment to get this up in the algorithm.

I'd love to see a breakdown of the music video someday, it's so good.

Every time I see your interpretations of OPs and things like it blows my mind, maybe I am just an oblivious NPC that just consumes anime without thinking, but wth I think its amazing

Nice video, didnt look at the op like that, but now i hope they do the same for the second season, because the contrast will be interesting,

I do love the clips of crows , I didn’t even notice them until after I read the manga where they are more blatant

Yes finally we get another what's in an op. I love this series and even if it's on this channel I hope we get more what's in an op.

Oshi no Ko is a one in a life life time masterpiece. And Yoasobi did it absolute justice with _Idol._

I never knew you have a second channel until your last video

why did i almost cry just watching this Geoff????????? AAAAAAAAA

Surprised Geoff didn't point out the similarities in the opening shot of Ai and Perfect Blue. The eerie crt cut reminded me of Perfect Blue immediatley

Love to see "what's in an op" make a come back!

The movement of Akane in the starting sequence is very reminiscent of Ai's movements too. That fucking blew me off on the next episode after she goes "Teehee". I am more of an OP listener than a watcher, so I wasn't paying too much attention to the visuals, I hadn't even seen Akane there, but that was when I started to just watch it for the next episodes. I was floundering for days lmao.

Masterclass OP and analysis

I found Idol through Yoasobi's official music video of it the hour it was posted, as I follow them, so I didn't even know it was an opening for an anime until Ai came out from the title text like 15 seconds after it started. Watching the Official Music Video can give you a lot of hints about the show as well, like the fact Ai is never seen outside of a TV, hinting that she is not in the twin's life, and is a memory or gone. Or the clone Ai seems to have showing a more muted and darker palette, hinting that we don't really know her.

0:10: I only heard "Idol" in one TikTok. But that's a lot, since I have never used TikTok.

10:00 I actually fing teared up just listening to someone talk about these images.... 😅

Commenting because I heard on a stream you say these videos don’t perform well for some reason but they are the reason I started watching. Hopefully this comment helps the algorithm!

Geoff, at some point I’d love to see you team up with 12tone for a What’s in an OP video, you analysing the visuals and him analysing the music.

the crows in the OP are SUCH an iykyk moment for manga readers

I might be reading too much into it especially as someone who only knows these lyrics through translation, but there really seem to be a lot of points in the OP that are carefully timed to interact with the lyrics of the song in some way or another. just to prod at the first several to appear: -"Even her ditzy aspect is her area" lines up with MEM-cho's eyeshot; her appearance is even slightly delayed to set this up -"You, perfect and a liar" lines up with Akane's eyeshot, but as best as I can tell, she disappears just before "and a liar" -and, of course, Ai, the gifted idol-sama, appears just in time to sing "a gifted idol-sama" -the next couple lines -- "What did you eat today? // What books do you like? // If you're going out to have fun, where do you go?" -- are a barrage of fannish questions that is shown while Aqua is having his moment onscreen -the answers -- "I haven't eaten anything // That's a secret // No matter what you ask me, I'm evasive" -- go with Ruby's jumbotron moment instead, and each one actually seems to sync right up with her choreography. "I haven't eaten anything" when she has her back turned; "That's a secret" when she pulls the "shh" expression; "No matter what you ask me, I'm evasive" when she drops the eto bleh

Great video. You should AOT OP analysis next.

As a manga read, I really can’t wait for the next season. Cause hot damn we got some scenes coming up

Me looking for this video after being mentioned in your other Oshi No Ko video: "Oh, it just got uploaded?!"

I missed these

Yea I read ahead. It's great

Woot. Is it the revival of the What’s in an OP? series

I wanna say overanalyzing but I have no other explanations for these scenes so uh... cool!

Glad you're able to avoid being too addicted to Oshi no Ko and can stop whenever you want.....so when is the What's in a Ending for Mephisto Queen Bee? ;)

VERY late but you should really do one for 2nd OP for Ousama Ranking (ROK) there’s a lot to unpack in not only the visuals but also the lyrics and even the intonation of Vaundy’s voice.

Even as someone who doesn't like oshi no ko I'm excited for this video.

I hope you do one for the ending credits too, and bring up the fact the ending card and song has become a meme in japan

6:37 I think it's simpler and simply because that's the place where Kana fell in love with Aqua. The anime isn't as obvious, but in the manga it's clear that when they film "The face of the maiden, who has fallen in love with the protagonist" she looks at Aqua.

I missed what's in an OP so much! It's my favorite series of Jeff's!

Please please please do the ending! Queen Bee does an amazing job!

wait why is this on this channel not Mother's Basement? This is what your channel is about. This is the content I subscribed for all those years ago. What's in an OP.

Nice