Editorials 
Aqua: An Elegy
I am coming to the jdorama, having watched two seasons of the anime as well as reading the manga.
Even though there are detractors of live-action adaptations of anime/manga, it offers a few differences that make someone who has seen Oshi no Ko through other formats appreciate what it does.
1. This jdorama cuts parts of volume 1, so they appear more as flashbacks.
2. The Tokyo Blade arc uses a different medium than what the anime and manga were going for. It adds a different angle to the question of original versus adaptation, which this jdorama discusses at a meta level.
3. Although there are cuts, it is cohesive enough to be a good story, a story that can be appreciated by those new to Oshi no Ko as well as those who have watched the anime and/or read the manga.
As for the actors, it can be a mixed bag. The actor playing Aqua isn't as charismatic as the anime version, though he has moments of brilliance.
My girl Akane has an okay-looking actress.
Ruby isn't as annoying as the anime version.
What really stands out is the actress playing Kana, Hara Nanoka. Not only does she resemble Kana, but her acting makes her endearing. Even if Kana is not my favourite character, her performance is the highlight of this jdorama.
I think this is a good adaptation overall.
Even though there are detractors of live-action adaptations of anime/manga, it offers a few differences that make someone who has seen Oshi no Ko through other formats appreciate what it does.
1. This jdorama cuts parts of volume 1, so they appear more as flashbacks.
2. The Tokyo Blade arc uses a different medium than what the anime and manga were going for. It adds a different angle to the question of original versus adaptation, which this jdorama discusses at a meta level.
3. Although there are cuts, it is cohesive enough to be a good story, a story that can be appreciated by those new to Oshi no Ko as well as those who have watched the anime and/or read the manga.
As for the actors, it can be a mixed bag. The actor playing Aqua isn't as charismatic as the anime version, though he has moments of brilliance.
My girl Akane has an okay-looking actress.
Ruby isn't as annoying as the anime version.
What really stands out is the actress playing Kana, Hara Nanoka. Not only does she resemble Kana, but her acting makes her endearing. Even if Kana is not my favourite character, her performance is the highlight of this jdorama.
I think this is a good adaptation overall.
Was this review helpful to you?
