Overview
- Ai Hoshino, a prominent character from the anime Oshi no Ko, will grace the cover of SPUR’s February 2025 edition.
- The cover artwork, depicting Ai in a sophisticated style, was crafted by renowned artist Mengo Yokoyari.
- This new cover celebrates Ai’s enduring influence as a beloved idol and her narrative arc within the Oshi no Ko series.
The realms of anime and everyday life in Japan often blend in fascinating ways. This February marks a significant fusion of the anime landscape with the vibrant sphere of Japanese fashion. SPUR, a respected fashion magazine, will feature a unique cover star—none other than Ai Hoshino, the celebrated idol from the critically acclaimed anime Oshi no Ko.
This exciting announcement was made through the official X (previously Twitter) accounts for both SPUR and Mengo Yokoyari, the artist behind the manga. Yokoyari has created a new illustration specifically for this cover, which is noteworthy because SPUR has previously spotlighted anime characters, yet it has been over a year since Oshi no Ko has been featured.
Ai as the Cover Girl
Transitioning from Idol to Fashion Icon
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Through their X account, SPUR unveiled the complete cover design for their February 2025 issue showcasing Ai. The announcement states, “This marks the debut of Ai from B-Komachi in Oshi no Ko, which concluded in November. This is the second time SPUR features a special illustration by Mengo Yokoyari.”
The narrative of Oshi no Ko initiates with the tragic demise of Ai Hoshino, a revered idol, as she gives birth to her twins, Aquamarine and Ruby. Following her death, Ruby embraces Ai’s legacy, while Aqua dedicates himself to uncovering the truth behind her murder. Although Ai’s life ends abruptly, her impact reverberates throughout the series, ensuring her legacy endures.
Interestingly, in the realm of SPUR, it seems Ai’s children set the stage for her return rather than her solo accomplishments. In August 2023, SPUR showcased Aquamarine and Ruby Hoshino on their cover, illustrated by the talented Mengo Yokoyari. Now, nearly 18 months later, Ai steps into the spotlight as she prepares to be recognized as a fashion icon, following in her children’s footsteps.
Re-Imagining Ai
Giving Ai the Opportunity She Never Had
Mengo Yokoyari, the mastermind behind the original Oshi no Ko manga, has crafted this exclusive artwork for SPUR. Just one hour following SPUR’s announcement, Yokoyari shared the finalized illustration on their X account. In her post, she remarked on Ai’s “mature”appearance in this new rendition, expressing, “I got to see her [Ai] as an adult.”Further insight into Yokoyari’s artistic vision can be found on SPUR’s website, where it describes her creative approach (translated by AnimeNewsNetwork):
I aimed to portray Ai with the theme of “moving into modeling after her idol career has settled.” I admire seeing former idols transition into modeling and exuding a different aura. In this piece, I depicted her in an outfit suited for her maturity, alongside a fresh expression. It feels like I’m reconnecting with an adult Ai.
This fresh portrayal of Ai offers fans of Oshi no Ko an exciting opportunity to experience the character anew. Ai’s narrative is pivotal to the series’ overarching plot, and her impact resonates throughout. While she never got to enjoy a tranquil retirement in the anime, this artwork enables fans to envision how she might appear if she had been given that chance—something Yokoyari beautifully encapsulates in her illustration.
Don’t miss the chance to explore Oshi no Ko available now on Disney+.
Sources: AnimeNewsNetwork, SPUR Website
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