After Oshi no Ko, the Manga's Artist Is Ready to Launch a New Romance Series
Manga artist Mengo Yokoyari recently scored a massive hit with Oshi no Ko, a bittersweet story set in Japan’s idol music industry, written by Aka Akasaka. Originally serialized in Young Jump magazine, Oshi no Ko went supernova when it was adapted into an anime in 2023. While the anime series is still ongoing, with a third season planned for 2026, the Oshi no Ko manga concluded in November 2024, leaving fans wondering what Mengo Yokoyari might be up to next.
A new manga titled Ai Bakka (All I See is Love) has been confirmed as Mengo Yokoyari’s first post-Oshi no Ko work. This 16-page one-shot is set to be published in Rakuen Le Paradis magazine on February 28, marking the first time Yokoyari’s work has appeared in the publication. Details about the story remain scarce, but the publisher promises a fast-paced tale of fleeting love, filled with emotions that will linger long after the story ends.
Mengo Yokoyari’s Career and Legacy
Collaboration and Success with Oshi no Ko
Born in Mie Prefecture in 1988, Mengo Yokoyari made her debut as a manga artist in 2009 with the one-shot story Shinken☆H-Zemi!. Her breakthrough work, Scum’s Wish, ran from 2012 to 2017 and successfully transitioned to other media, including an anime series and a live-action drama, cementing her reputation within the Japanese entertainment industry.
Oshi no Ko, which began serialization in Young Jump magazine in 2020, marked a departure from her solo projects. This time, Yokoyari collaborated with writer Aka Akasaka (author of Kaguya-sama: Love Is War), providing her distinctive artwork to bring someone else’s story to life. The partnership proved to be a perfect match, and Oshi no Ko followed a similar path to success as Scum’s Wish, expanding from manga to anime and live-action adaptations.
Beyond Manga: Yokoyari as an Illustrator
What’s Next for Yokoyari?
Beyond manga, Yokoyari is also active as an illustrator under the online alias "Yori," contributing artwork primarily for Vocaloid music videos. Her distinct art style, characterized by expressive character designs and emotional depth, has made her a sought-after and successful artist.
It’s unclear whether Ai Bakka will lead to its own anime or live-action adaptation, or if it’s just a brief pit stop on the way to a longer series. Whatever the case, fans are eager to see what Mengo Yokoyari has up her sleeve after Oshi no Ko.
Source: @MangaMoguraRE (X)
Oshi No Ko
- Release Date
- April 12, 2023
- Network
- Tokyo MX
- Directors
- Kim Seong-min, Kouki Uchinomiya
- Writers
- Jin Tanaka
Cast
Takeo OtsukaAqua (voice)- Yurie IgomaRuby (voice)
Oshi No Ko is a 2023 Japanese series that follows a small-town doctor's encounter with a popular teen idol leading to an entanglement in the cutthroat entertainment industry. The narrative explores themes of ambition, identity, and the hidden realities behind fame as the characters navigate complex personal and professional challenges.
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