Japanese Fashion Magazine to Feature Oshi no Ko’s Ai on the Cover

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Summary

  • Ai Hoshino from Oshi no Ko will be featured on the cover of SPUR’s February 2025 issue.
  • Mengo Yokoyari designed the artwork showing Ai in a mature fashion style.
  • The new cover highlights Ai’s legacy as a popular idol and her story in the Oshi no Ko anime.

As an observer with a deep appreciation for Japanese culture and a keen eye for both anime and fashion, I must say that this upcoming event in February 2025 is nothing short of extraordinary. The intersection of these two vibrant worlds – the anime universe and Japanese fashion – is about to reach new heights, as Ai Hoshino from the beloved idol anime “Oshi no Ko” graces the cover of SPUR magazine.

Occasionally, anime bleeds into everyday life in Japan, leaving a mark or showing up where you least expect it. In February 2025, the realms of Japanese fashion and anime will collide. A well-known Japanese fashion magazine, SPUR, has revealed that their February 2025 issue will showcase an extraordinary cover model. Instead of the typical runway model, the cover girl will be none other than Ai Hoshino from the popular idol anime series Oshi no Ko.

I’ve just received news from the accounts of SPUR (previously known as Twitter) for both SPUR and the manga artist, Mengo Yokoyari. It turns out that Yokoyari is the one who designed the cover art featuring Ai for the upcoming issue of SPUR. Remarkably, this isn’t the first time anime characters have graced the cover of SPUR, but it’s been over a year since we last saw Oshi no Ko on the cover.

Ai the Cover Girl

From Anime Idol to Fashion Icon

In their X platform, SPUR unveiled the complete cover for their February 2025 edition showcasing Ai. This translates to, “A first appearance of Ai from B-Komachi manga series titled Oshi no Ko, completed in November! For the second time, SPUR is featuring this exceptional artwork by Mengo Yokoyari. Don’t miss out on the February edition of SPUR to catch a glimpse of Ai donning an outfit with a subtly mature vibe that can only be found here!

In the heart of the story of Oshi no Ko, the pivotal event is triggered by the demise of Ai Hoshino, a renowned idol at the onset of the series. After passing away during childbirth, she leaves behind her children – Ruby and Aqua. While Ruby follows in her mother’s footsteps, cultivating her career, Aqua is driven to unravel the mystery surrounding her death. Despite Ai’s physical absence, her impact persists and shapes the rest of the anime.

In terms of SPUR magazine, it was actually Ai’s children, Aquamarine and Ruby Hoshino, who made the initial strides, not their mother. Back in August 2023, SPUR showcased these sisters on its cover with artwork by Mengo Yokoyari. Fast forward to now, approximately 18 months later, Ai is poised to walk the same path and grace the cover of a magazine as an icon of fashion.

Re-imagining Ai

Giving Her the Chance She Never Had

Mengo Yokoyari, the artist behind the original “Oshi no Ko” manga, was responsible for the unique artwork featured in “SPUR”. Not long after SPUR’s post, she shared the completed piece on her X account. In addition to this, Yokoyari admired Ai’s mature style in the new work, expressing that she got to see her as an adult in her comments. More details about Yokoyari’s design of Ai for the cover can be found on SPUR’s website, as translated by AnimeNewsNetwork.

I sketched a depiction of AI transitioning from her idol career to modeling, showcasing a mature and changed persona. It’s fascinating to observe how former idols adapt to their post-retirement roles, and this piece aims to capture that transformation. I designed an outfit suitable for her current stage in life and portrayed a fresh expression. Drawing her in this manner felt like meeting the grown-up version of AI once more.

This new piece by Ai holds particular significance for fans of Oshi no Ko, as it offers them a fresh perspective on the character. Ai’s narrative plays a pivotal role in the entire narrative arc of Oshi no Ko, and her presence is pervasive throughout the series. Although she didn’t get to enjoy a tranquil retirement within the anime, this artwork by Yokoyari allows fans to envision what Ai might have looked like if she had experienced that peaceful end. Essentially, this artwork provides fans with an imagined glimpse of Ai’s hypothetical retirement.

Watch Oshi no Ko now on Disney+.

Sources: AnimeNewsNetwork, SPUR Website

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2024-12-20 18:24