I actually went outta my way to ask AI about how the Show Barry on HBO and Oshi no Ko are similar to each other and here’s what it had to say.
They are similar in terms of their shared themes of identity, revenge, and the personal consequences of fame.
MAIN CHARACTER ARCS: Barry, a hitman trying to escape his violent past, seeks self-discovery through acting, but struggles with his criminal history. Aqua, in Oshi no Ko, seeks revenge on his mother’s killer, while his sister Ruby aspires to become an idol.
Both characters are shaped by trauma and have personal, divergent goals: Barry’s quest for a normal life contrasts with Aqua’s obsession with vengeance.
VILLAINS AND MOTIVATIONS: Both shows feature antagonists shaped by trauma. Hikaru Kamiki in Oshi no Ko becomes a killer due to rejection by Ai and abuse Aiyuri, while Barry’s enemies stem from his past criminal actions. Both characters’ pain leads them to extreme measures.
THEMES: Barry examines violence, redemption, and moral ambiguity, while Oshi no Ko critiques fame, the entertainment industry, and personal identity. Both deal with the personal cost of fame and the search for meaning, driven by desires for recognition and revenge.
ENDINGS: Barry’s conclusion is tragic but fitting, highlighting the inevitability of consequences from past actions, with a dark, satisfying resolution to his arc. In contrast, Oshi no Ko’s ending is more controversial, with Aqua’s choice to sacrifice himself and Ruby becoming just like her mother Ai by telling lies and hiding her true feelings behind a mask, leaving some fans feeling unsatisfied and the emotional stakes unresolved.
CONCLUSION: While both series explore similar themes, Barry offers a more complete and emotionally satisfying ending that aligns with its darker narrative. Oshi no Ko’s ending, however, is viewed by some as rushed and less emotionally fulfilling, particularly regarding the handling of Aqua’s revenge and Ruby’s idol dream.
When AI says you messed up Oshi No Ko’s ending, YOU KNOW YOU MESSED UP I’m 150% against AI, but I agree with this statement in every way.
Anyways guys, the Bottom line is, STOP WATCHING OSHI NO KO, and go watch BARRY instead (it’s LITERALLY a better version of Oshi No Ko, and it’s one of the most CRIMINALLY underrated shows of all time).