"Oshi no Ko" 2nd Season

Both series delve deeply into the entertainment industry. Oshi no Ko explores the darker side of the idol and acting world, while Girls Band Cry centers on the struggles and aspirations of an all-girls band trying to make it in the music industry. The characters in both shows are portrayed with depth and complexity, often dealing with personal traumas, societal pressures, and the pursuit of their dreams, which adds a layer of emotional intensity to the stories. Both anime feature dramatic themes that touch on issues like identity, ambition, and the cost of fame, often highlighting the sacrifices and hardships the characters endure in their respective fields. hile Girls Band Cry is more directly focused on music, both anime incorporate music as a key element, whether it's through performances or as a backdrop that enhances the emotional atmosphere of the story. read more 

If the stage play aspect of either shows was something that you enjoyed about it, I definitely suggest the other. Mars red has a far more "stage like" presentation as a whole, with it's story telling and even dialogue at times being similar to what you would see in a Shakespeare drama script, while oshi no ko dives into the creation of a stage play from the producers perspective, and does a fantastic job displaying the peak of modern theatre presentation. Both in their own way bring an aspect of stage plays to life in an authentic way, so if that seems interesting to you, check both of them out. read more 

Insider knowledge on the entertainment industry! These shows are about competition, lifestyle, the behind the scenes and the dark side of this ambit. Personal struggles, drama, intermingling relationships and the ins and outs of entertainment abounds. Oshi no Ko is broader, containing acting, idols and an entire segment of second season dedicated to manga as well. That part, in particular, was very reminiscent of Bakuman; displaying the hardships of manga adaptation, along with an insight into manga creation. Not only that part is reminiscent though, as the broader theme of the entertainment industry and how it's handled is very similar and even seems inspired. To make it clear, Oshi no Ko leans more into seinen at times and has a very prevalent plot point regarding vengeance. Bakuman, on the other hand, is clearly more of a non-battle shounen. In spite of this, the two franchises have a heavy focus on the perspective of artists and creators and the practicalities of how the discipline is carried out. The tone is most of the times similar too, as both include a lot of lighthearted comedy moments, fierce competition, as well as some romance and slice of life. read more 

Rehashing the first season's recommendation; Oshi no Ko & Skip Beat share similar premises where the protagonists navigate through the entertainment industry in order to seek revenge. Skip Beat's direction of revenge is of the basis of romantic connections whereas Oshi no Ko focuses more on familial ties but with an extra element of an emotionally charged mystery. In retrospect with the second season of Oshi no Ko and namely the second cour of Skip Beat; it significantly emphasizes the elements of 'acting' as well as the exploration of the implications of expressing story mediums from one form into another form and the challenges that the production process (within the actual story) faces between the original source and its team. The actors and production team within these stories will clash with other peers that will mutually challenge each other to grow in the industry as well as facing challenges that will test their talents and emotions. read more