A large-scale survey conducted in late 2023 by the Japanese company Benesse Corporation revealed intriguing results about who elementary school students most admire.
The survey, which was administered between November 10-26 to over 18,000 girls and boys in grades 3-6, asked students a variety of questions about their lives and interests post-pandemic.
One particularly notable question asked students to name the person they most admire. The results showed that the most popular choice was “Mother”, followed closely by “Friends”. However, interestingly, the third most admired person was the fictional character Ai Hoshino from the manga series Oshi no Ko.
She even ranked higher than students’ own fathers, who came in eighth on the list. Other fictional characters also made the top ten, including Frieren from the manga Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End and Anya from Spy x Family.
The survey provides a fascinating glimpse into who today’s Japanese youth view as role models and look up to, suggesting the growing influence of manga and anime characters over real-life authority figures like parents and teachers.
The results are especially surprising given that Oshi no Ko’s Ai Hoshino is a relatively new character compared to more established icons like Anya.
Japanese Students Rank Fictional Idol Ai Hoshino Higher Than Real-World Figures in Survey
The survey dug deeper into why the fictional idol Ai Hoshino ranked so highly among Japanese students. Her singing, and dancing talent, cute personality, positivity, and compassion for others were cited as driving factors.
This reflects the continued popularity and influence of manga/anime idols over real-life ones.
Interestingly, Shohei Ohtani who plays for the MLB also made the top 10 list at number 6. Ohtani recently signed the biggest contract in sports history but is also known for being a huge manga enthusiast himself.
The idol influence was further evidenced by students’ favorite words being surveyed as well. The word “idol” ranked 7th most popular, similar to how it also ranked highly in Google’s 2023 top Japanese keywords.
Between the admiration for Ai Hoshino, Shohei Ohtani’s manga fandom, and the popularity of “idol”, the survey highlights the deep connection today’s youth have with pop culture fiction and fantasy figures over real-world ones.
The power of idols, whether real or illustrated, is stronger now than ever in shaping Japanese children’s role models and inspirations.
Japanese Students Aspire to Become Animators and Manga Artists
In addition to admiring fictional characters, many Japanese students also aspire to create their own. When asked about future career ambitions, animator/manga artist/illustrator ranked 3rd overall.
This creative field was especially popular among girls, ranking 2nd for them, but did not crack the top 10 list for boys.
This strong interest comes on the heels of concerning reports about anime professionals welcoming AI to replace human animators. In response, industry leaders are now calling for more anime-focused art camps and programs to nurture this creative spark in today’s youth.
Beyond anime-related aspirations, the survey also asked kids what they want from their parents. Top responses included desires for parents to let them play games longer, be kinder, quit smoking, and stop comparing them to others.
This suggests some tensions between parental expectations versus supporting children’s interests and well-being.
The survey highlights a generation enamored with anime and manga, seeking creative outlets and compassion from elders. Nurturing these passions while addressing concerns may be key for both the anime industry and families moving forward.
Oshi no Ko: A Phenomenal 2023 and Anticipated Triumphs in 2024
By many measures, 2023 was a standout year for the Oshi no Ko franchise. The series and its characters repeatedly ranked highly in various annual charts and lists.
For example, it placed among MyAnimeList’s top anime titles and characters of 2023. It was also one of the top-selling manga/light novels on Kadokawa’s global e-book store last year.
Oshi no Ko’s popularity and impact is clearly resonating with fans. Its success looks set to continue in 2024 with the upcoming second season of the anime adaptation.
A trailer recently dropped, further stoking anticipation for the idol reincarnation story’s next chapter.
Between the high praise, strong sales, and new anime, Oshi no Ko cemented itself as a rising juggernaut in 2023. Its memorable characters like Ai Hoshino have captured hearts.
Now, the franchise seems poised to win over even more voters in the coming year as fans eagerly await the new episodes.
Just as Ai campaigns to be the top idol, Oshi no Ko itself is campaigning for another successful year in 2024.
