Oshicoco, specializing in Oshi-katsu research & consulting, releases '2026 Second Half Oshi-katsu Trend Forecast'

株式会社Oshicoco, which operates an 'Oshi-katsu Support Media' with 120,000 total SNS followers and provides research and consulting services specialized in the fandom sector, has conducted a survey on the '2026 Second Half Oshi-katsu Trend Forecast.' This report announces major highlights for 'Oshi' (favored icons) and trends in 'Oshi-katsu culture' for the second half of 2026.

｜Survey Overview ■ Period: May 11 (Mon) – May 15 (Fri) ■ Valid responses: 594 ■ Media and participants: Fandom members following the Instagram account 'Oshi-katsu Support Media Oshicoco' and LINE@ subscribers.

2026 Second Half 'Oshi' Trend Forecast! In the idol category, 'M!LK,' frequently seen on music and variety shows, and 'Monaki,' whose release events are becoming a social phenomenon, ranked in. Voters favored idols not only for singing and dancing skills but also for their variety show presence and personality, with comments like 'I respect them!' and 'They are so sincere I want to support them!' In the Korean idol category, 'BTS' continues to rank in due to their reunion concerts in Korea and Japan. Meanwhile, 5th-generation idols like 'ILLIT' and 'NCT WISH' are gaining significant momentum. In the anime, game, and character category, titles like 'The Apothecary Diaries' (with sequels and movies planned) and 'Ensemble Stars!!' (celebrating its 10th anniversary) ranked in. Games like 'Tomodachi Collection' and 'Devil Butler and Black Cat,' which offer comfort through interactions with favored characters, also appeared in the rankings. In the singer, VTuber, and game categories, many responses focused on 2.5D idol and singer groups, indicating their increasing popularity. Many respondents expressed that they support the 'entire group' or 'entire agency' because they are drawn to the relationships visible in streams and concerts, rather than just favoring an individual.

2026 Second Half 'Oshi-katsu' Trend Forecast!

◾️ Key Keywords 1. Living with your Oshi In the second half of 2026, the style of 'Living with your Oshi' is expected to spread, where fans don't just enjoy their Oshi in isolated moments like events or concerts, but naturally integrate them into their daily lives. The background to this is the spread of SNS and apps that detail daily life. With the rise of daily logging apps that record each day in short videos and the growth of Vlog culture, the habit of capturing casual everyday moments rather than just special days is becoming ingrained. In Oshi-katsu, this manifests as using an Oshi's music as morning preparation or background music while working, incorporating an Oshi's 'member color' into room interior, and naturally featuring Oshi merchandise or plushies in daily Vlogs. It’s a style that highlights 'the daily life where the Oshi exists' rather than 'time specifically for Oshi-katsu.' Furthermore, the release of a new 'Tomodachi Collection' game in 2026 symbolizes this trend. The sense of enjoying the Oshi as a 'being living in the same world' rather than an 'object to watch' is likely to influence future Oshi-katsu. Oshi-katsu is evolving into a phase of enjoying 'the life with an Oshi itself' beyond just concert attendance or merchandise purchases.

2. Oshi-katsu travel While concert expeditions and pilgrimages have been staples, we expect more cases where transportation and hotels themselves become 'Oshi-katsu destinations.' Recently, projects where Shinkansen (bullet trains) collaborate with artists or IPs, or schemes that allow fans to enjoy exclusive content during transit, have expanded. As a result, travel time to a concert venue is now enjoyed as part of Oshi-katsu, and some travel plans are even made with the primary goal of 'riding the collaboration Shinkansen.' Similarly, hotel collaborations are attracting attention. With guest rooms designed for Oshi-katsu, spaces optimized for taking photos of plushies or acrylic stands, and plans allowing for viewing parties, the lodging itself can become an Oshi-katsu spot. Style of enjoying this like an 'Oshi-katsu camp' with friends bringing their merchandise is also spreading. Going forward, the entire country, including transportation, hotels, cafes, and commercial facilities, has the potential to become new 'sacred sites,' not just concert venues or work settings. Oshi-katsu travel may become established not as an extension of expeditions, but as a new leisure activity built around the Oshi.

3. Deepening with experience: Concept Oshi-katsu In addition to direct engagement, an increasing number of people are enjoying 'Concept Oshi-katsu,' where they express their Oshi's atmosphere and worldview in their own way. Previously, fans expressed this through their choices in clothes, nails, or cafe menu items using the Oshi’s member color to feel the Oshi.