Which is More Important, a "Partner" or an "Oshi"? High School Girls Value Their "Oshi" More Than Boyfriends!

In today's era of "Oshi-katsu" (fan activities), have you ever experienced this?

On a weekend night, while playing your favorite idol's archived stream, a LINE message from your partner pops up in your notification bar:

"When are we hanging out next?"

At times like these, even though your head tells you "My partner should be the priority...",

you find yourself thinking, "I have to watch my oshi right now..."

and feeling a vague sense of unease towards your partner...

While this is an extreme situation, it seems that many people today might find themselves in a situation where they have to decide whether to prioritize their "partner" or their "oshi".

Therefore, "Wakamono Research," a marketing information site targeting teenagers and current high school students (https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/), conducted a survey asking current high school girls and boys nationwide:

"Which is more important to you, your 'partner' or your 'oshi'?"

Today, we will introduce some of the results.

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【For Companies】

Surveys targeting teenagers and Gen Z, like the one in this article, can also be conducted for your company's products and services.

- We want to utilize the real voices of teenagers and Gen Z in product development. - We want "data that becomes a topic of conversation" for PR. - We want to create plans that will be featured in the media.

Wakamono Research can handle everything from "research" to "article creation" to "media exposure."

In fact, we have examples of PR utilizing survey data that led to media coverage and social media diffusion.

Let's design "talk-worthy research" together!

▶For case studies and inquiries:

contact@wakamono-research.co.jp

▶Wakamono Research Inc. HP:

https://wakamono-research.co.jp/

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【One in Three Current High School Girls in the Reiwa Era Prioritize Their "Oshi" Over Their "Partner"!】

First, looking at the survey results for high school girls, 66.3% chose "partner" and 33.7% chose "oshi," resulting in one in three prioritizing their "oshi" over their "partner."

Why do high school girls place such importance on their "oshi"?

Looking at the reasons, many responses indicated that they feel their relationship with their "oshi" can continue indefinitely as long as they don't dislike them, or as long as the "oshi" doesn't leave them. They also mentioned that they would be lost without their "oshi" during periods without a partner, and that a partner might leave them. In contrast, the relationship with an "oshi" can be sustained by their own efforts, unlike a partner's relationship which can change. It seems unlikely for them to consider a lifelong commitment with a partner at their age. Therefore, they may find a sense of security in their "oshi" being "unfading" and "unbetraying."

Furthermore, comments such as "I like my oshi so much that I've never had a partner," "I have no plans to date, and in a way, I'm in love with my oshi," "I don't need a partner if I have my oshi," and "I don't need a man. I have my oshi!" were also prominent, indicating that the presence of an "oshi" is substituting for a partner and supporting the mental well-being of high school girls.

It's likely that a certain number of high school girls are content without romantic relationships like dating or holding hands.

There were also straightforward opinions like "I'm in love with my oshi," suggesting that in the romantic lives of Reiwa-era high school girls, their "oshi" is increasingly fulfilling the role of a partner.

Others even deified their "oshi," with comments like "My oshi is a god," "My oshi is a deity," and "My oshi is my reason for living."

Some declared their "oshi" as their priority for spending money, stating, "When it comes to spending money, I want to spend it on my oshi." This shows that some have reached a stage where their "oshi," a divine being that enriches their lives, is considered superior to a partner.

On the other hand, among the 66.3% of high school girls who answered that their "partner" is more important, common responses included, "My partner is closer to me," "Real-life relationships are more important," "Because I can actually meet them and they are a close presence," "My partner is someone I interact with more," and "My partner is more real." They expressed a desire to cherish real people they interact with in their daily lives over "oshi" whom they cannot physically touch.

The frequent use of the word "realistic" also suggested that they draw a line between their partner, who is a part of their life, and their "oshi," who is somewhat separate from their daily life.

Other responses included, "They are the only one important person to me," "They are as important as family," "My partner is mine alone," "There's no one else but me for my partner," "I want to cherish my partner," and "Because they like and cherish me." These indicate that they view their partner as a unique, one-and-only partner in the world.

It seems there are quite a few high school girls who prioritize "only one" over "number one," valuing someone who is not loved by everyone but who mutually attracts and needs each other.

As a result, they also receive direct expressions of affection from their partners, with comments like "I feel my partner's love and it's amazing," "They understand me the best," "They love me right in front of me," "They give me love," and "My partner is the person I love the most."

While affection for an "oshi" is one-sided, a relationship with a partner is a "mutual" one where "I like them + they like me." This was a deciding factor for many high school girls when choosing a partner.

【High School Boys Overwhelmingly Prioritize "Partner" Over "Oshi"!】

Next, looking at the survey results for current high school boys, 84.9% chose "partner" and 15.1% chose "oshi," showing an overwhelming majority of "partner" supporters compared to high school girls.

Among high school boys who consider their "partner" important, common reasons included "People who are close to me are more important," "My partner is the closest person to me," "My partner is a real person," "They are someone close to me," and "It's a relationship I can actually meet." The idea of "prioritizing the person who is there now over my oshi" also seemed to be a prevailing value.

Additionally, some high school boys drew a clear line with their "oshi," stating, "After all, an oshi is a stranger," "My oshi is someone I like one-sidedly," "I can't interact with my oshi," and "My oshi doesn't know me and has never cared about me." It appears that boys, compared to girls, clearly distinguish between their "oshi" and their "partner."

Compared to high school girls, high school boys frequently mentioned reasons such as "To spend a lifetime together," "They are a partner to share life with," "Because there's a possibility of being together forever," and "To build happiness for two people." This suggests that many high school boys view their "partner" as someone they might be with not just now, but also in the future. When they do date, they may approach the relationship with a certain level of commitment compared to high school girls.

On the other hand, among the 15.1% of high school boys who answered that their "oshi" is more important, responses included, "Only 2D reigns supreme," "My oshi is more than a partner," and "My oshi is truly a god." This background indicates a value system where "oshi content is more important than romance" during high school life. It's natural for "oshi" to be more important when what they are passionate about is "oshi over romance."

Others cited the preciousness of their "oshi," saying, "I can always find a new partner. I can only support my oshi for a limited time," and "My oshi enriches my life more." There were also boys who integrated their partner and "oshi," stating, "I consider my partner to be included in my oshi" and "They love me right in front of me."

With a "partner," one needs to be liked by the other person and confess their feelings to make the relationship start. In this regard, the ease of forming a relationship by simply "supporting and liking" without conditions may be a contributing factor.

【Details of This Survey Result Here】

Details and the full scope of the survey results introduced here can be viewed on "Wakamono Research."

https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/idol-vs-partner-priority/

Furthermore, "Wakamono Research Inc." leverages its "network with 90% of high schools nationwide" and "network of over 50,000 young people nationwide" to offer "one-of-a-kind" marketing and research that existing marketing companies and sites targeting youth and Gen Z cannot provide.

We also accept requests from companies and media outlets.

Please feel free to consult with us.

▶For case studies and inquiries:

contact@wakamono-research.co.jp

▶Wakamono Research Inc. HP:

https://wakamono-research.co.jp/

Survey Period: March 27, 2026 - April 3, 2026

Survey Organization: Wakamono Research Inc.

Survey Target: Current high school students nationwide (male and female)

Valid Responses: 318

Survey Method: Internet Research

【Regarding Citation/Reproduction of This Survey Result (Image)】

When quoting or reproducing parts of this survey, please include "Wakamono Research" as the source and the URL (https://wakamono-research.co.jp/media/).

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【Contact for Inquiries Regarding This Release】

Wakamono Research Inc.

MAIL: contact@wakamono-research.co.jp

TEL: 0120-993-703

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