Oshi no Ko Rewatch - Season 2, Episode 1 Discussion

**Longtime B-Komachi Fan!**

I wasn't expecting this episode to start off with a flash-forward to a scene from the play. It was actually a little jarring.

[](#sakurathink)

Aqua is really fanning the flames between Akane and Kana, isn't he? Telling Akane that she'll lose if Kana gives it her all is practically saying he thinks Kana is the better actress. And Akane's showing her jealous streak by asking him if he's watching Kana (which he boldly admits).

[](#azusalaugh)

The scene with Kana and Taiki rehearsing their battle together was great though. It's nice to see actors getting into their roles, even more so when it's a high energy scene like this, and the anime portrays it very well here with some unique style choices and splashes of color.

[](#neat)

Plot twist, the creator hates everything about the script! I get the impression the scenes were rearranged so that they could end on this cliffhanger, but I'll talk more about that in the next episode discussion for the sake of avoiding spoilers.

[](#mugiwait)

**Questions of the Day:**

1) Honestly, I think there were a few poor choices here. The manga used Ruby visiting Ai's grave as a reintroduction scene to pick up after the concert, and I thought that was perfect - a way to catch everyone up by telling the viewers, alongside her mother, what's been going on in her life. I know this approach of starting off in the middle of things has become fairly popular, but I've always preferred chronological order. [Episode 2] >!had to back up a bit and cover the stuff they skipped.!<

2) I figured Melt was just a random side character who would never be shown again after *Sweet Today*, so it was a surprise seeing him again in this arc when I read the manga. A nice surprise though, because I like the direction they take with his character arc.

3) It took a while, but the new songs have grown on me. The OP in particular, with its lyrics that sound like they're playing on fast forward, felt grating during my first viewings after I had several days of migraines - but on a normal day, it's pretty catchy. The visuals are beautiful and have some cool symbolism. I really like the scenes of Aqua and Ruby removing their "masks" to reveal Gorou and Sarina's faces, their leap from the building together as they race forward trying to grasp Ai's memory, and of course Ai watching Aqua's play from the audience. They're not instant hints for me like "Idol" but still good.

**Rewatcher/Manga Reader - Dubbed**

* Alright this is my first time watching S2 since it aired (First time hearing the dub as well for this season)
* Slightly off topic I'm sensing a Demon Slayer rewatch for me SoonTM (I only watched Season 1 back in 2022 so I need to rewatch that then watch whatever came afterwards) that's what this intro reminded me of
* Yeah all this stuff is starting to flood back - I think what made me have issues with this season was the fact I was so overwhelmed (When this was airing I was doing about 25 shows a week) to the point where I started forgetting plotlines of the seasonals

**QOTD 1 - Recap**

* Not really

**QOTD 2 - Melt**

* Pleasant Surprise

**QOTD 3 - New Songs**

* New OP - Feels worse but then again IDOL did set the bar too high
* New ED - Kinda feels like a song I would hear in the menu for Rock Band 1 which is a good thing

The introduction scene of this episode got me so fucking hyped, even if I didn't really know what the season was gonna be about exactly!

>What are your thoughts on the new OP and ED?

They had such big shoes to fill hah. I wouldn't say they managed to top them, but all ONK OP/ED are good! Some just *gooder* than others!

**Late Night Rewatcher**

Sneaking back in with zero thoughts and random answers!

1) It's hard to say, I've never watched S2 without an S1 binge right before it, what even is a reintroduction...

2) But speaking of reintroduction's- Despite knowing what's coming, I still forgot who he was/didn't recognize him right away. Poor boy just does not leave a lasting impact. Well, one scene, but he's in costume then so I keep forgetting him the rest of the time.

3) On the one hand, Idol will likely never be topped, Ai is still my favorite character in this show. On the other hand, Burning is a very strong contender with Mephisto. Mephisto feels a bit more like it was made for OnK, but Burning has the better visuals.

And so into S2.

Yep. It's a play.

This OP is good too.

So, there's the plot of the play.

Seems like that guy from that show actually got good.

They're getting really into it.

Lol she angy. Pouty Akane cute!

Hey I recognise that. Make Heroine huh...

Yeah... This is leaps and bounds ahead of that at least.

Yeah... You've only got a couple of hours tops, gotta cut everywhere.

Yep here's the mangaka we saw last season.

Well, at least that guy finally got his shit together for this.

Absolute girlfailure lol.

And so time to scrap the script.

Questions:

1. Not really? They just jumped right into the next arc.
2. Oh god not this guy again.
3. I like them but I prefer the S1 OP.

**Rewatcher**

I've watched S2 multiple times but usually skip the first episode. Jumping straight into the start of the play made me really invested the first time watching it so its a shame we wont see the rest of the play for a while. I forgot about that rehearsal sword fighting painting scene Kana had with Blade very splatoony. \[S2\]>!Im surprised it hasnt happened again.!<

Using the visual of puzzle pieces for Ai vs Sayahime was really nice to illustrate Akane's trouble with the script compared to Ima Gachi. Did she grow out her hair? If they only need Sayahime to be a set piece to move the plot forward while not giving her much screen time, is there a point in casting someone like Akane for it? besides the marketing with Aku-tan. I wonder if the other Lalalai members notice how different Aqua is irl from the reality show.

As a rewatcher, quite surprised they had positive things to say about Melt this episode. Having watched it again after Makeine Heroine, is what happens to Sayahime fading into the background after BladeXTsuguri pairing becomes the fan favorite common? Or is it mostly a shounen thing that Tokyo Blade was trying to mimic.

I really did thought we would get back to the play next episode until the ending. Its gonna be a while isnt it. Surprised to see Sweet Today's mangaka the first time round watching. But on hindsight it makes sense to keep bringing it up

**QotD**

1. I didnt watch it while it was airing so I definitely remembered most of the cast between my first watch of S1 and S2. Who can forget Kana and Akane anyway even without Ruby's monologue. I didnt recognize Melt this episode the first time round
2. Mel- who?
3. Idol was better, but I'd still listen to OP2, the visuals are definitely more tied into this arc. Although nothing beats a well timed cliffhanger+Mephisto

**Rewatcher**

And we're back!

The episode focuses on catching the audience back and introducing the new additions to the cast mostly, and there is some foreshadowing for things to come. Much remains familiar though, [Ruby is bright-eyed](https://imgchest.com/p/na7kk2m3q78) and motivated for the future, [Aqua is dark-eyed](https://imgchest.com/p/6eyrn39pe7p) and motivated for revenge, at least on the surface. He keeps insisting otherwise, that acting has no real draw for him, but [he seems here to be drawing from a positive place for inspiration](https://imgchest.com/p/n87wn8xzz7x) after seeing Himekawa and Kana go at it.

We also focus on Akane's process to inhabit her character, and it seems [she is directly drawing from her own character recreation of Ai for inspiration](https://imgchest.com/p/a846oq5ao4x) to portray Princess Saya, who appears to have a similar inner conflict, captivating beauty and charisma. She also tries to tie the two together by trying to access [her own insecurities](https://imgchest.com/p/bp45oj58q75). The script doesn't quite agree with it though, trying to cram an arc's worth of content in its runtime and asking an actress who revels in nuances and details to project blunt force, simple emotion. Fortunately (or unfortunately for the show runners) Abiko-sensei doesn't quite agree with this either.

1. Ruby catching Ai up with things, which, along with [the scene in the intro](https://imgchest.com/p/qe4gqzwzb7j) is a very sweet way to catch up on things. The anime then plays around with the sequence of events, skipping a few chapters and dropping us in the middle of practice [Future anime episodes] >!(and will rewind and run it back in the next episode)!<. I believe it was done to give us the hook of Abiko-sensei's "zenbu", and also to give the hype intro for Himekawa. I think this makes sense, given that first episodes do need some hook. This is the same kind of decision-making as making the first episode of season 1 feature-length. I do quite like this choice for Himekawa's first impression though, succinctly establishing his star power, his chemistry with Kana, and the wonderful sequence of them [painting the atmosphere of the room with their characters' emotions](https://imgchest.com/p/9p4nzq8al4n)

2. ["Hitori ni saseneeyo!"](https://imgchest.com/p/5xy2ox2j84l). A stuck up brat getting over the Dunning-Kruger hump and trying to be better by his own realization is actually quite refreshing

3. The second OP had an insurmountable task if it wanted to compete with the monster that was "IDOL", but we do get [Ruby dance](https://imgchest.com/p/9249km3nayn). The ending though is such a good lead-in-to-credits, and it only gets better as the season goes.

Some things to note-

- The [stage lighting highlights and differentiates the two factions](https://imgchest.com/p/lqyelwmkk4d) (Shinjuku/protagonists in red, Shibuya/antagonists in blue), and then uses this [color scheme throughout the episode](https://imgchest.com/p/9p4nzqv3m4n), and even in other scenes to [indicate protagonist/known quality and an antagonist/unknown quality](https://imgchest.com/p/9ryd23qxl4k)

- Akana and Himekawa were also the [only ones given different colors](https://imgchest.com/p/m9yxn598p7q). Highlighting them as leads?

- [Future anime episodes] >!The episode drops hints as to the nature of Kana and Akane's pre-existing rivalry. [Kana looks dejected and wishful](https://imgchest.com/p/6eyrn3a9x7p) looking at Akane (and Aqua), [Akana looks ticked off and irritated](https://imgchest.com/p/agyvngxqb48) at Kana!<

- [Future anime episodes] >!<

- [Akane turns on her star eyes](https://imgchest.com/p/vj4jm5eg348). What the stars actually mean, if anything, lore wise is one of *the* discussions of the show, and I believe an answer is provided later in the season, but I think for now it is just someone turning on and focusing in on their "it" factor or *star power*

- Just like Aqua, Himekawa recognizes right off the bat that Kana is holding back. Compared to Aqua's quiet support act on "Sweet Today" though, Himekawa straight up comes out and says it, challenging her to match him. Lead actor material I suppose

- [OG Fan stuck around (and remains Ruby biased)](https://imgchest.com/p/ljyqkmrgny2)

We're back with my favorite arc, Tokyo Blade!


The recap was extremely brief which i love because anime episodes are already short by nature. Tbf, i can't stand longer recaps like in MHA, i find them boring. I'd rather see the new stuff with a quick start.


Time has changed, four months have passed. B-Komachi's doing well, Akane got long hair now, thay's cool. Melt's back. If i wasn't a rewatcher [ONK S2 further episodes] >!i couldn't care less about him but now i can't wait to see him shine.!< We meet with new characters right off the bat, they seem interesting. Among them, my favorite is GOA, could be out of pity (poor guy). I'm not much into extremely introvert characters like the author here so i'm glad she has the Sweet Today author with her as well.


Excuse me but please i want to comment about how beautiful OP and ED themes are. Songs are bangers and animatons are neat! It brings me back to [ONK manga] >!incest arc of the manga that was released just around the time before s2 started iirc + Ruby opening a door at the end, foreshadowing for the finale!< Nevertheless, it's top notch with all the references to the Tokyo Blade and so on. I was hyped when i first saw it and i'm still hyped now.


Now let's see where are we landing next with last minute changes to the scrpit.

3) Proud to say that I recognized Hitsujibungaku from the first line of the ED, since this summer they did the OP and ED for *Secrets of the Silent Witch*.