Oshi no Ko Rewatch - Season 2, Episode 4 Discussion

**Longtime B-Komachi Fan!**

Like the previous episode, the first half of this one that heavily focuses on Abiko was just kind of all right for me, but not particularly interesting. It did have some nice tidbits about the collaborations that happen when manga adaptations are made though, and I'm glad GOA's back on the project.

The really good stuff was in the second half. [](#concealedexcitement)

This is one of the scenes I was most looking forward to seeing when I read the manga. Emotional acting is a huge challenge for Aqua because he's made a habit of hiding his emotions to protect himself, like he told Akane during the Love Now arc about playing a role. It's a defense mechanism, and when that layer of defense is peeled away, all of the trauma bubbles up to the surface. What's especially notable here is that bringing up Ai's death shocked him, but the real cause of this reaction was Aqua trying to think of a time when he was happy. We see here that he did genuinely feel happy at his sister's concert, talking with Kana and hanging out with the cast of *Love Now*. But his past life, like a separate entity, drags him into a vicious spiral of guilt that says he doesn't deserve to feel happiness because he (at the tender age of four) couldn't save Ai.

[](#yuitears)

The scenes that follow with him and Akane are really sweet. Even though I'm more of an Aqua x Kana fan, I like Aqua x Akane too and this is one of the reasons why. She was able to piece together, through her time spent with him and her analysis of Ai, what caused his trauma - and because of that, she's now able to understand him on a deeper level. She offers him comfort and support, even if he rejects it.

[](#holdme)

**Questions of the Day:**

1) Emotional acting sounds like it would be much more difficult and raw. Crying for real is often messy and rarely looks like the beautiful tears Kana shed during the final scene of *Sweet Today*, so I guess it depends a lot on what the story is going for. I'd guess that Kaburagi productions would favor the "beautiful tears" version, for example.

2) It was a total surprise to me when I read it in the manga! (And they ended the volume with that cliffhanger of Aqua collapsing too!) But when I think about it, this was probably a long time coming for someone who keeps his trauma at the forefront of his mind and goals.

**Semi-Rewatcher**

[I mean, she couldn't have known, but Jesus Kana](https://imgur.com/a/590ZyRs)...

[](#disbelief)

The start of this episode is a pretty straightforward resolution to the conflict surrounding the Tokyo Blade script, in a culmination of sorts for just about everything these last few episodes had brought up. I'll have to reiterate here thge same point I made for last episode with Aqua, in that not actually seeing the play or the genuine emotional effect of it kind of ends up hurting the point, and making Abiko's turnaround a little too clean and less resonant than it should be, but meh, I still find the end result rather satisfying all in all.

The communication theme comes right back into the forefront one more time, because the problem and its solution don't lie squarely at the feet of GOA and Abiko, and Raida himself realizes through Aqua's words that if he genuinely feels a change needs to be made for the good of the production, he can't just keep putting on that placating producer face, and needs to give the truth straight. And the things Raida tells Abiko are, of course, all the problems with her taking over this project we'd already raised in the previous episodes! mainly, that in her hands and with the circumstances they have to work with at the moment, it will *suck*. And I mean, what better way to appeal to a perfectionist, right lol? Just in general though, Raida's tone shift is very entertaining, [if only because he takes his job rather seriously](https://imgur.com/a/r5s2cN3), but once again, I also feel like giving a lot of credit to the VA work here. The small but noticeable shift between his cheery and serious modes is really nicely executed.

GOA and Abiko's eventual Zoom call generally goes as one would expect, with them *finally* finding common ground and being able to cooperate for the sake of making the best script possible together. And rather critically, by combining aspects of their respective specialties and experience! Nothing surprising here, but after all that grief we went through, it's hard not to find this rather gratifying! Here, seeing the intricacies of the creative process actually works out great for the show, because it's genuinely a lot of fun seeing the two of them come to understand each other better through the writing process, especially with Abiko actually recognizing and embracing the unique style GOA brings to the table.

[](#happyclap)

It's somewhat important to remember that, in effect, all of this was technically set up by Aqua. It's his words and his actions that motivate both Abiko and Raida towards this conclusion, a fact that becomes somewhat ironic as the script this intervention produces calls for emotional acting of the kind he can't really do right now. Actually, his role in this whole ordeal by itself is interesting in that it intently tells you that while Aqua is not emotive, he is *conscientious*. Even if he doesn't like showing it on his face, he cares about others and uses his proficiency in knowing how to push others' buttons to go out of his way, that is, regardless of his grand revenge ambitions, for their sake.

These traits end up being quite important when Kana, as someone who has a pretty solid read on Aqua, accidentally ends up leading him towards a PTSD panic attack. Needless to say, in terms of presentation, the whole sequence is absolutely excellent! The shadowy and deformed figure of Goro here that jumps out at Aqua is so delightfully haunting and stylistic, and together with the distortion on his voice, it all has such a... *horror* vibe I guess, really selling the huge traumatic effect on Aqua. Not to mention the visceral description Aqua gives of his memory from Ai's death! Obviously, to the viewer it's that horrific image of Ai's lifeless body that stays in the mind, but for Aqua, it'd of course be a lot more *sensory*, like remembering the smell of all the blood or her body slowly going cold. Again, just perfectly haunting stuff ([The stylized subs also certainly help](https://imgur.com/a/rL450ZF)).

Well, apparently, this is hardly the first time either, and this is where Aqua being quite conscientious comes into play, since he doesn't get himself help. Not because he thinks he's fine, but because of his care for how that might affect Ruby. Just in general, obviously, this whole half of the episode really powerfully communicates to you that Aqua has some rather severe survivor's guilt. He takes the fault for Ai's death on himself, and any genuine momentary showcase of happiness simply triggers a counter reaction that puts himself down for "Daring to enjoy himself" after his "Failure" with Ai. That's all classic stuff, but I think the way that plays into Aqua's nature of caring for others even outside of his supposed singular goal, and the fact that Aqua's trauma specifically takes the form of Goro, makes for a very interesting split here!

The reincarnation element is probably one of the more oft-debated parts of this show, and while certainly room for that debate, I do think things like this episode show how that's thought through beyond just an initial hook. Because where does Goro end and Aqua start? In this case, isn't his previous life as Goro holding him back from his current life as Aqua? There's a genuine conflict here between those aspects of his identity! A dissonance Between moving forward and between revenge, in a way that essentially stops Aqua from being able to find the happiness he clearly desires. And I think that split in intention because of his unique disposition, and in turn, unique reaction to the trauma of losing Ai, is a pretty fascinating quirk to Aqua's larger character! One that we'll hopefully see more of going forward.

That aside, this outburst also shakes up the Aqua/Kana/Akane triangle a decent bit. Aqua's short-lived moment of genuine happy expression was pretty heartwarming, but it was also hard not to miss the way Kana stared very heavily in what are apparently his happiest memories! Nevertheless, it's Akane, with her incredible analytical nature, who steals the spotlight this time around. Kana gets Aqua pretty well, and they've obviously got a pretty close and warm relationship on both sides! But given that she's not exactly being the most straightforward with her feelings around herself, it's not super surprising Akane still beats her to the punch in realizing (one of) Aqua's big secrets, admittedly through some crazy deduction on her part. Love [the sketchy, erratic star eyes when she starts putting it together](https://imgur.com/a/3XK5LDo). This is a real and huge dynamic changer, at least from how Akane views Aqua, and [the incredibly warm and comforting light that surrounds her as she hugs him](https://imgur.com/a/USo0uv8), is very telling for how she feels and what role she wants to take here. Akane, knowing how to emotionally confront Aqua's unique trauma, does put her in a strong position to help him move forward.

[](#thoughtful)

**Rewatcher**

We're back with regularly scheduled trauma.

The episode provides a few answers to why the people in-charge didn't let Abiko and GOA write together without intermediaries in the first place, which include - authors [rarely wanting to be as hands-on as Abiko does](https://imgchest.com/p/o24a6o922yl), the [potential for creative differences](https://imgchest.com/p/a846ozndo4x) stalling a project, and maybe the [industry/union rules and limitations around having representatives and managers in on proceedings](https://imgchest.com/p/vj4jmjpex48). However, Raida realizes things couldn't possibly get more stalled as it were, decides to take charge of the situation and signs off on an active collaboration session.

As Yoriko mentioned, Abiko has a desire to connect with others, and this shows through as she [thoroughly enjoys the collab](https://imgchest.com/p/agyvnapnj48), coming to realize GOA's creative strengths and talking shop with someone as passionate as her about the little details. Of course, this means that Raida now has on his plate a different reason as to the powers-to-be don't want artistic types in a room together - the new script is bold and requires full use of the [actors and stage effects](https://imgchest.com/p/dl7pnwpnpyo), making for a [high-cost and ambitious production effort](https://imgchest.com/p/wl7lwdp6x4x).

As such, most of the actors in the cast are thrilled at the prospect of being handed the reins and given the space to fully inhabit their characters, especially Akane. [Even the usually nonchalant Himekawa has his eyes fully open](https://imgchest.com/p/6eyrnzk6x7p). Aqua and Melt though find themselves out of their depth. As Kana notes, Aqua has a preference for subtler, supportive, technical acting, not the grand projection of emotion that the script now requires of him, and he asks Kana for help.

However, by asking him to focus on his strongest emotional triggers, Kana inadvertently touches the wave of trauma he had put to the side to work on his revenge in a practical manner, bringing it back with such force that even the [mere thought of being happy and fulfilled in his new life](https://imgchest.com/p/lqyelokzm4d) sends him spiralling into a panic attack. Akane, through her freakishly accurate character recreation of Ai, and her knowledge of psychology, already had all the pieces in front of her, and once Director Gotanda hints at what Aqua is dealing with, puts them together. However, in a remarkable display of emotional intelligence, she doesn't confront Aqua off the bat, probably the last thing he would need at that moment, choosing instead to hold him in an embrace and comfort him.


1. Emotional acting seems exhausting, as most actors will tap into real-life experiences, which may or may not be resolved, to step into the portrayal, and most movies will save it for one or two pivotal/climactic scenes. However, theater scripts will often ask actors to go full speed for a lot of it.

Imitational acting is really the default, as actors will rely on prior portrayals of similar characters, character stereotypes and their own typecasting to put forth a performance. As [Kana puts it earlier](https://imgchest.com/p/m9yxnlpo67q), this is necessary too, to convey information to the audience as to the type of character they are to expect, and to provide a baseline which can then be expanded upon and/or subverted.

2. On first watch the rawness of it took me by surprise, as Aqua so far in the series seemed to have neatly compartmentalized his trauma to work his revenge plan in a thorough, patient and calculated manner, and even seemed to increasingly draw from positive experiences, friendships and his love for acting to inform his decisions. Of course, once we learn that he had intentionally put off his therapy so as not to disturb others, [Ruby in particular](https://imgchest.com/p/wl7lwdp8x4x), we realize he had only been suppressing it. I think Ruby also acts as a foil, as she has been largely positive and embracing her second shot at life with gusto.

Some things to note-

- [Aqua's wall of trauma wears the shape of his earlier life as Dr. Gorou Amamiya](https://imgchest.com/p/wl7lwdppx4x), of course indicating that Aqua's particular brand of survivors' guilt is made worse by the fact that he had "adult" awareness of how helpless he was in that moment, and how he could acutely [feel the life slipping from Ai](https://imgchest.com/p/vj4jmjpp948). [Future anime episodes] >!It probably also indicates the guilt Gorou had about his own mother stacking on top!<

- [The most visceral transformations in Aqua's eyes](https://imgchest.com/p/o24a6o9odyl) - filling from a bright positive white to a deep jagged black

- It is bittersweet now to realize that [even in the little moments where Aqua was being non-committal, he was genuinely happy](https://imgchest.com/p/vj4jmjpj348)

- [Fascinating detail of Akane's eyes](https://imgchest.com/p/qb4zpq22lyj) - the star indicating her natural brilliance in deducing the truth while they get increasingly clouded over with dark lines as she realizes the dark implications of said truth

- I have debated this one, but I am now almost sure that [Akane channels Ai for a brief moment while she is comforting Aqua](https://imgchest.com/p/md7ob3prl4p), going off those eyes but also her inflection. Knowingly for Aqua's benefit or subconsciously drawing from her character of Ai?

- [Director Gotanda thought Aqua and Kana were an item](https://imgchest.com/p/lqyelok5z4d)

- [Future anime episodes] >!Easy detail but still being careful, [first hint here that Director Gotanda also seems to know more than he is letting on](https://imgchest.com/p/9ryd2o9w64k)!<

- [Raida sacrifices his own bento for hospitality](https://imgchest.com/p/wl7lwdp2p4x)

- [It seems Kana naturally gravitates towards playing the role of a leader on set](https://imgchest.com/p/vj4jmjpgx48)

So she's still not willing to let that guy do the script.

And so they're going to work together on the script.

And so they're actually getting along well.

She does seem a bit _too_ enthusiastic taking a chainsaw to her work.

And so practice can continue.

Sure... _If_...

Yeah, he's still traumatised from that.

And so Akane has become Ai again.

Questions:

1. You do need to at least understand what emotion you're trying to convey.
2. Was going to happen sooner or later.

**Rewatcher**

Considering how it starts off with Raida saying how often he gets into these kind of arguments with creators surely it must be known how disagreements in adaptation are a common pain point with exercising the clause on the table. Why not raise the option for the creator to be more involved from the get go like how Abiko sensei was with GOA this episode. Even if conflicts happen and things break down between the mangaka and playwright, it wouldve happened anyway but at least this way it surfaces early on. He claims to be a mediator but past episodes, he just seems to be another middleman so not really sympathetic as much as the show seems to try to paint him out to be.

I wonder what that box is that he gave Abiko sensei. Glad we're finally done with all that though, watching it for the first time it definitely felt way too long to get to the actual play part. But I wouldnt really know where to cut even if I wanted it to fit within 2\~2.5 episodes. It must be excruciating watching it a week at a time.

Finally a play worthy of the star studded cast of Lalalai. Why was Raida afraid of it being hard to pull off with such a cast. \[S2, ep6\~7\]>!Considering the scenes Melt was in, how would his scenes have required easier acting than before the rewrite? It likely wouldve still required him to fight against yellow hair!<


Kana playing the Osanajimi card. I get she is trying to boast how she knows him longest but that definitely isnt a win. Its funny to think of them as such even if she wasnt much on friend part then. Does Kana ever get around to remembering her advice to Aqua about his mother dying when she finds out that actually did happen?

With how emotionless Aqua tends to be, I'm surprised he actually has any good memories in him. 2 scenes of Akane, 6 with Kana (3 solo + 3 bkomachi), 3 with Ruby (with bkomachi). For someone who claims its a business relationship, Im surprised he actually finds happiness in his time with Akane and their date. They didnt show the scene of Kana in s1e11. For a huge siscon, no happy memories of Ruby outside of bkomachi idol time. Poor memcho though, the 4th wheel on this tricycle. Nothing about his time as Gouda and his past life though.

I do find it weird how his Gouda self blames him for not protecting Ai from her killer instead of not saving her instead. Like what can a toddler even do with that size. But a toddler with a medical degree not trying to save her wouldve been more plausible like stemming the bleeding or an attempt at surturing or something. At this point, while I think of Ruby as a continuation of Serina, it feels like Aqua is his own person and not related to Gouda at all.

When the Lalalai boss referred to Akane as Aqua's girlfriend and Lalalai cast knowing Aqua is a high schooler, looks like they watched Imagachi but dont know its "for business only". Kana referring to it as "convenient" its being jealous its Akane that gets sent to help Aqua from his panic attack right?

Aqua not wanting Ruby to be involved saying she has moved on from it. I always found it odd Ruby bounced back from the trauma better even as early as s1e2 with new celebrity idols (that black haired classmate). While Aqua kept reopening wounds with all his DNA tests. \[s2e13\]>!Ruby seems more affected by Gouda than by Ai!<

When Kantoku clarified he's not Aqua's father but that Aqua has these attacks for a long time and been over at his place, I wonder what Akane thinks of their relationship. Kantoku even being surprised Akane is his girlfriend, was he thinking Aqua wouldve been with Arima since he invited her over last time?

What always puzzles me is when Akane says "twins that use the family name Hoshino" like how does this fit in? I dont think Ai uses that as her stage name and past threads were saying how its a common family name. But that name was also remarked upon in I think s1e2 when Aqua was applying for school by the interview panel so it seems to be something special. If it alludes to Ai being a star doesnt Japan have very strict laws on family registers or something so how did Ai or the twins end up with a name like that.

Akane with the yellow twin stars was so scary. Her putting all the puzzle pieces together, especially when Ai has faded from public memory and her not being old enough to known her then, I wouldve thought it would take her all season to figure it out. Her giving Aqua the emotional support was so touching and what makes me ship.

1/2