Oshi no Ko Rewatch - Season 2, Episode 9 Discussion

**Longtime B-Komachi Fan!**

Starting off the episode with a childhood memory of happier times, Ai praising little Aqua's first movie role, was so precious! And then the scene transitions to the present day, where his acting has become positively feral. Aqua is really screaming his heart out on stage, drawing from his most traumatic memories to turn out that performance. Kana mentioned they have another *month* ahead of them for this play, and I can't even imagine how much it must pain him to relive those moments day after day - or maybe he already does, more often than we're aware.

Again, Gorou appears as a separate entity in Aqua's mind, but Aqua acknowledges they *are* the same person. It makes me wonder if perhaps it was easier for him to deal with if he can at least partially separate himself from these dark feelings by thinking they come from "Gorou" instead. This scene was so sad, but fantastic character development for Aqua as he imagines a fantasy where Ai survived and clings to her, sobbing. On stage, the star in his eye is shining bright at the memory of Ai. The fact that Akane was channeling Ai in her performance at the same time probably made this a cathartic but also heart-wrenching experience for him.

[](#yuitears)

Kindaichi's drunken ramblings about Aqua being a good actor because he's a little broken and has learned to imitate being normal in spite of that was surprisingly insightful. I'm starting to see a pattern with our young actors here...

[](#rengethink)

And now plot twist, Himekawa is Aqua's half-brother?! This reveal was completely unexpected when I first read it!

**Questions of the Day:**

1) Hard to say, but I'd probably pick Kana because she showed herself to be great in both the starring role and support role. If we're choosing the star of this arc rather than the play though, definitely Aqua. His character development was the real highlight of Tokyo Blade for me!

2) I was just so surprised by the fact that he found a *brother* when this whole time he was looking for his father, I had no theories at this point. Just [**surprised pikachu**](#surprisedpikachu) face.

**First Timer**

What a mean way to bring back a character we haven't heard in such a long time...

[](#holdme)

Was really sick yesterday, so I couldn't write about last episode [](#tiredaoi), but in short, I did like it! I'll admit I was a bit peeved at first at Kana ironically having to share the spotlight with Aqua in an episode that was billed as her big moment, but sleeping on it, I did like how both got to shine, especially since there's a strong thematic parallel between them there. Both actors who are struggling with their passion because of past family trauma, pushing themselves into supporting roles. (Aqua's case is a bit more complicated, obviously, but that's beside the point) Of course, the contrast then comes in how they handle that, with Kana ultimately embracing the acting she loves and enjoys, whereas Aqua decides to use the pain and suffering acting gives him. Kana's full backstory isn't super revelatory, but it is sad, effective, and unfortunately, not exactly uncommon. Indeed, child acting is a cutthroat business, and that's usually not because of the kids, it's because of the parents...

It was also a bit of an interesting episode production-wise, with storyboarding and direction being jointly done by series director Daisuke Hiramaki *and* the two assistant directors who'd done the previous 2 episodes in Nekotomi and Nishina. The result is obviously less wholly distinct than their respective episodes, but you can still definitely feel their different styles coming through in a way I think works rather well. Like, [Nishina brings back those awesome stylish color splashes to depict intense acting](https://imgur.com/a/XSh15a2) like his episode 12, or [the spotlight motif for Kana](https://imgur.com/a/DHkbPMq) from episode 18; Kana trying again to push her own talent and desire down for the sake of "What's right", only for Aqua to force her into shining anyway. While for Nekotomi you've got [that beautifully partially painted segment of Kana literally glowing and rekindling her stars](https://www.sakugabooru.com/data/8fa2955d3929261bee1f4fcd7ab7de22.mp4), her true talent and form of acting, reminiscent of the Melt one from on 17. Just in general, [some gnarly visuals all around there](https://imgur.com/a/UB7rPl8)!

Plus, one last time, I'll give a little credit to the way the show depicts the play. I mean, just in general, last episode made it look like such an absurdly cool production lol. Himekawa's lightning sword? The way the floor is also made of screens, so you get cool blood effects? Great stuff. And here the way the show has often been using audience POV at times really pays off, because it really reinforces [what Himekawa says about play acting](https://imgur.com/a/NdWh5i3) from a viewer perspective!

[Also, honestly, I'd ship it](https://imgur.com/a/XoYZIcO).

[](#forbiddenlove)

Back to this episode, I think most of it comes down to Aqua's performance at the start, but goddamn, what a performance! His pained expressions are constantly on point. There's something about the way he's animated there that I think nicely conveys a frantic and unnatural feel from him, and man, [the voice acting!](#feelsgoodman) Takeo Otsuka is obviously screaming and growling his absolute heart throughout the whole thing in such a powerful way. But I also really liked the performance from Kent Ito as Shadow Goro here. It's kind of hard to hear over the filter they give him, but the way his voice kind of ramps up as he talks to Aqua and then [straight up breaks a little by the end](https://imgur.com/a/JlKMgcI) is so great. After all, as Aqua says, despite its ominous form and aura, it's ultimately still... *him*. A visualization of his emotional trauma and feelings of survivor's guilt, amplified by his unique, double-life circumstances. So yeah, he doesn't just sound "ominous" per se, he's *frustrated* and distraught! It's small and subtle, but I really like that we give it a human touch even before Aqua points it out. [Also love the visuals for Aqua fully embracing the dark emotions for his acting](https://imgur.com/a/pVXalj6).

Here is also where the Tokyo Blade story comes into play rather well as a framing device. Because from the start, the characters of Tokyo Blade had been very clearly symbolically connected to our real characters. Effectively, representations of their ongoing emotional arcs! And here that's played for great and painful effect, as Akane as Sayahime embodies Ai, the person that Touki, that is, Aqua, had devoted his life to and would sacrifice anything for. And as Kana says, [Akane does so in a way so real it brings out all of Aqua's real emotions](https://imgur.com/a/HlEChrI), first at the scene of her presumed death, and then at the elation he feels for her return, to match his painful dream of Ai magically surviving as Sayahime does. Of course, the real tragedy that really nails this as such a gut punch is exactly that connected framing. At the end of the day, while Aqua's emotions both ways are real, it's still a play, acting, a dream...

(Also, to add to that idea about Tokyo Blade as a framing device, before she's Ai, [Sayahime is still Akane](https://imgur.com/a/LFkow50))

What-if scenarios are always an easy way to draw out emotions, so obviously, a what-if regarding perhaps the most emotional and impactful moment of the whole show (With the scene even partially animated by the same person who animated that scene in episode 1) was just bound to get me extremely choked up. Especially when the whole thing is played to that fantastic emotional OST, the same that played when she died... A short, but genuinely very hard-hitting and phenomenal emotional climax for Aqua and this arc.

[](#wipetears)

Really, the only problem with it is that it's so good... but only takes up like a third of the episode. Well, that isn't to say the rest isn't entertaining in its own way, but our denouement does admittedly feel fairly lacking compared to the big climax at the start, and there isn't a ton to say about it.

I like the actual curtain call we do for the play, and by extension, the arc! The little bits of personality on display there, like [Melt and Sakuya being a bit chummy, Akane giving a little blush at the princess carry routine, and Kana being thoroughly *unamused* by said act](https://imgur.com/a/dsTo2Ok), were all great. Kana and Akane being all tsun about the other being the better actor was expected, but still very amusing, and it's nice to see their positive rivalry continue like that. [Happy Abiko is cute](https://imgur.com/a/iTCakF5). And I absolutely love [this ginger ale gag lol](https://imgur.com/a/NjrgWEI).

But the most important bit here is, of course, the focus shift to Himekawa. Kindaichi lightly foreshadows their *real* shared background by mentioning how their flawed emotional states impact both of their acting for the better in a similar way, but that reveal still hit me out of nowhere! When he mentioned also growing up in a children's home, I thought he might have some info on Ai's background, given that it was the same, not that he'd Aqua's *half-brother*! [](#maxshock) This is a huge deal, of course! For one, it implies that Aqua's dad pulled the same act as he did for Ai on other women (Possibly including the murder part, considering Himekawa is also an orphan), making him look even worse and implying he's quite a big deal to keep getting away with it. And where do Kaburagi and Kindaichi play into this? Both being there from the start, and in Ai's case, enabling that meeting. How does Himekawa react anyway? Putting aside any details he has, would he want to help Aqua's quest? Would Aqua want help in his quest? This is quite the step up and return for our major mystery, and I'm excited to see where it goes.

[](#rengehype)

**Anime/Manga Comparison:**

The Tokyo Blade arc covers from volumes 5 through the first half of 7 in the manga, making it the longest arc by far.

There were notable changes to the pacing at the beginning of the anime's second season to start off with the play rehearsal and end with a first episode cliffhanger of Abiko telling them to change everything about the script, while the second episode backed things up to show what led to this. The manga version was shown in chronological order and honestly, I much preferred this approach - starting with Ruby at Ai's grave and then transitioning to a short scene at school, to Aqua and Kana attending rehearsal afterward, reintroducing Melt and Akane, and then the new Lalalai characters. The scene with Yoriko and Abiko talking about the adaptation over dinner was also shown before Abiko met with Lalalai. It flowed so much better this way, in my opinion.

The short school scene also offered [extra insight] >!into the divide between young stars and general education students. Ruby mentions some jealousy and tension between the girls, but the boys casually remark that they're surprised Aqua is taking gen ed instead of acting (and in typical Aqua fashion, he responds by saying he doesn't have the talent for it).!<

The anime also has a number of stylistic differences that are entirely original - like the extended sword battle between Kana and Himekawa with splashes of color, Kana's memories of Aqua montage when he shines the spotlight on her, and the symbolic transformative sequences for Melt, Akane and Kana. Interestingly, [Gorou's] >!haunting form was shown clearly in the manga, whereas the anime turned him into a sort of shadowy cloud.!< And the original design for Sakuyahime had Akane's hair color, rather than white. While I preferred Gorou's depiction in the manga, the anime version really enhanced the play by using the animation to highlight the characters and set design in this way.

**First Timer, Subbed**

Maaan, bringing Ai back to life in that scene is just unfair. That long first episode succeeded in planting an emotional trigger in me when it comes to Ai's death, so the reveal that this dream is what Aqua uses to emote unrestrained happiness caught me off guard. I could feel tears coming to my eyes. Ugh they did such a good job. I'm really glad I didn't read the manga before watching the anime, because I probably wouldn't have this response.

[I guess Akane's bewildered look at Aqua's acting](https://i.imgur.com/61n2tbu.jpeg) also fits the play, since Princess Saya probably never saw ice cold Touki like this before. I wonder how many people in the audience knew that these actors are also dating? Probably a lot since the suicide attempt controversy was kinda big?

Also fun to think about: some of the audience members noticing that three of the main cast were in *Sweet Today* earlier that year, and getting hyped to watch it.

[wtf is this shit](#peasants)

QOTD:

1) Who won? [It was Mitano.](https://i.imgur.com/LmLX920.jpeg) He gets to play some sort of advisor/bureaucrat/narrator and doesn't have to do crazy fighting or acrobatics, has time to do two TV dramas at the same time, and is the most excited to go drink afterward. Dude is just living his best life.

Oh uh.. winning performance? I dunno, maybe I'll give it to Aqua because of the maximal switch from his icy emotionless acting to his unhinged acting. [This is one of the basics of entertainment, isn't it?](https://i.imgur.com/dqyfZ8w.jpeg)

2) I laughed out loud about the reveal. I guess I forgot that DNA matching relatives is almost just as useful as matching the father. Now it makes sense why the story kept Himekawa as such a mystery this whole time, because we're gonna dive deep into him soon.

**Rewatcher**

*Definitely* my favorite episode of the series. Tons of detail (ooh boy this is gone take me a couple of hours to write) and an underlying tone that is unsettling but also very characteristic of the series.


For me this episode has the feeling of crossing a line that can't be uncrossed. Thanks in no small part to Aqua of course, and how he essentially [lets himself have a nervous breakdown](https://imgchest.com/p/na7kkbvz378) on stage with all the force of someone repressing it for a decade and change - with [multiple people noting](https://imgchest.com/p/ej7meoln9yd) that there was more to his performance there than just acting. Top class throat rending performance from VA Takeo Ootsuka.

There is also disturbing imagery of child Aqua [with black eyes](https://imgchest.com/p/qe4gqb5lq7j); there is a feeling that he has finally internalized these feelings of grieving rage for the worse, [allowed them to fill him up](https://imgchest.com/p/a846o25xz4x).

I also have to point out the OST for this entire sequence. The somber piano for Blade and Touki's fight ([and this awesome shot](https://imgchest.com/p/lqyelbgpm4d) to start it off), the wistful track as the others gather around Princess Saya's body, and then them absolutely cheating by playing Ai's death theme for her "resurrection".

As Kana notices, [Akane also channels Ai](https://imgchest.com/p/na7kkbvw378). Something she has been doing to bolster her confidence and presence in small parts anyway, but I believe she turns it on here intentionally, judging by what she knows about Aqua and the insights they must have gained practicing together. This makes for Aqua's break to turn even slightly psychotic, as he allows himself to live his deepest, most hopeful, and most impossible wish - [black to white again](https://imgchest.com/p/m9yxno8267q). The emotional force projected by Aqua [surprises even her](https://imgchest.com/p/ljyqkor8xy2). It also made me hearty cry when I first watched it.

We also get, what I believe, the in-universe explanation of the eye stars from the short conversation between Kindaichi and Kaburagi. [Kaburagi puts it](https://imgchest.com/p/ej7meolwayd) in a slightly creepy way befitting of an industry producer - but it is the persuasive power behind their "cuteness", or broadly, behind their own "star power". Some people like Ai have it on perpetually and seemingly effortlessly - and there is a weird magnetism her, Aqua, Ruby and Himekawa have due to past personal experiences, some like Akane are able to turn it on by fully inhabiting their characters, and some like Kana and Melt turn it on when they drop their inhibitions. But it is them frantically making an appeal to their audience to look at them.

Following from the above, there is a [distinct difference with how the rest of the cast and Aqua are doing post-performance](https://imgchest.com/p/ne7b6bkkgy5). From this point on, the switches between his white and black eyes are also nigh-instantaneous - such as enjoying the party and a general positive curiosity about Kindaichi and the origins of Lalalai - and the prospect of learning more about Ai - turned [instantly suspecting when the "workshops they conducted" and something that "didn't go well" are mentioned](https://imgchest.com/p/pg73ov5537r). Following what Kaburagi said, it might also be Aqua trying to put on his best innocently curious voice to coax out the details.

It is then we move to Aqua and Himekawa scheming to get the old man drunk. The whole idea of members-only bars and host clubs (a la Golden Gai) where the rich and the famous [can get casually touchy and cozy](https://imgchest.com/p/na7kkbv8m78) with struggling off-hour idols and models, is slightly off-putting, especially in light of how we just recalled Ai and what happened to her, but of course not surprising at all. And Kindaichi completes the observation in a blunt manner only a drunk person could, telling us that he practically brought up Himekawa (which explains his nonchalance around the stage), that [he can see through the fronts Aqua and Himekawa put up to (for lack of a better word) their broken selves](https://imgchest.com/p/bp45o95qg75), and in the same vein expresses a fascination with Aqua. With Aqua then revealing that they are in fact half-brothers on their father's side, it seems he is on the money.

1. For me, Akane. I mean Princess Saya as a character has aura (and a beautiful design) that is hard to match so she has an unfair advantage, but for me she stole every scene she was in.

2. Completely took me by left-field when I first watched, but I definitely did notice that both Aqua and Himekawa had similarly dour dispositions. Makes perfect sense though in hindsight, both orphans (disturbing implication that their father's habit might be a recurring pattern), brought up by men in the industry which gives them immense technical know-how, that weird magnetism, calculating nature, a single mindedness to their tasks, and sharing real chemistry with Kana.

Some things to note-

- Post-performance, Akane and Kana behave like their respective experience levels. Akane has a [whole tearful shounen-protagonist "I-can-do-better!" spiel](https://imgchest.com/p/ljyqkoraky2) of an up-and-comer, while Kana, befitting an old-timer, just wants to go home and take her socks off. Interestingly, [Kana also allows herself to a throw a small play-tantrum](https://imgchest.com/p/lqyelbgdk4d), maybe signs that she's taken a step towards healing her inner child? Also cool that their mutual respect for each other (and continuing professional rivalry) is affirmed.

- Aqua also admits to himself (and tells us the audience) on [what his appeal for each of Kana and Akane is](https://imgchest.com/p/qb4zpo8pvyj). For Kana it's his front (what he can look ahead to), for Akane it's someone who's got his back - intentional framing?

- I remember being originally impressed by the decision to throw in the small flashback of Ai and the twins at the beginning - [scene-wise to contrast the hopeful child-Aqua with the despairing grown-up one](https://imgchest.com/p/a846o253v4x), but it also made sense logistically, since they could call back Ai's VA Rie Takahashi to record more than just the one line in Aqua's "dream". I hadn't read the manga chapter though, and was surprised to find this scene there as well. Of course, this makes sense given that Aka Akasaka had experience with manga-anime adaptations and could probably envision just how this was going to play, but still cool how this was considered

- [Future anime episodes / manga] >!<

- Working out the conflict between Abiko and GOA, and thanks to a gentle reminder from Aqua, seems to have [bolstered Raida's spine a bit](https://imgchest.com/p/bp45o95og75), in constrast to how placative he was acting before Abiko before.

- [Akane's slight glance and blush](https://imgchest.com/p/ne7b6bknvy5) as Aqua carries her down the set is super cute, [much to Kana's dismay](https://imgchest.com/p/na7kkbv5m78)

- Cool audio detail, the crowd gets louder [as the actors bow](https://imgchest.com/p/ljyqkor5ky2) or wave, then settles down a bit as the scenes are changed. Also, [cool shot of the background mechanism](https://imgchest.com/p/9ryd2b6nd4k) behind the changing scenes.

- [Kana is totally, fully sober and is in no quantity consuming alcohol because she is a minor okaaaay?](https://imgchest.com/p/ej7meolvqyd)

Yep Aqua has gone all dark star mode. No better method acting than having to deal with an actually crazy guy on stage.

Ok...

That's pretty cool.

And so, for a moment, his light star eye returned.

Damn seems like some of them are really busy.

And so his dark star eye is back.

And so it's the curtain call.

Seems the author really enjoyed that.

Lol the moment he says he's going Kana goes too.

And lol Kana's drunk not even on alcohol.

Hmm... Seems like he's got another lead.

So, they're related.

Questions:

1. Kana. At least her character didn't spend half the play dead...
2. When I first saw that I thought it was certainly a revelation.