MEM-cho joined B-Komachi as the third member and with it Oshi no Ko seems to have finally returned to its idol roots in episode 9. After all, the dramatic introduction of Akane, Kana’s blossoming love for Aqua, and the investigation into Ai’s past briefly took the focus away but this episode proved that this series is still an idol show at its core.
MEM-cho’s Lie
Oshi no Ko continues its trend of showing us that the stars in show business are not always who they seem. This time, it’s MEM-cho who has been admitted to lying about her age. This may not come as a surprise to some fans, as the 7th episode subtly hinted at MEM-cho’s true age.
When Aqua was trying to describe his ideal woman, MEM-cho quickly mentioned Ai Hoshino. If MEM-cho were truly in the same age group as the twins, she would have been in early elementary school or late kindergarten – a time when idol music typically doesn’t attract much to children. However, tracing back to her actual age, she would have been 13 when the tragedy involving Ai occurred, which explains why MEM-cho would vividly remember her.
In the idol industry, the younger talents are always favored. Part of the appeal of idols is their coming-of-age story. Fans want to see their oshi (favorite idol) grow and flourish, and they feel a sense of belonging over their success. MEM-cho is at an age where most idols retire which makes that aspect difficult to sell to the fans. After all, why would anyone choose to support or follow an idol who will eventually retire in the near future?
This is why she lied about her age in the reality TV show, she was hoping to get an inch of opportunity to pursue her dream of becoming an idol. While it may not be morally right to deceive those who support you, it’s important to consider the context of the entertainment industry, where lies often become a necessary instrument.
Looking at it from a different perspective though, her lie could be seen as a manifestation of her unwavering passion and determination to achieve her dreams, traits that are crucial for any successful idol. Moreover, considering the fact that she was robbed of her high school days due to family responsibilities, she deserves a chance to shine and be in the spotlight now.
All in all, MEM-cho’s situation provides a glimpse into the competitive nature of the industry and it also shows the lengths that some idols will go to in order to reach the stars. Perhaps, she can be a reminder that age is just a number and that passion and determination can overcome any obstacle.
There’s also one more thing that episode 9 of Oshi no Ko emphasized, and that is the importance of the center role in idol groups.
The Role of Center
Not to be confused with the role leader or ace, the center is basically the person who is the most visible during a performance as explained in the episode. However, it doesn’t really mean that every song the group performs will have the same member as the center. Some songs may have different centers because they are specifically composed to highlight the individual talents of certain members. While some idol groups have a designated fixed center, with the same member occupying that role for most, if not all, songs, many groups have a rotating center with different members taking the spotlight in different songs.
B-Komachi falls under the former, as the original generation had Ai Hoshino be the center most of the time due to her captivating presence. Because of this, both Ruby and MEM-cho want to claim the role. Given that their group name shares the with the original B-Komachi, whoever takes the role of the center can be deemed as the successor of Ai Hoshino herself.
Despite all of the stakes at hand though, Kana, who is in fact, the most suitable candidate for the role shows little interest in becoming the center. With her experience as a singer and overall talent, she is a perfect fit for the center position. She even demonstrated her outstanding karaoke performance, where she achieved the highest score among the three. Kana’s captivatingly beautiful music video also showcases her immense potential but her lack of motivation and her jealousy towards Aqua and Akane’s relationship might be a hindrance to her overall career.
Oshi no Ko Episode 9 Leaves Us Wanting a New Season
Episode 9 of Oshi no Ko was truly a treat for idol fans like myself, offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the idol industry. The episode not only delivered on that front but also left us with a tease for the upcoming arc, potentially hinting at a brand-new season. Given the show’s popularity, it’s probable we will be seeing more Aqua. Regardless, it’s been an amazing adaptation so far and I don’t see it crashing down with just two episodes left.
Images via HIDIVE
© Akasaka Aka x Mengo Yokoyari / Shueisha / Oshi no Ko Production Committee
