Oshi no Ko Season 2 Episode 4 - Triggers

The scriptwriter vs. mangaka conflict has finally reached its conclusion in Oshi no Ko Season 2 episode 4. Raida, Tokyo Blade’s producer, finally finds the courage to stand up against Abiko and urges her to support Goa. Combined with her recent visit to a stage play written by Goa, Abiko was ready to cooperate and their collaboration was a sight to behold. It was a delight to see both of them fully immersed in their writing, completing the job overnight while genuinely enjoying the process. If it weren’t for the convoluted game of telephone that tangled their communication, the situation might not have escalated so intensely.

It was also refreshing to see Abiko change for the better. Her former mentor Yoriko’s words triggered something deep within her, inspiring her to become more accommodating. The world of mixed media is a collaborative effort, and creating a masterpiece is never a solo endeavor accomplished overnight. I’m glad Abiko realized that, allowing her character to grow and flourish.

But of course, none of these outcomes would have been possible without Aqua. While he might have had less screen time this season so far, he remains the main character for a reason. It was Aqua who encouraged both Yoriko and Raida to confront Abiko and who orchestrated the plan for Abiko to see GOA’s writing. Without his intervention, this whole production would still be in chaos. Now, with the script completed and a fresh approach that emphasizes the actors’ performances, the Lala Lai players and Kana are all pumped up. However, how will Aqua, technically one of the least experienced actors in the play, handle the script and deliver his performance?

As Aqua struggled, Kana tried to help him, but her good intentions led to an undesirable outcome that triggered his PTSD. Despite this, I appreciated seeing Aqua show more expression in this episode. Reminiscing his favorite moments with the cast and his sister Ruby was a sweet and touching moment. Aqua has always been a poker-faced character, driven solely by his desire to avenge Ai’s death. However, it was refreshing to see a change in his facial expressions. For a brief moment, he was genuinely happy and cherished the time he had with his friends and family.

Also, we didn’t get a recap of the first season in the second season, which is why I really appreciated the scene where Aqua reminisced about some of his memories. However, this nostalgia was short-lived, as I was shocked when Gorou’s voice suddenly popped up out of nowhere almost like a jumpscare. It felt like a psychological horror game, where you’re lulled into a sense of comfort with delightful moments only to be jolted by an abrupt tonal shift. The sudden change in the episode’s tone was extremely well-executed and completely caught me off guard.

They also didn’t need to show Ai’s death scene again, as it not only triggers Aqua’s PTSD but also brings back the emotional impact for viewers like me who first experienced it in the manga and anime.

In this episode, we saw more of Aqua and Akane acting like a true girlfriend to him. Akane learned a bit too much about Aqua, slowly connecting the dots between him, Ruby, and Ai. This further proves her genius, and when her starry eyes appeared again while comforting Aqua, it gave me goosebumps.

Overall, Oshi no Ko Season 2 episode 4 was an emotional rollercoaster filled with revelations. It didn’t just claim the first place spot in Week 4 in the rankings for no reason. We witnessed a new side of Aqua as he grappled with personal struggles, while Akane stepped up as a supportive partner. The episode skillfully balanced nostalgic moments with unexpected twists, elevating its psychological impact. As the saga of Abiko and Goa comes to a close, it paves the way for a deeper focus on the main characters.

Screenshots taken via Bilibili. HIDIVE is also streaming the series.
©Aka Akasaka x Mengo Yokoyari/Shueisha, “OSHI NO KO” Partners