After seeing that three directors were involved in Oshi no Ko Season 2 episode 8, two of whom have been steering the series since season 1—I had high expectations for this one. And I’m thrilled to say that it blew me away. Not only did the episode meet those expectations, but it also delivered what I consider the peak episode of the entire series (so far).
So what makes me say that for this Oshi no Ko episode? We witnessed Kana’s powerful redemption arc, explored a new layer of her trauma, and marveled at Aqua’s intense, unhinged, and insane approach to acting all shown together in an absurdly cinematic adaptation.
But before diving into the highlights of the episode that made me consider it to be the best, I have to say that this season of Oshi no Ko has been nothing short of impeccable. The visual presentation, which initially captivated me in the first episode of season 2, made a stunning return here, but was even more intense and visually striking than I ever imagined. With Ciao Nekotomi and Daisuke Hiramaki leading the charge, and Kuniyasu Nishina contributing his directorial finesse from past standout episodes, this episode was destined to be the crown jewel of Doga Kobo’s production portfolio.
However, the real MVP of this episode was Kanna Hirayama (kappe), the chief animation director, whose work elevated the episode to new heights. Her art direction and visual approach to this episode were stunning. The overpowering brilliance of some frames were simply a chef’s kiss, and it’s all thanks to her.
While the previous episode of Oshi no Ko explored Kana’s past traumas, it largely centered them on Akane’s perspective. Sure, we got glimpses of Kana’s struggles, but one key figure was noticeably absent— her parents, who may be at the root of her issues. Lately, I’ve seen videos exposing the dark side of child content creators’ lives all due to just horrible parenting in general.
Manipulative parents exploit their children for fame and fortune, painting a fake image to boost their child’s online presence and ultimately profit at the expense of their child’s dignity and privacy. Kana’s mother reflects this all too well, although she didn’t manipulate her child’s image. Just went to lengths to keep her child famous for her own sake, which is still toxic parenting.
Kana’s relentless pursuit of fame was driven by a deep desire to make her mother proud. She enjoyed seeing her mom revel in the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world. But soon, she realized that her mother’s happiness hinged on her continued success, trapping her in a vicious cycle where staying relevant was the only way to keep her family intact. As Kana’s star began to fade, the pressure mounted, straining her relationship with her family and fracturing their family’s well-being.
For Kana, watching her life unravel was heartbreaking and, to cope, she chose to step back, sacrificing her own ambitions to preserve what little she had left. It was an admirable decision to adapt by any means necessary to the industry’s standard as that allowed her to survive for years. Still, seeing Kana suppress her talent was painful.
As her past was revealed and her co-stars set the stage for her to reclaim her former glory, I was screaming at her to let go and embrace her true potential. And when she finally did, it was nothing short of spectacular. Her performance was electrifying, enhanced by a whimsical musical score that perfectly captured the moment. I couldn’t help but fanboy just as much as Akane did, and I’m glad Akane not only met her hero, but also had the chance to share the stage with her.
In a nutshell, Kana was absolutely brilliant in this episode, but something wasn’t quite right after watching her. After last week’s episode, I was convinced that Oshi no Ko Season 2 episode 8 would be a Kana-centric narrative, showcasing her rise back to the spotlight. While Aqua, Akane, and Himekawa did play a role in reigniting Kana’s spark, the episode’s title “Trigger” felt somewhat misleading. It turns out, the episode wasn’t all about Kana at all. The real focus was on Aqua all along, subtly guiding the narrative under the guise of Kana’s moment.
For a moment, all eyes were on Kana, and, don’t get me wrong, it was exhilarating. But that was short-lived. The episode then took a sharp turn, contrasting Kana’s earlier success with a darker, more intense atmosphere. The dazzling lights and whimsical music that accompanied her victory slowly gave way to a red backdrop, symbolizing Aqua’s growing rage, underscored by a dramatic and somber tone.
In previous episodes, the colors, music, and other elements were used to emphasize the passion of the actors, with characters like Melt and Kana serving as prime examples. However, the final scenes of this episode evoke a sense of rage and vengeance, mirroring Aqua’s state of mind. Unlike his co-stars, Aqua’s acting isn’t fueled by a love for the craft or the entertainment industry; it’s driven by a burning desire for revenge. Acting, for him, is not an expression of creativity, but only a means to an end. He uses it as a weapon instead of passion, which is why he can never truly enjoy it. It has never been about fun or games and climbing the popularity charts, but always only a tool for executing his revenge.
We already saw that expression of his in the one-hour special premiere of the series, and I got shivers once again. I guess it’s just a way to show off that this episode is on par with the one-hour special or even better. It’s also just thrilling to see the main protagonist go all out and remind us that, while this show exposes the dark side of the industry, the story at the end is still about revenge. This unique blend of the narratives shows that Oshi no Ko is simply a staple in the modern anime era.
Oshi no Ko Season 2 episode 8 is available on Bilibili and HIDIVE
©Aka Akasaka x Mengo Yokoyari/Shueisha, “OSHI NO KO” Partners
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