As the play progresses, Aqua (Takeo Otsuka) and Akane (Manaka Iwami) try to use an opportunity to get Kana (Megumi Han, Vampire in the garden) shine. But when the opportunity arises, will Kana be able to overcome the trauma she carries with her and step into the spotlight once again? We also learn more about Aqua’s approach to acting as he maneuvers through his time on stage in Oshi No Ko Episode 19, “Trigger.”

The last episode focused heavily on exploring Kana from Akane’s outside perspective. This episode further expands on Kana’s character by letting the audience into the mind of the young actress. This creates a wonderful narrative cause-and-effect interaction between the two episodes – albeit with the clever decision to reverse the order. Last week we saw the impact of Kana’s early experiences as an actress from Akane’s perspective. This week we get to explore the cause of those decisions directly at the source.

Early in Oshi No Ko Episode 19we see Kana and Taiki Himekawa discussing the play backstage. Himekawa is worried that Akane will steal the show and plans to improvise a little in one of the next scenes, trusting that Kana will respond to him in the moment.

Within the larger narrative, this moment sets up the scenario that forces Kana to choose whether to shine again or continue her supporting role in the play. This may be the more important element of the scene, but it is not the most memorable. Rather, Himekawa’s fixation on Akane and his desire to outdo her comes across as a prominent element of the scene.

Although this element of competition has been covered in previous episodes, it’s surprising that it continues as the play progresses. Given the collaborative nature of theater, one expects the contestants to be more focused on making the production work as a whole rather than on who exactly delivers the most memorable performance. One always wants to do their best, but risking the integrity of the show by deviating from the script feels irresponsible. A surprising choice coming from a performer who seems as well-respected as Himekawa.

From here Oshi No Ko Episode 19 returns to the stage as Aqua and Himekawa prepare to cross swords. As the two clash, we are treated to our first major visual display of the episode. As the swords clash, we see a beautiful play of color on the screen. The striking splashes of orange make the clash of blades stand out in a surprising way.

The moment is further enhanced by the emphasis on scale within the scene. The camera highlights the size of the theater beautifully. One setting shot makes excellent use of negative space to isolate the two actors, making them feel small within the set, while also perfectly highlighting them and directing the viewer’s eye where it needs to go. It feels like the perfect setup for a high fantasy confrontation. That the series stays aware of what the play in the show is about and tries to present it with its own energy, creating an aura that the personal drama the series focuses on couldn’t create.

As the scene progresses, Kana and Akane join the pair as the moment builds. At this point, Himekawa begins to put his plan into action to steal the scene by going off script. However, as he is about to do so, Aqua beats him to it, going in his own direction and inserting lines between him and Kana. But while Himekawa planned to outdo himself, Aqua used the moment to give Kana a chance to shine, setting her up to take the spotlight once again.

While Kana considers whether to pick up the glove that Aqua throws to her, Oshi No Ko Episode 19 delves into the past to get the details of how Kana went from the confident child actress we first met to her current incarnation. From her mother’s attempts to live vicariously through her to the need to avoid making waves on set, the exploration of Kana’s motives is done thoroughly without feeling drawn out. It hits the viewer with what they need to know and then promptly moves on.

Returning to the present, Kana takes on Aqua’s challenge and leaves her more conservative acting style behind to step into the spotlight. The joy Kana exudes as she jumps and moves around the stage effortlessly enraptures the audience with the character’s newfound energy. The visual presentation amplifies Kana’s presence in the moment with a shift in visual style to highlight her mood.

This moment is painted in a painting-like manner, focusing on the artist Kana. Abstract images of shooting stars and other elements surround the character, making her euphoria not only present, but contagious. Thanks to the animation’s extra efforts to convey the character’s emotions, the audience is made to feel like Kana.

Oshi No Ko Episode 19 ends his time with a harsh change in tone. The episode turns away from Kana’s joy rekindled on stage and ends with a look at Aqua and his ongoing struggle with panic attacks. Because they are triggered by his guilt over Ai’s death and he views the joy of acting as a deviation from his goal of revenge, Aqua cannot allow himself to share in the joy pursued by his fellow actors.

For him, acting is a subject of pain. Confirming this heavily implied fact adds a tragic note to Aqua’s character, even though it is his own choice. We see Aqua being offered therapy to help him overcome these struggles so he can enjoy his craft. It is the existence of this choice that makes Aqua’s situation heartbreaking.

By making it clear that Aqua has people in his life who see him and offer him help, Oshi No Ko Episode 19 affirms that he accepts the tragic elements of Aqua. It makes it perfectly clear that he refuses to let go of the pain in Aqua’s life. Although he could focus on better things and strive to find new things to love, Aqua clings to the darkest moment of his life and deliberately refuses to move on.

Oshi No Ko Episode 19 lands another one-two punch of great character exploration and striking visuals. The effort put into fleshing out the cast makes it easy for audiences to get into it. Combine that with the stunning visuals and you have another masterful entry in the series.

Oshi No Ko Episode 19 is now streaming on HiDive.