After seeing that three directors were involved in the Oshi no Ko Season 2 Episode 8, two of which have driven the series since Season 1 – I had high expectations for this episode. 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 to be the best episode of the entire series (so far).

So what makes me say this? Oshi no Ko Result? We witnessed Kana’s powerful redemption arc, explored a new level of her trauma, and marveled at Aqua’s intense, wacky, and insane approach to acting – all showcased in an absurd cinematic adaptation.

But before I dive into the highlights of the episode that made me consider it the best, I have to say that this season of Oshi no Ko was simply flawless. The visual presentation that initially captivated me in the first episode of the second season returned here in a stunning fashion, but was even more intense and visually impressive than I ever imagined. With Ciao Nekotomi and Daisuke Hiramaki at the helm, and Kuniyasu Nishina contributing his directorial finesse from previous standout episodes, this episode was destined to become the crown jewel of Doga Kobo’s production portfolio.

The real star of this episode, however, was Kanna Hirayama (cap), the chief animation director, whose work took the episode to a new level. Her art direction and visual approach to this episode was breathtaking. The overwhelming brilliance of some of the images was 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 but largely focused on Akane’s perspective. Sure, we got glimpses of Kana’s struggles, but one key character was conspicuously missing – her parents, who may be the source of her problems. Lately, I’ve been watching videos that reveal the dark side of children’s content creators’ lives, and it’s all because of generally terrible upbringing.

Manipulative parents exploit their children for fame and fortune, paint a false 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 did not manipulate her child’s image. She just did everything she could to keep her child famous for herself, which is still toxic parenting.

Kana’s relentless pursuit of fame was driven by a deep desire to make her mother proud. She enjoyed watching her mother revel in the glitz and glamour of the entertainment world. But she soon realized that her mother’s happiness depended on her continued success, which put her in a vicious cycle where continuing to stay relevant was the only way to keep her family together. As Kana’s star began to fade, the pressure mounted, straining her relationship with her family and destroying the family’s well-being.

For Kana, it was heartbreaking to see her life falling apart, and to cope, she decided to take a step back and sacrifice her own ambitions to preserve what little she had left. It was an admirable decision to conform to the industry standard by any means necessary, as it was the only way she could survive for years. Still, it was painful to see Kana suppress her talent.

As her past came to light and her co-stars set the stage for her to reclaim her former glory, I found myself 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, highlighted by a whimsical musical score that captured the moment perfectly. I couldn’t help but be as much of a fanboy as Akane, and I’m glad Akane not only got to meet her heroine, but also had the chance to share the stage with her.

In short, Kana was absolutely brilliant in this episode, but something was off after I saw it. After last week’s episode, I was convinced that Oshi no Ko Season 2 Episode 8 was supposed to be a Kana-centric narrative, showing her rise back into the spotlight. Although Aqua, Akane, and Himekawa played a role in reigniting Kana’s spark, the episode’s title “Trigger” seemed a bit misleading. It turns out the episode wasn’t all about Kana at all. The real focus the whole time was on Aqua, who subtly guided 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 exciting. But that was short-lived. Then the episode took a sharp turn, contrasting Kana’s previous success with a darker, more intense one. The blinding lights and whimsical music that accompanied her victory slowly gave way to a red background symbolizing Aqua’s growing anger, underscored by a dramatic and somber tone.

Previous episodes have used colors, music, and other elements to emphasize the actors’ passion, with characters like Melt and Kana serving as prime examples. However, the final scenes of this episode evoke a sense of anger and vengeance, reflecting Aqua’s state of mind. Unlike his co-stars, Aqua’s acting is not driven by a love of the craft or the entertainment industry; it is driven by a burning desire for revenge. For him, acting is not an expression of creativity, but merely a means to an end. He uses it as a weapon rather than a passion, which is why he can never truly enjoy it. It has never been about fun or games or climbing the popularity charts, but always just a tool to execute his revenge.

We saw that look on his face in the one-hour special premiere of the series, and it gave me goosebumps all over again. I guess it’s just a way of showing off that this episode is on par with, or even better than, the one-hour special. It’s also just exciting to see the main protagonist give it his all and remind us that while this show exposes the dark side of the industry, it’s still about revenge in the end. This unique blend of 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” partner