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Oshi no Ko is a beloved anime and manga series created by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, showcasing the dark underbelly of the world of show business. The show revolves around Aqua Hoshino, a reincarnated doctor who is born as the son of his favorite idol.
However, after tragedy unexpectedly strikes, Aqua enters the entertainment industry to seek revenge. At the same time, his sister, Ruby, who is also a reincarnated person, tries carving out her own path as an idol. The source material of Oshi no Ko is its manga, which ran from 2020 to 2024 with 168 chapters.
The anime, adapted by Studio Doga Kobo, started airing in 2023 and currently has two seasons with 24 episodes in total. The third season is also in the works. The entire Oshi no Ko storyline is divided into 11 arcs, with each arc covering a different aspect of the business of entertainment.
There is equal emphasis placed on both Aqua and Ruby, as they live their second lives in distinctly different ways. Here is a closer look at every story arc in Oshi no Ko.
(Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Oshi no Ko anime and manga)
All 11 Oshi no Ko Arcs
1) Prologue: Childhood (Episode 1 and Chapters 1-10)
As the name suggests, this arc serves as the prologue to the main story. It introduces the doctor Gorou Amamiya and the sick patient Sarina Tendouji who are reborn as the children of the popular idol Ai Hoshino after their deaths.
Named Aqua and Ruby Hoshino, the main characters live their dream lives till their mother is murdered by a crazed stalker. Aqua senses that their absent father is responsible for Ai’s death and promises to gain revenge.
2) Show Business (Episodes 2-5 and Chapters 11-20)
Years after Ai’s death, Aqua and Ruby begin high school as teenagers. Having been adopted by Miyako Saitou and groomed by Strawberry Productions, they slowly start taking steps to enter show business.
Under Kana Arima’s recommendation, Aqua joins the live-action adaptation of the manga, Sweet Today. While experiencing the background drama of the industry, he continues his investigation of his father.
3) Dating Reality Show (Episodes 5-9 and Chapters 21-32)
To gain information about his father from the producer Kaburagi, Aqua takes part in the Dating Reality Show LoveforReal. There, he meets the complex Akane Kurokawa, a genius actress who falls into depression due to social media toxicity.
To help her out of a tough spot and further his goals, Aqua builds a relationship with her. Concurrently, this arc also introduces key Oshi no Ko characters like Mem-Cho while highlighting Kana’s hidden love for Aqua.
4) The First Concert (Episodes 9-11 and Chapters 33-40)
The First Concert is the final arc of Oshi no Ko season 1 and brings the focus on Ruby Hoshino for the first time. It revolves around her efforts to revive her mother’s idol group, B-Komachi, as she is joined by Kana and Mem-Cho.
While aiming to continue the legacy of the previous group, the trio of aspiring idols face all sorts of pressures as they prepare to take part in the Japan Idol Festival.
5) 2.5D Stage Play (Episodes 12-20 and Chapters 41-66)
Widely regarded as one of the best Oshi no Ko arcs, the 2.5D Stage Play revolves around Aqua, Kana, and Akane as they take part in a stage play adaptation of the manga, Tokyo Blade. However, things go wrong right from the beginning when the creator of the source material refuses to sign off on the script.
At the same time, the acting and love rivalry between Akane and Kana heats up, as they play opposing roles in the play. The spotlight ultimately falls on Aqua as he discovers his half-brother and inches closer to finding his father.
6) Private (Episodes 20-24 and Chapters 67-80)
As the final arc of Oshi no Ko Season 2, Private follows Aqua and Ruby as they travel back to the town where their previous lives ended. While the story of the arc focuses on the complexities of shooting a music video for B-Komachi, it highlights Ruby Hoshino’s turn to darkness.
The arc introduces the supernatural Tsukuyomi, a mysterious girl with ties to Aqua and Ruby’s reincarnation. It also finally features the main antagonist of the series, Aqua and Ruby’s father, Hikaru Kamiki.
7) Mainstay (Chapters 81-100)
Ruby, having decided to carry out her own investigations, hosts a variety show called Dig Deep! One Chance, where she dives into the entertainment industry and starts forming connections. The arc follows tensions between producers and cosplayers as well as the immense pressure faced by assistants.
At the same time, Aqua, who had initially thought of his father to be dead, discovers that he is still alive. He also finds his identity to be Hikaru Kamiki and plunges into darkness again.
8) Scandal (Chapters 101-108)
Due to Kana Arima’s struggles in her professional and love life, she carelessly allows a scandalous photo of her and another director to be taken by the paparazzi. Though nothing happened between them, if published, it could put her in the midst of bad press.
To assist Kana, Aqua strikes a deal with the media and reveals the bigger scandal of how he and Ruby are the illegitimate children of Ai Hoshino.
9) Movie (Chapters 109-147)
The Movie arc covers the creation of the movie, the 15 Year Lie, which tells the story of Ai Hoshino. Written by Aqua and Taishi Gotonda, it is the protagonist’s plan to lure out Hikaru Kamiki.
As the longest arc of the Oshi no Ko manga, this substory dives deep into Ai Hoshino’s life built on a facade, as well as the drama between Aqua and Ruby. With detailed coverage of the various intricacies behind the production of a movie, this arc is the first step towards the series’ ending.
10) The End of the Play (Chapters 148-152)
After the end of the movie’s filming, Aqua makes decisions on whether he wishes to kill his father or not. At the same time, Akane and Kana aim to resolve their differences. While Akane wants Aqua to live happily and not kill his father, Kana finally wishes to confess her feelings to the protagonist.
However, both female leads have little luck, as Aqua moves towards completing his revenge and releasing his movie.
11) Towards the Stars and Dreams (Chapters 153-166)
Towards the Stars and Dreams is the last and most controversial Oshi no Ko Arc. It features Aqua’s confrontation with his father and another perpetrator responsible for Ai’s death, a former B-Komachi member.
After numerous twists and turns, Aqua jumps off a cliff with Hikaru Kamiki, leading to both their deaths. Despite having died for his revenge, Aqua realizes that he was reborn to protect Ruby and is relieved. His loved ones, on the other hand, try to move on from his death. Oshi no Ko concludes with Ruby fulfilling her mother’s dream and performing in the Tokyo Dome along with B-Komachi.
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Oshi no Ko has 11 arcs in total, and the anime has adapted 6 of those throughout its two seasons. With the third season having been green-lit, fans can look forward to the story nearing its conclusion and Aqua succeeding in his quest for vengeance.
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