"Oshi no Ko" 2nd Season Episode 8 Discussion

What did you think of this episode?

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Aug 21, 7:22 PM

#101

yagakimilover

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Nov 2021

657

Considering rating this season a 10/10 at this point. Loved the first season, but this one just stands out so much. Doga Kobo are just outdoing themselves

Aug 21, 7:50 PM

#102

davidyodo24

Offline

Oct 2019

7398

Holy Shit!!
Aqua suffering acting...

Aqua bitting Himekawa caught me off guard, i was like there is no way that's part of the script right?

Aug 21, 7:52 PM

#103

Fairytelly

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Feb 2021

194

Excellent episode!! I love the fact that when Kana really shines she doesn't just have one of the eye shines like the other characters, she has multiple. Such a good contrast to Aqua's dark stars! Visual storytelling, my beloved.

Aug 21, 8:10 PM

#104

nirererin

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Jul 2023

2238

Reply to SpriteAndCoke

nirererin said:
Previous episode was Akane's but this one is Arima Kana's.

Aqua is really good at give the spotlight to the one of the best girl of the series... so smooth!! Then her memories of past rushed through her what was doing, why was working hard for!!! Great episode!!! Arima Kana is truely a STAR 🌟.

And the final expression of Aqua is really damn what can I say, just outstanding, goosebumps ToT. Can't wait for the next episode.

Kinda a mix between Arima’s and Aqua’s episode. At the end, because of how Aqua’s part was told, I basically disregarded Arima’s story in the episode 😂

@SpriteAndCoke how can you say that when Kana got this much development in a single episode and Aqua is the so obviously he got the priority. Either our perspective were different.

Aug 21, 8:29 PM

#105

Schlockendale

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Dec 2018

Aqua was absolutely terrifying for the last few minutes of this episode, both in his flashback with Gotanda when he explicitly said he lived solely to avenge Ai (those creepy, psychopathic, empty eyes during that gentle music cue when he said that, too... shivers....) ... and when he went absolutely ham on Himekawa.

I love how everyone is getting their flowers as an actor these last few episodes, both by the writers and animators and by the cast of characters themselves to each other. Seeing Melt, Akane, Kana, and now Aqua shine (the lattermost of whom is dangerously blazing and not merely shining, let's face it) has been a blast.

Aqua is beginning to sincerely scare the shit out of me and make me unsympathetic in a more-detached Light Yagami kind of way. I'm not a manga reader, but I don't foresee him ending up a "good guy" in any sense in this story. (Of course, when has he ever really been, one must realize....)

On a final note, I used to love the ED of this season, and I still love the song... but can you stop Ruby-baiting me when she's BARELY been a focus at ALL this season, for over half of its runtime, no less? She better do some shining of her own these last few episodes or I'm gonna feel so cheated.

Aug 21, 8:38 PM

#106

ahresh

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May 2019

In the end it was awesome

Aug 21, 8:40 PM

#107

giffey6

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Mar 2024

Absolutely incredible. This season has been incredible so far as it was, but this just took it to a whole new level. Absolutely stunned.

Aug 21, 9:12 PM

#108

Bird88882227

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May 2024

I have a great appreciation of Aqua's emotional acting at the episodes end. It really helps with the development of his character.

Aug 21, 9:29 PM

#109

StarcraftSquall

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Jul 2023

@Shlockendale given the content the story is currently focused on, and since I don’t know what the manga readers do I’ll reiterate what the show said near the beginning of the season - since Ruby’s main plot point right now is her idol group, and Kana is acting in the Tokyo Blade play, there’s probably not going to be a lot of time spent on her until this arc concludes at the earliest. In other words: her time will come, but this story arc, especially because of Kana’s character position, she’s basically sidelined.

Aug 21, 9:41 PM

#110

AnimeNerd99

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Nov 2019

1055

Aqua going from an “I don’t care who wins” attitude to “I’m going to beat all of you” is excellent.

Aug 21, 9:44 PM

#111

stevejawbs

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Apr 2024

270

K, as good as the animation is, the pacing is starting to drag a bit.

The main problem is that the structure of the last 3 episodes have all been the same - move the play a bit, the episode's focus character starts acting, long flashback sequence, then the climax, audience is surprised, end of episode. This is by itself a good structure to tell a story, but doing it repeatedly back-to-back reduces its impact. You'll definitely feel it on a rewatch.

Again, not saying its' a bad episode, just ready to move the story along.

Average MAL user's media literacy:

Marinate1016 said:
Not reading allat cause I don’t care. Tensura peak. Have a good one tho

Aug 21, 9:44 PM

#112

ArXZaKuXLu21

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Dec 2023

What did you think of this episode? (English text only; no manga spoilers.)

Aug 21, 10:27 PM

#113

camghost10

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Dec 2020

Aqua has gone mad. LETS GOO GET YOUR REVENGE AND AVENGE AI. W NEW EYE COLOR NEED MORE GROWTH IN THE INDUSTRY!

Aug 21, 11:15 PM

#114

Penguinu

Offline

Feb 2018

1028

Dayum, Kana finally enjoying the spotlight then when we move the focus to Aqua, he go crazy. Was really wondering how he was gonna act and it wasn't long before we get to see. He even went on and gave a hearty bite ouch, actually feral lmao. Gotta see more next episode.

Never ending plan to watch list...

Aug 22, 12:05 AM

#115

Ctes

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Jan 2016

every episode of Oshi no ko hits, but some hits harder, this is one of those episodes.

Aug 22, 1:43 AM

#116

DJLEGEND

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Apr 2021

I love OnK and the direction with this is insane. Respect Doga Kobo cuz they just show how immaculate the direction and visuals are. It's been a while since I saw this arc from the manga, but TBH the Kana and Aqua acting still kinda felt cringe when I read the manga and watch the anime. No hate tho, maybe it's just me who thought it was cringe

Aug 22, 2:34 AM

#117

ChildOfTheEgg

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Feb 2021

Another incredible episode like always. The animation this season is out of this world.

Aug 22, 2:35 AM

#118

snaukball

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Jul 2024

KANA BACKSTORY + AQUA STAR MOMENT SETUP HELL YEA

Aug 22, 2:37 AM

#119

Spirelord

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Apr 2008

148

I don't know, was I the only one who had an issue with the portrayal of Kana's acting? It wasn't as breathtaking or exciting as it was built up to be. Something unseen could've been improved, whether audio or visual direction, to make it punch and pop as much as Akane's arguably more stunning performance was during her time in the spotlight.

Aug 22, 3:08 AM

#120

removed-user

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Jul 2018

564084

I was hoping it would stop at chapter 65, but oh well, who cares.

Aug 22, 3:44 AM

#121

patkarunungan

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Jul 2023

1610

We now meet the real Kana and even Queen Akane is fangirling. Good, but I'll take my man Aqua for unexpectedly finding his acting style.

Aug 22, 4:30 AM

#122

aReviewer

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Apr 2019

181

Overall, the script, acting, audio, artwork, etc., maintain a standard that lives up to its reputation as the best of all the titles this season.
But I didn't get into it as much as I did in #6 and #7. I felt less content after watching it.

It's because of the storyboard and layout. The point of view is fixed and boring.
Kana's flashbacks are okay there. I'm not going to complain about the montage.

In the play, the depth of the stage, which had been expanded virtually so far, was reduced to nearly zero.
I felt that I was looking at actors playing on a narrow balance beam or a fencing piste from a side view. For that kind of action, I watched a lot on TV from Paris the week before last.

There was a chance to use depth effectively in the scene when Sayahime (Akane) sneaks up behind Tsurugi (Kana), but she only appeared momentarily in three nearly still shots, and her position was not clear (the third cut showed only her sleeve).
And the definitive scene of Kana, the very one that captivated Akane, is a single close-up cut of a pivot-turning waist. What?

Taiki stands on the stage with his nearsighted eyes. There's no detailed facial expression in his field of vision. He senses the whole bodies of others, then makes his moves.
In this episode, the characters (the people in the audience too) were depicted in close-ups always. There was very little full-body movement to give a sense of action space.

To guide Tsurugi to the focus, Kenki (Aqua), who had shaken down the ad-libs and returned to the main line, left her in the center of the stage. In the very meantime, where did Blade (Taiki) and Sayahime stand away from Tsurugi, and what emotions did they have on their faces?

The director lost using the field and the forces on the stage at all. What I want is not security footage of people brawling like superheroes nor video conference of young celebs. I want to see the animation with an artistic knack.
How could we appreciate when a 2.5-dimensional play becomes down to 2-dimensional?

aReviewerAug 22, 4:53 AM

Aug 22, 5:20 AM

#123

icyicy00

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May 2015

It was decent but it just didn't hit. Kana's half was ... alright. And Aqua's half was also just alright. A little underwhelming ngl

Aug 22, 5:34 AM

#124

a0i-kun

Mind Evaporator

Offline

Feb 2017

3109

wow fantastic end to the episode. loved the dialogue from the mentor

i wanted to see the whole scene 😭 guess i’ll have to wait till next week

Aug 22, 6:23 AM

#125

Honamis_hairtie

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Jul 2024

Another great episode this season! Learning more about Kana and her life as a child star made me feel so bad for her. Learning about her home life too and how her mother started Kana's career for her own sake, i get to understand more of Kana's thinking ♡

More beautiful animation when Kana put her all into the stage play was literal eye candy, like in the first episode with her practice with Taiki, and in episode 6 when Melt put his emotions into acting ♡

Then the end of the episode when Saya (Akane) got killed off. Watching Aqua as he used all of his emotions, his guilt and rage into his acting made my body go cold. The fact that he did'nt enjoy acting and that it was painful becuase of his PTSD made me cry (⸝⸝o̴̶̷᷄﹏o̴̶̷̥⸝⸝)

Overall, episode 8 was fantastic and is one of my favourite episodes in season 2 ♡

Aug 22, 8:11 AM

#126

NiaAlexandria

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Nov 2017

982

ok, now we reached final stage of Tokyo Blade Arc, i think next week gonna be the end of the arc, kinda sad, but that's ok

Aug 22, 8:57 AM

#127

komic

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Sep 2009

1412

The anime is really pushing the Kana x Aqua romance.

iSignature

Aug 22, 9:00 AM

#128

Saeka

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Jul 2014

another amazing episode!

Aug 22, 9:04 AM

#129

Ameenzaruba10

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Mar 2022

273

Aqua scene is far way better than Mel scene. His part is very dark once he has decided that acting is the way for him to revenge 😔 My man Aqua has been suffering too much just to holding those weights of trembling nightmares. THIS EP IS BY FAR THE BEST AFTER MEL SCENE

Aug 22, 9:31 AM

#130

arachnaph0bia

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Apr 2024

akane fell in luv with kana but that's okay

Urmameh.newgrounds.com

Aug 22, 10:00 AM

#131

furryfister21

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Mar 2022

Very repetitive hearing Kana’s backstory over and over in this anime, the beef between her and Akane also makes no sense, anime moment

Aug 22, 10:27 AM

#132

Scootboi

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Feb 2011

1510

I was expecting great acting
I got exactly what I wanted + more

solid 5/5 episode. didn't expect blud to bite someone

Aug 22, 11:03 AM

#133

oreo56

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Jan 2021

Getting greater character understanding for Kana. As well as Aqua's understanding of what his end goal made it a greater episode.

Aug 22, 11:36 AM

#134

Uguu_Tsukimiya

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May 2015

1486

The Kana part was boring but the Aqua part was very good.

Aug 22, 11:47 AM

#135

Satoshi17

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Nov 2023

169

I was waiting for this moment. :o

Aug 22, 12:02 PM

#136

lessfull

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Apr 2014

123

Okay, this is not bad episode per say, but I cringed so hard. At first I was okay for them exaggerating, but they continue to do so with each episode and now it's to the point of "oh, he blinked not once but twice - he is a genius! It healed my child trauma!". It literally ruins the show for me because I just can't take these seriously and laungh instead

Aug 22, 12:02 PM

#137

kyledluffy

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Jan 2023

670

Woah... sparkles & colors 🤩

Aug 22, 1:02 PM

#138

quintopia

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Mar 2020

116

My favorite part in this one is when Han-san switched to child Kana's voice for teenage Kana to illustrate her reconnecting with her full-on star power abilities.

Aug 22, 1:12 PM

#139

Taupe_

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Apr 2022

A masterpiece as always

Aug 22, 1:22 PM

#140

IbnAurum

Offline

Feb 2021

160

loafing_loafer said:
Director: u don't enjoy acting. Fuck it .... become an edgelord

Hmm, it's not that he doesn't enjoy acting, we can see him at times fascinated with the entertainment industry and its sundry mediums, but everytime he does, his guilt acts up, baying at him for daring to enjoy life when he failed to save Ai and not avenging her yet. Director told him to double down on said guilt, using it to color his otherwise unremarkable acting. Just my take tho.
Maybe he doesn't view his current life worth living, except as an instrument of vengeance. When not in edgelord mode, he cares for his sister and few friends, and actively seek to better their lives. He sees the good in everyone but himself, and his father I guess.

Aug 22, 2:24 PM

#141

Alrinth

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Jun 2023

I didn't even know Aqua's star eye can get so.. dark

Aug 22, 2:56 PM

#142

Nyansix

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May 2013

The ending tho omg!

Akira Ari

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Aug 22, 3:07 PM

#143

KneelBeforeMe

Offline

Apr 2013

7991

Man, this season is so much better than the previous one plot-wise and it's also masterfully directed. Kana and Aqua moments were great in this one!

Aug 22, 3:18 PM

#144

spicarie

Offline

Aug 2023

267

fk it.. Aqua is on peak.. his acting is comeback.

こんにちは！私の名前はマルハザクです！

Aug 22, 4:12 PM

#145

Lmichl

Offline

Mar 2021

Sokah said:
Why is there a play and a teen drama in a murder mystery? Haven't been given any reason to care about the play or the characters. The whole arc is garbage.

Oshi no ko was never supposed to be a murder mystery. Look on MAL, mystery isn’t even a tag… it’s a drama, and dang this arch is all that and more.

Aug 22, 5:11 PM

#146

Love_And_Forward

Offline

Mar 2024

261

If this was practically any other show I'd been annoyed at it taking more than three episodes just to show a single stage play, but this is next level. Brilliant.

Aug 22, 6:07 PM

#147

Thyriad-oPPailov

Offline

Aug 2014

2257

Well the last episodes with the play were good so I raised my score to 9 for now and I grew to like OP and ED even more. ED visuals and song together make perfect combo.
There are some new scenes in OP also.

The episode fooled me into thinking that Aqua will have joy in acting also thx to the others on stage, but no.. it went even better :D Not only he didn't change, but he evolved in same dark way :D

As much as I liked Kana acting in previous episode now I must say that in this episode they failed to show her shining like a sun :/

(づ￣ ³￣)づちゅっちゅっキス (´｡✪ω✪｡｀)

I hate it when anime/manga that I enjoyed ends, especially when there could be much longer plot and when I love main heroine :P

I wish I had magic glasses that let me see real world in anime colors ;)

Aug 22, 7:01 PM

#148

Viz108

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Aug 2020

THAT'S MY FUCKING GOAT
ARIMA KANA
R
I
M
A

K
A
N
A

RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Watch Gunsmith Cats!!!!

Aug 22, 7:31 PM

#149

Rezete_01

Offline

May 2022

204

OMFG!!!!

What was this episode???

Really, the work they are doing in this serie is awesome! The original is excellent, but this anime upgrades EVERYTHING that is possible to.

That last few minutes focused on Aqua... Brutal

Aug 22, 9:08 PM

#150

nightmare_kurumi

Offline

Nov 2019

Loved it but cliffhanger shssshhshs!!! uggh!!

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