For fans eager to continue the compelling narrative of Oshi no Ko beyond the anime's second season, manga volume nine serves as the perfect starting point. These latest volumes, likely encompassing material for the upcoming third season, plunge readers deeper into a world where the glitz of the entertainment industry conceals a chilling darkness. The story, translated by Taylor Engel and lettered by Abigail Blackman, continues to explore themes of revenge, ambition, and the heavy cost of lies.
Ruby's Ascent: The Idol with Abyssal Stars
A dramatic shift in focus propels these volumes, primarily centered on Ruby Hoshino's startling transformation. Following her pivotal encounter with the mysterious Crow Girl, Ruby embraces a darker, more driven persona. Gone is the playful innocence; in its place are eyes glinting with black abyssal stars, a mesmerizing and unsettling sight that draws all attention. This marks a clear switch with her brother, Aqua, who, having temporarily relinquished his quest for revenge, has lost the star in his own eye.
Ruby's influence is immediate and profound. Her idol trio, B Komachi, achieves runaway success with their first original single. Ruby's Machiavellian prowess eclipses even Aqua's earlier manipulations. While she receives guidance from Ichigo Production's manager, many twisted schemes are her own. Aqua is horrified, perhaps seeing a reflection of his former, revenge-driven self in his sister's incandescent eyes. Ruby expertly navigates the industry, manipulating situations and leveraging connections, pushing B Komachi closer to the dream of performing at the dome, a dream her mother, Ai Hoshino, never realized.
Aqua's Internal Battle and Akane's Discovery
Meanwhile, Aqua struggles to adapt to a life without the singular burden of revenge. His consciousness becomes a nightmarish landscape, haunted by the specter of his past identity, Dr. Gorou Amamiya. This shadow self, manifesting in ominous black speech bubbles, relentlessly berates him for his perceived weakness: "Just let your hatred drive you." This internal turmoil foreshadows an inevitable return to his path of vengeance, with chilling implications of self-destruction.
Aqua's attempt at normalcy is short-lived, partly due to Akane, his now genuine girlfriend. Having deeply immersed herself in Ai Hoshino's character, Akane develops an unparalleled understanding of the deceased idol's thought processes. This leads her to a critical breakthrough: the true identity of Aqua and Ruby's father, a figure who has been a silent menace. The revelation of his identity, while not a seismic shock, is accompanied by enough unsettling details to send shivers. He is, unequivocally, not a good person. However, Akane's attempt to protect Aqua inadvertently tears a deep fissure in their relationship, highlighting the tragic ironies that plague these characters. Once Aqua returns to his driven self, planning his sister's future without him, further foreshadowing of his ultimate fate emerges.
Kana Arima: A Heartbreaking Journey
Amidst the swirling currents of revenge and ambition, Kana Arima continues to be a profoundly sympathetic figure, seemingly destined for hardship. As a former child actor whose demand has waned with age, Kana is riddled with insecurities, exacerbated by a history of abandonment. Aqua's relationship with Akane served as another emotional blow, pushing her further into depression. Even when Aqua's relationship implodes, Kana's own insecurities and self-sabotage prevent her from seizing an opportunity for happiness. Mem-cho astutely observes Aqua's deep, perhaps even greater, obsession with Kana, yet their chances for a stable relationship appear tragically remote.
Kana's struggles extend to her idol career, where she often feels overshadowed. Her attempts to revive her acting career lead to a significant lapse in judgment, nearly ensnaring her in a major scandal involving the insidious "casting couch" trope. While this storyline feels somewhat truncated, it nonetheless underscores Kana's vulnerability and the harsh realities of the industry. Poor, endearing Kana seems condemned to suffer, a poignant counterpoint to the more driven characters.
The Biopic Beckons: All Roads Lead to Ai
As the story progresses, all the disparate narrative threads converge towards what promises to be the final, overarching arc: the production of a biopic chronicling the life and tragic death of Ai Hoshino. This ambitious film project, spearheaded by Aqua, is seen as the ultimate vehicle for his revenge against his father. The assembly of the cast brings back nearly every significant actor introduced throughout the series, creating a sense of both nostalgic reunion and deliberate orchestration. While this "chessboard" arrangement might feel slightly less organic at times, it aligns perfectly with author Aka Akasaka's long-term vision. He conceived the series' initial and concluding arcs from the very beginning, ensuring this ultimate convergence is a meticulously planned destination.
Artistry and Lingering Questions
Mengo Yokoyari's artistry remains a standout feature, brilliantly capturing the series' wide emotional range. From the exuberantly cute idol performances to the profoundly creepy psychological depths, her style is perfectly attuned to the story's heightened emotions. The visual depiction of Ruby's eyes—sparkling with life yet hinting at a disturbing emptiness—is particularly effective, sending shivers down the spine.
While these volumes might not represent Oshi no Ko at its absolute peak, they maintain a strong grip as a compelling, deliberately contrived soap opera. It’s a slow-motion car crash, where revenge-driven characters ascend to success only to seal their own inevitable downfall. The series offers complex, nuanced characters who make believable, albeit self-destructive, decisions, making it an exceptionally compelling read. With an overall grade of A-, and an A for art, Oshi no Ko volumes 9 and 10 cement its status as a must-read for fans of psychological drama within the entertainment world.
