REVIEW: ‘Oshi no Ko,’ Episode 3 – “Manga-Based TV Drama”

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With the discovery of of his old child-acting colleague Kana will be attending school with Ruby and him, Aqua finds himself faced with the potential of getting back into acting thanks to her help. But while he initially spurns the offer, when he learns that one of the producers knew his mother and may be his biological father, Aqua changes his tune in Oshi no Ko Episode 3.

Despite the narrative of this episode continuing to turn on Aqua’s quest for truth and revenge, and giving us another chilling example of just how obsessed he is to find that truth, it feels more and more like this plot thread is less the focus of the show and more of an engaging vehicle to bring the series’ true purpose to the viewer, showcasing just how soul-crushing and rough celebrity pursuits are.

Oshi no Ko Episode 3 takes a lot of time to develop Kana’s character since much has changed with the former child prodigy. As she has grown, she has learned the value of people skills and the importance of being part of a team. While there is a lot of change here, the show takes enough time to fully explain her character shifts for it to feel sensible and realistic. But while these changes are great for her, they bring out another harsh side of the entertainment industry.

As we learn about Kana’s change of heart, we are reminded of how passionately she loves acting, and we see how excited she is to finally get to perform again after a bit of a slump. But while she sees this current series as a sign that her talents are once again being appreciated, Aqua learns this is not the whole truth.

The revelation of why Kana was chosen for her role lands as the hardest-hitting scene in Oshi no Ko Episode 3. Seeing how much acting means to her, and why the producer actually chooses her for the role she is in hurts. It does a great job of showcasing the underlying reasons particular actors are offered roles outside of talent. The concept that any entertainment industry is a meritocracy where everyone is looking for the best choice for a given role is called out superbly here.

This revelation’s impact is helped even more thanks to the animation in this episode. Kana’s emotions and her passion for her craft are delivered with great effect visually, making them all the more real for the viewer. This of course has the reality hit all the harder when it lands.

Perhaps its greatest achievement though in how it explores the industry is how carefully it separates the bulk of the tradespeople from the politics that drive it. Even though the producers and other upper management staff have less than ideal motives for the project they are making, the camera crews, sound design, and others continue to pour their all into making the series as quality as they can, even though the cause certainly seems lost.

Oshi no Ko Episode 3 delivers a strong entry into its series. While it continues to push the core narrative forward, it also furthers its exploration of the ills of the entertainment industry, shifting the focus from the sometimes unhealthy fan obsessions of the earlier moments to some of the less appealing elements of the industry itself.

Oshi no Ko Episode 3 is streaming now on HIDIVE.