REVIEW: ‘Oshi no Ko,’ Episode 5 – “Reality Dating Show”

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With the promise that he will learn more about Ai if he helps the producer of the tv show he worked on, Aqua agrees to participate in a reality dating show. Meanwhile, Ruby begins her quest to be an idol as she works to get her new group off the ground in Oshi no Ko Episode 5.

For the first time in the show, Ruby is the central figure of this episode over her brother. While Aqua is learning the ropes of reality television, she recruits her first co-idol and begins her group, albeit in a fairly surpassing way. At Aqua’s suggestion, Ruby approaches Kana to be a part of her idol group. While there is initial resistance, Kana eventually caves, thanks in no small part to Aqua’s intervention on his sister’s behalf. But while both girls are cute and have some experience with performing, being an idol is a lot of work. And with their agency being on the small side, taking their first step will be the hardest.

With idol culture moving online, Oshi no Ko Episode 5 sees the girls find help in getting their new group some initial attention thanks to another of their agency’s online personalities. This aid comes in the form of a masked bodybuilder whose only attire is a round chicken mask and a speedo. This odd but helpful man gives the girls some pointers about how to get going quickly in the world of YouTube. Surpassing no one, the biggest leg up is knowing someone who can help. Luckily, they have someone who can let them guest in their show to introduce themselves to a large audience.

The young girl’s big reveal on this bodybuilding YouTube channel is the funniest sequence in the series to date. Everything from their host’s blatant acknowledgment of himself as “selling out” to the girls’ struggle to keep up with an exercise routine for a full hour is entertaining and fun. Given the somber energy and harsher reality the series has generally lived in, this light-hearted sequence lands wonderfully. Even as she struggles to catch her breath after her grueling workout, Ruby is grinning, knowing she has taken her first step into a larger world.

While Oshi no Ko Episode 5 focuses on Ruby and Kana, Aqua isn’t completely forgotten. As he navigates the waters of reality dating, he sees and learns much about how this aspect of the industry functions. The best part of this side of the episode is seeing Aqua present himself as being a shy yet likable person. As the show’s visuals lean into the young actor’s presentation for the camera, his internal monologue clashes humorously, exposing his true feelings about the entire situation. Poor Aqua wants the information that the producer has.

Oshi no Ko Episode 5 delivers something different for the series. Rather than dark secrets and heartbreaking moments, the show takes a step back to let its cast get through an episode without anything terrible happening. This helps break a little tension for the viewer while also acknowledging that while there is a lot of bad in show business, there is a reason why people enjoy being part of it too.

Oshi no Ko Episode 5 is streaming now on HIDIVE.