Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Marvel's Spider-Man Secret Lair promotional image

    Get a Look At the Secret Lair x Marvel’s Spider-Man Superdrop

    09/08/2025
    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions gameplay still

    Starseeker: Astroneer Expeditions Is All About Adventure (with Friends)

    09/08/2025
    Chord in Persona 5 The Phantom X

    Now Is The Perfect Time To Jump Back In ‘Persona 5: The Phantom X’

    09/05/2025
    Cosmic Spider-Man card details

    [EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW] The Spider-Man Set Gets A 5-Color Legendary Spider

    09/02/2025
    Lee Corso from College Football GameDay in EA Sports games

    EA Sports Always Understood Lee Corso’s Legacy

    09/01/2025
  • Indie Games
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Apple TV+
But Why Tho?
Home » Anime » REVIEW: ‘Oshi no Ko,’ Episode 8 — “First Time”

REVIEW: ‘Oshi no Ko,’ Episode 8 — “First Time”

Charles HartfordBy Charles Hartford06/07/20233 Mins Read
Oshi no Ko Episode 8
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

Oshi no Ko Episode 8

With the harassment aimed at Akane subsiding thanks to Aqua’s idea to show who she really is to the world, Oshi no Ko Episode 8 follows the actors as they wrap up their time on this show. In the midst of this, Aqua comes to terms with how he feels toward the new Akane.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

The biggest element of this week’s episode is Aqua’s exploration of his feelings towards Akane. With her return to the dating show, Akane came back sporting energy and mannerisms closely resembling Ai. Surprising no one, her new presentation of herself leaves Aqua confused. Given how much he misses Ai, Akane’s performance hits him hard, leaving him wondering if he really has feelings for his fellow actor, or if she is simply unknowingly triggering his lingering feelings for Ai.

How Oshi no Ko Episode 8 explores Aqua’s troubles is interesting, as it sees him turn to some unexpected parties in his pursuit of his true feelings. Despite some of the bizarre circumstances surrounding Aqua’s particular history, the episode keeps his struggles grounded. The show even takes this moment to help flesh out how living a second childhood has impacted Aqua. These details are delivered with perfect timing as it helps settle some elements of the character since his age does impact him and how he perceives his world.

While the bulk of the narrative rotates around Aqua, Oshi no Ko Episode 8’s best visual moments all center on Akane. The show does a great job of emphasizing her presentation as she mimics Ai. How impactful these moments are for Aqua is greatly built up by how the camera frames and animation renders Akane in these moments. The camera is always up close to her, emphasizing how much she dominates the room by channeling Ai’s personality. The camera never lets the viewer escape Akane’s performance, helping them experience the power and command that this version of her has over Aqua.

While Aqua’s search for answers mostly focuses on a confused personality trying to settle himself, the episode also reminds us of the cold side of Aqua that we saw earlier in the series. The reminder that this far harsher element of Aqua’s personality exists contrasts sharply with the version of him we have seen over the last couple of episodes. With this reminder, Oshi no Ko Episode 8 reinforces the fact that we do not know the real Aqua. Where the real Aqua ends and the acting begins is a question that the series seems determined to dangle before viewers till the final episodes. But since he did learn from Ai, who emphasized the power of lying for a celebrity, this isn’t a surprise.

Oshi no Ko Episode 8 delivers a story that serves as a wonderful conclusion to the dating show storyline while continuing to lay out what comes next for the series. The more the show reveals about Aqua, the more intriguing the character becomes. As contradictions come to embody so much of what the character is, it will be interesting to see what is the reality and what is the illusion when the series finally shows us who Aqua really is.

Oshi no Ko Episode 8 is streaming now on HIDIVE.

Oshi no Ko Episode 8
  • 9/10
    Rating - 9/10
9/10

TL;DR

Oshi no Ko Episode 8 delivers a story that serves as a wonderful conclusion to the dating show storyline while continuing to lay out what comes next for the series.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Skip And Loafer,’ Episode 10— “Scrambling and Dripping”
Next Article REVIEW: ‘Past Lives’ Is Absolutely Everything
Charles Hartford
  • X (Twitter)

Lifelong geek who enjoys comics, video games, movies, reading and board games . Over the past year I’ve taken a more active interest in artistic pursuits including digital painting, and now writing. I look forward to growing as a writer and bettering my craft in my time here!

Related Posts

DanDaDan Season 2 Episode 11
8.5

REVIEW: ‘DanDaDan’ Season 2 Episode 11 – “Hey, It’s a Kaiju”

09/11/2025
Sakamoto Days Episode 20
6.5

REVIEW: ‘Sakamoto Days’ Episode 20 — “Mutual Fans”

09/08/2025
Tougen Anki Episode 9 still from Netflix
4.0

REVIEW: ‘Tougen Anki’ Episode 9 — “Momotaro Spirit”

09/06/2025
My Dress-Up Darling Season 2 Episode 10 promotional image from Crunchyroll
10.0

REVIEW: ‘My Dress-Up Darling’ Season 2 Episode 10 — “So We’re Gonna Do It All Right Now?”

09/06/2025
Arknights Rise From Ember Rosmontis

REVIEW: ‘Arknights: Rise From Ember’ Is Phenomenal But Drags On Too Long

09/06/2025
The Fragrant Flower Blooms with Dignity Episode 1
7.5

REVIEW: ‘The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity’ Episode 1 – “Rintaro and Kaoruko”

09/05/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
The Long Walk (2025) film review promotional image
9.5
Film

REVIEW: ‘The Long Walk’ Is The Most Heartfelt And Heartbreaking Stephen King Adaptation

By Kate Sánchez09/11/2025Updated:09/11/2025

The Long Walk is a brutal watch. Equally heartfelt and heartbreaking, it’s one of the best adaptations of Stephen King’s work.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

EA Sports FC Icons Match promotional image from Nexon News

2025 Icons Match Returns With Football Legends Bridging The Pitch And Video Games

By Kate Sánchez09/03/2025Updated:09/03/2025

NEXON has announced the return of the ‘2025 Icons Match,’ a live event that brings a full roster of legendary players to the pitch.

Gojo Jujutsu Kaisen - But Why Tho (2) Features

Everything To Know About Satoru Gojo

By Kate Sánchez09/07/2023Updated:02/16/2025

Satoru Gojo is the heart of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 — now, heading into Cour 2, here is everything you need to know about the character.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here