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

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.

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.