Oshi No Ko Explained
Oshi No Ko is one of Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump’s most popular series today. The manga began serialization in early 2020. Its source material and 2023 anime adaptation by Doga Kobo Studios impressed the anime community. With Oshi No Ko Season 2’s release vastly approaching, anime fans can’t wait to see what’s in store.
Aka Akasaka, the series’s author, and Mengo Yokoyari, its artist, carefully mix emotional storytelling, likable characters, and rich themes to create a bright and dark entertainment-centric universe. By offering readers a deeper look at the idol and acting industry, Oshi No Ko resonated with multiple audiences, including ourselves.
That said, Oshi No Ko’s tale is thoughtful and tense. It’s brimming with enough shocking scenarios, interesting secrets, and verbal confrontations to engage anyone who loves hard-hitting dramas. On top of having a peculiar yet intriguing supernatural twist, this pop star-centric series has taken fans for a loop with its multiple turns.
Being the geeks that we are over here, we’ll be diving deep into the Oshi No Ko world, shedding light on the elements that make this story such a spectacle to anime and manga veterans and newcomers alike.
What is the “2.5D Stage Play” story arc about? What can readers expect from this article?
As with any series, Oshi No Ko is broken into multiple story arcs, each containing minor and major events critical to the overarching tale. Where some arcs center around our protagonists, others focus on the secondary characters or antagonists (if any). Oshi No Ko consists of 10 story arcs (so far), each offering fans something important to remember as they read.
The “2.5D Stage Play” story arc is Oshi No Ko’s fifth narrative arc. The anime hasn’t covered its content (as of this writing). However, the manga covered this arc in its fifth, sixth, and seventh volumes, chapters 41-66 exactly. This arc covers the first stages of the “Tokyo Blade” stage play. Also, this arc introduces characters like “Tokyo Blade” manga author Abiko Samejima and the stage play’s director Toshiro Kindaichi.
Considering Season 2 is almost here, it may be difficult for folks to catch up to the series before that airs. Fortunately, this explanatory piece will highlight its important takeaways, allowing manga enthusiasts and others to see what’s in store for that season.
Before we begin, it’s worth noting that this piece will contain spoilers for Oshi No Ko’s fifth story arc only! To reiterate, Doga Kobo Studios hasn’t covered this story arc’s material (as of this writing). They’ll likely do so when Oshi No Ko Season 2 airs on July 3rd, 2024. Nevertheless, read at your own risk.
How does the “2.5D Stage Play” story arc begin?
In the beginning, Ruby says it’s been four months since the Japan Idol Festival Concert. Ruby argues things have gone swimmingly for B-Komachi and her school life. Then, Ruby, Frill, and Minami discuss Frill and Minami’s line of work and close connection.
Later, Ruby visits Ai’s grave and reflects on Aqua’s “working relationship” with Akane. Ruby feels terrible for Akane and hopes she can properly meet her. Meanwhile, Aqua discusses the upcoming “Tokyo Blade” stageplay with a classmate.
Aqua argues he’s pursuing general education because he doesn’t have the talent for it despite his classmate’s claims.
What happens when Aqua and Kana arrive at the “Tokyo Blade” stage play’s studio? What unfolds before and after our cast starts performing there?
Aqua and Kana bump into Melt, the same fellow they shot the “Sweet Today” show with during the “Show Business” story arc. Melt tells Kana he’ll be starring in Tokyo Blade’s stage play. He promises her he’s improved since they last met. Inevitably, our trio meets Raida (lead producer), Toshiro Kindaichi (director), GOA (screenwriter), and Sakuya Kamoshida (actor).
Then, Raida introduces Kana and the others to Lala Lai’s actors: Rio Mitano, Mei Adashino, Koyuki Yoshidomi, Kiiro Hayashibara, Ryoma Funato, Akane Kurokawa, and Taiki Himekawa. Toshiro lets the actors and staff talk amongst themselves. Akane chats with Aqua. She promises Aqua the stage is her “turf” and to come to her for help.
Then, Aqua looks at Tokyo Blade’s script and notices he and Kana will perform during its final moments. Aqua tells Akane he’s happy that he and Kana don’t have many scenes together. He doesn’t like how passionate she is about acting. Aqua says he values acting as a tool since it’ll help him uncover the truth about Ai. Also, Aqua argues this tool will help him get closer to Toshiro, someone with possible intel on Ai.
Simultaneously, Kana discusses Aqua and Akane’s fabricated relationship and Melt’s goal to showcase his worth as an actor with Melt. While everyone performs, Toshiro and Raida highlight everyone’s acts and break down what makes them admirable performers. Then, Taiki and Kana perform exceptionally, leaving everyone impressed. Taiki and Kana plan a dinner outing later.
Toshiro confirms he accepted the Tokyo Blade stage play gig to motivate Lala Lai’s employees. He argues if someone performs exceptionally, others will be enticed to follow.
What’s bothering Akane about the Tokyo Blade stage play? Who is Tokyo Blade’s author?
Beyond Tokyo Blade’s third day of rehearsals, Aqua and Akane continue discussing Kana. Aqua tells Akane that she won’t defeat Kana due to Kana’s innate desire to match Taiki’s energy and acting talent. Later, Akane gets into a bind with one of her performances. Next, Akane argues Tokyo Blade’s script and her character will prevent her from defeating Kana.
This is because Akane’s character lacks significant screen time, fan demand, and material for Akane to work with. Nonetheless, Akane develops a plan that will clash with Tokyo Blade’s author’s original vision. Speaking of, the manga switches to a scene involving Sweet Today author Yoriko Kichijoji and Tokyo Blade’s author Abiko Samejima.
The two have dinner and discuss Abiko’s concerns for the stage play. During said discussion, Yoriko tells Abiko that it’s always best to find a middle ground with production officials, otherwise, things can go wrong.
What do GOA and Toshiro advise Akane to do about her situation? What does Abiko request for Kaida and his team to do?
Akane and Aqua confront GOA and Toshiro about Akane’s qualms with Princess Saya’s character writing. While GOA understands Akane’s concerns, he doesn’t want to dabble with Saya’s character writing too much. GOA argues it’d take time, ruin a few scenes, or lead to incomprehensible situations. Simultaneously, he doesn’t mind helping Akane out.
Toshiro chimes in. He tells Akane she should focus on evoking Saya’s antagonistic qualities and disregard captivating audiences with Saya’s deep character writing. Next, Yoriko and Abiko arrive at the studio and observe Kana, Akane, and the others’ performances. Abiko says the performers are great, however, she wants Raida’s team to rewrite the whole screenplay.
What happens during Abiko’s rant with Tokyo Blade’s crew? What is GOA’s fate?
Raida tells Abiko they can’t change the script because they don’t have time. However, we learn that Abiko asked them to change the script countless times. GOA intervenes, apologizes, and promises to fix the portions Abiko doesn’t like. Abiko tells GOA she’s upset that GOA rewrote her characters and argues they come off as idiotic knock-offs.
Yoriko and Abiko’s editor calm Abiko down and Yoriko delves into the issues that often arise between manga authors and adaptation scriptwriters. However, Yoriko knows Abiko is highly emotional and hard to read, making things complicated for everyone involved. Yoriko has a hunch that Abiko’s upset because GOA failed to capture her vision.
Abiko demands Raida to let her write the script. She threatens to cancel the stage play if they don’t comply. Abiko says they can pay and credit GOA for the writing, but she doesn’t want him involved in this production. GOA tells Raida to move forward with everything and asks him if he can remove his name from the credits.
Kaida refuses and tells GOA to adhere to Abiko’s wants. GOA complies and returns home defeated.
What happens during Aqua and Akane’s date? What entices Aqua to fix Tokyo Blade’s Abiko and script issue?
Before their date, Toshiro tells Akane and the others that Abiko will rewrite the script. This means it’ll be a while before they can rehearse again. Then, Aqua unveils to everyone that he isn’t well-versed in theatrics, much to his coworkers’ shock. Aqua argues he’s more of a movie enthusiast than a theater one so Akane insists he accompany her on a date. Akane wants to enlighten Aqua.
They attend the play and Aqua loves what he sees, much to Akane’s joy. Raida interrupts the two’s chat and updates them on Tokyo Blade’s script. He doesn’t want to terminate GOA because he knows he’s a brilliant writer. Aqua agrees and encourages Raida to find a way to keep GOA onboard. Later, Aqua tells Akane the Tokyo Blade’s biggest hurdle is miscommunication.
Since Raida treated him and Akane to a great show, Aqua plans to return the favor.
How do Yoriko and Raida convince Abiko to change her views? Do they create a suitable script on time?
Yoriko greets Aqua and his friends when they arrive at her home. Aqua tells Akane they’re visiting Yoriko because she and Abiko are close. Yoriko highlights Abiko’s early beginnings, later successes, and lackluster socialization skills. Akane asks Yoriko to convince Abiko to let GOA write the script. Yoriko refuses so Aqua hands Yoriko a ticket and tells Yoriko to hand it to Abiko.
Yoriko visits Abiko at home and learns she’s not in the best predicament. Yoriko gives Abiko some advice but Abiko refuses it. The two argue for countless hours while drafting manga together. The next morning, Abiko apologizes to Yoriko and Yoriko advises she learn to compromise. Yoriko hands Abiko a ticket (Aqua’s gift) to the Smash Heaven Stage Around.
Abiko attends the event and chats with Raida minutes later. Raida recalls Aqua’s remarks. He lists several arguments to persuade Abiko to trust GOA with the stage play’s script. Abiko says she’ll let GOA help with the script under one condition. Abiko, GOA, Abiko’s editor, and Raida hold a video call. Although matters start awkward, GOA and Abiko settle their differences and create a script on time. This allows the rehearsals to continue.
Why does Aqua have a difficult time with Tokyo Blade’s new script? What happens between Akane and Aqua when Akane realizes Ai is Aqua’s mother?
During rehearsals, Toshiro tells Aqua he must evoke more emotion in his performances. Kana arrives and tells Aqua how she channels her feelings. Since Aqua struggles to showcase true emotion, Kana suggests he think of emotional scenarios, like his mother passing away. Kana lets Aqua practice. Aqua ponders his time with Ruby, MEM-cho, and Kana to experience happiness.
Then, Gorou, his former identity, arrives and reminds him of his failure to protect Ai. This causes Aqua to crumble to the ground in pain. Aqua heads to an undisclosed room with Akane. Later, the two visit Taishi’s home. Taishi discusses subtle details about Aqua’s hidden trauma with Akane. Taishi tells Akane to look after Aqua and departs.
Akane overhears Aqua saying Ai’s name, recalls all her research on Ai, and deduces Ai’s Aqua’s mother. Akane cries and Aqua awakens. Aqua wonders why she’s teary-eyed. Akane promises Aqua she’ll stand by his side so she hugs him.
How does Akane motivate Aqua to help her achieve her Tokyo Blade goals? How does Taishi help Aqua prepare for the stage play?
After dinner, Akane and Taishi view some of Aqua’s old acting footage. Akane realizes Aqua’s performances were all planned. She interrogates Aqua outside. Akane learns Aqua’s bloodlust motivates him to pursue acting. Akane says she’d assist Aqua in killing someone, much to Aqua’s confusion. Moreover, Akane tells Aqua that she wants him to help her defeat Kana and Taiki.
As Akane’s boyfriend, Aqua says he doesn’t plan to let Akane down. This entices him to visit Taishi for advice. Taishi says Aqua needs to put on an ideal emotional performance to defeat Taiki and Kana. Taishi tells Aqua to visit him after rehearsals for training purposes.
What new details do we obtain about Akane and Kana’s rivalry? Who is the better actress in Taiki’s eyes?
After “playboy” developments occur with Ruby, Melt, and others, Akane and Kana clash at the studio. Kana shows Akane a book containing one of Akane’s old interviews. In it, Akane told the press Kana inspired her to pursue acting. Kana teases her about it and almost gets into a physical confrontation with Akane. Fortunately, Melt and Aqua prevent that.
Akane lists Kana’s worst qualities with Aqua. Later, Kana tells Melt and Taiki she dislikes Akane because Akane received more roles than Kana after Kana hit puberty. Nevertheless, Kana feels she and Akane are destined to be rivals and doesn’t plan to lose to Akane. While the two girls perform, Taiki tells Melt that Kana and Akane are exceptional actresses.
He doesn’t know who is better than whom. However, Taiki says Kana would be his choice considering she’ll have him at her side.
What happens during the stage play’s beginning moments? How does Melt please the crowd with his performance?
Ruby, Abiko, Taishi, and others arrive at the Tokyo Blade stage play event. After Akane and Kana share a few remarks, we shift to Aqua in the waiting area. Aqua struggles to suppress Gorou’s rage. However, Aqua vows to put on a good show regardless. The stageplay commences and everyone gives it their all. Raida and Masaya discuss everyone’s exceptional talents, but Raida’s unsure about Melt. Masaya tells Raida Melt lacks talent, but is a hard worker.
We delve into Melt’s backstory, learning how people cherished his looks but noticed he lacked skills. Yoriko and Aqua take note of Melt’s horrid acting talent and the audience’s reception to his performance. Fortunately, Melt performs a stunt from the manga that uses his best talent (his appearance) to please audiences. Later, Melt compares himself to the character he’s portraying on stage.
He uses his pent-up rage and determination to deliver another exceptional performance to please everyone again. The crowd cheers and Kana praises Melt for his performance. Kana and Taiki take the stage and Melt thanks Aqua for helping him in the past.
How do Kana, Akane, and the main stars’ performances go? Why does Kana refuse to give it her all against Akane?
Eventually, Kana performs and her co-stars highlight her incredible improvisational skills. Inevitably, Akane’s scene arrives and Abiko is impressed by Akane’s acting capabilities. She argues the audience can piece together the scene’s events and emotions based on Akane’s movements. Then, we receive a flashback of Akane and Kana’s first meeting.
Akane learns Kana’s been chosen as this gig’s main star and doesn’t like how she cheated to get this role. Kana explains why the department chose her, a popular candidate, over a talented one. Kana tells Akane she doesn’t care about acting and Akane tells her to stop thinking that way. Kana tells Akane to buzz off.
In the present, Akane reveals she despises the new Kana and admires the overwhelming, selfish, and powerful Kana of the past. Akane vows to show Kana that she can recapture the same magic Kana once had. Unfortunately, Kana chooses to back down from that acting battle. She focuses on making Akane shine the brightest among everyone on stage for the stage play’s success.
Who influenced Kana to abandon the spotlight? Does the old Kana resurface during the performance?
Akane and Aqua discuss Kana’s strange behavior and the former tells the latter to accept this victory. Akane refuses because she wants to defeat “the old Kana” she admires. Aqua understands and devises a scheme with Akane to convince Kana to return to her old ways. After having a thorough discussion with Taiki about his glasses and ad-lib plan, Taiki, Kana, and Aqua perform.
Other stars lament Aqua and Taiki’s acting differences and feel their contrasting performances look marvelous on stage. Then, Taiki initiates the ad-lib and flings Kana toward Aqua. Aqua uses several methods to get Kana to appear in the stage’s center area. Then, Kana reflects on her rocky relationship with her mother concerning fame and expectations.
Unfortunately, Kana said her mother’s taste of fame caused their family to undergo severe issues of the argument and divorce variety. On top of Taishi’s remarks he shared with her during the “Prologue: Childhood” story arc, Kana abandoned the spotlight. Also, Kana abided by every adult’s demands. Suddenly, Aqua shines the spotlight upon Kana.
Aqua tells Kana everyone wants to see her give it her best shot. This motivates Kana to put on a spectacular showcase, much to everyone’s shock.
Does Akane challenge Kana? How does the stage play end?
The performance continues. Although Akane wants to defeat this version of Kana, Akane yields. Inevitably, Aqua’s scene arrives. We enter a flashback involving him, Taishi, and Akane at Taishi’s home. Akane touches upon panic attacks with Aqua briefly. Then, Taishi and Aqua discuss panic attacks concerning the guilt Aqua feels about Ai’s death.
Taishi knows Aqua commits to acting for vengeful purposes instead of fun. He suggests Aqua abandon the idea of acting for fun. Instead, Aqua should pursue acting for the sake of vengeance. Only then, will this help him accomplish his entertainment industry goals. Aqua meets his past self in a vision and vows to use his power to put on an exceptional showcase.
During the Princess Saya revival scene, Aqua channels his inner dream of seeing Ai revived. This dream helps Aqua pull off an emotionally impactful scene between Saya and Touki (as shown above). Taiki raises his sword and the stage play closes with electrifying applause.
How does the “2.5D Stage Play” story arc end?
Akane meets with Yuki and the others after the stage play ends. Akane appreciates everyone’s feedback but argues Kana and Taiki were better. Meanwhile, Kana meets with MEM-cho and Ruby. Ruby praises Kana for her performance but Kana argues Akane defeated her. However, Kana vows to prove she’s the better actress soon.
Next, Masaya and Toshiro discuss Tokyo Blade’s stars. Masaya’s super impressed by Kana and alludes to her having the same star power potential as Ai. Meanwhile, Toshiro argues Akane’s improved a lot and says she put on a great show. However, Toshiro alludes to another star catching his eye but doesn’t elaborate on who this is.
Then, someone tells Raida several publishing company representatives want to speak with him. Raida tells the person to tell those folks to wait. He wants to see his customers’ happy smiles as they leave his venue. Then, we receive several shots of the venue and staff. The “2.5D Stage Play” story arc ends with Aqua observing samples he attained from Toshiro and Taiki.
Conclusion
Oshi No Ko is a brilliant manga with an equally entertaining anime adaptation. Coming off of the fandom he earned with Kaguya-sama: Love Is War’s finale, Aka Akasaka has much to prove with Oshi No Ko. This arc had some meaningful themes and it’s no wonder fans can’t wait for Doga Kobo Studios to tackle its content in Season 2.
As always, if you want to check out more Oshi No Ko-related content, click here. Also, we may be covering future story arcs in this format, so feel free to keep us on your radar if you want to know what happens after Oshi No Ko’s “2.5D Stage Play” story arc.
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Are you a big Oshi No Ko fan? What was your favorite moment from the “2.5D Stage Play” story arc? Let us know in the comments below!
How does how does kindaichi know about aquas last name even though he didnt tell anybody?