Oshi No Ko – Season 1 Episode 1 Recap & Review

Mother and Children

Episode 1 of Oshi No Ko begins with a man explaining how this world is full of deceit and follows an idol group called B Komachi, led by Ai. He recounts how they gradually gained notoriety. This man is a doctor and learns that Ai has gone on hiatus due to suffering an illness. He remembers meeting a patient named Sarina, obsessed with Ai and B Komachi. Sarina ponders what it’d be like if one was born as a celebrity’s offspring. The doctor tells her not to think about rebirth and promises to become a fan of hers after she’s discharged from the hospital. Unfortunately, Sarina passes away due to an anaplastic astrocytoma.

In the present, the doctor confirms why he follows AI closely because he’s superimposing Ai and Sarinas in his mind. His nurse thinks he’s following Ai for nefarious purposes, though. The doctor meets his female patient, who is pregnant. The woman removes her hat, and the doctor realizes it’s Ai. He tells Ai and her guardian to wait here so he can prep for Ai’s examination. The doctor leaves the room. He’s bewildered over Ai’s pregnancy. Ai’s guardian asks her whose the father is, but Ai says it’s a secret. After the examination, the doctor confirms that Ai is 20 weeks pregnant with twins.

Her guardian says this could spell doom for Ai’s career and his agency if word got out that she’s pregnant at age 16. Ai asks the doctor for his advice, but he turns her down and says she needs to make a choice. The doctor overhears two men discussing rebirth and idolizing young female celebs with husbands and children. The doctor questions fans’ ideologies on the roof while looking at a picture of Sarina. Ai arrives. The doctor asks Ai if she attended this countryside hospital to avoid people recognizing her. He tells Ai about Sarina, and Ai didn’t expect people to find her out here. Ai confirms that she’s always longed for a family since she never had one before. She doesn’t want to give up being an idol, so she plans to keep everything under wraps.

Ai discusses how idols are objects of worship and sparkle through the magic of lies. They use their lies to appear happy on stage, but Ai wants to experience true happiness from both angles. The doctor promises Ai that he’ll successfully deliver her offspring. The doctor warns Ai of the scars that may come from a natural procedure, scaring her guardian. However, Ai wants to go through with it and takes on an assumed name to avoid detection. After monitoring Ai’s progress, 40 weeks have passed. The doctor leaves for the night. He ponders what will happen after he delivers Ai’s children. A hooded figure startles the doctor and asks him about Ai. He says her last name, puzzling the doctor since she’s never disclosed the “Hoshino” part of her name before.

The doctor chases him down but gets knocked off a small cliff by the hooded figure. The doctor hears his phone ringing and wonders if Ai’s in labor. He wants to rush to the hospital but can’t move due to his severe injuries. He reflects on Sarina’s and the B Komachi fans’ words about rebirth. Ai has her children, and we see the doctor’s funeral. The doctor winds up becoming Ai’s son, Aqua. He doesn’t know why this is the case but is willing to accept the reality of the situation. Aqua plans to uncover the mystery behind this reincarnation since he remembers his past. We get introduced to Aqua’s sister, Ruby. Ai’s guardian, President Ichigo Saitou, enters the room and belittles Ai for her poor memory.

Ichigo informs Ai about her idol’s comeback plans and says his wife (Miyako) will look after Aqua and Ruby while Ai works. Ai asks if she can bring Ruby and Aqua to the studio. Ichigo refuses her offer since he doesn’t want anyone learning about Ai’s children. Ichigo tells Ai if she must travel with the kids to public places, she can’t specify that they’re her children. Later, Ai gets interviewed after her long hiatus. Miyoko falls asleep while babysitting, so Aqua turns the TV on to watch Ai’s interview. Afterward, some crew members gossip about B Komachi and feel their average at best.

Meanwhile, Ichigo confirms idols hide their lies and self-interest behind their smiles. He knows how the bigwigs only care about the numbers and admit Ai’s the biggest liar. B Komachi performs, and Aqua can’t help but thank the person who murdered him. Ruby wakes up and fangirls over Ai. She’s a bit peeved that Aqua didn’t wake her up when she started performing. Aqua says he tried waking her up numerous times. He states how he uncovered Ruby’s also a reincarnated toddler like himself. In flashback, we see Aqua discovering Ruby typing replies to hate comments about Ai. He asks Ruby if they share the same fate, and she gets disgusted to see a baby talk despite being a toddler herself. At the same time, we see Aqua’s murderer getting upset over Ai’s pregnancy.

The next day, Ruby taunts Aqua after getting breastfed by Ai. Ai and Ichigo leave Miyoko with the kids again. Miyoko reflects on how she despises her current position as a babysitter for a young idol’s children. Ruby argues that Miyoko should be happy to serve someone as great as Ai. Miyoko ponders if she should tell the press about Ai’s children to gain some cash. Ruby and Aqua pretend to act like divine godly babies to prevent Miyoko from tattling on Ai. Miyoko thinks Ai’s pranking her because she refuses to believe Ruby and Aqua are talking to her. Ruby promises Miyoko that if she guards Ai’s secret, a second marriage with a handsome actor awaits her.

Miyoko buys into Ruby’s offer. Aqua compliments Ruby on her theater skills and asks her if she was a performer in her previous life. Ruby says she wasn’t but grew up in a strange place. While putting Ruby to sleep, Aqua states how Ruby’s passion for AI was like Sarina’s. Ruby hears someone calling out to her and asks Aqua if he did. Aqua says he wasn’t and turns on the television. Ruby leaves, and she confirms she is Sarina. Ruby ponders if Aqua is the doctor she grew fond of. A few months pass. Aqua confirms that B Komachi’s return the glory hasn’t materialized. Ai can’t stand her low payment.

She’d be okay with it if she didn’t have kids to worry about. Ai wants to send Ruby and Aqua to great schools and live happy lives, so she’s willing to work harder to achieve that. Aqua explains the idol business to Ruby, like TV appearance fees to merchandise sales. Aqua acknowledges how Ai’s a great-looking and hardworking idol but knows she isn’t making as much as she should. Ruby and Aqua take it out on Miyoko and argue AI should receive more job offers. Miyoko explains how difficult it can be for idol groups to compete in the job market as solo entertainers. If Ai was to graduate from her current idol group, she could be unable to secure a job on her own.

Meanwhile, Ai does some ego-surfing and notices crude comments about her from her supporters. Miyoko takes Ruby and Aqua to one of Ai’s concerts. She tells them to pipe it down since she doesn’t want Ichigo to know about this. Ruby tells Aqua she wants to support Ai since she knows she’s been feeling down lately. As Ai performs, she can’t stop thinking about that person’s comment. She hears Ruby and Aqua cheering her on in the distance and gets motivated. Miyoko learns someone posted a clip of Ruby and Aqua performing the idol-fan dance on social media. Ichigo finds out and interrogates her in another room.

A year passes. Ruby and Aqua have reached an age where it doesn’t look weird for them to walk and talk. Ruby summarizes how Ai’s picked up numerous gigs and has become an actress for a TV drama series. Miyoko takes the three to the gig but reminds Ruby and Aqua not to call Ai “Mama.” They all arrive on set, and Ruby gets pampered by the TV crew. Aqua heads out and stumbles upon the director. The director tells him not to cause a ruckus. Ruby promises he won’t and accidentally uses vast terminology. The director asks him how a baby can use these terms, and Aqua says he learned them on YouTube.

The director argues Aqua would make for an incredible actor and hands him his business card. Aqua tells the director to hand–AI more work and not himself. The director says she’ll need a lot to survive in this industry. The director explains the three types of actors he’s worked with: stars, real talent, and newcomers. Though Ai is a first-class idol, the director admits she may not make it in the film industry. The TV crew films Ai and her co-stars, and the director admits her acting is average, but she knows how to attract an audience. Ruby, Aqua, and Ai watch the program and notice several of Ai’s scenes were cut.

Ruby calls the director’s number and asks him why Ai’s scenes were cut. The director admits her scenes were great, but admits Ai was too cute on screen, so they had to remove her scenes. He says companies decide how much screen time a performer should receive. The director tells Aqua to take it as an unexpected misfortunate and to not have illusions about the entertainment industry. He tells Aqua that he’d like to offer Ai another gig, but Aqua must appear in the film. Aqua accepts his offer. The director explains low-budget filmmaking and bartering to Aqua the next day. Miyoko confirms that Aqua’s been signed as a part of Strawberry Productions.

He argues that Ruby’s a better performer than himself, but the director wants Aqua instead. In a different room, Ruby complains about Ai not being with Ai. Aqua confirms she doesn’t shoot on the same days as him and questions why Ruby’s acting like a real child. A young female actress named Kana approaches them and tells them to keep it down. Kana complains that Aqua and Ai shouldn’t be a part of this film, angering Ruby and Aqua. Suddenly, Aqua and Kana play their roles as creepy toddlers in the film. Aqua acts like his usual self to appeal to the director. After filming the scene, a random female actress tells him he played his role amazingly.

Kana tells the director to reshoot the scene because she feels she didn’t play her role as well as Aqua. The director pulls Aqua aside while Kana gets comforted by a few people. He tells Aqua that communication skills are essential for being a great actor. The director confirms that Aqua’s acting skills were how he envisioned them. He argues Aqua read his intentions, which is a part of having incredible communication skills. Aqua says he never wanted to become an actor. Meanwhile, Kana looks at a document and learns Aqua’s name. She plans to surpass Aqua in the industry. Aqua states that three years have passed since he’s been reborn as Ai’s child. He notes how the director’s movie with him and Ai in it was well-received. Aqua felt he did a great job but argues Aqua carried the entire film.

Ai received much work afterward and has become an up-and-coming idol/media personality. Ai’s about to turn 20, and Aqua says they’ve been able to live through their daily lives without being uncovered by the public. Aqua and Ruby got enrolled in preschool. Aqua asks Ruby how old she was in her former life. Ruby lies and says she was an adult woman, that way, Aqua can’t belittle her for being younger than he was. Aqua agrees as he likes how his current life is less demanding and fun than his previous one. Their teacher tells them to prepare for their dance routine. Ruby runs out of class, and Aqua follows her. Ruby says she was a terrible dancer in her previous life. Aqua tells Ruby she has a long life ahead of her now.

Ruby practices dancing at home but fails. Ai sees Ruby struggling and offers to help her. Ruby and Ai share intimate moments with each other as Ruby recalls her saddening life as Sarina in the hospital rooms. Ruby confirms she was disabled but always wanted to dance like AI. Aqua spies on Ruby dancing and realizes Ruby received Ai’s acting and dancing skills. Meanwhile, Ai calls Ruby and Aqua’s father at a phone booth while in disguise. She asks him if he’d like to see them, but makes it clear that she doesn’t want to get back together with him. Ai admits she’s calling him due to overhearing a conversation her children were having.

She gives her husband their address and visits Ichigo and Miyoko in their apartment. A news broadcaster confirms that Ai’s TV drama is climbing in the ratings. He’s excited that Ai will be performing at a dome. Miyoko explains why performing at a dome is a big deal to Ichigo. Ichigo tells Ai not to meet with Ruby and Aqua’s father. Ai admits that she’s been a liar her whole life and had trouble loving things. She recalls her first meeting with Ichigo, who wanted to recruit her as an idol. Ai didn’t want to become an idol because she lived with a mother who was a criminal and got put in a nursing home.

She never felt love nor loved anyone, so she felt she wouldn’t make it as an idol. Ai envisioned idols to be pure beings who can bring smiles to people’s faces. Ai and Ichigo delve into a deep conversation about what it means to love and lie. She hoped by becoming an idol she could experience or showcase love to people, especially her children. She worries if she tells her kids that she loves them–it won’t be meaningful. Ai, Ruby, and Aqua are resting in their hotel room. Ai hears the doorbell ring and opens the door. The man who killed Aqua stands before her and stabs Ai in the stomach as her life flashes before her eyes. Aqua opens the door and sees scatters of blood over the floor. The stalker yells at Ai for hurting him and her loyal fans for having kids.

Ai tells the stalker she admits to being a liar but wanted to learn how to show him and all her fans love. She acknowledges him by his name, Ryousuke, and remembers the gift he gave her back then. Ryousuke flees, and Ruby tries calling an ambulance. He notices how Ai’s in a poor state, and she thinks this might be it for her. Ai tells Ruby and Aqua that she loves them and dies. A news report breaks out about Ai’s death and we learn that Ryousuke committed suicide. Aqua comments on how reactions to Ai’s death were mixed. Some people cried while others used her death to attract attention to themselves. Ruby reads more comments about people’s thoughts about Ai’s death and rants. Three days pass and conversations about Ai’s murder dwindled.

Aqua confirms Ichigo and Miyoko transferred Ruby and Aqua to their family register. Ruby asks Aqua if she should become an idol like Ai, but Aqua says she should pursue something more simple. Aqua feels Ruby has what it takes to move on from the matter, but feels it’ll be challenging for him to press on. He recalls the man who killed him and compares him to Ai’s assailant. He questions if Ai’s murderer had been fed information about her. He pinpoints his father to be Ai’s murderer. Aqua vows to murder his father as vengeance. Aqua asks the director if he can raise him as his son. Several years pass and Ruby and Aqua are now older. The episode concludes with a clip of Ai leaving behind a time-capsule-like video for Aqua and Ruby to watch when they’re older.

The Episode Review

Oshi No Ko delivered a lengthy and impactful first episode compared to most this season. This serves as a prologue for the greater narrative that’s yet to come. It focuses on the flaws of the entertainment and idol industry similar to other popular works like Satoshi Kon’s Perfect Blue. The episode features splendid drama and poses many intricate questions about feeling and showcasing true love.

Fans of family-oriented works like Buddy Daddies, Spy X Family, and Hinamatsuri will enjoy this episode’s familial moments. These segments contain similar deadpan and situational humor from witty remarks to funny facial expressions. Some jokes may not land as well as others and there should’ve been more personal moments with Ai and her children to build upon that relationship.

Nevertheless, the anime’s finale is one of its defining moments that will break my fans’ hearts. Considering how much screen time Ai receives in this chapter, fans were able to establish a strong connection with her. Although the anime left some hints that Ryousuke was going to come for Ai’s head, many may not have expected her to perish this soon into the narrative.

While it’s a bummer to see her go, this opens the door for many thrilling scenarios between Ruby, Aqua, and the others. I can’t wait to see what Aqua will do to make his father pay for his crime. From its jaw-dropping animation to its emotional soundtrack, this episode was astonishing from beginning to end. Although the first episode jumps through time a bit too much to get to its important bits, it feels wonderfully paced. Hopefully, the remaining episodes can be as captivating as this one.