Oshi No Ko – Season 2 Episode 7 Recap & Review

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Episode 7 of Oshi No Ko Season 2 begins with Kana and Kamoshida performing their roles in the Tokyo Blade stage play. Kamoshida realizes Kana’s ad-libbing and praises her for her acting skills. Then, Aqua joins in and performs his lines. After that, the scene switches to Akane. Akane is currently performing as Princess Saya. 

We cut away to Abiko in the crowd and receive a shot of the Tokyo Blade manga and stageplay’s script. Abiko discusses her expectations for Saya’s character in the stageplay. Akane starts performing and Abiko is amazed by Akane’s portrayal of Saya. Then, we continue observing Aqua, Taiki, Kana, and the others performing their roles on stage.

During Kana and Akane’s scene together, Kana wonders why Akane is bitter about her so much. Internally, Akane says she doesn’t want to lose to Kana. She admits Kana is the reason why she’s an actress today. Then, we enter a flashback. In it, a young Akane is watching one of Kana’s TV shows with her parents. 

Akane tells her mother why she admires Kana as an actress. Her mother says they got a pamphlet for a children’s theater company called Ajisai. She suggests Akane pursue acting as a career. Akane’s unsure because she’s a shy person. However, Akane’s father says if Akane pursues acting she might become friends with Kana. 

We receive a montage of Akane training. During this training regime, Akane says she wants to become like Kana. Eventually, Akane and her mother arrive at an audition site. While Akane grabs a beverage from a vending machine, a man notices Akane and mistakes her for Kana.

Then, Kana arrives and the man departs. Akane asks Kana what the man meant by his audition statements. Akane is bothered by the idea of Kana cheating her way to victory in this audition. Kana gives Akane intel on rigged auditions and declares this audition is one of them. Also, Kana tells Akane she’s fine with this rigged audition. 

Kana tells Akane why it’s beneficial for folks to choose someone with more fame than someone with better acting skills. Akane argues Kana doesn’t feel this way internally. Kana slaps Akane’s hat off her head and tells her to stop imitating her. Then, we receive a brief montage featuring scenes with Akane and Kana.

During this montage, Akane ponders what Kana meant by her remarks to her when they were children. Also, Akane understands why Kana abandoned her original acting vision and now pursues a path that will benefit others more than herself. Next, Akane reveals she values the selfish and overpowering Kana of the past. 

Akane argues she doesn’t like the current Kana and doesn’t adore what her adult higher-ups did to her either. She demonstrates the type of acting she wants Kana to pursue again. Before Kana responds with the same acting style, she sees a vision of her former self. This entices Kana to back off and support Akane’s stage presence. 

Akane’s upset by Kana’s decision. The curtain closes. Backstage, Akane ponders if she was being too egotistical and selfish. Aqua arrives, comforts Akane, and shares some details about Kana with Akane. Akane tells Aqua she wants to outshine the Kana she idolizes. Aqua understands.

The episode ends with Aqua promising to help Akane bring out Kana’s former acting style. 

The Episode Review

As they say, it’s never best to idolize someone you don’t know on a personal level. Unfortunately, Kana wasn’t the happy-go-lucky child star Akane initially envisioned. Much like child stars today, adult meddling ruined Kana’s career, forcing her to abandon an acting style she held dear to her. 

Despite being Kana’s rival, it’s touching to see Akane agree to work alongside Aqua to bring Kana back to her glory days. As to how the two will do so, begs to be seen. Yet, judging how close Aqua, Akane, and Kana are with each other, we’re certain Akane and Aqua will discover a genuine way to do so. 

That aside, this episode was visually stunning and musically sound from beginning to end. Some great examples include Akane’s majestic dance and the swift action scenes involving Kamoshida, Kana, and others.

Dogo Koba Studios brought their A-game with this one. They give anime fans a taste of that awesome stage-around play experience. We won’t be shocked if this influences a few viewers to head to a stage-around play in the future. With its solid overview of Kana and Akane’s rivalry and wonderful tension, this was a fantastic chapter of Oshi No Ko Season 2.