Oshi no Ko Season 2, Episode 8 Makes Kana Arima a Superstar

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Kana Arima screams while attacking Aqua's character with swords in Oshi no Ko.


The following contains spoilers for Oshi no Ko Season 2, Episode 8, “Trigger,” currently streaming on HIDIVE.

So far in the summer 2024 anime season, Oshi no Ko’s second season has been surprisingly light on subversion. After all, this seinen anime made a name for itself in season 1 with its dark and brutal deconstruction of Japan’s glamorous idol and entertainment industry. This tough love for the Japanese entertainment industry continues in episode 8, “Trigger,” mainly with Kana Arima and partly with Aqua Hoshino.



In the case of both characters, Oshi no KoThe subversion of is powerful and very compelling to watch. Episode 8 advances two different character arcs in a meaningful and entertaining way while keeping the Tokyo Blade the story is moving forward. It’s cool to see Aqua slowly moving forward with her twisted revenge plan, but This episode focuses on Kana, that’s where he shines the most. This makes Kana an inspiring heroine despite – or perhaps because of — his subversion of the entertainment industry.


Oshi no Ko Season 2 Episode 8 smartly devotes most of its screen time to Kana Arima

Tokyo Blade is the perfect place for everyone to discover who they really are.

Kana Arima screams while attacking Aqua's character with swords in Oshi no Ko.


Critical reception of Oshi no Ko

Anime Planet

My Anime List

Oshi no Ko (Manga)

4.30/5

8.48/10

Oshi no Ko (Animated)

4.39/5

8.63/10

Oshi no Ko 2nd season (anime)

4.32/5

8.51/10

Aqua Hoshino Live Action and Anime

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One of the highlights of Episode 8 is that it devotes most of its screen time to a singular character, namely Kana. Not only is it great that this anime is exploring individual characters like her in more depth, but the anime is also balanced about it, smoothly switching between several major cast members. Tokyo Blade stage production. Some of these characters are real outsiders who need in-depth episodes just to feel like they have a chance. In the meantime, Kana is at the top of the hierarchy, but still deserves an in-depth analysis to flesh out her character even more. Kana isn’t quite the same sympathetic shonen-style outsider as Melt Narushima and Akane Kurokawa, but Kana still has her own insecurities and challenges to deal with, which makes her fascinating to watch.

Other episodes of Oshi no Ko I’ve said this clearly before, but episode 8 does the best job of showing it yet. Although Kana benefits greatly from her cynicism spawned by her tumultuous experiences in the entertainment industry, she is far from invincible.and she’s also not entirely happy with the current trajectory of her career. This makes Kana both similar and different from Melt and Akane, and the balance is handled rather well. Kana’s arc doesn’t feel redundant or out of place when recent episodes have portrayed Melt and Akane as shonen-style heroes. Instead, Kana’s arc fits right in with theirs. This fact is made even clearer when these characters get in-depth episodes in a row, with Melt first, followed by Akane, and now, Kana.


Much more than Melt or Akane, Kana does a remarkable job of highlighting the subversive elements of Oshi no Ko tell a dark but hopeful story about young adults trying to find their way in a predatory and deceptive industry. This is another difference between Kana’s arc and those of Melt and Akane. While the latter two had relatively linear paths from relative obscurity to success, Kana must navigate the ups and downs of an industry that has grown in part because of her connections and practicality.

“I learned that I’m not a genius and that adults care more about how easy it is for kids to use a project than how well they play.” — Kana Armia


Kana has the advantage of being a former famous child actress, recognized by many, and she has more raw talent than Melt or Akane. Yet, she still has her own problems. Kana’s anxieties are nevertheless quite sympathetic, which makes the story of episode 8 all the stronger. Kana distorts the entertainment industry and exposes its horrible lies while being a nicer girl for it, not less. It takes solid writing to pull that off, and episode 8 delivers.

This sympathetic subversion of Kana is possible thanks to two factors: her difficult relationship with her mother and her habit of holding back for the benefit of others. Both stories are significant in this episode, with the latter being the stronger of the two. Kana is revealed to be somewhat of a proxy for her mother. Mrs. Arima has been pushing her daughter and zealously promoting Kana to industry bigwigs relentlessly so that she can indirectly fulfill her own dreams through her daughter. Unsurprisingly, this has had a severe impact on Kana’s worldview and personality.


Episode 8 really takes off and gets exciting when Kana faces the truth about how she holds herself back from acting for the good of others and at her own expense. With a little introspection and encouragement from Aqua, she finally breaks free of that restraint and shines like the “sun” Akane always wanted her to be. It’s a moment of catharsis for Kana, and it’s delicious for the fans. Watching Kana become more colorful, happier, and more energetic as she takes her performance as Tsurugi to the next level is an animated spectacle to behold. Kana is no outsider, but she can still go the extra mile to amaze everyone in a critical moment. This is a personal turning point for Kana, and she makes a difference. Tokyo Blade — and the whole episode is all the more glamorous.


Kana Arima’s personal authenticity is very significant

Even the most cynical characters must cling to a truth.

Custom image of Akane and Kana from Oshi no Ko season 2

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Not only is Kana Arima’s immersion in episode 8 a cathartic and empowering affair, it also balances this anime’s use of lies to expose the truth. It quickly becomes apparent that Kana is one of the best characters to push this theme forward. Oshi no Ko It’s all about the lies of the entertainment industry, including the little white lies and immoral deception that explain how and why artists are chosen.


Kana has always been a part of this deceptive world, and the harsh reality of the industry has fueled her cynicism. For example, producers only stage auditions when Kana has already been chosen for a role thanks to her fame. Kana herself tells this to a naive Akane in a flashback sequence in episode 7. As she got older and had fewer opportunities, Akane softened to get regular work. Now, Kana lies about her true acting prowess by holding back for what she thinks is the benefit of the other actors. But that’s all over now, and for all the right reasons.

Episode 8 is even stronger because Kana overcomes her cynicism by accepting the truth of who she is and how she acts on stage. These self-realizations make her scenes and the episode as a whole more exciting and challenging to watch. It’s easy and even predictable for Melt and Akane to tap into their true emotions to perform during Tokyo Blade. Conversely, this kind of courageous self-authenticity means ten times more to Kana, who has managed to get by on the industry’s lies and tricks so far. It’s possible that this will become a permanent change for Kana, and if so, Episode 8 marks the beginning of a new and better era for Kana. This subplot alone makes Episode 8 even stronger than it already is.


Aqua Hoshino’s Strange Acting Brings Back the Darkness of Oshi No Ko

For him, honesty remains the worst policy.

Aqua Hoshino stares in horror at Oshi no Ko, her eyes wide in shock.


Sakura Minamoto from

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Episode 8 brings back the genre deconstruction in two different ways, with Kana’s heartfelt arc and her struggle with her internalized pessimism being the first. It’s the heart of Episode 8 and it’s definitely the best part of the episode, but there’s still room for Aqua to counter Kana’s bright and cheerful narrative with her own dark and gloomy one. In fact, it’s for the best. No matter her shiny exterior, Oshi no Ko is still a dark and sinister drama that tears apart the idol genre and stories about the entertainment industry. Anime must not lose sight of this. Every happy moment is kept in check with something dark or heartbreaking, and just at the right time, Aqua ends Episode 8 with her renewed determination to lie all the way to the top to avenge her mother, Ai Hoshino, no matter what.


Even more than Kana, Aqua has built a career through deception and lies. He has not let anyone know that he is Dr. Gorou Amamiya reincarnated as Ai’s son. At most, he has only told a few people about his true goal: revenge on his mother’s murderer. Aqua’s murderous goals, fierce determination, and constant lies fuel the black star over his right eye, and This is how episode 8 keeps fans on the edge of their seats in its final moments. Aqua won’t act out of love for his craft, but will simply use it as a means to achieve his goals. He has almost convinced himself to hate acting, as it is part of the same industry that killed Ai.


It’s not exactly a shocking revelation, but it’s always good for Aqua to freshen up this story thread, just in case the anime’s main plot starts to feel like it’s evaporating. It may also suggest that the moment the Tokyo Blade production wraps, Aqua will resume her quest for vengeance, and if so, her descent into darkness just as Episode 8 ends is well-timed. And if not, Aqua’s final scene is always a beautiful way to keep Oshi no KoThe light side is highlighted, because that’s how this seinen anime works.

Oshi no Ko airs on Wednesdays on HIDIVE.