While it appeared that Aqua had had enough of his father’s falsehoods and tried to die with him, he managed to put down the heavy burden that he had carried for two lifetimes and let go.
Aqua Hoshino’s plan, after pointing a knife at his biological father, Hikaru Kamiki- was taking a plunge into the deep with him. This was Aqua’s ultimate sacrifice for the sake of his sister, Ruby.
1. How did Aqua Hoshino die?
In Chapter 162 of Oshi no Ko, Aqua discovered that Hikaru Kamiki attempted to murder his daughter Ruby by persuading Fuyuko Niino to do the crime on his behalf.
With this final straw, Aqua decided to take matters into his own hands and kill Hikaru to preserve Ruby’s future. It appeared that Aqua had had enough of his father’s falsehoods and intended to kill him.
The chapter is named ‘Future,’ quite apt as Ruby’s future as an idol is at stake. After killing everybody who could outperform Ai Hoshino, Hikaru got obsessed and imprisoned himself.
His prior dignity had faded, and he was now fulfilling his ambitions by killing others. He used his amazing charisma to disseminate his philosophy and recruit others to work for him, essentially starting a cult.
This is also why, despite his feelings for Ruby Hoshino, killing her felt like fate to him.
2. Why did he sacrifice himself?
Aqua had a lot of dreams and wishes. He aspired to be a surgeon, understand Arima Kana’s emotions, visit the beach with his half-brother Taiki Himekawa, address Miyako Saitou as “mom,” return Akane Kurokawa’s compassion, and see Ruby play at the Tokyo Dome.
Nevertheless, Aqua Hoshino was willing to give up all of his goals to secure his sister’s future. To accomplish this, there was only one option: kill Hikaru Kamiki.
Aqua Hoshino stabbed himself with the knife, intending to die along with Hikaru. He did so because such evidence would lead the media to conclude that Hikaru attempted to kill Aqua following the pre-release of the autobiographical film. With this, Aqua pushes Hikaru, and they fall off the cliff.
After this, we see him and Hikaru having different thoughts as they are close to death; without Ai, Hikaru feels lonely and misunderstood, and death is a release. Whereas for the former surgeon, Aqua, he believes saving his sister is his responsibility. And is glad to die before her this time.
3. Aqua’s Dream
Aqua and Hikaru Kamiki were seen to be drowning in Chapter 162. As Hikaru is dragged down by shadowy hands, including Gorou Amamiya’s, Aqua enters a dream sequence that explores an alternate reality.
This dream shows Aqua what life could have been like if Sarina Tendouji, reincarnated as Ruby Hoshino, had survived her terminal illness.
In this dream illusion, Aqua sees Sarina undergo a successful surgery and grow up to achieve her dream of becoming an idol, standing alongside Ai Hoshino.
The image of Gorou cheering them on adds a bittersweet touch, as fans are reminded of Sarina’s tragic fate in the original timeline. This alternate reality reminds us of how essential the Dr. Gorou part of Aqua is in defining his identity.
3. What happens with the Crow Girl?
Aqua experiences this dream sequence where Sarina survives and becomes an idol alongside Ai Hoshino. Aqua faces an identity crisis, questioning whether he is truly Aqua Hoshino or Gorou Amamiya.
As Aqua watches this dream along with Crow Girl, the major question that haunts him comes to the forefront: Is he Aqua Hoshino or Gorou Amamiya?
Crow Girl embraces Aqua with tears in her eyes and tells him that all of his experiences as Aqua are real and true. They combine to make him who he is.
This emotional moment forces Aqua to confront the reality that both Aqua and Gorou are part of him. Aqua’s eyes fade as his memories flash, symbolizing his gradual acceptance of his true self.
Crow Girl comforts him, telling him that both identities make him who he is. As Aqua’s memories flash on the panels, his eyes fade, and he disappears, leaving only Sarina’s keychain behind.
The chapter ends with Crow Girl’s emotional statement that “all of it was ‘you.’ It was Aqua Hoshino.”
5. What happens after Aqua’s Death?
In Oshi no Ko Chapter 163, the tragic fate of Aqua Hoshino is finally confirmed. Although Chapter 162 had tied up all the loose ends for the soul, Aqua Hoshino, and Dr. Gorou, Chapter 163 put a nail in the coffin.
Following B-Komachi’s live tour, Kana Arima searches for Aqua, unaware of the impending dark reality. Meanwhile, Aqua sinks into the cold depths of the sea, his final moments filled with regret and pain.
In the throes of despair, Aqua hears the voices of B-Komachi in the distance. He ultimately finds solace, passing away with a faint smile—his sacrifice to shield his sister Ruby’s future marks a heartbreaking end for the protagonist.
A brief time skip shows the release of the “15-Year Lie” film, which achieves great success. News of Aqua’s death devastates Ichigo Productions and Kana in particular.
Akane Kurokawa visits the seaside to speak to Aqua’s spirit, expressing her deep sadness and regret. She recounts her experiences following his death, saying she would have done anything to plot against Hikaru with him.
Despite media assumptions that Hikaru murdered Aqua out of resentment, Akane realizes Aqua’s sacrifice was a choice, a final attempt to safeguard Ruby’s career and future. We see the pain and anguish of Akane for the man she loved and admired.
6. About Oshi no Ko
Oshi no Ko is a supernatural crime-solving manga series written by Aka Akasaka and illustrated by Mengo Yokoyari. It has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Young Jump since April 2020 and received an anime adaptation in 2023.
The story follows a doctor, Goro, reincarnated as his favorite idol Ai’s kid. Ai names him Aquamarine and his twin sister, a reincarnation of a patient at the hospital, Ruby. Ai is later killed by a stalker who was also responsible for Goro’s death. As Aquamarine swears revenge on the stalker for his mother’s demise, Ruby follows the same path as her mother to become an idol.
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