Oshi no Ko’s ending delivers a powerful, controversial finale, blending tragedy, redemption, and a message of resilience and hope.
The emotional rollercoaster that is Oshi no Ko ended in its final chapter, 166: Star. Aqua’s sacrifice and Ruby’s defiance against her despair transform the narrative into a tale of surviving the darkest moments to inspire others. How did it turn out this way?
The Conclusion of Aqua’s Quest for Revenge
The climax of Oshi no Ko centers around Aqua’s pursuit of vengeance against Hikaru Kamiki, the mastermind behind Ai’s murder and the father to the Hoshino twins.
Aqua’s journey to avenge his mother becomes his life’s purpose. Realizing that Hikaru poses a lasting threat to Ruby, who is climbing the peak of an idol, Aqua makes the ultimate sacrifice, killing himself alongside Hikaru.
This act fulfills his protective duty, ensuring his sister’s safety. The reason he dies along with Kamiki is so that Ruby does not have a stain on her as the sister of a murderer- a fact which would lead to her not being able to work as an idol and appeal to fans.
In theory, while Aqua achieves his goal, he leaves behind a world grieving his absence, including Ruby, Kana, and Akane, who must reconcile with his loss.
Ruby’s Lie and Beacon of Hope
Ruby’s arc in the final chapter centers on embracing her brother’s sacrifice while performing under the pretense of happiness. The manga has always been about lies, as seen in the beginning. Ai Hoshino had two stars in her eyes, and the twins had one each.
Her “lie” about not being sad parallels her mother Ai’s struggle to maintain an upbeat public image despite private pain. As Ruby hides her sorrow, her resilience shines for fans and colleagues, pushing them to find light amid despair.
Ruby’s journey becomes a testament to survival, inspiring rather than succumbing to loss, symbolizing a powerful message of enduring against darkness.
Ai’s Dream Achieved: Performing at Tokyo Dome
The tale has seen the tallest achievement as the performance by an idol at the Tokyo Dome, something that even Ai Hoshino could not do and could only dream of.
Ruby’s performance at the Tokyo Dome marks a poignant tribute to her late mother and brother. Accompanied by B-Komachi members Mem-Cho and a new addition, Ruby performs with starry light sticks, symbolizing her family’s legacy.
The moment serves as a closure, where Ruby continues Ai’s legacy, now embodying the hope and inspiration her mother once symbolized. This triumph over tragedy reinforces the series’ theme of resilience, highlighting how Ruby’s “lie” of happiness brings genuine hope to her fans.
Symbolism of Stars and Parallels to Ai
The imagery of stars is crucial to the story’s final moments. Ruby’s starry eyes symbolize her internal strength, now amplified by the memories of her mother and brother.
As she steps onto the stage at the Dome, Ruby reflects on Ai’s iconic image, showing that her journey has come full circle- from being the daughter of a famous idol to becoming a symbol of hope herself. This parallel subtly implies that Ai’s love and legacy live on through Ruby.
How the Fans Reacted
Despite its many moving themes and complex plots, Oshi no Ko’s ending has sparked controversy, with fans debating if Aqua’s sacrifice was the right conclusion for his character.
Aqua was probably the most explored character, and the burdens he carried around (more than Ruby due to him being an adult before death) seemed relatable, and all fans wanted was for him to be happy.
To let go of vengeance and live in peace, maybe be a doctor again or an actor. Thus, the ending leads to disappointment over his tragic fate.
Criticism also includes the pacing of the final chapters, which felt rushed to some fans, compressing significant events into a single chapter. As Oshi no Ko’s author, Aka Akasaka, prepares for his next series, a fantasy manga. Fans hope remains high that he will redeem himself for the tragic and seemingly empty ending of Oshi no Ko.
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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