Oshi no Ko

[Kraco]

Kana subdues herself professionally for the sake of the production, Akane subdues herself in real life. It does seem like Kana's approach is more professional and better for her mental health. However, she has had bad luck professionally, which led to a downward spiral. That being said, Japan is not a Western country. Over there, one is supposed to moderate their own behavior/individualism heavily for the sake of the society. On the other hand, showbiz is a dream factory, so the audience probably tries to find some escapism there, not just other people stuck in the same grind as they are. Who knows.

Have you ever seen child actors from Hollywood? They all talk and behave like little adults, it's the most unlikeable, creepy shit ever.

Well, damn. I wouldn't have thought that's possible. I might say I'm glad I haven't seen such interviews with RL Hollywood child actors, then. In general, it doesn't really seem like the IQ of Hollywood actors would have been increasing of late, due to Hollywood caring more about political correctness and wokeness than the education of actors, but I suppose no matter the time, if you enter that world as a child, you need to be head and shoulders above your peers in certain ways. At least Epstein isn't there anymore to make them "mature" too fast in all the wrong ways.

[MFauli]

Aqua's entire existence is a red flag, he absolute needs someone who support his mission, not someone who tries to talk him out of it. Aqua already lived a life, he doesn't need another happy one, he needs to avenge Ai-chan. When you have such a clear mission, you need a "red flag girl", not a home girl.

@Kraco: It's naive to assume that there's no more sex shenanigans going on in Hollywood just because one guy is gone.

[DarthEnderX]

Aqua's entire existence is a red flag, he absolute needs someone who support his mission, not someone who tries to talk him out of it. Aqua already lived a life, he doesn't need another happy one, he needs to avenge Ai-chan. When you have such a clear mission, you need a "red flag girl", not a home girl.

Lol, he doesn't need that. YOU need that. Because you're only entertained when the worst shit happens.

[Kraco]

Aqua's entire existence is a red flag, he absolute needs someone who support his mission, not someone who tries to talk him out of it. Aqua already lived a life, he doesn't need another happy one, he needs to avenge Ai-chan. When you have such a clear mission, you need a "red flag girl", not a home girl.

He died rather young and without a family of his own, if memory serves. He didn't really live his life to the fullest last time through. It's pointless to live for the sake of the dead, anyway. The dead don't need him anymore. They don't need anything at all. If he can bring the culprit to justice, jolly good, but that shouldn't be his primary goal in life. It only is because of his PTSD. Of course he's still a high school student, family and all that can wait a bit, so technically he has time for hunting criminals. Fortunately he's also doing a whole lot of other things in the meantime, such as helping his sister, Kana, and Akane.

[MFauli]

You guys want to take his reason for living - Akane would support him. And after being successful, she'd still be there as his wife and make him happy.

Kana would sabotage his plans, possibly actively get in his way, causing him misery and frustration. He'd never reach the point where he can truly let go. Even if Kana fully devoted herself to making him happy, Aqua would always have that nagging feel in the back of his head that'd remind him of his failed mission.

There's only one way for Aqua and Akane is the one that's willing to ride with him.

[Kraco]

You guys want to take his reason for living - Akane would support him. And after being successful, she'd still be there as his wife and make him happy.

Kana would sabotage his plans, possibly actively get in his way, causing him misery and frustration. He'd never reach the point where he can truly let go. Even if Kana fully devoted herself to making him happy, Aqua would always have that nagging feel in the back of his head that'd remind him of his failed mission.

There's only one way for Aqua and Akane is the one that's willing to ride with him.

I suppose Aqua might be able to avoid the death sentence after murdering the manipulator behind the scenes, considering the circumstances, but he would still rot in prison for a decade and then be an ex-convict for the rest of his life. That's what Akane is ready to support. You think Aqua would really be happy living such a life? Maybe he would be happier if he lived his life and on the side figured out the culprit, gathered sufficient evidence to convince even the stupid Japanese police, and saw the real culprit rot behind the bars, while Aqua himself was living with a loving family and working a decent job, occasionally supporting his sister, to boot.

[shinta|hikari]

I mean, he could just... not get caught?

[MFauli]

You think Aqua would really be happy living such a life?

Honestly? Yes. He's the kind of character who'd feel pure solace knowing that he got rid of the monster tha caused Ai-chan's misery. He'd spend 10 years in prison like Andy Duffrane in Shawshanks Redemption and continue a happy life. ESPECIALLY if his sister kept building a life on the outside that he can return to. Plus Akane.


Also what shinta said. If the combined intellect of Aqua and Akane cannot come up with a plan that doesn't end with prison time, nobody can.

[DarthEnderX]

You guys want to take his reason for living - Akane would support him. And after being successful, she'd still be there as his wife and make him happy.

Kana would sabotage his plans, possibly actively get in his way, causing him misery and frustration. He'd never reach the point where he can truly let go. Even if Kana fully devoted herself to making him happy, Aqua would always have that nagging feel in the back of his head that'd remind him of his failed mission.

Thank you for constantly reminding me how thankful I am that you and I are separated the internet and an entire ocean. It must be UTTERLY miserable being around you. Your views on how people should be are reprehensible.

Honestly? Yes. He's the kind of character who'd feel pure solace knowing that he got rid of the monster tha caused Ai-chan's misery. He'd spend 10 years in prison like Andy Duffrane in Shawshanks Redemption and continue a happy life.

I don't think you understood that movie very well...

[MFauli]

Thank you for constantly reminding me how thankful I am that you and I are separated the internet and an entire ocean. It must be UTTERLY miserable being around you. Your views on how people should be are reprehensible.

Considering how choleric, aggressive and constantly flinging around insults you are, I agree that about being glad of that separation existing.

I don't think you understood that movie very well...

I don't think you've seen it.

[Ryllharu]

There's only one way for Aqua and Akane is the one that's willing to ride with him.

I mean, there's also the very viable alternative of letting it go and living his best life...ya know...what Ai dreamed for them both as she was dying?

That stuff? Remember it? Obviously not.

Revenge thrillers are fun, but often the lesson to take away from most of them is that success leaves a person hollowed out and not really feeling any better. A life devoted to revenge is one that necessitates ignoring all the better opportunities along the way.

As much as Akane claims to understand (and very creepily be Ai), she doesn't understand that enabling Aqua's revenge is the very opposite of what Ai wanted for her children.

[shinta|hikari]

There is a balance here. Go live your life, but do revenge on the side.

Then don't get caught.

[Kraco]

There is a balance here. Go live your life, but do revenge on the side.

Then don't get caught.

The whole social order concept of developed countries is based on externalised revenge. That is, the law enforcement and the justice system. I still expect that's how it will be handled here. Ruin the man's whole career+reputation and put him behind the bars for years. It would bear no ill consequences for Aqua. He and Ruby would live knowing the man is paying for his crimes, yet Aqua could keep living his own second life, trying to achieve something in life purely for himself (and the living ones he cares about). If he murders someone, even if he doesn't get caught immediately, he would still need to keep living with the knowledge he's a murderer as well, just like the scumbag who stabbed Ai to death, plus he would always be looking over his shoulder, wondering when the police will be catching up with him. If they do, it would likely hurt Ruby as well, labeling her the sister of a murderer. Forget about getting married if you are hiding one of the most serious crimes and have any sense of decency.

[MFauli]

I mean (and I say that as someone who only knows the anime), I don't expect Aqua to actually murder anyone. I'm 99% convinced that whoever "it" is at the end, will be excused by some sort of bs explanation. Like "he couldn't be with Ai, because ....!" or something like that. And Aqua will be like "oh, I understand. That explains it." I hope I'm wrong and we won't get such a boring ending, but eh ...

(to those who read the manga, pls no hints in any direction)

[DarthEnderX]

Disney ending. After the killer is exposed, they'll fall off a building while trying to killing Aqua. Leaving his hands and conscious clean.

[Death BOO Z]

divine retribution in the form of hell fire reigning from the sky.
I'm going with the explanation that Ai was sent by the gods and because she was killed, they want revenge.

[DarthEnderX]

divine retribution in the form of hell fire reigning from the sky.
I'm going with the explanation that Ai was sent by the gods and because she was killed, they want revenge.

She died for our sins.

[Kraco]

She died for our sins.

I thought she died for our entertainment. Since she was in the entertainment business.

[shinta|hikari]

She lived for our entertainment. She died for nothing.

[MFauli]

Episode 19:

Wow, a tiny glimpse of non-filler. Cool moment at the end and interesting that the producer knew about Ai being their mother, as well as Aqua's revenge plans.