TO PREFACE THIS REVIEW, I WILL BE MENTIONING AND ALLUDING TO THE MANGA BUT NO SPOILERS.
Preamble
Oshi No Ko means a lot to me. This review will be cloaked in my bias that this series has had a profound impact on me. I hate it as well, the choices Aka Akasaka makes in this season and the next are some of the most mind-numbing things I have ever read. The adaptation of this season exacerbates these problems from the manga.
The Good
The production this season from Doga Kobo has been great yet again, maybe not at the creative peaks of season 2 but it retains its technical quality. The opening and ending this season are highlights for sure.
It's always nice to be educated and have fun doing so. The tidbits and deep dives into the entertainment industry are always a treat to watch and this season is no different. It's pretty impressive how well the story intertwines the industry elements and the plot together so cohesively.
In my opinion Oshi No Ko is at its best when it focuses on using the overarching revenge plot to bring its incredible character writing into the forefront. This season does plenty of that, with episode 11 being a standout with some major series long setups being finally paid off. This season takes Ruby as a more pivotal player in the plot with her taking up the mantle of revenge. This revenge takes a deep toll on her resulting in her complete breakdown. Ruby's breakdown was built up throughout the entire season, even arguably a bit in season 2 as well. She is finally seeing the entertainment world for how corrupt it truly is. Yet Ruby doesn't attempt to challenge it at all; she manipulates it to her whim, a very uncharacteristic and Aqua thing to do. She forces the whole cosplay incident, she manipulates Shun Yoshizumi (poor soul, hope he's doing better at Strawberry Pro) into becoming her manager. Then the resentment of Aqua for revealing that they are Ai's children to the world is so so compelling. She is reaching her melting point and it's easy to tell that she will break soon. As well, the tension of Aqua's every action after the secret has been revealed, how is he going to fix the relationship or is he just going to let it ride. It makes every one of their scenes nail-biting to an extent. The show has some cut aways of Aqua paying extra attention to Ruby, does that mean that he's planning for her to be Ai or something else. What is Aqua scheming? There is just SO MUCH DRAMA, it's lovely. Ruby's breakdown and Aqua's reveal that he was in fact Gorou the entire time hit me like a bundle of bricks, it's a brilliantly directed payoff for the last 3 seasons. Speaking of payoffs, there's Miyako and Ichigo reuniting, another tearjerker. Throughout the show, ever since Miyako took the reins, she's been alluding to being out of her depth or not knowing enough and just trying her best. However, we don't get an overarching and concrete reason until they finally reunite. Her stating that she sees Aqua and Ruby as her kids and wishes that she could see them more but she can't because she has to manage Strawberry Productions recontextualizes a lot of her actions in the past seasons. Her being so hard on Ichigo is a nice touch.
The Bad, and Terrible... and Perhaps Even Worse
They murdered her development so badly. The scandal incident was the perfect time for the series to explore heavier themes and the true "dark side" of the entertainment industry but no, they decide to sidestep all of it. Kana has been taking bigger and bigger risks to pursue her dream of being an actor, how far could it have taken her, what would she do to cover up the scandal. There were so many interesting avenues they could've explored for Kana, but they don't delve into it at all. It feels incredibly cheap for her to be bailed out without an impact on her character, on her psyche. It's said that she recovered from the scandal but how? It's said she acted in a movie, how did the scandal affect her interactions with the movie crew, her fellow actors. Kana also feels far too tied to Aqua, it's fine for her to like Aqua but explore why she does more. It is understandable that she admires him and he helped her out a bit but why him, there are surely others who have as well; what makes Aqua special to her. Really wish it explored who Kana is as a person more.
The breakup scene is so much missed potential, AND JUICY CHARACTER DRAMA. Once her usefulness as a plot device is gone and her skills not needed, he is gone. It's a shame, she was by far my favorite character. They could've explored the yandere side of her, why the fuck is she like that. It is not normal for someone to be willing to murder less than a year into a relationship. Why is she so good at interpreting characters, what are the side effects of method acting to this extent. How about Aqua, how does Aqua actually feel about her. Is she a friend, more than a friend, less than a lover. A girl he can't love, what's going on here. Now would be prime time to explore who they are to each other, show the weight of what Aqua is truly willing to sacrifice for his goals. There is so much potential with her, but they throw it all away. This culminates in her feeling like half of an actual character. She is a super genius actor, but what are her weaknesses, her exceptions in life, there is nothing.
Oh, dear god, what the fuck are they doing. Why are they foreshadowing bad things to happen. Why is Tsukuyomi talking about Aqua regretting the biggest payoff of the show. It's a full-on train wreck; Aqua is acting like fucking Light Yagami when there is actually no need. It's even lamer that they haven't even given the main antagonist any screen time. (HIGHLY IMPORTANT FOR MAKING THE ENDING NOT DOGSHIT LIKE THE MANGA) Give him some more aura idk. Have a little side tangent about how great of an actor he was or something. There is just nothing to bite on really. Make me really hate this antagonist or give me some breadcrumbs to follow, but nope nothing. It's a nice change of pace that they aren't glorifying Aqua's want for revenge this season and instead are taking the (correct) approach of treating it almost like self-harm. It's just deeply uninteresting and uninspired. Then the worst part is that it breaks into the better parts of the story. Akane has been butchered to pieces, Kana doesn't get to fully shine, and Aqua has to be at the front and center of the plot. Despite all of the problems that this season setup/is dealing with, its still a very enjoyable and compelling watch.
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