Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5 review: Doga Kobo elevates Kana and Akane’s rivalry with alluring art direction

With the recent release of Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5, the anime is now heading towards the opening of the highly anticipated Tokyo Blade Stage Play. Although viewers were already aware of some of the conflicts that would be addressed in the upcoming episodes, the latest episode provided a more detailed glimpse into what they can expect in the future.

Despite fans being aware of Kana Arima and Akane Kurokawa’s rivalry for a considerable amount of time, the anime took its time to finally showcase the highly anticipated showdown between the two actors on stage.

In the latest episode, Doga Kobo emphasized the rivalry by utilizing distinctive backgrounds and original anime snippets in their art direction. These artistic choices effectively heightened the intensity of the emotions between the two actors.

Oshi no Ko Season 2 Episode 5 Review: Doga Kobo Builds Up Tokyo Blade Stage Play Opening

Aqua and Akane as seen in Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5 (Image via Doga Kobo)

Despite focusing on the development of Kana Arima and Akane Kurokawa’s rivalry leading up to the opening of Tokyo Blade Stage Play, Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5 also featured several intense moments.

Initially, the episode showcased Aqua Hoshino’s revelation of his motive for acting. He aimed to eliminate the person reigning at the pinnacle of the entertainment industry. Although this ambition may have been shocking to most, Akane immediately showed her support for Aqua’s mission. However, what made this moment even more impactful was the way in which Doga Kobo depicted the transformation in Akane’s eyes. Instead of her usual starry gaze, her eyes turned lifeless upon learning of Aqua’s objective.

Minami and Ruby as seen in Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5 (Image via Doga Kobo)

In a similar manner, the art direction was also noticeable when Ruby and Minami joined Aqua at the rehearsals. The different scenes involving Ruby and Minami were accompanied by unique backgrounds that reflected their respective emotions. The playful background used for Ruby conveyed her mischievousness, while the heartfelt background used for Minami conveyed her shyness. Furthermore, just like Akane’s eye change, Ruby Hoshino’s eyes also underwent a transformation in this scene.

In regards to Minami, Doga Kobo made sure to accurately depict her interaction with Kamoshida. In the manga, Kamoshida was shown asking for Minami’s LINE contact from a distance. However, in the anime adaptation, the stage actor was shown getting closer to Minami. This clarifies why the model felt pressured to add him on LINE.

Kamoshida and Minami as seen in Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5 (Image via Doga Kobo)

Immediately after, Melt Narushima approached Kamoshida to inform him that Director Kindaichi was searching for him. Kamoshida then went to confirm the situation. However, in the manga, it appeared that Kamoshida was already aware of Melt’s deception and simply pretended to believe it in order to avoid causing a disturbance in front of Minami. This was likely because, as Melt had previously revealed, the rehearsals had ended a long time ago. As a result, it is uncertain whether this difference was intentional by Doga Kobo or simply a misinterpretation.

After that, the anime heavily emphasized the rivalry between Kana Arima and Akane Kurokawa. The initial sequence highlighting this was when Kana playfully teased Akane for being a fan of hers in the past. Viewers were particularly impressed with the performance of Megumi Han, the voice actor for Kana, as she expertly portrayed Kana’s mix of immaturity and sarcasm through her voice.

The artworks and backgrounds were also elevated, effectively capturing Kana’s clever and smug moment.

Kana Arima as seen in Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5 (Image via Doga Kobo)

The anime then proceeded to showcase some impressive shots of Akane and Kana, effectively portraying their intense rivalry through their rehearsals and their respective characters, Saya Hime and Tsurugi. This particular scene was elevated by the depiction of Tsurugi and Saya Hime’s intense preparations for their upcoming battle.

Prior to its conclusion, the anime episode also made sure to highlight Aqua Hoshino’s struggle with controlling his emotions due to his PTSD. Once again, the anime went beyond the source material in portraying Aqua’s internal turmoil as he grapples with Gorou Amamiya.

Reflections on Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5

Aqua Hoshino as seen in Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5 (Image via Doga Kobo)

Without a doubt, Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 5 stands out as one of the finest episodes in the anime’s second season. Doga Kobo flawlessly captured the essence of the source material, and their own artistic flair elevated the scenes to new heights. As the next episode will showcase the highly anticipated Tokyo Blade Stage Play, it couldn’t have been a more perfect choice to set the stage.