7 Oshi no Ko Characters Who Deserved Better Endings

This article contains spoilers for the Oshi no Ko manga series.

I’m absolutely blown away by Oshi no Ko! It’s easily one of the best seinen anime I’ve seen in ages. It really pulls back the curtain on the idol world and the entertainment industry as a whole, showing you what it’s really like through the eyes of Ruby and Aqua Hoshino. Honestly, it starts looking like a typical idol story, but don’t let that fool you – it quickly dives into some seriously dark and complicated territory. It’s so much more than meets the eye!

I’ve been following the Oshi no Ko anime as it airs, but the manga it’s based on actually finished back in November 2024, after 16 volumes. Aka Akasaka wrote it, with art by Mengo Yokoyari. Honestly, the ending is still a big topic of discussion among fans – a lot of people feel the characters deserved a more satisfying conclusion.

Aqua Hoshino

Image via studio Doga Kobo.

Given everything Aqua Hoshino went through to avenge his mother, fans might have expected a satisfying resolution to his journey. He reluctantly became an actor and then skillfully managed his career, even manipulating others, all to uncover the truth about his mother’s murder.

Aqua successfully fulfilled his promise to Ai and safeguarded Ruby, but at a great cost. He sacrificed his own chance at a future filled with happiness and a fresh start. Instead of pursuing a relationship with Kana Arima and becoming a doctor, he died while finally resolving the cycle of revenge that had consumed his life.

Kana Arima

By the end of Oshi no Ko, Kana Arima was filled with regrets, particularly concerning her complicated feelings for Aqua Hoshino. From a young age, Kana greatly admired Aqua’s talent as an actor, believing he was far more gifted than herself. Over time, this admiration grew into romantic feelings, as Kana came to realize her respect for him went beyond just a professional level.

Kana and Aqua didn’t end up together. Aqua made the ultimate sacrifice to complete his revenge, and never had the chance to hear Kana’s feelings for him. While they were meant to be a couple, that future was taken from them, leaving Kana heartbroken and alone with her unexpressed emotions.

Ai Hoshino

Image via studio Doga Kobo.

Ai Hoshino spent her whole life searching for the meaning of love, as she hadn’t experienced it fully herself. Abandoned by her mother and even after becoming famous, she longed to both give and receive love. She finally got a taste of true, unconditional love when her twin babies were born.

Ai constantly worried that her love for her children wasn’t real or strong enough. Tragically, she didn’t get the opportunity to truly show them how much she cared, as Ryosuke Sugano killed her, setting her children on a path of vengeance. If she had lived, Aqua and Ruby might have remembered her love in a much more positive light.

Hikaru Kamiki

The central conflicts in Oshi no Ko largely stem from Hikaru Kamiki, who is revealed to be Ruby and Aqua’s father. As the head of Kamiki Productions, he financed the film about Ai’s life directed by Kaburagi and Gotanda. However, Kamiki was secretly manipulative and driven by self-interest, leveraging his power in the entertainment industry to elevate Ai to superstardom, even if it meant taking advantage of others due to his obsession with her.

Hikaru Kamiki’s actions stemmed largely from the trauma he endured as a child, caused by Airi Himekawa’s abuse. This experience robbed him of his innocence and created a deep need for control, which he often expressed through manipulation, particularly towards Ai.

It really got to me when Hikaru and his son both died, but honestly, I always thought there was a better way the story could have gone. It would have been heartbreaking, but I think it would have been more impactful if Hikaru had been imprisoned instead of dying – it would have spared Aqua from so much pain, and still felt like a fitting consequence for his actions. A lot of other fans feel the same way, you know?

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Akane Kurokawa

I’m a huge fan of Akane Kurokawa – she’s just incredible! What really gets me is how deeply she loved Aqua, through everything. She wasn’t afraid to do anything for him, even put herself in danger and sacrifice her own life and career to keep him safe. It wasn’t just about being sweet on him, though; she genuinely understood his struggles and the darkness he carried. She accepted him, completely and wholeheartedly, flaws and all, and that’s what makes her love so powerful.

Despite Akane’s unwavering love and dedication to Aqua, she couldn’t prevent the sadness in his life. She stayed with him until the very end, but ultimately lost him again. Though she achieved fame as an actress, it couldn’t replace the love she shared with Aqua. Many fans feel she deserved to find someone who could help her heal and fill the emptiness his loss created.

Ruby Hoshino

Image via Doga Kobo.

Ruby Hoshino looks and acts a lot like her mother. She not only revived B-Komachi’s popularity but also fulfilled her mother Ai’s dream of performing at the Big Dome. Despite having no previous acting experience, Ruby brilliantly played Ai in a movie, perfectly capturing her mother’s spirit.

Even though Ruby achieved success, she experienced heartbreaking loss, and was left with only Miyako and Ichigo – her steadfast protectors throughout much of the story. Having lost loved ones from her previous life as Gorou Amamiya, as well as Ai and Aqua, Ruby felt she was destined to bring tragedy to those around her.

Miyako Saito

Throughout much of Oshi no Ko, Miyako Saito handled all the care for the Hoshino twins while also single-handedly managing Strawberry Productions. She was a remarkably strong and driven woman, but her dedication often came at the expense of her own well-being and relationships.

Even though Miyako and Ichigo eventually teamed up again, Miyako deserves to pursue her own happiness. She gave up a lot to protect the twins, and she went through many difficult times on her own while doing so.

2026-02-24 23:06