《Oshi no Ko》 Ending Revealed: Who Does Aqua End Up With? Where His Heart Lies Sparks Fan Discussions

In the super popular manga and anime "Oshi no Ko," the romantic fate of the male protagonist, Hoshino Aqua (real name Hoshino Aku Aiumi), has always been a hotly debated topic among fans. Caught between Arima Kana, the "genius child actress" representing light, and Kurokawa Akane, the "prodigy actress" who understands his darkness, Aqua's final choice has captivated countless readers. As the manga reached its final conclusion, while there is no traditional definitive answer to the question "Who does Aqua end up with?", author Aka Akasaka provided a highly symbolic answer through the story's progression.

A Companion on the Path of Revenge: Kurokawa Akane

Kurokawa Akane is the first character in the story to fully grasp the darkness in Aqua's heart and his plan for revenge. With her astonishing profiling abilities, she not only imitated Hoshino Ai but also deeply understood Aqua's pain. The two briefly became lovers, a relationship built on the foundation of being "accomplices," with Akane willing to taint herself with darkness to help Aqua complete his revenge.

However, precisely because this relationship was so tightly bound to revenge, when Aqua resolved to walk the path of destruction alone, their paths were destined to diverge. In the later parts of the manga, Akane realized she could not stop Aqua and ultimately chose to let go. After their breakup, she encouraged Arima Kana to confess her feelings to Aqua, hoping that a new bond could save him. After Aqua's death, she visited the scene of the incident to offer flowers in mourning. This deep affection is touching but also symbolizes the end of their relationship.

The Light Illuminating the Dark World: Arima Kana

In contrast to Kurokawa Akane, Arima Kana almost always represents sunshine, talent, and the pure passion within the entertainment industry in the story. Her interactions with Aqua are often filled with tsundere-style banter and everyday warmth, providing Aqua, who is mired in revenge, with moments of respite. For Aqua, Kana symbolizes the "normal life" he yearns for, free from lies and revenge.

The manga's ending is highly suggestive. After Aqua perishes together with his biological father, Kamiki Hikaru, to protect his sister Ruby, the story does not simply end. In the final chapter's conclusion, the timeline fast-forwards several years. Ruby, now a legendary idol, is preparing to take the stage, and behind her are glimpses into the lives of the other characters. Among them, Arima Kana, who has left her idol career behind and returned to acting, is performing in a play. In the audience, a figure resembling Aqua appears, holding a glow stick and cheering her on. This scene is widely interpreted by readers as implying that Aqua may not have truly died but instead chose to live under a new identity, silently watching over Arima Kana, whom he chose as the symbol of light, becoming her true "oshi" (fan).

The Final Answer: An Ending Without a Lover

In summary, in the manga's ending, Aqua is not explicitly together with anyone. His life concludes with a tragic act of revenge, perishing together with Kamiki Hikaru. However, regarding the ultimate destination of his affections, various clues in the story point towards Arima Kana.

• Relationship with Kurokawa Akane: Built on revenge, it also ended with the conclusion of the revenge. Akane was an accomplice who understood his darkness but was not the future he yearned for.
• Feelings for Arima Kana: Represented the longing for light deep within Aqua's heart. Even after his planned death, the narrative's final focus returns to Kana, hinting at her special place in his heart.

This ending sparked significant controversy, with many fans finding it hard to accept Aqua's death, feeling the arrangement was too heavy. However, from the perspective of character development, Aqua's journey from a puppet driven by revenge to finally choosing to protect his sister's future and entrusting his feelings to Arima Kana, who symbolizes hope, might be the unique form of "redemption" the author intended to convey. He did not attain traditional happiness, but at the end of his life, he chose the person he truly wanted to "oshi" (support).

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