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Discover why Ruby Hoshino is the deuteragonist of Oshi no Ko, her pivotal role, her influence on the plot, and more.
Aka Akasaka’s Oshi no Ko series offers a beautiful yet haunting depiction of the entertainment industry. The narrative follows Aqua Hoshino, who joins the entertainment industry alongside his sister, Ruby Hoshino, with one goal in mind—to get revenge on his mother, Ai Hoshino’s killer.
However, with the spotlight of the story primarily being on Aqua, one question often arises among fans—Does Oshi no Ko have a deuteragonist? While other significant characters like Akane Kurokawa and Kana Arima play pivotal roles and shine in the story, the title of Oshi no Ko‘s deuteragonist goes to Aqua’s sister, Ruby Hoshino.
Why Ruby Is the Deuteragonist of Oshi no Ko
The term “deuteragonist” refers to the second-most important character in a story. A deuteragonist’s arc runs parallel to the protagonist, which also significantly impacts the narrative. Looking back on the series, Ruby Hoshino’s character fits this description perfectly.
To begin with, Ruby’s presence in the story complements Aqua’s revenge-driven journey. On one hand, Aqua’s character embodies darkness and a thirst for vengeance upon witnessing his mother, Ai Hoshino’s murder.
Additionally, Ruby’s character embodies ambition, hope, and a dream of becoming an idol, which she carried on from her previous life. Ruby’s character and goals often contrast with Aqua’s, a dynamic the series established right at the beginning.
Although the two did end up joining the entertainment industry, their motivations behind doing so are vastly different. For Aqua, it was due to his quest for revenge, whereas for Ruby, it was because of her mother’s dying words. This duality positions Ruby as more than just a supporting character—she is the yin to Aqua’s yang, making her the true deuteragonist of Oshi no Ko.
Ruby’s Role in Oshi no Ko
Ruby Hoshino’s character is integral to the plot and overall narrative of Oshi no Ko. In her previous life, she was Sarina Tendouji, a terminally ill girl and a die-hard fan of the popular idol, Ai Hoshino. Although her dying wish was to become an idol, she got the opportunity to do so when she reincarnated as Ai Hoshino’s daughter, Ruby Hoshino.
However, an obsessed fan arrived at Ai’s doorstep one day, following which he stabbed and killed her. As she died with Aqua in her arms, Ai wished she could have lived to see Ruby become an idol one day. This motivated Ruby to fulfill her mother’s dying wish by becoming an idol, despite witnessing the dark side of the entertainment industry firsthand.
From thereon, the Hoshino twins followed different paths—Aqua pursued the truth behind Ai’s murder, and Ruby focused on building a career in the entertainment industry due to her admiration for Ai. Her journey as an aspiring idol often mirrored Ai’s rise to fame.
In fact, it was through her that the manga explored the appeal and dangers of the entertainment world. Despite facing multiple challenges along the way, Ruby was determined to fulfill her dreams and become a successful idol to honor her mother’s legacy.
Ruby’s Influence on the Protagonist and the Plot
Ruby’s influence on the protagonist of Oshi no Ko, i.e. her brother Aqua Hoshino, is profound. She becomes Aqua’s emotional anchor, as her brother was filled with regret over her death in their previous lives. In their reincarnated lives, Aqua is determined to protect Ruby from the dangers of the entertainment industry that led to Ai’s death. In fact, Aqua sacrificed himself in the finale of the Oshi no Ko manga to secure Ruby’s future by killing Hikaru Kamiki, who had tried killing Ruby in the same way he had killed their mother.
Ruby’s character arc and fulfilling her dream of becoming a successful idol like Ai had a significant impact on the narrative as well. Her importance to the story’s direction cannot be denied, especially since Ruby’s journey as an idol beloved by many often mirrored Ai’s character arc and her overall success in the entertainment industry.
Why Akane Kurokawa and Kana Arima Cannot Be Considered Deuteragonists
Akane Kurokawa and Kana Arima are both pivotal characters who have undeniable importance in the story. However, both characters fall short of the narrative prominence and emotional depth that is typically required of a deuteragonist, which fits Ruby’s character perfectly.
Both Akane and Kana play a pivotal role in Aqua’s life as romantic interests. Akane in particular deeply understood Aqua and was even willing to kill for him. However, her involvement in the narrative primarily revolves around Aqua’s quest for revenge and does not parallel his journey independently, unlike Ruby.
On the other hand, Kana serves as a strong supporting character in Ruby’s journey as an idol. Her character does not particularly influence the overarching narrative, as her role in the story is mostly confined to her relationships with Aqua and Ruby Hoshino. Therefore, we can consider neither Akane nor Kana as Oshi no Ko‘s deuteragonists.
Conclusion
We can thereby conclude that the title of Oshi no Ko‘s deuteragonist belongs solely to Ruby Hoshino. The title fits her character perfectly, as her story arc not only parallels Aqua’s but also shapes the narrative in a prominent way. Moreover, her presence ensures that the series remains a story of both light and darkness.
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