Did Aqua Hoshino Die in Oshi no Ko?

Did Aqua Hoshino Die in Oshi no Ko? Find out the fate of the series protagonist, the person responsible for his death, and more.

Did Aqua die in Oshi no Ko? (image via Studio Doga Kobo)

As the protagonist of Aka Akasaka’s Oshi no Ko series, Aqua Hoshino is a fan-favorite character whose demise started getting teased as the manga neared its end. Fans of the character became concerned about Aqua’s fate when he came face-to-face with his father, Hikaru Kamiki.

Unfortunately for Aqua’s fans, he ended up sacrificing himself in chapter 162 of the Oshi no Ko manga, to protect his sister, Ruby Hoshino’s future. This shocking development led to an outrage among fans on social media, who mourned the loss of their beloved character. With that said, let us look at events that led to Aqua’s heartbreaking decision to kill himself, the aftermath of his death, and more.

How Did Aqua Die in Oshi No Ko?

Aqua Hoshino as seen in Oshi no Ko (image via Studio Doga Kobo)

In Oshi no Ko chapter 159, Aqua Hoshi confronted his biological father, Hikaru Kami, about his crimes. Although he used to wonder about how to save Hikaru as per Ai’s wishes, he ultimately decided to kill him once he found out that Hikaru was the one responsible for almost killing Ruby.

Aqua accused Hikaru of manipulating others and getting them to kill on his behalf, an act which Aqua deemed to be worse than murder. While Aqua acknowledged that both he and Hikaru were “ugly beings”, who manipulated and deceived others for their gain, he claimed that Ruby was completely different from them. Therefore, to secure Ruby’s future, he was determined to stab and kill Hikaru.

However, Hikaru pointed out a major flaw in Aqua’s plan. He said that by killing him, Aqua would be tarnishing Ruby’s reputation as the sister of a murderer, which prompted Aqua to reconsider his plan. That said, he was determined to make Hikaru disappear at any cost. As such, Aqua stabbed himself, explaining that he could frame Hikaru for his murder this way, following which he pushed Hikaru along with himself off a cliff.

Plunging into the sea beneath the cliff, both Aqua and Hikaru ended up passing away after a short struggle, from drowning in the cold, freezing waters of the sea.

Who Is Responsible for Aqua’s Death in Oshi No Ko?

Hikaru Kamiki as seen in the anime (image via Studio Doga Kobo)

The person responsible for Aqua Hoshino’s death in Oshi no Ko is Hikaru Kamiki. Although he did not directly end Aqua’s life, Hikaru’s reasoning that Aqua would be tarnishing Ruby’s reputation if he continued on with his plan to kill him, convinced Aqua to sacrifice himself to protect Ruby’s future.

In his initial plan, Aqua had decided to simply kill Hikaru and make him disappear from his and Ruby’s lives. However, upon realizing the obvious flaw in his plan, Aqua made the decision to end both his and Hikaru’s lives without hesitation. With the stab wound he inflicted upon himself, Aqua ensured that Hikaru would be blamed for his death.

In his final moments, as Aqua began regretting his decision after experiencing the unbearable pain of drowning in the mind-numbing coldness of the sea, the thought of being successful in protecting Ruby’s future helped him pass away more peacefully.

The Aftermath of Aqua’s Death in Oshi No Ko

Aqua and Akane as seen in the anime (image via Studio Doga Kobo)

The latter half of Oshi no Ko chapter 164 and the subsequent chapters featured the heartbreaking aftermath of Aqua Hoshino’s demise. A fisherman discovered his body about 20 kilometers away from the scene of the crime. Later, the story of his death spread like wildfire over the news, where it was reported that Aqua had been killed by Hikaru Kamiki. Akane Kurokawa knew that Aqua had killed Hikaru and himself, but she felt devastated for not being able to help Aqua live.

The following chapters saw Aqua’s sister Ruby Hoshino, Kana Arima, Mem-Cho, and the others grieving his loss. However, they eventually managed to pick themselves up and move on with their daily lives and careers. As for Ruby, she became even more popular after her brother’s death, as she captured the hearts of many with her heartfelt songs.

Did Aqua Need To Die in Oshi No Ko?

Aqua as seen in the anime (image via Studio Doga Kobo)

Whether Aqua needed to die or not in Oshi no Ko isn’t a question that can be answered easily. Given his sheer popularity, many would prefer a happy ending for his character. However, with his passing, Aqua was not only able to secure his sister’s future, but he also managed to get his revenge on his mother’s killer.

What’s more, Aqua was glad to get the opportunity of passing away before Ruby in this life. Therefore, Aqua’s death was an undeniably meaningful yet heartbreaking end for his character. While he certainly deserved to get a happy ending after everything that he has been through so far, his death was ultimately necessary in ensuring that Ruby gets to live out her dreams in this life.

Conclusion

Aqua and Ruby as seen in the anime (image via Studio Doga Kobo)

Aqua Hoshino’s shocking demise was undeniably a tragic end to Aka Akasaka’s Oshi no Ko series. While many fans may still not agree with the decision to kill Aqua off in the series’ finale, it did bring his character arc full circle. He was not only successful in getting his revenge for his mother’s death, but he was also able to secure a bright future for his sister, Ruby Hoshino.


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