Aqua's Strategic Plan Revealed in Oshi no Ko Chapter 130: Mem-Cho Becomes a Key Pawn

In Oshi no Ko chapter 130, fans witnessed Mem-Cho navigating her unfamiliar work environment. Despite her prior experience in the entertainment industry, acting presented a new set of challenges. Nevertheless, she persists, determined to keep moving forward.

In the previous chapter, the filming of the movie "15-Year Lie" commenced. Kana, Akane, and Mem-Cho all delivered flawless performances in their initial takes. However, Ruby encountered a setback when Director Taishi Gotanda had her redo the opening shot a staggering 13 times. It was later revealed that the director intentionally provoked Ruby to evoke Ai's emotions with utmost accuracy after she delivered a perfect shot.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Oshi no Ko manga.

Oshi no Ko chapter 130: Mem-Cho inspects her new work

Doga Kobo's anime depiction of Mem-Cho is shown in the image.

Chapter 130 of Oshi no Ko, titled Basic Tactic, began with Mem-Cho making a long-awaited return to live streaming. As soon as she started the stream, she excitedly revealed to her fans that she had landed a role in a movie. She confidently declared that she had moved on to better opportunities, leaving her fans behind. While some fans felt proud of her accomplishments and others felt intimidated by her success, there was a small group of fans who believed that Mem-Cho was actually frightened.

The manga chapter centered on Mem-Cho's introspection, unveiling the myriad challenges she had encountered, spanning from her departure from high school to her rise as an idol. Throughout her journey, she had consistently refused to retreat, always forging ahead.

Mem-Cho as depicted in Oshi no Ko chapter 130 (Image via Shueisha)

However, the acting industry appeared distinct to her due to its highly critical nature. A makeup artist suggested that Mem-Cho should learn from Akane, as individuals like her were favored by Kaburagi Masaya. Kana Arima added that production companies always preferred individuals who were easy to collaborate with. Considering the financial costs associated with each shot, any errors were typically left uncorrected unless absolutely necessary.

Furthermore, the atmosphere on the film set did not aid Mem-Cho in any way, as everyone had high expectations and scrutinized her every move. Nonetheless, Mem-Cho remained unfazed, drawing confidence from her previous experience performing on stage in front of large audiences.

In Oshi no Ko chapter 130 (Image via Shueisha), we see Mem-Cho in action.

Shortly after, the focus of the manga shifts to the encounter between Mem-Cho and Aqua. Despite not having any shots for the day, Aqua made it a point to check for any potential issues. Mem-Cho couldn't help but question Aqua about the underlying motive behind his determination to make the film. While she understood Aqua's desire to condemn his father, she also sensed a personal connection to his pursuit.

Aqua expressed that her current state of mind was solely attributed to the support she had received from professionals like the director, Abiko-sensei, and Kichijoji-sensei. Mem-Cho was taken aback upon discovering the extent of Aqua's assistance. However, as he revealed, the two mangaka were more than eager to lend a helping hand. In light of Aqua's mission, he was prepared to utilize anyone who could contribute.

Aqua Hoshino as depicted in Chapter 130 of Oshi no Ko (Image courtesy of Shueisha)

Right after that, Mem-Cho questioned Aqua if he was also taking advantage of her. In response, Aqua admitted that he was maximizing his benefit from their relationship.

In a subsequent section, Aqua Hoshino was shown viewing a DVD that Ai had specially recorded for the twins' 15th birthday. The video clearly revealed that Ai had confided in Aqua about his father's secret. After watching it, Aqua reaffirmed his aspirations.

Final thoughts on Oshi no Ko chapter 130

Regrettably, it appears that the mangaka has no intention of disclosing this information until much later in the series. Adding to the disappointment for fans, the manga will also be taking a break next week.