The Enigmatic Akane: Unveiling the Secrets of Oshi no Ko

Akane, a character introduced in episode 5 and chapter 21 of the manga, adds a sense of curiosity to the story. As Aqua starts his journey on the reality dating show, My Love With A Star Begins Now, he encounters a diverse group of individuals from different entertainment backgrounds.

Akane stands out among the cast members as being shy and reserved, in contrast to the majority who are outgoing and have a prominent role. Despite her extensive experience, Akane takes on a more subdued role during the production of the show.

Motivation and Drive

Akane's love for acting and the entertainment industry is evident in episode 6, where we catch a glimpse of her as a child. Despite facing criticism from her peers, Akane remained unwavering in her determination, thanks to the unwavering support of her family and her passion. However, Love Now presented a challenge for her as the characters were required to improvise using elements of their true personalities, demanding her to stand out. Consequently, her manager faced criticism for Akane's underperformance.

Not wanting to disappoint him, she unleashed her emotions during a scene, accidentally injuring one of her co-stars. This incident would later have severe consequences, as Aqua warned her that "the internet never forgets." In response to the relentless harassment, cyberbullying, and online cancellation, she reached a breaking point and attempted to take her own life, only to be saved by Aqua. It was at this moment that she realized the depth of her friends' love and support, inspiring her to approach the show with renewed determination and unwavering faith in her dreams. As Love Now approached its conclusion, Akane and Aqua made a bold decision to publicly embrace their relationship, understanding the need to maintain this façade for the sake of their professional careers.

Intellect

Akane's keen observation skills and ability to read people are evident as she delves into her research on Ai. She astutely deduces, based on the Idol's mannerisms, that Ai lacks an educational background, maintains a practiced persona, and may have a secret child. Despite her shyness, Akane proves to be a highly capable detective when left to her own devices. She employs these skills once again to locate Aqua and Ruby's father through a systematic process of elimination. Leveraging her expertise in acting, Akane is able to identify the father by noting the striking similarities in his acting style to Ai's, namely Hikaru Kamiki. Considering the timeline and the fact that Hikaru began acting prior to Ai, it is plausible that she acquired her skills from him. Furthermore, the resemblance between Hikaru and both Aqua and Ruby further strengthens Akane's theory.

Akane's detective skills extend beyond the virtual realm. Just before deciding to uncover Aqua's true father, Aqua confides in her about his abandoned revenge plan. He explains that his "father," who turned out to be someone else entirely, is now deceased. However, Akane detects numerous inconsistencies in Aqua's story, leading her to deduce that he is unconsciously letting go of his desire for vengeance. This conclusion aligns with Aqua's typically logical nature, as he would typically be quick to notice any discrepancies.

Finding Compassion

Initially shy, Akane gradually became more outspoken and confident under the influence of Aqua and the support of her friends. This newfound confidence ultimately drives her recent decision to prevent Aqua from succumbing to self-destruction as he chooses to embark on the path of revenge once again.