Unveiling the Heart-Wrenching Tragedy: Oshi no Ko's Twist Amplified by Ruby's Extraordinary Life
Unveiling Ruby's heart-wrenching past in Oshi no Ko intensifies the tragedy of Ai's demise, elevating the narrative to new emotional depths
Warning! Spoilers ahead for Oshi no Ko #120! The shocking and heartbreaking twist in the first episode of Oshi no Ko has become even more poignant as the manga delves into Ruby's past and reveals her original life. Created by Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari, the manga follows two fans who are reborn as the children of their beloved idol, Ai, only to witness her brutal murder. This twist in itself is tragic, but the recent chapters of the manga have further intensified the sadness by delving into a flashback of one of the children's previous life.
In chapter #120, artfully translated by Felicia Sumali, Ruby reflects on her past life as Sarina. She recalls her mother's lack of interest and care towards her, despite her serious illness. Ruby's perception of her mother's indifference is confirmed when Aqua encounters Tendouji in the present day and realizes that she still does not care for the child she lost. This stark comparison highlights the fact that Ai, despite her tragic fate, was a far better mother to Ruby than her original mother ever was. This realization adds an extra layer of tragedy to Ai's brutal murder.
Ruby's Backstory Makes Ai's Death in Oshi no Ko More Tragic
The backstory sheds new light on Ruby's unwavering dedication to Ai, proving that Oshi no Ko's use of reincarnation is not just a mere gimmick. In her previous life as Sarina, Ruby was the one responsible for turning the doctor who would eventually become Aqua into a devoted fan of Ai. Even as a child, Ruby exhibited a level of devotion to Ai that bordered on obsession. Prior to Ai's demise, Ruby also shared some intimate moments with her new mother, learning to dance together—a bond she never experienced with her biological mother. All of these details lend even more weight to Ai's death for Ruby and are likely to significantly influence her portrayal of her new mother's murder in Aqua's upcoming movie.
Although some fans may criticize the timing of this flashback, these newfound revelations are perfectly placed. Currently, Ruby is preparing to depict her mother's life in a biopic about Ai, and in order to fully understand Ai's perspective, she must delve into her own memories. Ai apparently had a strained relationship with her own mother, a facet of her character that Ruby is struggling to grasp. By recalling her own biological mother, Ruby can better portray this aspect of Ai's life. Moreover, from a meta-perspective, Oshi no Ko is offering readers a fresh perspective on Ai's murder, while its characters are reshaping the narrative of her death within their own world—an elegant display of symmetry.
Oshi no Ko is Using Ruby's Backstory To Deepen the Present Story
Considering Ruby's troubled past, it is anticipated that her encounter with her biological mother in person would not end well. However, given that Ruby's birth mother is involved in the movie production, it is highly likely that the two will eventually come face to face. Strangely enough, this unexpected meeting might actually be advantageous for Ruby's character development, reigniting the deep-rooted animosity she harbors towards her mother. Nevertheless, it is certain to inflict emotional turmoil upon her. Thus, by unveiling Ruby's true origins, Oshi no Ko manages to render Ai's demise even more heart-wrenching while simultaneously setting the stage for further tragic events in the future.
Read Oshi no Ko Chapter #120 on Manga Plus.
