Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 9 release date, schedule, where to watch

Emotional triggers.

Oshi no Koseason 2 episode 9 is set to heighten the drama surrounding the ongoing Tokyo Blade 2.5D stage play.

With Akane Kurokawa’s powerful performance shaking things up and Kana Arima finding new strength in the spotlight, the competition on stage is becoming even more fierce.

Oshi no Ko main character Aqua Hoshino seen playing Touki in the Tokyo Blade stage play

As tensions rise, the dynamics between the cast are bound to shift, and viewers will be eager to see how Kana and Akane’s evolving roles play out. Meanwhile, Aqua continues his determined journey, still haunted by the shadows of his past.

Next week’s episode will surely deliver more intense moments as the characters face personal and professional challenges that could change everything.

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Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 8 recap

The Tokyo Blade 2.5D stage play continued, with Akane Kurokawa taking the spotlight and Kana Arima accepting her role as a supporting actress.

The star of the show, Taiki Himekawa, questioned why Kana didn’t try to outshine Akane during their big scene. Kana explained that she held back to maintain order in the show. She believed that the performance would fall apart if everyone tried to be the star.

Oshi no Ko main character Kana Arima seen playing Tsurugi in the Tokyo Blade stage play

Taiki then revealed that he doesn’t wear contact lenses while acting. Instead, he interprets his fellow actors’ emotions based on their performances rather than their expressions.

In the play, Taiki’s character Blade finally faced off against Aqua Hoshino’s character, Touki. To counter Taiki’s emotional performance, Aqua deliberately acted without emotion.

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Feeling threatened by Akane’s strong performance, Taiki decided to ad-lib some lines, forcing Kana and Aqua to improvise. This allowed Kana to take center stage, and she seized the opportunity to perform the way she had always wanted. Her performance surprised everyone, including the producer, Masaya Kagurabi, who had believed Kana had already peaked as an actress.

Kana then recalled her childhood, when she first became an actor. Her mother had always dreamed of becoming a celebrity and pushed Kana into the industry to fulfill that dream. Kana’s early success allowed her mother to mingle with the celebrities she admired.

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However, her mother became overly attached to Kana’s fame and began to pressure producers and directors for more roles and screen time. This obsession strained their relationship, especially as her mother became more critical of Kana’s performances. The situation worsened when Kana’s father left, citing her mother’s fixation on Kana’s career.

This turbulent upbringing shaped Kana’s outlook as a child actor. She became difficult to work with, leading to her believing that stepping back and being easygoing was the only way to secure roles. Her confidence was shattered, and she accepted that she was no longer a genius child actor but merely suited for supporting roles.

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Things began to change when she met Aqua, who has been helping her regain her confidence and encouraging her to perform at her best.

Aqua and Akane were amazed by Kana’s ability to shine on stage. One of the play’s pivotal moments came when Arima’s character, Princess Saya, sacrificed herself to save Aqua’s character, Touki. This moment pushed Aqua into the spotlight, but it also triggered his trauma.

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It was revealed that Director Taishi Gtanda knew that Aqua was Ai Hoshino’s son. Aqua, determined to rise in the acting world, is driven by a desire to uncover who was close to his mother before she was murdered.

The trauma Aqua carries from witnessing his mother’s death prevents him from enjoying acting. To him, acting is a painful reminder of his tragic past. Nevertheless, Aqua remains committed to becoming a star, driven by his mission to find his mother’s killer.

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Oshi no Ko season 2 episode 9 release date

Episode 9 airs on Wednesday,June 26, 2025, at 7 a.m. Pacific Time (PT).

The release times and schedule for international viewers vary based on their time zone.

Oshi no Ko main character Akane Kurokawa and Kana Arima seen in season 2 episode 5 of the anime

Where to watch Oshi no Ko season 2

Oshi no Ko season 2 is available on the following platforms:

Availability may differ depending on your region.

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