Dating Reality Show「恋愛リアリティショー, Ren'ai Riariti Shō?」 is the third arc of Oshi no Ko manga series. It span the entire third volume and first two chapters of the fourth volume of Oshi no Ko, and tells the story of Aqua entering the reality TV show "We're About to Fall in Love for Real" (also known as "LoveforReal") in order to gain information regarding Ai from the producer Masaya Kaburagi.
Summary[]
To learn more about his mother's past from producer Masaya Kaburagi, Aqua agrees to join the cast of the reality dating show LoveforReal, alongside fashion model Yuki Sumi, actress Akane Kurokawa, dancer Nobuyuki Kumano, YouTuber Mem-Cho, and musician Kengo Morimoto. Meanwhile, Ruby and Kana are unsure about their idol group's next step when Miyako comes up with an idea: a collaboration with Ichigo Pro-affiliated YouTuber Pieyon.[1]
As the show progresses, it develops into a story about a love triangle between Yuki, Nobuyuki, and Kengo. However, while Aqua and Mem-Cho peacefully fade into the background, Akane becomes desperate to leave her mark after her manager gets blamed for her lack of exposure. Following advice from the show's director, she tries to take up the role of a rival to Yuki for Noboyuki's affection. However, this leads to an incident on-camera where Akane ends up accidentally scratching Yuki's face. While the girls quickly reconcile, this does not make it into the final cut, causing Akane to become the target of the audience's wrath online after the episode airs.[2]
In an attempt to stop the harassment, Akane gives out a statement, but this only intensifies it. Realizing that this incident might haunt her for the rest of her career, Akane falls into despair as the harassment evolves into incendiary articles. This ultimately culminates in her going out to get food when a typhoon hits, prompting her to try to jump off a bridge. Fortunately, Aqua happened to be in the area and stops her before they are taken to the police station by a patrolling officer, where Akane finally vents her emotions and is then comforted by her family and castmates.[3]
In the aftermath, Akane opts to stay with the show after being given the option to retire, though she takes some time off. Meanwhile, disgusted by the online vitriol and the LoveForReal staff exacerbating the situation, Aqua leaks the suicide attempt to the media. In an attempt to sway people's opinions on Akane, Aqua goes on to create an online video with his fellow cast members about their perspectives on her, even managing shame the show's director into letting them use the unused footage where Yuki and Akane make up. In the end, the video goes viral, quelling the harassment Akane received.[4]
As Akane announces that she is ready to return to the show, Mem-Cho advises her to create a persona to avoid scandalous situations in the future. Thankful to Aqua far saving her, Akane decides to become his ideal girl, someone like Ai. After thoroughly researching the idol, Akane surprises everyone with her performance upon returning to the set, including Aqua. Noticing how different Aqua acts toward Akane in her Ai persona, Yuki and Mem-Cho push her to pursue him. Meanwhile, Kana becomes increasingly frustrated by the developments between Aqua and Akane as she watches the show. Realizing that Akane might be useful to him, Aqua decides to play role of her boyfriend for the show, which culminates in them kissing in the final episode, while Kana watches in despair.[5]
With filming concluded, the cast celebrate in a wrap up party where Aqua approaches Kaburagi about their deal. Praising the boy for elevating the show's popularity, the producer sets up a later meeting to talk about Ai. Aqua and Akane then discuss their relationship and they agree to be a work couple, as he is interested in her as an actress, not a girl. After the party, Aqua and Mem-Cho converse while walking home in the same direction, during which she brings up her childhood dream to be an idol, prompting Aqua to invite her to join her sister's group. Mem-Cho accepts and, following a short interview with Miyako during which she confesses that she has been lying about her age but is accepted by Ruby and Kana regardless, their idol group, the reborn B-Komachi, is officially formed.[6]
Characters Introduced[]
References[]
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| Prologue: Childhood • Show Business • Dating Reality Show • The First Concert • 2.5D Stage Play Private • Mainstay • Scandal • Movie • The End of the Play • Toward the Stars and Dreams | |