OSHINOKO (2024 - 2024)

Teenagers Aqua and Ruby attend a performing arts high school where they're reunited with "former child acting prodigy" Kana Arima. Aqua joins Kana in a TV drama to search for clues to Ai's murder. Meanwhile, Ruby's idol aspirations fail as Aqua subverts her auditions out of fear for her safety. But Ruby vows to be an idol just like her mom.

Aqua goes on a romance reality show to probe its producer Kaburagi for info about Ai. When an on-set incident causes a co-star, Akane Kurokawa, to be hazed by the public, Aqua grows furious with the showrunners for allowing the controversy to rage, and quells the flames by revealing the true nature of the "reality show."

Ruby, Mem-cho and Kana prepare for their official idol unit debut and decide on the unit name B-Komachi, reviving the name of Ai's group. Thanks to Mem-cho's connections as an online influencer, B-Komachi earns a slot to perform at the Japan Idol Fest, their biggest chance at a breakout yet.

The TV version of hit comic Tokyo Blade snags when its author, Abiko Samejima, insists on rewriting the script. Aqua's PTSD is triggered when emoting on set as the director demands. B-Komachi performs at the Japan Idol Fest where Mem-cho and Ruby sparkle, but Kana feels left out until she sees a fan waving a white lightstick: her color.

After Aqua's collapse, Akane deduces that Aqua and Ruby's real mother must be Ai, and surmises Aqua’s purpose. Tokyo Blade ratings plummet until Abiko finally collaborates with the producer and teleplay writer, Goa. Aqua continues to collect DNA samples from actors he meets until he discovers a certain key person to be his half-brother.

Aqua finds his half-brother in the "Lala Lai Theatrical Company," but learns his father is dead. Freed from his vendetta, Aqua muses over living his own life. B-Komachi films a music video on location, which happens to be near Aqua and Ruby’s birthplace. Ruby stumbles upon the body of the gentle doctor Goro she was enamored with in her past life.

Ruby is determined to find Ai and Goro’s killer as B-Komachi poises for a breakout. Aqua finds former Ichigo Production president, missing since Ai's death, and learns his own father may actually be alive. Kana is embroiled in a potentially scandalous tabloid article, which compels Aqua to trade its publication for scoop information of his own.