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Kana Arima's relatability and growth make her one of Oshi no Ko's best-written characters.

Oshi no Ko is one of the highest-rated anime of 2023. Even though there are several anime titles that deal with the idol theme, something about Oshi no Ko hits deeper. Firstly, the audience never saw the dark twist coming in the first episode, as Ai's death set the path of the show's future entertainers in motion. However, every Oshi no Ko character is a complex blend of past trauma, talent, and hope for a shining future. And nobody knows these things better than the former genius child star Kana Arima. When Kana debuted as a child actress in the show, the audience probably never imagined her taking center stage in the upcoming episodes.

Even though it's mostly Aqua and Ruby's story, Kana Arima takes points for the best character development. It's safe to say that she is the best-written character in Oshi no Ko, and her transition in each episode has been phenomenal, especially as a washed-up actor. Kana deserves all the applause for being one of the best representations of a struggling actor.

Kana Arima Accepts Her Failure

It's a common notion that entertainers are less likely to come to terms with their declining popularity. They either lose their character in attempts to stay relevant or simply turn bitter. In Kana Arima's case, she wholeheartedly accepted her defeat of not making it big in the industry after her successful child star days. She knew way back when she first acted with Aqua that it's a competitive world and one good performance from another actor can knock her right over. It isn't until she's a high school senior that the viewers realize she suffered exactly what she dreaded the most, failure.

The audience is given a glimpse into Kana's complex personality through flashbacks. It's obvious that her sense of insecurity comes from the fear of rejection, whether it's her fans, her mother, or agents. Her mother's approval was what fueled her acting apart from her passion. However, she soon realizes at a tender age that it's a cruel world, especially the one she's trying to win. She went through a child actor's worst nightmare — growing up. It's a period where the child actor is no longer eligible for the role, nor are they competent enough for more mature roles. It's impeccable how Kana found the strength to survive at a stage where most people simply give in. Even though it wasn't good for her self-confidence, Kana's acceptance of failure eventually protected her from completely falling out.

Kana Arima Doesn't Know Her Worth

Kana used to be an arrogant child considering herself an undefeated genius. However, her growth from being a brat to a humble person is phenomenal. She no longer considers herself above everyone else, but that's also a weakness. This leads her to undermine herself and her talents completely. It may seem that she joined B Komachi because of Aqua, but deep down, she must have known she could pull off being an idol. She must have known that she could sing, dance, and charm the audience as a real idol, but she needed a push to believe that. It wasn't until the last episodes of Oshi no Ko that fans found out that Kana actually released a few songs after her childhood acting days. Of course, her music didn't work out, further damaging her confidence.

It's possible that Aqua knew about Kana Arima's musical career and asked her to join B Komachi. It's hard to believe that Kana never suspected Aqua's motive besides calling it his "sister complex." But from afar, Kana is the only perfect idol material in B Komachi than Ruby and Mem-cho. Still, Kana was so consumed by her insecurities that she failed to fulfill her role in B Komachi until the last moment. Kana repeatedly reminds the ever-cheerful Ruby how "irrelevant" she is to the audience. She goes as far as saying that she has no fans. Of course, Aqua couldn't be the only reason for her to become an idol. Deep down, she knew she needed another chance despite saying that she tried everything after her child star days were over. Everyone knows Kana Arima's talents except her, and it took a while for her to realize why Aqua would go to such lengths to dress up in a hot mask just to encourage her.

Kana Arima Is Highly Relatable

The entertainment industry is ruthless, and Kana Arima learned that ages ago. Her character as a washed-up actor is more relatable than Aqua's. Even though he points out several times that he's nothing special and a failed actor, he's actually not that upset about his life going in a different direction. But of course, being the male protagonist has its perks — even if he's a low-key actor; Aqua will still get those random opportunities. It's a luxury Kana Arima doesn't have, and anyone in her position can relate to her envy and even disappointment. Fortunately, Oshi no Ko does a wonderful job at flourishing her character rather than turning her into a typical antagonist.

Kana Arima is one of the best characters in Oshi no Ko, and there isn't a scene where she doesn't steal the spotlight. She's empowering, inspiring, and a tough nut to crack. When she's offered the center role in B Komachi, Kana knows the pressure of that position, but she's also the best person to deal with the hefty task of carrying the group. She's reluctant because she has both given up and dared to hope again to regain her lost popularity at the same time. Her response to criticism and appreciation is the same because she thinks everyone is doing it out of pity.

It would’ve been boring if Oshi no Ko continued highlighting her under-confident image. It was a wonderful surprise for the fans in Oshi no Ko's finale to see the "real" Kana Arima. From the looks of it, B Komachi hasn't been about Ruby's struggles at all — its reincarnation is actually Kana's second chance. She's pivotal for the group's success, and her character needs to be stronger than ever before. Luckily, Oshi no Ko is returning for a second season, and fans hope to see a prouder and more vibrant Kana Arima.

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