What Happened To Ruby At The End Of The Series?

Key Takeaways

• Ruby’s journey from grief to resilience showcased her ability to inspire hope and carry on her family’s dreams.
• The series finale emphasized Ruby’s decision to shine, honoring the memories of Aqua and Ai with love and rebellion.
• Supporting characters played vital roles in Ruby’s growth, highlighting the series’ message that hope can triumph over despair.

The Oshi no Ko manga culminated in a heartfelt yet bittersweet conclusion with chapter 166, released on November 13, 2024. From its inception in April 2020, the manga by Aka Akasaka has been a masterful exploration of the entertainment industry’s light and shadows. Central to this journey were Aqua and Ruby Hoshino—siblings reincarnated as the children of idol Ai Hoshino.

The series chronicled their struggles, ambitions, and ultimate quests for justice and closure. As the curtain fell, Ruby’s arc came full circle, leaving fans with a tale of resilience and hope against despair.

Ruby Hoshino’s Journey to the Finale

Ruby’s story is deeply intertwined with her brother Aqua’s revenge-driven quest and the legacy of their mother, Ai Hoshino. While Aqua’s final confrontation with Hikaru ended in tragedy, Ruby faced the crushing loss of her twin. In the aftermath, her arc shifted from shared vengeance to personal healing and carrying on the dreams of those she loved.

The Immediate Aftermath of Aqua’s Death

The finale did not shy away from the rawness of grief. Ruby’s devastation was palpable—her life seemingly shattered as she struggled to process Aqua’s death. Panels depicted her destroying posters and shedding tears, a haunting reminder of her pain. Yet, it was her decision to rise above this despair that defined her ending. With the support of friends like Kana and Mem-Cho, Ruby began to rebuild herself, turning her anguish into a powerful force of inspiration.

Ruby’s Transformation: From Grief to Stardom

Ruby’s ascent mirrored her mother’s trajectory, but with a crucial difference—she sought to break free from the cycle of despair that had consumed Ai and Aqua. In her darkest moments, Ruby embraced a profound lie: she forced herself to smile, convincing the world—and perhaps herself—that she wasn’t sad. This lie, though painful, became her strength.

The Power of Performing Through Pain

As Ruby returned to her idol career with B-Komachi, she embodied resilience. Every performance became a beacon of hope for her fans, reflecting her determination to carry on Aqua’s and Ai’s dreams. The Tokyo Dome concert, a dream Ai never lived to see, was the ultimate culmination of Ruby’s journey. Ruby inherited both the stars that are iconic to the Hoshino family (first Ai, and now Aqua’s after his death), and shone brighter than ever, channeling her inner turmoil into something transformative for herself and her audience.

Ruby chose to inspire hope, so others wouldn’t despair as she did.

Ruby’s choice to continue smiling and performing wasn’t just for herself. It was a defiant act against the darkness she had endured—a testament to her resolve to inspire hope in others. Her performances resonated deeply with fans, echoing Ai’s ability to bring light into the lives of those struggling. Ruby became the symbol of resilience for a new generation, much like her mother before her.

Parallels Between Ai and Ruby: A Mirrored Journey

One of the most well-portrayed aspects of Oshi no Ko’s ending was the mirrored path of Ai and Ruby. Both faced immense challenges in their careers, but where Ai’s life was tragically cut short, Ruby carried the torch forward. Ai’s music had given hope to fans like Sabrina Tendouji, who faced terminal illness, and Ruby now stood as a beacon for others experiencing darkness.

Ai’s life ended in heartbreak, her dreams unrealized due to Hikaru. Ruby’s journey, however, was one of defiance. By refusing to succumb to despair, she ensured that her family’s legacy wasn’t one of tragedy but of triumph. Her decision to perform at the Tokyo Dome, despite the weight of her loss, was a symbolic victory over the pain that had haunted her family.

Supporting Characters and the World Beyond Ruby

Ruby’s growth was supported by the people around her, each grappling with their own grief in the wake of Aqua’s death. Kana and Mem-Cho rallied around Ruby, offering emotional support when she needed it most. Akane found new purpose in her acting career, while Taishi Gotanda, the director who had chronicled Aqua’s journey, continued telling stories inspired by the Hoshino twins.

The final chapter showcased a mosaic of lives moving forward, each tied to the legacy of Ai and Aqua. From Ichigo Productions pushing through pain to Taiki Himekawa quietly visiting his mother’s grave, every character contributed to the series’ overarching message: that hope can triumph over despair.

The Final Moments: Ruby’s Decision to Shine

As the series concluded, Ruby’s parting scene carried deep emotional weight. Leaving her apartment for rehearsals, she acknowledged the lies she told to keep going. Yet, these lies weren’t acts of deceit—they were acts of love and rebellion. By choosing to shine, Ruby honored the memories of Aqua and Ai, ensuring their dreams lived on.

Ruby’s final performance solidified her status as a star. A young audience member gazing at her during the Tokyo Dome concert underscored her impact, a visual representation of the hope she inspired. Her journey from grief to resilience was a powerful reminder that even in the darkest times, one can choose to bring light to others.