Yes, Aqua does have a sister complex. He slowly develops his sister’s complex character out of the care he has for her sister, Ruby Hoshino. He aims to protect his beloved sister from the entertainment world that robbed the life of Ai Hoshino. Therefore, he is not only determined to solve the mystery behind Ai’s killer, but has also begun to stubbornly protect Ruby from the world that took their mother’s life.
The relationship between Aqua and Ruby as siblings may have started in the most out-of-this-world way, but their attachment grew stronger after the tragic death of their mother, Ai. He and Ruby are the main characters of the newly released spring anime drama Oshi No Ko.
Many fans have expressed their admiration for Aqua Hoshino. His deep blue eyes that literally shine like a star make him more attractive to fans. However, even with the face of an angel, Aqua is willing to take the path of evil in order to avenge his late mother and protect his little sister, Ruby. In fact, he already started to take the role of Ruby’s protector when she expressed her desire to follow in Ai Hoshino’s footsteps.
Aqua Sabotages Ruby’s Dream to be an Idol
As the twins grew up, Aqua took the responsibility of looking after his sister with the help of Miyako Saitou. Like Ai, Ruby wanted to pursue her dream of becoming an idol. However, his brother was driven not to make her walk the same path as their late mother. Instead of encouraging her to chase her dreams like Miyako is doing, Aqua prefers to insinuate to her sister that her education is what she must prioritize.
You can dream of becoming an idol, but being an idol is no glamorous dream.
Aqua Hoshino to Ruby Hoshino (Season 1: Episode 2)
Oshi No Ko is a series that sheds light on the lives of people in the entertainment industry. It shows that behind their bright smiles and glittery eyes is a life that is not meant for spineless people. This is because it takes more than courage to survive the viciousness and bitterness that comes with being a celebrity.
By being one of Ai’s children, Aqua knew that the entertainment industry before and now is still the same. He is afraid that Ruby’s passion for becoming an idol will burn to ashes once she discovers the mundane side of the said industry.
In episode two of season one, Ruby was waiting for a call that could possibly change her life. She auditioned as an idol, but to her dismay, the call she had been waiting ended up making her cry and sad. What Ruby didn’t know was that his brother is the person behind her first rejection.
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Using his notable acting skills, Aqua pretended to be from the idol company and called her sister to let her know that she didn’t make the cut. He was even prepared enough to avoid future issues by writing to the company on behalf of her sister’s wish to withdraw from the audition. Aqua is aware of the fact that Ruby possesses a beauty that can increase her chances of reaching her dreams. Hence, he became more determined to stop it.
Even Taishi Gotanda, the director who became close to Aqua, pointed out Ruby’s potential and the apparent sister’s complex that Aqua has. Furthermore, Aqua also went out of his way and disguised himself as an employee of Ichigo Production, Ai’s previous management.
Right after Ruby received the saddening rejection from her audition, she was instantly scouted by an underground idol company. Therefore, to assess whether her sister is being fooled by a cheap company or not, Aqua asks questions from a girl in the said company to know what her sister is about to enter. Aqua certainly has hints of sister complexity; however, it is not that severe.
Aqua only wants the best for her sister, and nothing is wrong with that. He doesn’t want to control her life, nor is obsessed with Ruby herself. What Aqua wants is her protection. He is obsessed with improving her sister’s life and helping her avoid the path which their mother tragically got herself into.
Understanding Aqua Hoshino’s Sister Complex
Aqua and Ruby didn’t immediately form a strong bond of a sibling relationship. Because of the unusual circumstance of how they ended up as siblings, the two started off as allies. Both Aqua and Ruby were reincarnated as Ai Hoshino’s twins. Although they are still not aware of their past life connections, Ruby and Aqua start to work together in order to successfully live their second lives as their favorite idol’s children.
The twins may have been Ai Hoshino’s twins but were completely aware of their surroundings, even as babies. As long-time fans of their mother, they have bonded over their love towards her as fans and children of Ai. They also fought for their mother’s attention a few times. They enjoyed the short time they spent with their mother by being goofy with her and dancing to B-Komachi music.
Ruby and Aqua were babies but had the minds of an adult. However, their supposed dream come true, reincarnated life, turned out to be as tragic as their previous one because of Ai’s death.
It was Aqua who saw their mother, Ai, covered in her own blood due to the stabbing she got from the killer. Aqua saw his mother’s face as she was losing her life but was still trying her best to paint a smile for him and Ruby.
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Ruby didn’t see the look of their mother covered in blood. She was on the other side of the door, hoping to join her brother and mom. However, Aqua didn’t let her in as it was too gruesome, tragic, and sad for her adorable sister to witness such a scene. Although this scene is not a sign of his now-sister’s complex character, Aqua preventing to let Ruby in shows that he cares for his sister and doesn’t want her to end up getting more hurt than she already has.
Aqua is aware of Ruby’s pure heart. He may have hindered Ruby’s chance of becoming an idol by pretending to be part of the idol company her sister auditioned too. But behind this great pretending is a genuine act of affection toward her sister. He is too protective of her which is why some viewers have also begun to label him a sis-con.
Aqua may not be patting Ruby’s head like the usual older brother or may not have cute little bickers with her. However, this doesn’t mean that he doesn’t love her as his family. Based on how the story is going, Aqua is the kind of brother who is willing to take the bullet for his loved ones. If Aqua sees an opportunity for Ruby to be good, and she badly wants it, he will not stop her. He just have to make sure that everything is safe for her.
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In connection, aside from having the eagerness to protect Ruby, he also has the heart to support her. Thus, Aqua also enrolled in the same entertainment school her sister went to in order to pursue his goal to continue looking after her sister and solving all the mysteries behind Ai’s death.
In conclusion, Aqua Hoshino’s sister complex can be further understood by two things: 1) Aqua’s Overprotectiveness and 2) Psychological Trauma. Aqua does not have any hesitation in going to lengths to make sure that her sister is safe. This overprotectiveness can sometimes be over the top yet seemingly appropriate because of their history. In addition, the death of Ai Hoshino brought fear in Aqua that his sister may face the same miserable fate someday if she becomes an idol like their mother.
Aqua is willing to do what it takes to take the blame and pain, all for her sister. He is willing to become the story’s villain just to shelter her from the morbid reality of the entertainment industry. Let’s just hope that these sacrifices of Aqua behind the shadows for her sister will not backfire or tarnish the relationship they were able to build.