Oshi no Ko chapter 165 is set to deliver one of the most intense and emotionally charged moments in the series yet.

With chapter 164 leaving fans reeling, many characters grapple with the heartbreaking fallout surrounding Aqua Hoshino.

Aqua Hoshino and Ruby Hoshino in featured image for ONE Esports article "Where does Oshi no Ko leave off in the manga?"
Credit: Doga Kobo
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The manga’s long and complex revenge arc seems to have finally reached its end—for real this time—yet the aftermath is far from settled.

What awaits in chapter 165 could change the course of Oshi no Ko forever, making it an eagerly anticipated release for fans everywhere.

Oshi no Ko chapter 164 recap

Oshi no Ko main character Akane Kurokawa seen in episode 12 of season 2
Credit: Doga Kobo, Sentai Filmworks, Aka Akasaka

The chapter began with B Komachi’s live tour coming to an end. After the performance, Kana Arima asked Memcho if she knew where Aqua was, but no one knew his whereabouts. Meanwhile, Ruby was busy meeting fans after the show.

As the concert wrapped up, Aqua was shown sinking into the ocean, severely wounded. After stabbing himself and attacking Hikaru Kamiki—an encounter that ended with both of them plummeting off a cliff—Aqua finally snapped out of his trance. Now in intense pain, he was slowly drifting away, his life slipping with each passing moment.

Nagisa Saito as Ruby Hoshino and Asuka Saito as Ai Hoshino in featured image for ONE Esports article "Oshi no Ko live-action cast: Meet the real-life stars"
Credit: Amazon Prime Video, Toei Company
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Aqua heard Ruby, Kana, and Memcho sing a song in his final moments. As he remembered his times with them, he smiled one last time.

A time skip then revealed the aftermath. The 15-Year Lie, the movie starring Aqua and Ruby, had become a massive box-office success.

Akane Kurokawa recounted what happened after Aqua’s confrontation with Hikaru. A fisherman eventually discovered Aqua’s body 20 kilometers from the cliff where the fall occurred. Surprisingly, his injuries were minor, and Akane speculated that the winter sea’s cold might have preserved him.

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They were devastated when Kana and the rest of Strawberry Productions heard the news of Aqua’s death.

Meanwhile, Akane was seen walking along the shore, paying her respects to Aqua. She reflected on his motives, believing that Aqua had killed Kamiki to protect Ruby and her future. She felt convinced that Aqua had wanted to live, as his recent expressions had hinted at a new sense of purpose.

She was also heartbroken that Aqua hadn’t reached out to her for help in planning Kamiki’s murder. She believed they could have orchestrated the perfect crime together and was prepared to “go to hell” as long as she could be with him.

Is Aqua Still Alive in Oshi no Ko? Oshi no Ko chapter 165 prediction

Disclaimer: The following predictions are based solely on the author’s interpretations and theories.

Oshi no Ko character Ai Hoshino seen performing in season 1 as the featured image for ONE Esports' article "Oshi no Ko soundtrack: All opening and ending songs"
Credit: Doga Kobo, Sentai Filmworks, Aka Akasaka, ONE Esports

While Chapter 164 made Aqua’s fate appear certain, there are compelling reasons to believe he may still be alive.

First, Aqua’s body was never shown, which leaves some room for doubt. Not showing a character’s body after a supposed death is a classic way to keep a character’s fate ambiguous by authors.

Another possibility is mistaken identity with Hikaru Kamiki. Aqua and Hikaru look nearly identical, so it’s plausible that authorities might have misidentified Hikaru’s body as Aqua’s. Aqua and Hikaru were submerged in the sea for a long time, which would further complicate identification, as prolonged exposure to seawater can obscure physical features.

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Authorities also named Hikaru as responsible for the murder but didn’t confirm finding his body. This mix-up could mean Aqua is still alive and undetected, free to act from the shadows.

Lastly, Aqua’s medical knowledge could have helped him survive. In his previous life as Dr. Goro Amamiya, he would know how to inflict injuries that look serious but aren’t fatal. Aqua could have staged his own death as part of a larger plan, using his skills to stay hidden and protect Ruby from the shadows.

Altogether, these hints suggest Aqua’s death might be more complex than it seems, leaving a strong possibility that he’s still alive.

Oshi no Ko chapter 165 release date

According to Shueisha’s official Manga Plus app, the next chapter of the manga releases on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 7 a.m. Pacific Standard Time (PT).

OSHI NO KO CHAPTER 165 RELEASE DATE TIME ZONEWEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6/TIME
JST11 p.m.
GMT+810 p.m.
ET (Eastern Time)10 a.m.
CT (Central Time)9 a.m.
GMT (Western European Time)2 p.m.
CET (Central European Time)4 p.m.
IST (Indian Standard Time)7:30 p.m.

Manga Plus’ post also mentioned that the schedule for the next chapter is subject to change. The release times and schedule for international viewers vary based on their time zone.

Where to read Oshi no Ko

The Oshi no Ko manga can be found on Manga Plus, an online platform and smartphone app by Shueisha. The first three chapters are freely available without any account requirement when accessing the series.

To continue reading subsequent chapters, you must create an account on the Manga Plus app.

Chapters 4 and onwards, including the most recent releases, are accessible for free, but please note that each chapter can only be viewed once on Manga Plus.

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Manga Plus has two subscription plans:

The Standard Plan includes access to all chapters of currently serializing titles, with over 6,000 chapters available and no ads. It costs US$1.99 per month, with the first month free. This plan covers ongoing works only, and access to the completed series is limited after a certain period.

The Deluxe Plan, priced at US$4.99 per month, offers access to all chapters of serializing and completed titles. Over 15,000 chapters are available, and there are no ads.

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