Wait, did that actually happen? If you were scrolling through Chapter 141 of the Oshi no Ko manga and felt a sudden jolt of recognition, you aren't crazy. Kaguya Shinomiya—the legendary ice queen turned romantic lead from Kaguya-sama: Love is War—showed up. She’s right there. Not as a background gag or a generic "Easter egg," but as a fully realized adult version of herself. Honestly, it’s one of those rare moments where a creator manages to reward long-term fans without breaking the story they’re currently telling.
Aka Akasaka, the mastermind behind both series, basically pulled a Marvel-style crossover but with significantly more emotional weight and less CGI. This isn’t just a fun "where are they now" moment. It’s the definitive proof that Kaguya in Oshi no Ko is canon, establishing what fans affectionately call the "Akaverse."
Who Exactly Is This Version of Kaguya?
When we see Kaguya in Oshi no Ko, she isn't the high school student we remember from Shuchiin Academy. She’s older. Sophisticated. She goes by Kaguya Shirogane now, confirming she finally married Miyuki. Seeing that name on the credits of a photography shoot hit fans like a freight train. She’s working as a professional photographer, which, if you followed her original series closely, makes a ton of sense given her history with the Shirogane family and her desire to capture moments that last.
She appears during the "15-Year Lie" movie arc. Ruby Hoshino is deep in the trenches of filming, playing her own mother, Ai. The production is tense. The vibes are immaculate but heavy. Then, Kaguya steps in to handle the promotional stills. She looks at Ruby—who is effectively channeling the ghost of an idol—and offers a perspective that only someone who has survived high-society drama and intense personal pressure could give.
It’s brief. It’s subtle. But it’s powerful.
The Photography Connection
Why photography? It’s not a random hobby Aka threw at her. Throughout Love is War, Kaguya’s relationship with technology was... well, let's call it "stunted." Remember the flip phone? The struggle with social media? By making her a professional photographer in the Oshi no Ko timeline, Akasaka shows us a woman who has mastered the medium she once feared. She isn't just taking pictures; she’s framing the "truth" in a series about lies.
The irony is thick. Oshi no Ko is a cynical, often brutal look at the entertainment industry. Having Kaguya—a character who fought so hard for a "pure" love—be the one to capture Ruby’s image provides a weirdly hopeful contrast.
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Timeline Shenanigans: When Does This Take Place?
Trying to pin down the exact year is a bit of a headache, but the clues are there. Kaguya-sama ended with the characters heading off to college. Oshi no Ko starts with Ai Hoshino’s rise and fall, then skips ahead over a decade.
Basically, Oshi no Ko happens several years after the events of the Love is War finale. When we see Kaguya in Oshi no Ko, she’s likely in her late 20s or early 30s. This fits perfectly with the cameo of another character, Sweet Today creator Abiko Samejima, who links both series through the manga industry.
The timeline looks something like this:
- Kaguya-sama core events happen while the Hoshino twins are just kids or not yet born.
- The "Short Story" Gensen (written by Akasaka) features Kaguya as a photographer and mentions her marriage.
- Ruby and Aqua grow up, enter the industry, and eventually cross paths with Kaguya’s lens.
It’s a tight, cohesive universe. It makes the world feel lived-in.
Why the Cameo Matters More Than You Think
Most cameos are cheap. They’re "fanservice" in the most literal, boring sense. But Kaguya’s presence serves a narrative purpose. In Chapter 141, she talks to Ruby about the nature of a "good expression." She mentions that people usually show their best side to the person they love.
This isn't just small talk. Ruby is struggling to portray Ai Hoshino, a woman who lived behind a mask of lies. Kaguya’s advice—that a true smile is reserved for someone special—helps Ruby bridge the gap between "Idol Ai" and "Mother Ai." It’s a meta-commentary on Kaguya’s own journey, where she spent years hiding behind a "mask" of ice before Miyuki melted it.
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She’s the mentor Ruby didn’t know she needed.
Common Misconceptions About the Crossover
People get a lot of things wrong about this. Let's clear the air.
First, some fans thought this meant a full-blown crossover arc was coming. It isn't. Akasaka is very careful about keeping Oshi no Ko centered on the Hoshino tragedy. Kaguya is a guest in this house; she isn't moving in. Don't expect Miyuki Shirogane to show up and give Aqua a pep talk about romantic manipulation (though, honestly, Aqua could use one).
Second, there’s the "Is she still rich?" question. Yes, but she’s independent. Her presence as a working professional instead of just a "Shinomiya heiress" shows the conclusion of her character arc from her own series. She chose a career over a dynasty.
The Visual Evolution
Mengo Yokoyari, the illustrator for Oshi no Ko, has a vastly different style than Aka Akasaka’s original drawings. Seeing Kaguya through Mengo’s eyes is... a choice. She looks sharper, more ethereal. The "Mengo-fication" of Kaguya makes her feel like she belongs in the high-stakes, glamorous, and slightly dark world of Oshi no Ko. Her eyes, specifically, carry that signature Mengo depth—sparkling but perhaps a little tired, the look of a woman who has seen how the world works and decided to be happy anyway.
What This Means for Future Aka Akasaka Works
The "Akaverse" is real. We’ve seen characters from Kaguya-sama pop up in Oshi no Ko, and we’ve seen Oshi no Ko references in Akasaka’s newer work like Renai Daikousha.
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It creates a sense of stakes. If characters can cross over, it means the tragedies in one series could theoretically affect the other. Thankfully, Kaguya seems to have found her "happily ever after" before the Hoshino family drama could touch her. It’s a bit of a relief for fans who went through the wringer with her for 28 volumes.
How to Spot the Cameo Yourself
If you’re looking to find her, don't just blink. You’ll miss it.
- Read Chapter 141 of the manga. This is the primary appearance.
- Look for the "Gensen" special short story. This provides the context for her career as a photographer.
- Check the background of the Movie Arc. There are subtle nods to the Shinomiya Group throughout the series, showing their corporate influence is still massive in Japan.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to fully appreciate the depth of the Kaguya in Oshi no Ko connection, you should go back and read the final arc of Kaguya-sama specifically through the lens of her artistic aspirations. Pay attention to how she talks about "capturing moments." Then, re-read the Oshi no Ko movie arc. You’ll see that her advice to Ruby isn't just fluff—it’s the culmination of her life’s philosophy.
Stay tuned to the credits of the Oshi no Ko anime as well. While the anime hasn't reached this point yet, the production team has a history of adding small visual nods that manga readers will appreciate. When Chapter 141 eventually gets animated, expect the internet to absolutely lose its mind. For now, treat Kaguya’s appearance as the ultimate "all-clear" signal: despite the darkness of the idol world, some people actually make it out okay.
Check out the official Shonen Jump app to read these chapters legally and support the creator. Seeing the evolution of Kaguya from a cold heiress to a supportive mentor is one of the most satisfying "hidden" arcs in modern manga history.