You probably think MEM-cho is just the comic relief in Oshi no Ko. I get it. She’s loud, she’s got those cute little devil horns, and her facial expressions are basically a factory for reaction memes. But if you're only seeing the "funny YouTuber" side of her, you’re missing the smartest writing in Aka Akasaka’s entire series.
She isn't just a side character. Honestly, MEM-cho is the emotional glue that stops B-Komachi from imploding every three chapters.
While Aqua is busy playing 4D chess with people's lives and Ruby is descending into a dark spiral of idol obsession, MEM-cho is just... there. She’s the adult in the room. Even if she’s pretending to be seven years younger than she actually is.
The MEM-cho Oshi no Ko Age Twist Actually Matters
Let's talk about the big reveal. You know the one.
In Chapter 32, we find out MEM-cho isn't the 18-year-old high schooler she claimed to be on The Beginning of My Love with a Star (LoveNow). She’s actually 25. By idol standards, she’s practically ancient. This wasn't just a throwaway gag for a quick laugh, though it was pretty funny how she basically short-circuited when Aqua caught her.
It’s a tragedy.
MEM-cho represents every person who had to put their dreams on hold because life got in the way. Her father died, her mother got sick, and she had to work to put her younger brothers through school. By the time she looked up, the "expiration date" on her dream had passed. Most anime would have just made her a bitter background character. Instead, Oshi no Ko uses her to highlight the brutal ageism of the Japanese entertainment industry.
The fact that she had to lie just to get a foot in the door says more about the idol world than any of Aqua’s monologues.
Why She’s the Most Competent Member of B-Komachi
If we’re being real, without MEM-cho, the new B-Komachi would have been a disaster.
Ruby has the talent and the lineage, sure. Kana Arima has the acting chops and the "sun" power. But neither of them knows how to navigate the digital age. They’re old-school. They think you just perform and people show up.
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MEM-cho is a digital native.
She understands the technical side of the business. She’s the one who knows how to edit video, how to game the algorithms, and how to build a brand from scratch without a massive agency budget. Think about the scene where she explains how to leverage TikTok and YouTube shorts to gain traction before their first live performance. That’s actual industry strategy. It’s what real independent idols do in Tokyo right now.
She's the CTO of the group.
Plus, she’s the only one with high emotional intelligence (EQ). When Kana is being prickly or Ruby is being naive, MEM-cho is the one smoothing things over. She’s a professional. She knows how to read a room, which is a skill Aqua lacks entirely because he's too busy being "edgy."
The Hidden Depth of Her "Devil" Persona
The horns are fake. The persona is a mask.
In a series literally titled My Idol's Child (or Star's Child), where the central theme is that "lies are weapons," MEM-cho is the most honest liar. She admits her age is a lie. She admits her bubbly personality is partially a brand. By being upfront about her deceptions, she becomes the most trustworthy person in the cast.
It’s a weird paradox.
While everyone else is hiding dark secrets or murderous intentions, MEM-cho’s secret is just that she worked too hard for her family and missed her window. It makes her incredibly relatable. You’ve probably felt like her at some point—feeling like you’re falling behind your peers, wondering if it’s "too late" to start something new.
She’s the representation of the "Late Bloomer."
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Breaking Down the LoveNow Arc Impact
A lot of fans forget that MEM-cho was the biggest winner of the LoveNow reality show arc. Akane got the viral fame (for better or worse), and Aqua got his leads, but MEM-cho got a career.
She used a high-stakes environment to pivot from a solo YouTuber to a legitimate idol. That takes guts. Most people would be terrified to join a group with two girls much younger than them, especially with the risk of being "canceled" if the age lie ever went public.
She took the risk anyway.
This is where her character shines. She’s not just a cute girl; she’s a strategist. She saw B-Komachi as her last bus out of obscurity, and she sprinted to catch it. That level of ambition is usually reserved for the villains in stories like this, but with MEM-cho, it’s framed as resilience.
Real World Parallels: The "Virtual" Idol Success
The character of MEM-cho reflects a very real shift in the Japanese entertainment landscape circa 2023-2025.
Agencies are no longer the gatekeepers. YouTubers and TikTokers are becoming mainstream idols. Look at groups like Strawberry Prince (SutoPuri) or the rise of VTubers. MEM-cho represents the transition from traditional media to the creator economy.
Aka Akasaka clearly did his homework here.
The way MEM-cho manages her social media presence isn't "anime magic." It’s based on real growth tactics used by influencers in the Reiwa era. Her presence in the story grounds the more fantastical elements of the reincarnation plot. She reminds us that at the end of the day, entertainment is a job. It requires spreadsheets, engagement metrics, and a lot of late-night editing.
The Future of MEM-cho in the Final Act
As the Oshi no Ko manga heads toward its conclusion (and the anime continues its massive run), MEM-cho’s role is shifting.
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She’s becoming the observer.
Because she’s older and more experienced, she’s the first one to notice when something is wrong with the twins. She sees the darkness in Ruby before Kana does. She sees Aqua’s manipulation more clearly because she’s been in the industry long enough to recognize the "producer" mindset.
Don't expect her to just stay in the background.
Her knowledge of the "behind the scenes" world makes her a dangerous ally—or a devastating witness. If the secret of Ai Hoshino ever truly goes public, MEM-cho is the one person who has the platform and the PR savvy to control the narrative.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Creators
If you’re a fan of the series, stop sleeping on MEM-cho’s character arc. There’s a lot to learn from her, especially if you’re trying to make it in a creative field.
- Age is a number, but branding is everything. MEM-cho proved that if you provide value and have the talent, the "requirements" can be bypassed with the right strategy.
- Diversify your skills. Don't just be the "singer" or the "actor." Be the person who knows how to edit, how to market, and how to network.
- Empathy is a superpower. In a cutthroat industry, being the person who keeps the team together is often more valuable than being the most talented person in the room.
Watch her closely in the upcoming episodes or chapters. While everyone else is looking at the stars, MEM-cho is the one making sure the stage lights actually stay on.
To truly understand her impact, look back at the contrast between the first B-Komachi and the current one. The first group was built on Ai’s singular, blinding talent. The new group is built on a foundation of modern marketing and collective effort—and MEM-cho is the architect of that foundation.
Next time you see those yellow horns, remember: that’s the smartest person in the room.
How to Support the Series:
Check out the official Oshi no Ko manga on Manga Plus or watch the anime on HIDIVE/Netflix to see MEM-cho's technical expertise in action during the B-Komachi music video arcs. If you're interested in the "real" side of the idol industry, follow the official Japanese social media accounts for the series, which often run "MEM-cho style" marketing campaigns that blur the line between fiction and reality.