The emotional rollercoaster of Oshi no Ko Season 3 continues with its sixth episode, which arrived on Wednesday, February 18, 2026. This installment puts Kana Arima in a highly stressful situation after she is photographed leaving a director’s office, forcing her to confront past traumas. Meanwhile, the darker aspects of the entertainment world come into sharper focus as Aqua Hoshino plays a cold game, and Akane Kurokawa edges closer to the dangerous Hikaru Kamiki.
Produced by Studio Doga Kobo, the third season has been airing weekly since January 14, 2026, with a total of 11 episodes planned . Episode 6 marks the beginning of the second half of the season, and based on early reactions and detailed previews, it delivers significant character moments that fans have been waiting for .
Oshi no Ko Season 3 Episode 6 Release Time and Streaming Platforms
For global audiences, Oshi no Ko Season 3 Episode 6 became available on Crunchyroll and HIDIVE on February 18. The episode typically drops on streaming platforms about one hour after its initial Japanese TV broadcast on networks like Tokyo MX .
Here is when the episode arrived for viewers around the world on Crunchyroll:
- United States (Eastern Time): 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 18
- United States (Pacific Time): 7:00 AM on Wednesday, February 18
- Canada (Eastern Time): 10:00 AM on Wednesday, February 18
- United Kingdom (GMT): 3:00 PM on Wednesday, February 18
- Europe (CET): 4:00 PM on Wednesday, February 18
- India (IST): 8:30 PM on Wednesday, February 18
- Australia (AEDT): 2:00 AM on Thursday, February 19
- New Zealand (NZDT): 4:00 AM on Thursday, February 19
For fans in select Asian regions, the episode is also streaming on Netflix. Viewers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand have the option to watch on HIDIVE as well . Subtitles are available in multiple languages, and an English dub is expected to follow at a later date .
What Happens in Oshi no Ko Episode 6: Kana’s Scare and Aqua’s Game
The core of Episode 6 revolves around the aftermath of the previous episode’s cliffhanger. In Episode 5, Kana Arima met with a rising director named Shima Masanori hoping for a career breakthrough. The situation turned uncomfortable when the director made advances, and the episode ended with a mysterious man taking Kana’s photograph as she left his studio the next morning .
Kana’s Emotional Breakdown
According to detailed recaps, Episode 6 shows the immediate consequences of that photograph. Kana is spotted by a reporter outside the agency office, and the realization that she has been photographed leaving the director’s space hits her hard . Even though she did nothing wrong, the circumstantial evidence places her in a difficult position.
What makes this episode stand out is how it handles Kana’s internal struggle. She immediately jumps to worst-case scenarios, worrying not just about her own career but about how this potential scandal could negatively impact B-Komachi, the idol group she belongs to alongside Ruby Hoshino and MEM-cho . This reaction is very much in line with her character, as she has always been someone who worries about how her perceived failures affect others.
The episode builds to a powerful moment where Kana finally releases her pent-up frustration. One reviewer describes her scream late in the episode as “triumphant,” marking a declaration of self-worth . She fights against the urge to rely on memories of Aqua to comfort herself, choosing instead to stand on her own. This scene is being called one of the best of the season so far.
Miyako Saitou, the president of Strawberry Productions, does not panic when she learns of the situation. She simply notes that this is going to be trouble, reflecting her experience in the industry. The episode subtly points out that in the modern social media age, scandals do not necessarily end careers the way they once did, though that does not make the stress any less real for Kana .
Akane’s Dangerous Path
While Kana deals with her immediate crisis, Akane Kurokawa continues her investigation into Hikaru Kamiki, the man believed to be responsible for the death of Ai Hoshino. Akane is doing this to help Aqua find freedom from his obsession with revenge, but she is walking into extremely dangerous territory .
In Episode 6, Akane gets closer to the truth, and this puts her directly in Kamiki’s path. The episode hints at a possibly-dangerous truth emerging, with someone mysterious tracking another character in a dark alley . For fans of the manga, this is a crucial moment where the revenge plot intensifies and the stakes become even higher.
Aqua’s Ruthless Game
Aqua Hoshino, meanwhile, continues to play what the episode describes as a “ruthless game.” He is thriving as a multi-talented entertainer on the surface, but underneath, his drive for revenge remains as strong as ever . His conversation with Akane in a phone call shows his internal conflict—he is not sure whether he should let go of his anger, and he trusts Akane’s opinion. However, Akane refuses to make the decision for him, promising only to support him no matter what he chooses .
This sets up a tense dynamic where Aqua’s actions become increasingly calculated, and his relationships with those around him grow more complicated.
Episode 6 Production Team
The creative team behind Episode 6 brings solid credentials to the table. Direction and storyboard duties were handled by Koki Uchinomiya, known for directing Episode 2 of Alya Sometimes Hides Her Feelings in Russian. The script was written by Jin Tanaka, a writer recognized for his work on the Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club series . This combination suggests careful attention to both visual storytelling and emotional depth.
Fan Reactions and Early Response
Early reactions to Episode 6 highlight Kana’s journey as the emotional core. One reviewer notes that the anime version handles the potential scandal far better than the live-action adaptation by providing more context and portraying Kana in a way consistent with her established character . The fact that the accusations are currently only in Kana’s head, rather than being published publicly, adds to the psychological tension.
The episode’s rating on fan sites remains strong, with the season maintaining high scores on platforms like MyAnimeList, where Season 1 holds an 8.54 and Season 2 holds an 8.52 . Episode 6 continues the tradition of delivering intense, character-driven storytelling.
The Bigger Picture for Season 3
The official synopsis for Oshi no Ko Season 3 reveals that six months have passed since the release of the song POP IN 2 . Thanks to MEM-Cho’s hard work, B-Komachi is on the verge of their major breakthrough. Aqua is finding success across multiple entertainment fields, and Akane’s acting career is progressing well.
However, not everyone is thriving emotionally. Kana has lost the cheerfulness she once had, weighed down by industry pressures. Ruby is using deception to climb higher and get closer to the truth behind Ai and Gorou’s deaths . This contrast between external success and internal struggle defines the current season, and Episode 6 deepens these conflicts significantly.
With 11 episodes total, the season is now past its halfway point . The finale is scheduled for March 25, 2026, meaning fans have several more weeks of intense storytelling ahead.
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Where to Catch Up
For those who need to catch up or rewatch previous episodes, Oshi no Ko Season 3 is streaming on Crunchyroll in most regions, including North America, Europe, India, and Australia. HIDIVE also carries the series in select territories, and Netflix streams it in parts of Asia .
Episode 6 is now available with subtitles, and viewers can expect the tension to keep building as the season moves toward its second half.
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