Shojo girlies, our time has arrived! Tamon’s B-Side is FINALLY here. It feels like we’ve been waiting forever. I know I have as someone who read volume one when it released in the US and then learned an anime was on the way, so I stopped reading it (if you know me, you know I’m strictly anime then manga.) So now IT IS MY TIME!
Let me just start of by saying WOW! It’s been so long since I read the first volume of the manga, I forgot every single thing about it. Watching this first episode felt like a shock to my system, in the best way possible. I instantly remembered what I loved about the first volume and why I was eagerly awaiting the anime all these years. They truly spared no expense and I’m hoping this continues through out the season.
What I Loved So Far
A Love Letter To Fans
What immediately stood out to me when I read the first volume and now again, watching the first episode, is how much of a love letter this series is to fans. I think it’s too easy to depict fans in a way where we are the butt of the joke. This is something that from this first episode, I don’t see happening. Yes, Utage is intense with her love of Tamon but she’s not placed in a position where we are laughing at her. Instead, we want to fan out with her! We get to see what she loves so much about Tamon and F/ACE and why it matters.
Utage Kinoshita
Utage, the girl that you are!!!! I am immediately obsessed with her. She is so fun and brilliant, and when the dream of every single fan girl (to be close to their oshi) lands in her lap, she reels it in and keeps it professional. That is, until she notices her oshi needs help, and she goes into manager mode! I was instantly charmed by Utage and just how unashamed she is in her fan girl. She is proud to be a Tamon fan and she doesn’t hesitate to let him know. I also love how much she thought about other fans and didn’t want to exploit being close to Tamon for her own selfish needs (although she totally should.) I can’t wait to see more of Utage on my screen.
Tamon’s B-Side
The premise of the story is that this super popular idol has a completely different side to him. Instead of being the charismatic and confident heartthrob, he is extremely anxious and doesn’t have a lot of self esteem. This first episode did a great job at showing the extreme contrast between the “Tamons.” My heart really goes out to anxious Tamon because I get it 100%. I think the episode handled his anxiety in a way that also didn’t make it specifically the punchline. I’m looking forward to learning more about the “B-Side” Tamon and how he will work through or work with his anxiety.
Tamon’s B-Side is streaming on Crunchyroll, with new episodes on Wednesdays.
Really enjoyed the first episode. I read the first volume and thought meh but this was before I started my journey as a Stay (KPop -Stray Kids) so I think I can appreciate the fan girl and idol story a lot more. I am going to watch the anime and then pick up the manga again. Squee!