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多聞くん今どっち!? [Tamon-kun Ima Docchi!?] #1
Tamon’s B-Side, Vol. 1
Tamon is an insecure mess in real life, and what’s worse, he’s threatening to quit! Utage refuses to let anyone stand in Tamon’s way—least of all himself. What’s a fangirl to do but roll up her sleeves and support her favorite singer with everything she’s got?
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 18, 2022
About the author
Yuki Shiwasu
55 books152 followersName (in native language) : 師走ゆき
Associated Names:
СИВАСУ Юки
师走ゆき
Associated Names:
СИВАСУ Юки
师走ゆき
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
January 7, 2026
this was an ok first volume, nothing groundbreaking and honestly, tamon was probably more annoying than he had to be…
August 16, 2023
What happens when you discover that your favorite idol is just a person? If you're Utage, you devote yourself to helping him manage his crippling anxiety and depression so that it's easier for him to turn "on." The story tries to strike a balance between the silly and the serious, and it mostly succeeds - Utage's intense fangirling doesn't blind her to Tamon's reality, and he really needs someone to know both sides of him, especially since his idea of "going out in disguise" is to put an actual paper bag over his head. That, and the fact that he thinks of his idol persona as a creepy sexual predator because of the slimy lines he spouts, both made me laugh out loud, but the greatest strength of this volume is the way that it shows that idols and fangirls are really just people. The usage of Tamon's depression for humor doesn't thrill me, but this is definitely worth picking up for fans of Phantom of the Idol and My Special One.
May 17, 2023
this feeds my parasocial tendencies tho i'm not as hardcore as the fl
January 15, 2026
3/5
It was entertaining I guess, but I honestly don’t know if I can handle more than one volume.
It was entertaining I guess, but I honestly don’t know if I can handle more than one volume.
August 26, 2024
Over the course of my manga reviews, I've mentioned a few times that shoujo comedy often has a tough time with me. Yuki Shiwasu's other title Takane and Hana didn't come close to making the grade after its three-volume trial, but this one is making a much better impression.
I like the idea of a super-cool idol who's a basket case as soon as he's offstage. Utage, his fan who becomes his housekeeper-girl Friday through coincidence*, is very cute. It isn't hard to see the parallels between this situation and Kyoko's at the beginning of Skip-Beat!, but as long as Tamon is vulnerable and needs Utage's help, and doesn't pivot to using or manipulating her because she adores him, we'll be fine.
* a writer friend of mine says that every story starts with a coincidence. I'm not sure about that, but this one certainly does. :)
Some of the interactions didn't make a lot of sense to me. There's one scene that looked like Tamon had kicked Utage in the face, and it took a second reading for me to realize that was a metaphorical "kick in the face," showing his emotional effect on her. But I can overlook the odd head-scratcher--they only last a panel or two at most, anyhow--because this has otherwise been genuinely funny. For some reason, a girl being completely off-the-wall undignified tickles me every time, and being in thrall to an idol is as undignified as they come!
I've got a couple more volumes of this series, and we'll make the call to stop or continue from there. One thing I'm hoping to see is more of Tamon's fellow boy-band members (or more accurately, any of them). One-on-one interactions between Utage and Tamon could get stale after a while, and comedy is always more fun with a cast of characters to bounce off each other.
I like the idea of a super-cool idol who's a basket case as soon as he's offstage. Utage, his fan who becomes his housekeeper-girl Friday through coincidence*, is very cute. It isn't hard to see the parallels between this situation and Kyoko's at the beginning of Skip-Beat!, but as long as Tamon is vulnerable and needs Utage's help, and doesn't pivot to using or manipulating her because she adores him, we'll be fine.
* a writer friend of mine says that every story starts with a coincidence. I'm not sure about that, but this one certainly does. :)
Some of the interactions didn't make a lot of sense to me. There's one scene that looked like Tamon had kicked Utage in the face, and it took a second reading for me to realize that was a metaphorical "kick in the face," showing his emotional effect on her. But I can overlook the odd head-scratcher--they only last a panel or two at most, anyhow--because this has otherwise been genuinely funny. For some reason, a girl being completely off-the-wall undignified tickles me every time, and being in thrall to an idol is as undignified as they come!
I've got a couple more volumes of this series, and we'll make the call to stop or continue from there. One thing I'm hoping to see is more of Tamon's fellow boy-band members (or more accurately, any of them). One-on-one interactions between Utage and Tamon could get stale after a while, and comedy is always more fun with a cast of characters to bounce off each other.
November 11, 2023
I was enjoying this, until the end.
Then I fell in LOVE.
The characters are great, OTT but not in an annoying way. The storyline is completely in the realm of fantasy, but it's not difficult to go along for the ride. The artwork is appropriate for the story, being beautiful where it needs to be and being gloomy when the story calls for it.
And once you GET to the last few pages!?!? Chef's kiss, I was blown away! Highly recommended if you like OTT light romance high-school aged manga with a serious plot point involving depression.
TW: the MC H is severely depressed and talks SEVERELY down about himself a LOT. He even indicates suicide, so this is not all light and fluffy. It's also not really dealt with in an appropriate way (like therapy and perhaps medication if necessary), so that could be a big no for some readers. It didn't bother me, but YMMV.
5, I COMPLETELY did NOT see that ending coming and now I NEED the next volume like YESTERDAY, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
Then I fell in LOVE.
The characters are great, OTT but not in an annoying way. The storyline is completely in the realm of fantasy, but it's not difficult to go along for the ride. The artwork is appropriate for the story, being beautiful where it needs to be and being gloomy when the story calls for it.
And once you GET to the last few pages!?!? Chef's kiss, I was blown away! Highly recommended if you like OTT light romance high-school aged manga with a serious plot point involving depression.
TW: the MC H is severely depressed and talks SEVERELY down about himself a LOT. He even indicates suicide, so this is not all light and fluffy. It's also not really dealt with in an appropriate way (like therapy and perhaps medication if necessary), so that could be a big no for some readers. It didn't bother me, but YMMV.
5, I COMPLETELY did NOT see that ending coming and now I NEED the next volume like YESTERDAY, stars!
My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC copy of this book to read and review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2024
This is hilarious and I'm definitely buying it for work.
September 30, 2023
VIDEO REVIEW HERE: https://youtu.be/HTi6ADNKLbA
Updated Review 4/9/25: I'm so glad I came back to this series! I had such a blast reading, but maybe where I am right at this moment, I found Tamon to be so incredibly relatable compared to the first time I read. Not to the same extreme he shows, but wanting to make people smile but feel your "gloom" is fighting back against it is something that really hit me this time. I found his perseverance in wanting to give his all really admirable and encouraging when I've been coming out of some really hard mental struggles.
Utage is still a blast of a heroine and I love how she won't even put up with Tamon degrading himself, even though he is the very idol she loves. LOL!
Looking forward to finally reading the second volume!
Original Review: 9/29/23: "Being an idol is also a job but the fans all praise us anyway."
As much as I LOVED Takane & Hana, I was a little unsure if I would like this one or not. When I started reading, that was extremely true because while sometimes Gloomyhara DOES say some funny things about himself, it was really hard for me to see him degrade himself. More than once he says that he is not even worthy to be equal with landfill waste and as someone who personally can easily start degrading themselves when they mess up, it was really triggering for me at times. I know it's supposed to make the reader all the more appreciative of Utage and how she affirms that Tamon DOES have value and not just as Tamon, but Gloomyhara too, but I think it was hard for me at times nonetheless.
I wouldn't say I "got over that"so I could keep reading, but somewhere along the way seeing how Utage does encourage Tamon really helped me appreciate the story and have fun. Utage is hilarious and love her love for Tamon and how she will NOT put up with him berating himself for X reason. It definitely made me feel all the warm fuzzies when she even tells Gloomyhara that he is important too and not just the idol size of him. I DEFINITELY felt invested in seeing this turn into a romantic story(??) with a specific scene near the end! Like SQUEALS!! I can definitely say it was THAT moment that had me preordering a physical volume because I was like I am invested enough in this series to read physically and not just digitally! LOL!
Overall, this was a great first volume! I didn't always appreciate the "church" stuff but I did really like the characters, the humor, and the art. I'm excited to see where it goes and if the romance will be more prevalent in volume two!
*(I received an e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
Updated Review 4/9/25: I'm so glad I came back to this series! I had such a blast reading, but maybe where I am right at this moment, I found Tamon to be so incredibly relatable compared to the first time I read. Not to the same extreme he shows, but wanting to make people smile but feel your "gloom" is fighting back against it is something that really hit me this time. I found his perseverance in wanting to give his all really admirable and encouraging when I've been coming out of some really hard mental struggles.
Utage is still a blast of a heroine and I love how she won't even put up with Tamon degrading himself, even though he is the very idol she loves. LOL!
Looking forward to finally reading the second volume!
Original Review: 9/29/23: "Being an idol is also a job but the fans all praise us anyway."
As much as I LOVED Takane & Hana, I was a little unsure if I would like this one or not. When I started reading, that was extremely true because while sometimes Gloomyhara DOES say some funny things about himself, it was really hard for me to see him degrade himself. More than once he says that he is not even worthy to be equal with landfill waste and as someone who personally can easily start degrading themselves when they mess up, it was really triggering for me at times. I know it's supposed to make the reader all the more appreciative of Utage and how she affirms that Tamon DOES have value and not just as Tamon, but Gloomyhara too, but I think it was hard for me at times nonetheless.
I wouldn't say I "got over that"so I could keep reading, but somewhere along the way seeing how Utage does encourage Tamon really helped me appreciate the story and have fun. Utage is hilarious and love her love for Tamon and how she will NOT put up with him berating himself for X reason. It definitely made me feel all the warm fuzzies when she even tells Gloomyhara that he is important too and not just the idol size of him. I DEFINITELY felt invested in seeing this turn into a romantic story(??) with a specific scene near the end! Like SQUEALS!! I can definitely say it was THAT moment that had me preordering a physical volume because I was like I am invested enough in this series to read physically and not just digitally! LOL!
Overall, this was a great first volume! I didn't always appreciate the "church" stuff but I did really like the characters, the humor, and the art. I'm excited to see where it goes and if the romance will be more prevalent in volume two!
*(I received an e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are my own.)*
October 9, 2023
With her life revolving around beloved idol group F/ACE, and especially its main heartthrob Tamon, Utage works part time as a housekeeper to keep herself in merch and tickets. No points for guessing whose house she shows up at, but it turns out that Tamon is hiding a very secret side…
Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. I had no idea until I finished this volume that it was by the mangaka behind Takane & Hana and, given my dislike for how long that series drew itself out, I might not have even bothered with the preview that lead me to buy the whole thing.
Which would have been a shame, as this is, minus one particular part that really went weird, a brutally funny first volume if you like your comedy good and absurd, which I assure you I do. It spoofs idols and the people who love them, but not by forgetting to make them characters at the same time.
Yuki Shiwasu seriously knows how to make a joke work, at least as far as this volume goes, and I would say that this is funnier moment to moment than any given volume of Takane & Hana. The secret is in the escalation.
Hearing poor Tamon, who actually has a lack of confidence that makes me feel better about myself, moan about how worthless he is would normally wear out its welcome very fast, but the constant iterations on this one joke are very, very good.
Hearing Tamon say he’s going to flee the continent and live on his own? Fine. Having him follow that up by asking where the Straits of Magellan are is so specific and weird that it pretty much set me up to enjoy the rest of the story too. He really lays into his showbiz persona and how it comes across to the public.
The other joke they hammer home is having girls’ heads basically explode whenever Tamon is in his full showbiz mode, or other crazy reactions, which also never manages to get old. Utage is working hard on him to be a better person to himself and his sudden switches are very rough on the poor girl.
Utage is the sort of hardcore fan that would normally be a huge turnoff, basically being a religious zealot for a teenage boy, but that works to the story’s advantage because she needs to be that extra to keep up with Tamon (and his poor beleaguered cat-herding manager).
Also, there seeds of the inevitable romance begin to sprout as he repays her kindness and she begins to really come to appreciate him in both his idol mode and his more depressing gloomy mode. Tamon may not think he deserves anything in life, but he also appreciates his fans. She’s really coming through for him and he notices it, which is sweet.
If you don’t want to see the same jokes hammered into fine paste, yeah, don’t bother. With the constant nonsense flowing out of Tamon’s mouth and Utage bullying him to be more confident it kept me very entertained the whole way through, so no complaints in that respect.
The one scene that really speed bumps this volume is one of Utage and her friends in class, where her equally obsessed friends all promise to murder any girl who gets close to Tamon and gleefully dance around like they’re about to film the end of The Wicker Man if they track this non-existent hussy down (except she might exist sooner than they think).
It’s the one instance where I think the joke goes too far and is kind of uncomfortable. Not that murder jokes aren’t inherently unfunny, I was raised on a healthy diet of Looney Tunes, it’s just how creepy it gets with their joy over killing somebody.
Otherwise, this is a great start, provided you don’t mind what they’re serving up, because this is one consistent menu. I was very okay with both the light sprinklings of romance and the lunacy of how those jokes kept changing and had a good time.
And, yeah, the artwork is perfect for what it’s trying to do. The endless censoring of what is even happening to the poor women in the story is just the best. Shiwasu’s really upped her game here.
4 stars - I mean, this can’t possibly work for a huge number of volumes, but until that time, I shall be more than happy to read the next volume and see what kind of nonsense is about to come out of Tamon’s mouth next.
Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. I had no idea until I finished this volume that it was by the mangaka behind Takane & Hana and, given my dislike for how long that series drew itself out, I might not have even bothered with the preview that lead me to buy the whole thing.
Which would have been a shame, as this is, minus one particular part that really went weird, a brutally funny first volume if you like your comedy good and absurd, which I assure you I do. It spoofs idols and the people who love them, but not by forgetting to make them characters at the same time.
Yuki Shiwasu seriously knows how to make a joke work, at least as far as this volume goes, and I would say that this is funnier moment to moment than any given volume of Takane & Hana. The secret is in the escalation.
Hearing poor Tamon, who actually has a lack of confidence that makes me feel better about myself, moan about how worthless he is would normally wear out its welcome very fast, but the constant iterations on this one joke are very, very good.
Hearing Tamon say he’s going to flee the continent and live on his own? Fine. Having him follow that up by asking where the Straits of Magellan are is so specific and weird that it pretty much set me up to enjoy the rest of the story too. He really lays into his showbiz persona and how it comes across to the public.
The other joke they hammer home is having girls’ heads basically explode whenever Tamon is in his full showbiz mode, or other crazy reactions, which also never manages to get old. Utage is working hard on him to be a better person to himself and his sudden switches are very rough on the poor girl.
Utage is the sort of hardcore fan that would normally be a huge turnoff, basically being a religious zealot for a teenage boy, but that works to the story’s advantage because she needs to be that extra to keep up with Tamon (and his poor beleaguered cat-herding manager).
Also, there seeds of the inevitable romance begin to sprout as he repays her kindness and she begins to really come to appreciate him in both his idol mode and his more depressing gloomy mode. Tamon may not think he deserves anything in life, but he also appreciates his fans. She’s really coming through for him and he notices it, which is sweet.
If you don’t want to see the same jokes hammered into fine paste, yeah, don’t bother. With the constant nonsense flowing out of Tamon’s mouth and Utage bullying him to be more confident it kept me very entertained the whole way through, so no complaints in that respect.
The one scene that really speed bumps this volume is one of Utage and her friends in class, where her equally obsessed friends all promise to murder any girl who gets close to Tamon and gleefully dance around like they’re about to film the end of The Wicker Man if they track this non-existent hussy down (except she might exist sooner than they think).
It’s the one instance where I think the joke goes too far and is kind of uncomfortable. Not that murder jokes aren’t inherently unfunny, I was raised on a healthy diet of Looney Tunes, it’s just how creepy it gets with their joy over killing somebody.
Otherwise, this is a great start, provided you don’t mind what they’re serving up, because this is one consistent menu. I was very okay with both the light sprinklings of romance and the lunacy of how those jokes kept changing and had a good time.
And, yeah, the artwork is perfect for what it’s trying to do. The endless censoring of what is even happening to the poor women in the story is just the best. Shiwasu’s really upped her game here.
4 stars - I mean, this can’t possibly work for a huge number of volumes, but until that time, I shall be more than happy to read the next volume and see what kind of nonsense is about to come out of Tamon’s mouth next.
January 14, 2026
this is such a fun read! i just love tamon and utage so much! i’m also currently watching the anime adaptation too, so good!
March 14, 2026
Utage is a huge fan of the jpop group F/ACE and is shocked when (within the first couple pages) her part time housekeeper job places her in the house of her bias, Tamon. Tamon is the sexy, confident visual of the group on stage, but it turns out when he is off stage he is a depressed little gremlin who struggles with self-esteem, self-care, and feelings of worthlessness. Utage determines to cheer lead for him use the power of her intense fan feelings to convince Tamon he is a worthy person on and off stage. There are moments of real fun and humor here but everything happens so abruptly and the melodramatic feelings are a little too much for me. Cute concept, probably won't keep on with this series.
March 19, 2026
“Tamon’s hand sweat is the elixir of life. The air around him is a delicious meal.”
THIS QUOTE HAD ME GASPING FOR AIR WHY IS THIS SO FUNNY! This premise is insane enough to work, I’m already obsessed with it. I am now a believer in the church of Tamon! (‘-‘*ゞ
I live for mangas that involve the ever changing world of music. It’s so cool to see when they adapt and take the music aspects to the next level in animes. It’ll be interesting to see how Tamon grows as a character as well as Utage.
THIS QUOTE HAD ME GASPING FOR AIR WHY IS THIS SO FUNNY! This premise is insane enough to work, I’m already obsessed with it. I am now a believer in the church of Tamon! (‘-‘*ゞ
I live for mangas that involve the ever changing world of music. It’s so cool to see when they adapt and take the music aspects to the next level in animes. It’ll be interesting to see how Tamon grows as a character as well as Utage.
January 19, 2026
I miss the days when shojo/shoujo was about more than romance, we used to have an all-female casts and girl’s being friends (Sailor Moon anyone? Saving the world? Sisterhood?). Nowadays, it has steadily become just romance and girls who are male centered in every way.
Here, the main girl just gave me secondhand embarrassment, which I was expecting since I detest "fangirls" in real life too (Girl, get a life! Stop stanning pathetic men). That said, the way Tamon's depression, a very real struggle in real life, is treated as a joke just left a sour taste in my mouth. The “female fan as savior” trope is poison, and is what really pushes it into gross territory.
“A woman’s love, loyalty, or devotion is responsible for saving broken men” is the typical message from hetslop stories. Please, it’s 2026. We should want better stories.
Here, the main girl just gave me secondhand embarrassment, which I was expecting since I detest "fangirls" in real life too (Girl, get a life! Stop stanning pathetic men). That said, the way Tamon's depression, a very real struggle in real life, is treated as a joke just left a sour taste in my mouth. The “female fan as savior” trope is poison, and is what really pushes it into gross territory.
“A woman’s love, loyalty, or devotion is responsible for saving broken men” is the typical message from hetslop stories. Please, it’s 2026. We should want better stories.
October 26, 2023
This is SO MUCH FUN!
I love this gloomy, insecure idol!
What a fun idea to pair an ostensibly confident but secretly insecure idol with a seemingly average but wonderfully supportive and empathetic fangirl. It’s an interesting premise—that could have been executed very poorly if the approach was even a little off.
Honestly, I’m so pleasantly surprised by this first volume. It is so much more fun and heartfelt than I was expecting. Both of our main characters are so endearing and their developing relationship is so delightfully sincere and based upon mutual respect and care. It is more thoughtful than I anticipated just based on the cover.
I’m very much looking forward to reading more! I’d say this is a great read for fans of series like The Yakuza’s Bias or My Special One~
I love this gloomy, insecure idol!
What a fun idea to pair an ostensibly confident but secretly insecure idol with a seemingly average but wonderfully supportive and empathetic fangirl. It’s an interesting premise—that could have been executed very poorly if the approach was even a little off.
Honestly, I’m so pleasantly surprised by this first volume. It is so much more fun and heartfelt than I was expecting. Both of our main characters are so endearing and their developing relationship is so delightfully sincere and based upon mutual respect and care. It is more thoughtful than I anticipated just based on the cover.
I’m very much looking forward to reading more! I’d say this is a great read for fans of series like The Yakuza’s Bias or My Special One~
April 18, 2024
I really like the concept--it's very cute, if a bit cliche--but I agree with some of the other comments, that playing Tamon's depression for laughs is a little...tone-deaf. There's also the scene where Utage's friends cheerfully decide that they are going to kill any cute girl who gets close to Tamon...and, uh........if you're REALLY a fan...please let the person you're a fan of...be happy? Even if it's not with you?? ESPECIALLY since it's not with you, because...you don't actually know them IRL...???
But yes, otherwise it's a very cute manga. The art is very shoujo, but it's clean and very pretty. Not sure if I'll read more, but this one wasn't bad.
But yes, otherwise it's a very cute manga. The art is very shoujo, but it's clean and very pretty. Not sure if I'll read more, but this one wasn't bad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2025
in another life this is me and soobin but way less parasocial and more normal and chill and awesome (3.5 stars)
January 9, 2026
slightly manic manga about idol worship...that has a dark side..
January 26, 2026
joining the church of tamon ⛪️
June 24, 2025
OKay so I love Tamon, I love Gloomyhara even more - like come on he's amazing. The thing that bothers me is that's a shoujo and uh...honestly this'd have worked as a bl so well imo *sob* but anyway. I don't really like shoujo's mostly cause i hate the fl's and...here that's the case too. I just can't like her. She's fine at her own but I really do hope she doesn't end up with Tamon sorry not sorry.
Also don't come at me, please, let me live in my little world.
The artstyle is really cute and the story is interesting so far (and I can't wait to meet my other guy Kai rrraahhh) so yeah - this one's a great read so far :)
Also don't come at me, please, let me live in my little world.
The artstyle is really cute and the story is interesting so far (and I can't wait to meet my other guy Kai rrraahhh) so yeah - this one's a great read so far :)
July 25, 2024
This was a surprise for me but I really enjoyed the story! Tamon's anxiety is something I really relate to (minus being an idol). While I see the issue of crossing the parasocial line, I think this story is going to go somewhere interesting regarding Utage and Tamon's relationship and her relationship to fan culture.
February 23, 2025
Picked this up on a whim and really enjoyed it!
Cute, funny and easy to pick up and enjoy.
Cute, funny and easy to pick up and enjoy.
December 16, 2025
Idol culture is insane
This manga was hilarious and so cute. I will definitely be continuing
This manga was hilarious and so cute. I will definitely be continuing
April 12, 2026
cuteee i need ts as a physical copy
<3
<3
September 7, 2026
Rating: 4 Stars
Now Playing: さよなら by Takashi Ohmama
My Thoughts:
This was such a cute manga. As someone who enjoys K-Pop (I know it is not J-Pop, but it is similar) and was at one point more involved in the fan culture, including watching Music Bank or variety shows, buying albums, and trading photocards with other fans, this is a fan's dream. Now I’ll be honest: while we might all daydream about meeting our favorite celebrity, I am in the camp of not actually meeting them because they are not who they show the public they are. This manga does cover that, as the fact that he is not the dreamy idol in real life is the whole premise of this book, so I do enjoy that the story is covering the fact that the person we see on screen is not necessarily the real person.
As a fan of K-Pop, you do see a lot of “fans” overstep their boundaries, and I feel like there would be several of them who, if this situation happened to them they would take advantage of the situation or might even get upset that he is not the person he portrays himself to be. So I do like the fact that Utage is trying her best to keep Idol Tamon separate from real Tamon. She knows he is an idol and that she could easily try to do something to benefit herself, but instead she uses her knowledge as his fan to help him get through his idol moments when he is having a hard time. She doesn’t try to force the regular Tamon to be Idol Tamon around her. She accepts his gloomy attitude and helps him. I also like that anytime he speaks negatively about himself, she forces him to say something like “Tamon is a god.” or “Tamon is a person too.” These are cute moments that break him from saying negative stuff about himself and will hopefully enforce positive thoughts.
This is one manga I might continue with, as I am really enjoying it. I do hope we get to see what made Tamon become a self-loathing hermit. I also hope we get to see him slowly learning to love himself and maybe even forming a friendship with the other members. On Utage’s side, I can’t wait to see what her friends do when they find out. Anyway, it is a really cute and fun read, and I can’t wait to read more.
Now Playing: さよなら by Takashi Ohmama
My Thoughts:
This was such a cute manga. As someone who enjoys K-Pop (I know it is not J-Pop, but it is similar) and was at one point more involved in the fan culture, including watching Music Bank or variety shows, buying albums, and trading photocards with other fans, this is a fan's dream. Now I’ll be honest: while we might all daydream about meeting our favorite celebrity, I am in the camp of not actually meeting them because they are not who they show the public they are. This manga does cover that, as the fact that he is not the dreamy idol in real life is the whole premise of this book, so I do enjoy that the story is covering the fact that the person we see on screen is not necessarily the real person.
As a fan of K-Pop, you do see a lot of “fans” overstep their boundaries, and I feel like there would be several of them who, if this situation happened to them they would take advantage of the situation or might even get upset that he is not the person he portrays himself to be. So I do like the fact that Utage is trying her best to keep Idol Tamon separate from real Tamon. She knows he is an idol and that she could easily try to do something to benefit herself, but instead she uses her knowledge as his fan to help him get through his idol moments when he is having a hard time. She doesn’t try to force the regular Tamon to be Idol Tamon around her. She accepts his gloomy attitude and helps him. I also like that anytime he speaks negatively about himself, she forces him to say something like “Tamon is a god.” or “Tamon is a person too.” These are cute moments that break him from saying negative stuff about himself and will hopefully enforce positive thoughts.
This is one manga I might continue with, as I am really enjoying it. I do hope we get to see what made Tamon become a self-loathing hermit. I also hope we get to see him slowly learning to love himself and maybe even forming a friendship with the other members. On Utage’s side, I can’t wait to see what her friends do when they find out. Anyway, it is a really cute and fun read, and I can’t wait to read more.
January 11, 2026
When I saw the first episode of the anime adaptation, I totally thought it was going to be cringe. While it definitely was, I found it super entertaining, so much that it had me giggling at its ridiculousness!
I wanted to pick up the manga and see if it was any different. I'm really impressed with how accurate the adaptation is! I actually wished they had included the cute photo booth scene in the anime.
I'm really intrigued by Tamon's character, specifically his dual personalities. I feel like it makes sense for idols to be like this, but I've never gotten to know a famous person personally. Yet, I totally relate and would commiserate with Tamon's situation. Every self conscious person needs a great encourager, which is Utage's role. I'm looking forward to what happens next and seeing the anime continue!
I wanted to pick up the manga and see if it was any different. I'm really impressed with how accurate the adaptation is! I actually wished they had included the cute photo booth scene in the anime.
I'm really intrigued by Tamon's character, specifically his dual personalities. I feel like it makes sense for idols to be like this, but I've never gotten to know a famous person personally. Yet, I totally relate and would commiserate with Tamon's situation. Every self conscious person needs a great encourager, which is Utage's role. I'm looking forward to what happens next and seeing the anime continue!
September 27, 2026
This first volume is adapted pretty faithfully in the anime series, and is a really funny story built around the concept of idols whose real personalities are nothing like their on-stage personas. Everything unfolds from the point of view of a kind-hearted high schooler who works part-time to support her idol obsession.
February 8, 2024
(Thank you to both Netgalley and Viz Media for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.)
I had such a good time with this manga! An idol with self-esteem issues, and his die-hard fan that won't let him sulk make for a really funny and cute combo. I think a lot of my students and friends would also enjoy this manga, as idol groups have continued to become more and more popular with the general public.
I really enjoyed this first volume, and it definitely made me interested to continue on and see where the plot leads this duo :).
I had such a good time with this manga! An idol with self-esteem issues, and his die-hard fan that won't let him sulk make for a really funny and cute combo. I think a lot of my students and friends would also enjoy this manga, as idol groups have continued to become more and more popular with the general public.
I really enjoyed this first volume, and it definitely made me interested to continue on and see where the plot leads this duo :).
June 21, 2026
Cute and hilarious
Super cute premise! I'm already obsessed with these two. I love the idea that Tamon is almost two different people.
Super cute premise! I'm already obsessed with these two. I love the idea that Tamon is almost two different people.
February 23, 2025
J'ai vraiment bien rigole
June 14, 2024
Ho scoperto un pò in ritardo questa simpatica serie e devo dire che per ora non mi sta deludendo ora sono curiosa di scoprire cosa succederà nel secondo volume.
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