Utage and Tamon are back at it again. I genuinely delight in reading this series. The author writes the Tamon and Utage very authentically. The author could have played into the tropes too heavily and accidentally created super annoying characters, but instead we've been given very heart-warming and human characters to latch on to, and I am enthusiastically grateful.

This is a great continuation of the previous volume. The plot get's more fleshed out, and more characters (who want to cause trouble) are thrown into the mix!

My only complaint is the font. I know it's the same font used for most, if not all, manga published in English, but it plays havoc on the name of Tamon's idol group. F/ACE is all well and good in this font, and in some of the scenes where the group name is printed on a poster or something, but whenever they mention F/ACE in the dialogue, due to the italics and the font, it looks like FlACE or FIACE. It's... distracting.

But that's such a minor thing and doesn't affect my opinion on the characters, the plot, or the illustrations (all positive). I can't wait to read volume 3!

I'm going to start by saying that this is 100% a personal opinion about the tropes in this manga and probably not an accurate description of it's actual worth. I'm not an idol manga fan, and while I do like manga about bands - idols just don't hit me in the same way. I didn't really dislike the first volume, but I wasn't really interested in it either. I can say that it feels a little different from other idol manga I've read in the past - mostly due to the way the characters are depicted and the way the relationships are forming. As much as I want to enjoy the series though, I'm just not. I've tried to give all sorts of idol manga a chance and it's just not something I'm in to. In no way is this manga bad, the author still does a really great job - its just not for me.

Thanks to #NetGalley for an e-copy of #TamonsBSideVol2 by Yuki Shiwasu to read and review.

Thanks NetGalley, VIZ Media, and VIZ Media LLC for this arc

3.5/5 stars

Thus was better than the first installment, Tamon and Uta are going through some character growth which makes them both stronger people and less annoying lol. Tamons bandmate is awful though, and I want to slap his face :)

The characters are all incredibly OTT caricatures and they never met a drama they didn't like, but it's fun. I like how Utage sticks up for Tamon, but his teammate who is trying to usurp his spot is just MEAN. I enjoyed each time Uta put him in his place. Which was under her HEEL, HA!

I really just want all of my precious babies from this series to end up happy.

4, I'm in it for the long haul, stars.

My thanks to NetGalley and VIZ Media LLC for an eARC of this book to read and review.

I cannot tell if I like this series or not. There are some really funny parts, like when Tamon's being silly and not being overdramatic. However, a lot of it really makes me cringe. I understand 'idols' are a big thing, but I've never really understood the fans seeing them as "gods". I think I'm gonna give this one more volume and decide whether to continue or not.

Tamon's B-Side volume 2 is a great follow-up to the first volume. This installment focuses on Tamon's idol group, F/ACE, and their relations. Tamon continues to be a hilarious, relatable characters and the idol storyline is enjoyable and familiar to many manga fans who may also follow J-pop or K-pop.

I liked this volume even better than the first one! The new character definitely adds to it.
I love that this series like it will be a sweet slow burn romance, but definitely not TOO slow.
The plot was fun, the characters too, the drawings are always pretty. The dialogues are also very good, funny and witty and sometimes a bit deep.
I'm glad I read it!

Utage continues to support and defend her idol Tamon as he is challenged by his bandmate who wants to be the face of F/Ace. Tamon struggles with the concept of love..

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this series after reading volume one. Tamon's character is pretty gloomy and not in an amusing way. The rivalry angle has made him wake-up and bit and in volume two he is making progress towards change. The second volume was better than the first, let's see what volume three has in store.

The second volume definitely keep a good flow after the first. Their budding friendship is adorable and I like the distinction she makes between him as himself and his persona. With the intro of Ori, I like the image it casts on idols and shows that they’re very human. Can’t wait to read the next volume.

Kinoshita continues to work as a housekeeper for her idol crush Tamon. Tamon is nothing like his stage persona, he has no self-esteem and he is very gloomy. Kinoshita continues to build him up and makes sure he is eating well. When she finds out he is being bullied by a band mate she stand up for Tamon. The bandmate Ori, wants Tamon’s center spot in the group lineup. During a popularity contest, Ori pushes Kinoshita into making a bet with him. If Ori can win the contest and become the center, she will become his housekeeper and leave Tamon’s employ. This lights a fire under Tamon, he can’t lose “Uta”. She is his first friend in a long time.

The festival scenes are so pure and adorable. You will be a member of the “Church of Tamon” fan club after reading volume 2.

This digital ARC was obtainable via NetGalley for an honest review!

Once again "Tamon's B-Side" shows an outlook on a celebrity's life. I like that this volume shows how relationships can be between co-workers in a band/group. I hope in the coming volumes Tamon will become more confident!

I'm slightly concerned for everyone's mental health here, but I had a really good time with volume 2.

Tamon is in a competition to retain his spot as the center of his idol group. To do that he has to understand love. As usual, nothing could be normal with our two main characters.

I feel like this would be a good basic introduction to shojo manga. It has the same type of innocent romance that I felt reading shojo when I was a kid/teen with a more modern twist. Tamon and Utage are really cute and the story seems to be moving at a good, if absurd, pace.

Tamon's B-Side is back with volume 2! The story continues with the stakes getting upped-- our dear god Tamon's role as the center of F/ACE, the idol group loved by our devoted main character, Utage Kinnoshita. This packs laughs and love in equal measure, examining the fine line between fangirling and idolatry. Throw in a new competitor for F/ACE's center, a dark-haired bright-eyed boy who is more than meets the eye, and you know Yuki Shiwasu's an expert at weaving together multiple, complex characters for an enjoyable and fun read.

*I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5

Tamon’s B-Side starts us off with Utage continuing to support Tamon is both sides of his life. Ever the faithful fan, she doesn’t even bat an eye when Tamon’s group mate Ori tries to charm her. Everything seems to be going well until suddenly, after years of being the face of F/ACE, a new competition begins to choose the face going forward. Will Tamon cave in to his deprecating thoughts, or will he fight to continue being the centre? And why does falling in love have to do with winning the competition?!

Okay okay. I see you. This series is starting to ramp up both in plot and romance. I like the foil character Ori. There’s starting to be layers in this story. I’m excited to see how Ori plays into the plot in the future.

Utage is our typical loyal FM. She is kind,
strong and unwavering in her support for Tamon. I hope in the next volume we get more character development for her because she’s quite static right now. Tamon is also static but I can see him starting to change. I feel like this volume was heavily focused on his growth.
I really liked the last chapter. It gives me hope for the upcoming story.

I’m looking forward to volume 3! Can’t wait for the drama~

Thank you Viz and Netgalley for this egalley in exchange for review.

We are back at it again with Utage & Tamon! Their friendship continues to develop from the first volume, but readers are introduced to another member of F/ACE: Ori! Ori makes a lasting first impression when Utage comes to learn that he is not his idol persona either, just like Tamon. Utage begins to question the true personalities of the other F/ACE members as she develops a disliking to Ori, who treats Tamon like a personal punching bag off camera. However, Utage finds herself once again being Tamon's #1 fan as it is revealed that Ori wants to replace Tamon as the groups center. The competition is set, and the idols in the group go through some serious tasks to prove themselves worthy of the center spot. Who will win? Will Tamon keep his place as the group's center? Or will Ori, the son of two popular actors that's been in the game since birth, step up as the new face of F/ACE? Utage finds herself struggling with gloomy Tamon to determine how to win the competition, including answering the question: "What is love?"

This second volume follows the first: Hilarious, likeable characters, and great art. I love that we get to see more of the fangirl side of Utage. Her happy place being a Tamon vlog is so real, reminding me of myself and my love of kpop. I laughed a lot reading this, enjoying moments of Utage leading her fangirl group with an iron fist, as well as Tamon's struggle with his persona, going as far to telling Utage to call him "Garbage-Hara" instead of his name. 😭 We also meet Ori, who seems to be changing the dynamic of Utage and Tamon's relationship. Can't wait to read the next one! 5/5.