Eva’s First Impression
Dang, this premiere was going at the speed of light! Yet despite that insanity, man did i enjoy it! Just wow! I loved how much they made the colours and the animation just pop! It was really a treat to the eyes! And the CGI for the concert (chef kiss) was also extremely well done! It crisp and clean, just absolutely melded perfectly together into the background. I would say it’s definitely a new favourite among the last few I’ve watched in the last few years. Very encouraging to see, because I’m notoriously picky over CGI quality. Both the concert’s and the ED Theme song’s were fantastic, I’m a fan! (Also the ED Theme MV was soooo cute!)
The only downside about this episode, was definitely the pace. It’s been so long since I last read this series, so I actually don’t remember how fast things progressed, but things were moving so fast, that I actually had to double-check the episode to make sure I mistakenly was on the second episode or something. This kind of speed is not really going to click with everyone, but if you can put up with it, there’s still room to simply enjoy this story for all the fun chaos that it offers.
Although things were moving at a rapid pace, they did a good job of selling what makes Utage an awesome lead. She is a passionate fangirl of Tamon from F/aced. She has been a fan since he had auditioned two years ago, and poured everything she has into him. But who would’ve thought it was through her part-time job as a house cleaner that she’d meet her oshi face to face?! But rather than that being the biggest shock, it was the jarring contrast of his timid true self VS the confident, shining idol persona that he had portrayed himself to be. But credit where it’s due, Utage actually handled this reveal far better than I think most fans would have.
Speaking of which, I think the main reason why it was even able to move as fast as it did was because Utage really kept her fangirl side in check while on the job. While she was shook by how his true self isn’t anything like his stage’s character, she didn’t let it distract or prevent her from carrying out her tasks. Instead, she maintained professionalism did what she had to do and focused that. It was only when she saw how distressed he was over the fact there was someone young like her who was (temporarily) stepping in on behalf of his usual house keeping lady. He was afraid she’d make a post about how his gloomy true self (hence the nickname, Gloomyhara) and he’d be labelled as a fraud and traitor by his fans. It was only then that she decided to announce that she is a fan of his since his audition two years ago, and did so to assure him that she would never do such a thing. But he was still spiralling and that’s when she took matters into her own hands– letting her fangirl side take the wheel, swearing that he’s not a fraud, and Antis won’t take her down. She leads the Church of Tamon, she’s not put off by his gloomy self. She believes in him no matter what, and that means a lot to him.
In that sense, it is actually hilarious the duality between the two of them. We have Utage’s true self which is being an unreservedly passionate fan, and Gloomyhara who’s in this terrible spiral of anxiety because he has no confidence in himself outside of his stage persona. She was able to help in a lot of ways, such as preparing some home-cooked meals when she noticed he hadn’t been eating properly (which really doesn’t help his mental state). She had also assisted him tapping into the on/off switch when he was unsure how to go about things that gave him a lot of anxiety when he’s off-stage.
But much of Tamon’s anxiety and low self-esteem has to do with how quickly he had become famous. He hasn’t really had the time to adjust to it yet, and suddenly being loaded with all these expectations has taken a toll on him. He’s struggling with the duality of his timid side and his flamboyant persona he was assigned by the agency. That’s why he panics when this “B-Side” of him his exposed to others. It’s the side of him he wants to hide the most.
Despite his gloomy self, Tamon’s shy and awkward self is exceptionally adorable. I think the cutest moment was actually when he hid his face behind his hood by sealing it shut. Just something about that shy dorkiness that makes that side of hims super endearing. It really is a huge contrast to his Idol Persona, who is oozing with alluring confidence. He also has a very wholesome and pure reason for why he sings, and that’s to make others smile.
Hilariously they both had a moment when their “switch” took the wheel. Tamon’s was first when he ate the chicken she made him. That flipped his switch and went all “buggy” as he put it because he was so into the chicken that he was sprouting absolute nonsense that did not match the context of both his words and actions. LIKE SIR, WHAT ARE YOU GOING ON ABOUT?! No wonder Utage was so flustered she internally combusted. THAT WAS TOO MUCH FOR HER HEART!
As for Utage, she too had a moment where she lost her cool when she got to see his very cute non-idol smile. He got immediately shy after that and she was like: SHOW ME, DON’T HIDE THAT AWKWARD SMILE IT’S SO CUTE!
Poor and maybe fortunate timing for the manager to have walked in when she had tackled him hahahahaha. Well at least she was mortified at herself for totally losing control of herself then, but it was then when she reminded herself she needed to draw the line and fast. She knew she was falling for him harder and feared she’d do something she’d regret after jumping him over his awkward smile. That’s why she had decided it’d be better to go back as a nameless fan– and honestly credit to her for even having the will to do that.
But in the end, it was Tamon who decided he didn’t want that line drawn between them. He was the one who took the initiative to see her by pulling her backstage when he managed to catch her leaving the concert. And what’s also really important about this is that this was probably the first time in a long time, Tamon was finally tapping into his own desires outside of his idol persona. When Toda returned to her position as his house keeper, he really felt Utage’s absence and it made him sad and lonely. That’s why when he noticed her in the audience, pin-pointing the unmistakably sign of “Church of Tamon”, he didn’t miss the opportunity to pull her to the side once the concert was over. Fear for scandals or being in close contact with a fan, let alone a girl in this situation wasn’t on his mind. He just wanted to see Utage, and he wants her to keep being by his side because she has helped him that much.
So while Utage knows it would be better to refuse, she can’t say no– hell how could she? Especially when he says he’s hopeless without her. Like DANG SON. IS THAT A CONFESSION? Pretty close to one! Needless to say, sparks are flying between these two and both of them barely got a hold on their own emotions. They don’t seem to realize they are rapidly falling for each other, but it’s gonna be hell of a ride to see them come to terms with their feelings for each other.
With that said, I’m really looking forward to watching this one this season! I’m not 100% certain if this is going to be among some of my picks this season, but I’m willing to give this up to three episodes varying on how next week’s premieres pan out. By episode 3 I should have a better idea what the schedule looks like and what it might be competing with on Wednesdays. If I do cover it, chances are this may be frequently released as a double-post if leans more into the comedic gags over story progression!
Possibility of Blogging: Moderate – Willing to give up to three episodes!
Possibility of Watching: ABSOLUTELY