The highly anticipated anime adaptation of Yuki Shiwasu’s Tamon’s B-Side (Japanese: 多聞くん今どっち!?, Tamon-kun Ima Dotchi!?; lit. “Which Tamon Am I Seeing Now?”) is gearing up for its January 2026 premiere, and the excitement is building! Recent updates include the release of a music video for the in-story idol group F/ACE’s debut song, a tie-in voice drama announcement, and further insights into the plot and characters. Here’s a breakdown of everything fans can look forward to.
From Manga to Anime: A Rom-Com Delight
Tamon’s B-Side began as a one-shot manga in Hakusensha’s Hana to Yume magazine in August 2021 before becoming a serialized series in October of the same year. The manga was nominated for Best Shōjo Manga in Kodansha’s 47th annual Manga Awards in 2023 and ranked #9 on the top 20 manga for female readers in Takarajimasha’s Kono Manga ga Sugoi! guidebook. Viz Media has licensed the manga for English publication, bringing the heartwarming and hilarious story to a wider audience.
The anime adaptation is produced by J.C.Staff, with Chika Nagaoka (Case Closed: The Fist of Blue Sapphire) directing. Chiaki Nagai (22/7) is in charge of series composition and scripts, while Yōko Itō (Delico’s Nursery) handles character design and serves as chief animation director. Shochiku, King Records, and Hakusensha are producing the anime, ensuring a high-quality adaptation of the beloved manga.
Story
Tamon’s B-Side follows Utage Kinoshita, a high school student and avid fan of the popular idol group F/ACE, particularly its charismatic leader, Tamon Fukuhara. To support her idol obsession, Utage works as a housekeeper. One day, she’s assigned to clean the home of a new client who shares the same name as her beloved Tamon. To her surprise, it turns out to be none other than Tamon Fukuhara himself!
However, Utage quickly discovers that the Tamon she knows from the stage is very different from the real Tamon. Behind his sexy and wild idol persona, Tamon is actually insecure, gloomy, and lacks self-confidence. Utage, unwavering in her support, dedicates herself to helping Tamon, leading to a lively romantic comedy filled with contrasting personalities and heartfelt moments.
“F/ACE OFF”: The Music Video Debut
The official website for the anime recently released a music video for “F/ACE OFF,” the debut song of the in-story idol group F/ACE. The song became available on music streaming services at midnight on June 22nd (11:00 a.m. EDT). The music video offers a glimpse into the vibrant world of F/ACE and the dynamic between its members, further building anticipation for the anime’s premiere.
Voice Drama Project
In addition to the music video, a voice drama project has been announced. The first episode is scheduled to stream on June 25th. The “A-Side Talk ‘F/ace Liner Talk: Let’s Talk About the F/ace Off Music Video'” will debut on the anime’s official X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube accounts at 6:00 p.m. (5:00 a.m. EDT). Simultaneously, the “B-Side Talk ‘Tamon & О̄ri’s Group Evaluation'” will debut on Animate’s Kikigatari service.
Meet the Cast
The anime boasts a talented voice cast who bring the characters to life:
- Utage Kinoshita: Voiced by Saori Hayami.
- Tamon Fukuhara: Voiced by Kakeru Hatano.
- Ōri Sakaguchi: Voiced by Shōya Chiba.
- Keito Tachibana: Voiced by Tasuku Hatanaka.
- Natsuki Ishibashi: Voiced by Kōhei Amasaki.
- Rintarō Kai: Voiced by Ryuuho Nagaoka.
What the Cast and Creator Are Saying
The cast and creator have shared their thoughts on the anime adaptation:
- Yuki Shiwasu (Creator): “It has always been a dream of mine to see my manga become an anime, so I am extremely happy! I’m excited to see how Utage and the others will talk and move in the anime. Since the music of F/ACE cannot be expressed through just text and drawings, I’m particularly interested in what kind of songs will be created through the voice actors. The anime staff is currently working hard, and I look forward to helping in any way I can as we await the broadcast!”
- Saori Hayami (Utage Kinoshita): “The unique personalities and contrasts of the characters are fascinating, and the balance of comedy and seriousness is perfect—it’s a series you can’t stop once you start. The fierce and sometimes sincere love for the idol, portrayed in various ways, makes me excited for the adaptation.”
- Kakeru Hatano (Tamon Fukuhara): “Instead of ‘acting’ as Tamon, I aim to experience many scenes with him and the F/ACE members as if we are partners, working hard together!”
- Shoya Chiba (Ouri Sakaguchi): “I want to delve deeper into his character, expressing the delicate changes in his feelings. As an actor, I respect and empathize with him and want to reflect that in my performance. I’m excited to see how the dynamic with other cast members and F/ACE will develop. I’ll work hard to make the idol mode of Sakuragi and others appealing to both Utage and the audience.”
- Tasuku Hatanaka (Keito Tachibana): “However, through the manga, I saw him as a hardworking, competitive, and kind person.”
- Kohei Amasaki (Natsuki Ishibashi): “People often talk about public versus private faces, but I believe both are genuine expressions. As a performer, the love and passion shown publicly are very real. This series portrays that beautifully, and I want to bring out the authenticity in Natsuki-kun.”
- Ryuho Nagaoka (Rintaro Kai): “Rintaro-kun is a man of few words and has a mysterious aura. I’m excited for everyone to see his hidden side. He’s the rap part of the group, so I’ll be practicing rap intensely. Rintaro-kun also has a great physique, so I’ll be focusing on building muscle for the role!”
What to Expect
Tamon’s B-Side promises to be a delightful romantic comedy with a unique premise. The series explores the contrast between the public and private lives of idols, the intense passion of fandom, and the heartwarming connection between Utage and Tamon. With a talented cast and experienced production team, the anime is poised to capture the charm and humor of the original manga. Fans can look forward to a story that is both funny and touching, with plenty of idol music and behind-the-scenes drama.
As the January 2026 premiere draws closer, more updates and promotional material are expected to be released. Be sure to follow the official anime accounts for the latest news and sneak peeks!
