Episode 9 of Tamon’s B-Side deepens the quiet, character-driven comedy into surprisingly tender territory. Between glimpses of high school life, jealousy-fueled misunderstandings, and small but meaningful growth for the F/ACE members, this installment balances lighthearted fan-service with honest emotional beats. If you’ve been following Tamon, Utage, Keito, and Ouri, this episode pushes several relationships forward while teasing where the series might head next.
Episode 9 recap: school, study sessions, and small confessions
The episode opens with a reminder that, despite their idol lives and the summer-setting of recent episodes, Utage and most of the F/ACE boys are still high school students. That simple fact reframes several interactions: Utage’s endless homework, Tamon’s secret exhaustion from maintaining his public persona, and the way their summer together functions as both a respite and a pressure cooker for emotions. The core of the episode focuses on a study session that doubles as a moment for characters to reveal private sides of themselves—particularly Keito and Ouri—while Tamon grows another inch in emotional maturity.
What we learn about Tamon: Gloomyhara vs. Hottiehara
Tamon’s dual life highlighted
One of the most effective details this episode gives us is the contrast between Tamon’s public Hottiehara persona and his private vulnerabilities. We get a brief flash of his high school life, which suggests he must be on guard even in class. If Tamon has to keep up Hottiehara at school, the emotional labor of performing constantly becomes clearer. It’s a setup that explains why he’s so defensive about Utage and why his missteps—born from insecurity and jealousy—hit hard for him personally.
Growth through recognition
At the end of the episode Tamon admits that Utage probably didn’t like how Ouri behaved. This confession is simple, but it’s crucial: Tamon recognizes his own missteps and empathizes with Utage’s perspective. For a show that often leans into fan-fiction-y indulgence, seeing Tamon actually learn from a blunder, apologize in spirit, and act differently feels meaningful. The change feels quick, but in the series’ breezy tone it reads as genuine growth rather than rushed redemption.
Keito softens: a surprising emotional anchor
Keito has been a reserved, pragmatic presence in F/ACE, often positioned as the member most wary of fans’ boundaries. Episode 9 gives him a softer edge. His decision to let Utage and Tamon study alone in his apartment—despite his history with obsessive fans—signals trust and an unexpected protectiveness. It’s a small moment, but it deepens Keito’s characterization and hints that he may have his own evolving arc. The contrast between his public composed exterior and private warmth makes him one of the episode’s most interesting developments.
Ouri’s melancholic arc: fame, family, and unrequited feelings
Nepobaby pressures and identity
Ouri’s subplot this episode is quietly tragic. He’s open about wanting to surpass his parents’ fame, but the more telling beat is his confession—out loud to himself—that he’s in love with Utage. The show makes clear this is unlikely to be reciprocated, and Ouri’s internal conflict ties back to his struggle to forge an identity separate from his celebrity family. Scenes that show his parents’ influence make his yearning sympathetic rather than cartoonish.
Does Ouri have room to grow?
The way Ouri treats Utage in prior episodes suggests he still needs perspective. Episode 9 exposes that he must learn not just how to pursue fame for himself, but how to respect others’ boundaries and emotions. That internal growth—if it occurs—could become an important character arc for the remainder of the season and beyond.
Themes: jealousy, fandom, and the cost of performance
Episode 9 leans into a few recurring themes that have quietly underpinned the series: the toll of performing a public persona, the complicated relationship idols have with their fans, and how jealousy can illuminate deeper insecurities. The show’s comedy remains intact, but it’s no longer just about cute mishaps and fan service; these episodes are starting to interrogate what fame does to relationships and identity. Tamon’s anxiety and Ouri’s ambition both trace back to how being “on” all the time shapes who they are.
How this episode positions the series going forward
With only a few episodes left in the season, Episode 9 sets up several directions: further maturation for Tamon, a slower but meaningful arc for Ouri, and the tantalizing possibility that Keito’s warming feelings could deepen. There’s a strong case that the series would benefit from a second season to explore these threads at a healthier pace—particularly if the show wants to avoid feeling rushed while still resolving romantic tension and character growth. If the writers continue to blend light comedy with emotional honesty, the payoff could be satisfying.
Where to watch Tamon’s B-Side
Tamon’s B-Side is currently available on streaming platforms. You can watch the series on Crunchyroll (rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://www.crunchyroll.com/series/GT00365598/tamons-b-side") for international streaming. For cast details and episode lists, public databases like MyAnimeList also maintain updated series pages (rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://myanimelist.net/anime/") that may be useful for reference.
Final thoughts
Episode 9 is one of the series’ more emotionally grounded installments. It preserves the show’s playful, self-insert appeal while giving characters believable room to grow. Tamon’s newfound self-awareness, Keito’s quiet trust, and Ouri’s vulnerable ambitions all combine to make this episode both rewarding and thoughtful. If the series continues to build on these quieter, character-driven beats, a second season could turn Tamon’s B-Side from a breezy summer watch into a genuinely touching character study.
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