Volume 9 left me weak with relief as Eripyo and Maina actually had a conversation. But as we look at the cover of Oshi ga Budokan Ittekuretara Shinu, Volume 10, (推しが武道館いってくれたら死ぬ), we can see that this volume will be different. All previous volumes portrayed Cham Jam or another idol group. This volume only has Reo. And we know why… Reo is retiring.

This whole volume focuses on the ripples in the water when the well-liked and talented lead of a small-time idol group retires. Reo is not the only one whose life will change. Of course the entire group now will be different with only 6 members – they no longer have a center position! Every member of Cham Jam has to reconcile their personal and professional feelings about Reo and decide if the group is strong enough to continue.

And then there are the fans. Kumasa has been very vocal about how his fandom for Reo changed his life for the better. If she retires, what will he have to look forward to? The volume gets very deep into this because for all three of our resident fans, the group is secondary to the passion they have for their favorite, specifically.

And then…Reo retires. I was kind of surprised, honestly. Right up to the very end, I was just sure something would bring her back. Once again, good opportunities were missed by the management company. Who better to add to the management team than the former lead? But, no. And then they miss the opportunity of centering Maki and Sorane as a lead *pair.* Gosh this management team is a bunch of dipshits. It would have enraged Aya for lulz, as an added benefit. But no one asks me. ^_^; When the management announces who will join the front row all hell breaks loose, not. It’s an insane choice for the business, but it’s brilliant for the story.

I just picked up Volume 11 (spoilers on the cover!) in Japanese and kinda want to see what’s going to happen and also want to bash something heavy into my head because reading this manga is my equivalent of a hair shirt. ^_^;

Ratings:

Art – 8
Story – 9
Character – 9, except Motoi who is still awful. Thank heavens for his sister Rena, who, even in abstensia, is twice the man he is.
Service – 0
Yuri – Idol/fan lives are complicated.

Overall – 9

If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It to the Budokan, I Would Die, Volumes 1-5 are available in English now from Tokyopop and Volume 6 is on the way this month, if you too want to marvel at the ineptitude of Cham Jam’s management in this dark comedy about provincial idols groups.