Reo has moved on. Basement idol group Cham Jam is now a group of six. This is an inescapable reality in Oshi ga Budokan Ittekuretara Shinu,Volume 11 (推しが武道館いってくれたら死ぬ). 

The new front line is Sora and Maki, naturally, and less explicably, Maina. Maina, the least popular and talented of the group. And she really feels it, now, when out in the front. When she makes her debut at the front, even Eripyo is unable to say she is a “good” dancer. Maina struggles, but the rest of Cham Jam is with her and is committed to helping her be front-row worthy.

To celebrate Cham Jam’s new look and their anniversary as a group, they hold a big event, inviting all fans past and present to come. It’s been a few months, and Eripyo and Motoi have not seen or spoken to Kumasa, but they ask him to join them at what they understand would be a painful event, but they really want him to be there for Cham Jam.

As the show goes on, Maina does seem better. Not a leader, but also maybe not just a mascot. And when they see Kumasa, all the groups members do Reo’s signature bear-ear gesture for him, in a moment that was genuinely touching.  Reo sends a message of encouragement. Other idol groups show up to offer their support, and possibly check out the competition

Eripyo and Maina try to converse and fail only about half as much as usual. Maina is gaining confidence in everything, somehow, step by step.

And Cham Jam moves on into it’s next chapter.

Ratings: 

Art – 8
Story – 9
Character – 9 except Motoi, who is still awful
Service – 0
Yuri – Yes, but…

Overall – 9

If My Favorite Pop Idol Made It To The Budokan, I Would Die, Volumes 1-8 are out now in English from Tokyopop and on the Yuricon Store. I will endeavor to catch up on 9-10 shortly. I apologize in advance, Volume 7 is good until the end where it is very bad. But it gets a lot better from there! ^_^;