“Forthright and impetuous Eripiyo is the number one stan for Maina, a sidelined member of the underground idol group Cham Jam. But despite her heartfelt adoration (not to mention the fortune she spends on CDs, merch, and fan meetings), Maina barely seems to be able to look Eripiyo in the eye, let alone acknowledge her devotion. Even so, Eripiyo remains undeterred in her goal to support Maina wholeheartedly and show the whole world how cute and wonderful she is!” (TOKYOPOP)
Exploring the lives of three pop-idol-obsessed individuals, Auri Hirao's “If My Favorite Pop Idol Made it to the Budokan, I Would Die” is an adorable light-comedy series that celebrates the dedication of the fandom. The first volume acts as a tease to a greater relationship-building between one of the fans and their favorite idol. While this acts as an introductory volume to the characters, the book manages to give a clear vision of its direction and the strengths of Hirao as a storyteller.
The comedy is the most notable draw to the book, and Hirano has created a wonderfully chaotic yet charming lead in Eripiyo whose overt confidence melts whenever she is face to face with her beloved Maina. Conversely, Maina's behind-the-scenes secret adoration for her number-one fan sees the quiet starlet only push herself out of her comfort zone in an attempt to connect with Eripiyo. The constant back and forth leads to numerous humorous misunderstandings between the two, all documented through awkward photos and shared letters. The rest of the characters help complement this relationship by both giving observations on the continued hopelessness of the two and pushing them to keep on trying to bridge the gap created by the idol/fan relationship.
“If My Favorite Pop Idol” works in its playful and humorous approach to the relationship between pop idol and ‘stan'. Yet, this simplicity may deter those more intrigued by the peculiar para-social relationships created through idolatry. There is, undeniably, an overlooked element in not exploring the inherent issues in the culture, the level of obsessions presented only as wholesome adoration. This is not inherently flawed and there are elements of culture that can be romanticized, but the content is geared towards celebration over analyzing which may affect readers' interest in the title. Given that the series was previously released as an anime, readers may already be aware of the light approach in exploring the relationships between fan and idol but those new to the series should be aware of the tone before approaching.
The artistic direction of Hirao is as playful as the content itself, with an emphasis on the over-the-top reactions from its cast and adorable fashion when showcasing pop idols. The book, which is only currently available digitally (paperback edition is available for pre-order), has a few bonuses in short profiles on each of the pop idols, and the few opening pages of color make a strong impression on the visual prowess of Hirao to capture the kawaii aesthetic. However, there is a lack of defining moments or panels that highlight the mangaka's art in a meaningful way.
Auri Hirao's love letter to idol culture may lack the depth some are looking for, yet the comedy is upbeat and well-executed and the characters are endearing. In particular, the awkward courtship of Eripiyo and star Maina plays out in a hilariously awkward back-and-forth that drives the series forward. Certainly light in content, this may not be to all readers' taste, but it is an enjoyable piece of escapism with a charming cast and direction that makes the series worth checking out.
