Interview Released! Tamakou-sensei and Okazu Club (YuiP & Okarina) Appear at 'B-Boy 35th Anniversary Talk Show'

Libre Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; President & CEO: Yumiko Koreeda) held the 'B-Boy 35th Anniversary Talk Show' on Friday, June 5, 2026, inviting Okazu Club and manga artist Tamakou-sensei to commemorate the 35th anniversary of its BL label, B-Boy. https://b-boy35th-bl.com/news/0605event/

The 'B-Boy 35th Anniversary Talk Show' was held on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Animate Ikebukuro Main Store (9th Floor, Event Space WHITE), featuring Okazu Club and Tamakou-sensei, celebrating the 35th anniversary of Libre’s BL label, B-Boy.

Enjoy the highlights from our press interview conducted immediately after the event!

★ Interview Released After the Event ★

— Please share your thoughts on participating in the 'B-Boy 35th Anniversary Talk Show.'

Tamakou-sensei (hereafter Tamakou): I’m really glad it was such a lively event. I was nervous and kept thinking, 'I need to say something meaningful,' but thanks to Okazu Club, the conversation felt natural, like our everyday chats.

Okazu Club’s YuiP (hereafter YuiP): I was secretly monitoring your X (formerly Twitter) the day before, where you mentioned to a fan, 'I’m nervous.'

Tamakou: You were checking my X? (Laughs)

YuiP: I was a bit worried myself, honestly (laughs). But everything went smoothly—Okarina and I hit it off, and I learned so many fascinating things from Tamakou-sensei. It was truly wonderful.

Hearing about how BL content used to face fewer restrictions back in the day was especially interesting. In fact, the backstage chat after the talk show was full of things we couldn’t possibly say here (laughs).

All: (Laughter)

YuiP: It was incredibly lively, wasn’t it?

YuiP: It’d be great if we could do something like that again—maybe at Loft Plus One (laughs).

All: (Laughter)

— How did you feel, Okarina?

Okarina: It was so much fun! Tamakou-sensei knows so much about everything, and no matter what I asked, she had an answer. It was really enjoyable.

YuiP: The audience was also full of BL fans, making the atmosphere so warm and welcoming.

YuiP: We talked about old BL titles we’ve read, and even touched on shoujo manga like 'Yami no Matsuei'—it was so much fun!

Okarina: Also, I think Tamakou-sensei and YuiP have similar tastes, which made it even better.

YuiP: It was hilarious watching Okarina go wild when our preferences didn’t match (laughs). Staying true to your own taste was seriously cool!

— After the discussion, did your impressions of each other change?

Tamakou: From start to finish, they were exactly like they appear on TV!

And they were so open, sharing even small personal things. I kept thinking, 'Wow, they’re really talking this much?'

YuiP: That’s supposed to be my line (laughs).

Okarina: Exactly!

YuiP: Because even before the event started, Tamakou-sensei was already saying things you’d never say in public (laughs). I immediately thought, 'Ah, so this is the kind of person she is'—really interesting!

Tamakou: I tend to keep the same energy even during rehearsals, so I just slipped into it (laughs).

But I was surprised by how genuinely into BL both of you are. I was worried you might just be being polite, but I was so happy to hear you’ve read 'Lala’s Marriage.'

Okarina: YuiP reads commercial BL like crazy!

YuiP: Okarina reads a lot of fanfiction too, while I stick to commercial works. But she told me 'Lala’s Marriage' is one of her all-time favorites.

Okarina: I always think, 'What a beautiful story' and 'Such gorgeous artwork.'

Tamakou: That makes me so happy.

Okarina: Since I prefer stable pairings, I was genuinely scared when Aura showed up (laughs). (YuiP is an Aura shipper and apparently wanted a love triangle.)

All: (Laughter)

YuiP: Ughhh!

— Finally, please leave a message for BL fans.

YuiP: It’s great how times have changed, and people can now proudly say, 'I love BL.'

Okarina: It really is.

Tamakou: I think it’s wonderful that more people can openly express their love for something and find others who share that passion. To those discovering BL for the first time, please enjoy the journey.

YuiP: Absolutely. There are so many amazing works out there.

Tamakou: I hope you’ll talk about the stories you discover and keep expanding this world.

YuiP: 'Lala’s Marriage' is finally entering its final chapter—let’s see it through to the end!

All: (Laughter)

YuiP: Okarina, what about you?

Okarina: BL is fantasy!

All: (Laughter)

[Interview & Text: Chinami Sasamoto / Photography: Shota Suzuki]

■ Profile Introductions

● Okazu Club (Okarina & YuiP)

A popular female comedy duo under Yoshimoto Kogyo, known for their strong personalities and hilarious skits. They are active across variety shows and other media. Both openly declare their love for BL, and their relatable, down-to-earth personalities have earned them widespread affection.

Okarina (X @okarina_okazu)

https://x.com/okarina_okazu

YuiP (X @yuip_okazu111)

https://x.com/yuip_okazu111

Yoshimoto Kogyo Co., Ltd.

https://profile.yoshimoto.co.jp/talent/detail?id=4253

● Tamakou

A bestselling manga artist best known for the hit BL series 'Lala’s Marriage' (published by Libre). With stunning artwork and dramatic storytelling, Tamakou is a leading figure in the BL and women’s manga scene. Their rich worldviews and expressive artistry captivate fans both in Japan and abroad.

Tamakou (X @tmku1)

https://x.com/tmku1

'Lala’s Marriage' Special Site

https://www.b-boy.jp/special/lalakon/

● B-Boy

A leading BL brand operated by Libre Co., Ltd., with over 2,000 BL manga titles published. Having launched numerous classics, B-Boy celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026. A commemorative exhibition, 'Boys in Love,' will be held in Tokyo and Osaka.

B-Boy Editorial Department (X @bboy_editor)

https://x.com/bboy_editor

B-Boy Official Website

https://www.b-boy.jp/

Libre Co., Ltd.

https://libre-inc.co.jp/

B-Boy 35th Anniversary Exhibition 'Boys in Love' Special Site

https://b-boy35th-bl.com/

'B-Boy 35th Anniversary Exhibition: Boys in Love' is now open