Skip Beat!

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

As with most shoujo manga, you often encounter the typical tsundere, moe, and megane characters, but none compare to our beloved Mogami Kyoko-chan. Although the plot might not seem that captivating at first glance, the story's progression is splendid. I will strive not to include spoilers for this manga, although I'm confident many have already read it or watched the anime.

Kyoko-chan embodies what one might call "Yamato Nadeshiko" - kind, loving, caring, sweet - the type of woman Fuwa Sho finds boring and disappointing. Little did he know what awaited him when he broke Kyoko-chan's heart. Seeking revenge, Kyoko-chan goes to extraordinary lengths to show Shotaru how wrong he was to toy with her emotions.

The manga centers around Kyoko-chan's quest to ruin Sho's (aka Shotaru) career. However, in the process of seeking vengeance, she encounters the stunningly handsome Tsuruga Ren, whose presence complicates her plans or offers her a chance to love again. Though the story has some gaps (such as Kyoko-chan's parents), Kyoko-chan's adventures in the idol world have been enjoyable.

The artwork is as lovely as ever. If only I could reach into the monitor/manga and pull them out into real life! There are many favorite scenes (like Angel Kyoko-chan) where the mangaka has put effort into showcasing Kyoko-chan's beauty.

Character-wise, I appreciate how Kyoko-chan and her friends have lost hope in love and are doing their best to block out all emotions or events that might trigger those feelings again. I also admire how Kyoko gradually transforms from hate to love, though not in a romantic sense but in terms of love for work and friends.

Overall, this manga is worth the lengthy series and wait. Despite recent updates making it somewhat dragging, it remains fun. I would recommend this to all girls whose hearts have been trampled and survived or anyone who wants to read about a new kind of heroine who doesn't easily succumb to love.

Skip Beat is a remarkable tale about a young girl's journey of self-discovery and growth within the entertainment industry, following her transformation after being exploited for years. Kyoko is an exceptional character, and my affection for both her and Ren runs deep. Witnessing their mutual development is truly heartwarming. In summary, I thoroughly enjoy this manga and all its associated elements.

For newcomers, I have been engrossed in Skip Beat for over six years now, and I've discovered that the most gratifying way to savor it is by taking breaks between volumes until a new one is released. This approach allows you to fully immerse yourself in the narrative rather than anxiously awaiting each chapter. Additionally, revisiting previous chapters is always a pleasure, especially when you return to moments that left a lasting impression, reminding you why you've cherished this beautiful story for so long.

This might be a bit too direct, but...

I NEED A SEX SCENE BETWEEN REN AND KYOKO!

I promise I'm not just some overly eager fan. Hear me out. It feels like the manga would reach its full potential if Ren and Kyoko had an intimate moment together. Nothing too explicit, just a natural adult romantic scene that has been missing so far.

This manga has touched my heart in ways I can't fully describe. To me, it seems like the only thing missing is the ultimate intimate experience people can share. I'm not asking for something unrealistic; rather, it's something many fans have dreamed of seeing someday. (Apart from hoping the anime continues, of course.)

Thanks for listening <3

Upon rewatching the anime, it's not as captivating or engaging anymore. It's no longer something I eagerly anticipate each month. The series has shifted more into a romantic comedy centered around whether Ren and Kyoko will end up together. After the Dark Moon saga, my enjoyment has been steadily decreasing. The acting challenges aren't as thrilling as they once were. I've read every chapter, thankfully they are quick reads. However, the focus seems to have shifted heavily towards Ren, who I find rather uninteresting. He only becomes somewhat bearable when he's with Kyoko. There have been numerous chapters dedicated solely to Ren, and I'm just not invested in his "dark past" from America—it feels too contrived. - Kyoko technically meets Ren's dad. Those chapters were well-executed. - Kyoko lands the role of Natsu. - Kyoko and Moko get roles to work together in a period piece. - Kyoko's mom's backstory is revealed, which was okay. - Kyoko and her mom reunite, sort of. - More chapters where Kyoko encounters Corn/Kuon. Is she really that oblivious not to recognize Ren's voice? Initially, the series focused on these characters overcoming their acting challenges, but now it's more about when Ren and Kyoko will finally get together. For the past few years, the Cain/Kain siblings arc was introduced, and I didn't enjoy any of those chapters. They felt like an excuse for Kyoko to dress provocatively and tease Ren-Kyoko shippers. Kyoko didn't even have a part in that movie; she was just there. There wasn't much development, aside from Kyoko helping Ren overcome his inner darkness. Thankfully, that arc is over, but it drained a lot of my enjoyment. Ren gets upset with Kyoko because she was talking to Sho. So now she can't even see or speak to him? Then another misunderstanding ensues, rinse and repeat. So, what happened to the focus on acting? Has it been pushed to the background? The pacing has been dull and inconsistent. Surprisingly, I am looking forward to the upcoming chapter. Finally, some progress in the relationship. Honestly, I wished they had gotten together during the Dark Moon arc.

It's always surprising when you dive into a story that you initially think won't be very captivating, only to find yourself completely engrossed. As someone who enjoys tales of the underdog, I must say Skip Beat! really caught my attention. You get drawn in and can't stop reading, eager to see what happens next.

The characters are uniquely crafted and well-developed. The protagonist is a young heroine named Mogami Kyoko, who has quickly become one of my favorite characters. Her straightforwardness and unwavering perseverance make you want to cheer for her, even though her entry into the entertainment world is quite unconventional. Despite being underestimated and looked down upon, it's incredible how much she achieves and shines. Alongside Kyoko, there are numerous other characters in the story, each with their own intricate background and storyline. These characters are so dynamic that you're left wanting to know more about every single one of them.

It's not surprising that the characters are so well fleshed out since they often have to portray other characters within the story, almost like a story within a story. The main plot is simple, but the complexity lies in the background of each actor and character. As you read on, you discover that everyone harbors secrets they wish to keep hidden, which feels true to life in the entertainment industry.

In terms of art, I have no complaints. While the author does use "chibi" forms frequently, likely due to the intricacy involved with drawing each character, during crucial moments, the facial expressions and looks are outstanding. When a character appears angry, it sends shivers down your spine. The author truly brings each character to life. A smile can range from genuine to cruel to downright evil.

All in all, I loved both the characters and the story development in Skip Beat! If you enjoy stories about underdogs, someone with a bit of talent and a lot of perseverance, then I highly recommend giving Skip Beat! a read.

I first learned about this manga from a friend of mine. She’s quite critical, so when she recommended it, I was intrigued. However, after reading the synopsis, I felt let down. The theme seemed overused, and I didn’t connect with the main character or her motivations. I decided to avoid the series altogether.

That changed when I accidentally signed up for a Crunchyroll membership. Determined to make good use of it, I stumbled upon Skip Beat. I gave it a shot and before I knew it, I had binge-watched the entire anime. Next, I switched to the manga where the anime left off and have been hooked ever since.

This manga is fantastic. It’s one of the best shoujo out there, filled with great comedy. I also recommend the anime because it captures the essence and feel of the manga remarkably well—a rare feat. Despite my usual dislike for anime adaptations, this one stood out.

The series has romance, but it never gets boring. The characters are complex, displaying mixed emotions and unresolved feelings. Interestingly, the story doesn’t start with romantic elements; in fact, it’s quite the opposite.

*Possible spoiler* The protagonist holds onto her grudge against love for a long time. Over time, she grows as a person and sets better goals for herself (which isn’t much of a spoiler since it’s expected, but apologies anyway). You’ll have to follow her journey through many stages of development—but this isn’t a problem here. I often find shoujo series rush their stories, but not this one. *Spoiler ends*

Sometimes, though, even I get frustrated by how slowly the characters and their feelings evolve towards each other. I’ve nicknamed this series "cocktease." Reading this manga makes me feel like a schoolgirl again whenever something "romantic" happens. Even small, insignificant moments make me blush profusely. That’s a wonderful feeling. The mangaka seems to value character development more than just telling a love story, which I appreciate. I ended up both hating and loving everyone in this story.

The comedy in this manga is superb. It’s not cheap moe or pervy humor. Most jokes stem from character interactions. Some characters don’t seem as "real" or appear unnecessary, but as the story progresses, some reasons emerge for their presence.

However, I do have a complaint regarding the art. While beautiful and detailed, especially the eyes, I’m not a fan of the extremely long-legged manga style. Sometimes, full-body shots with overly long legs broke my immersion. Occasionally, male characters had thick necks and hands were too large, which also disrupted my experience. These could be stylistic choices, but they bothered me. Still, the art is otherwise very well done and beautiful. It just suffers from the Barbie syndrome, like many other shoujo manga, which personally irks me. You might find it attractive, and that’s okay.

I also wish there were a bit more background art. Sometimes, I struggled to understand the scene layout, but it could just be me not paying attention.

Despite my criticisms, I must praise the art further. The mangaka put extra effort into simple details like belt rings or phone buttons. I particularly love the president's mobile phone and want one like that! So, while the art has its flaws, it also has nice touches.

This manga has awakened a desire in me to act. Many acting scenarios and problems seem somewhat realistic. If you’re an actor, you might consider picking this up, but I can’t vouch for its realism since I’m not an actress. Don’t blame me if it’s not accurate.

In conclusion, this manga exceeded my expectations. Though the idea and synopsis are simple, there’s a compelling story within that hooks you. Actors are cooler than I thought.

This is going to be difficult to review...

Because, you know, I am sort of attached to 'Skip Beat'. But at the same time, as of now, it never delivered what I wanted most out of it. And it is not even because the story drags on.

'Skip Beat' has this interesting part about it that its plot is actually twofold. One is the romance. The other is about acting, cinema, and stuff like that. I am most definitely NOT in the target audience. I am a guy, and by now, I am much too old to be concerned with the world of high schoolers like Kyoko. So, obviously, I was always there for the acting career part.

And this acting part is so damn well done... I mean it is REALLY well done. Nakamura sensei bothered to create actual scripts (good ones) for the roles Kyoko takes on. From 'Dark Moon' to 'Box R', and taking into consideration Ren's role in 'Tragic Marker', Nakamura certainly went out of her way to give substance to the roles and stories our characters act in. The scripts, the scenes, the characters, everything is there. And to be honest, each one of them is probably better than the script for 'Skip Beat'. Except, they wouldn't work as a Shoujo manga.

But it doesn't stop there. Nakamura-sensei goes into details about how Kyoko creates her roles. How she struggles, why she struggles. She displays acting lessons, acting dilemmas, and she knows what she talks about. The end result is absolutely thrilling. When Kyoko slowly grasps her character more and more, and becomes more and more the character itself... It is almost like watching interviews of Joaquin Phoenix before he started filming 'The Joker'. She takes the mannerisms and expressions of her characters, as if she was only half herself. I was always fascinated by acting, roleplay, and everything that entails living countless lives in one. And 'Skip Beat' really provided a massive window for escapism to me. All the more so that the one good thing about Nakamura-sensei's drawing is that she manages to convey very complex emotions by drawings alone. This exceptional talent is absolutely perfect for such a story about acting. And I really, really wish she would make the best out of it.

And you saw the synopsis... Kyoko swore to reach the top. And we are teased about this. Like when Takarada projects to have her start on the world stage at some point. Kyoko meets the right persons, too. For the past 15 years, Nakamura-sensei has teased us about a story where Kyoko's career and her acknowledgment on the world stage would finally skyrocket. That would be very satisfying to me. But as of now, it is still mere teasing. It is not that Kyoko failed. It is that it didn't happen as of yet. She was told she should try for main roles, but she has yet to do so.

But the other part of the frustration comes from one common Japanese trope. One I hate with a passion. I mean, I really, seriously despise this trope. It is the 'invisible hero' trope. Kuroko in 'Kuroko no Basuke' is just that, too. But actually pretty much every last Japanese main character in history is like this to some extent. Secondary cast characters will make it big, be overly fawned over, photographed, admired, celebrated, and all the shebang, mostly in order to emphasize how the MC is super humble in comparison. And the MC will always be at best 'on the verge of succeeding' but never will. Idol animes are a lot like that. 'BECK' is a lot like that. Even Miyafuji in 'Strike Witches' is never even in the background, and however big her achievements, she is stuck fangirling over other characters (generally unsufferable ones). Every last genre is plagued by this trope. I don't understand what the point of undermining characters for the sole reason that they are the MC even is. But it sure is widespread. Maybe this annoying trope is the reason why Kyoko's acting career is dragging so badly.

And I wouldn't be surprised if it were the case. Nakamura-sensei herself stated that she had no interest whatsoever in TV, showbiz, actors, or anything. Right now, she collects stones. It's great and all, but when I learned this, I started to realize why Kyoko's interviews were always skipped in the story and hardly mentioned, and why the biggest emphasis is made on her respect of traditional Japan, and why we never really get to understand where her career stands at a given moment. We know when she earns negative points, but never when she earns good ones. Even though the synopsis is all about her 'reaching the top to make Sho regret being an ass', even though this is repeated and emphasized, even though Sho himself acknowledged this and defied her up until very recently... this is, as always in Japanese media... never fulfilled. Kyoko is never recognized in the street. There is even a joke about this where she walks amongst people who talk about a film being made in these parts, and nobody realizes she is part of it because she disguises herself so damn well for her roles that even her mommy couldn't tell it was her. 'Invisible Hero' syndrome. Sometimes she is even prevented from going on set by security because they don't know she is in the main cast...

Overall, at this point, I feel like Nakamura-sensei is disconnected with her story. She is in her 50s after all. Collecting stones and trying to tell us a story about 17-year-old Kyoko's romantic life? I don't know if it is because she is disconnected or because of a weird Japanese idea that a 'cool Japanese' is necessarily the dead-pan type that showcases no emotion because he is so damn cool... but a big development that happened around chapter 293 fell totally flat for me. The whole romance can't involve me at all at this point. And it has to do with the fact I am not the target audience. But not only. And obviously Nakamura-sensei doesn't seem to really understand what makes an American or Russian and a Japanese different. Ren becomes essentially more Japanese than even Japanese. This is part of the reason why learning that she collects stones worries me. I do believe that one needs to widen his/her perspectives, look at the world, look up and around to tell this kind of story. But her hobbies seem worlds apart from the themes that make up her manga. I can tell that she worked pretty hard to gather data about acting and how dramas are made. But the more we go into 'Skip Beat', the more Kyoko's dreams seem pushed into the background. "The Sacred Lotus in the Mire", Kyoko's last work to date, isn't half as developed as a script as the others were. The role creation was hardly touched upon. And this is a lot about Ren's never-ending existential crisis, which I never really cared much about.

On a brighter note, one of the strongest points in 'Skip Beat' is how sensible the characters' psychology is. Ren and Kyoko's psychology is masterfully developed. Nakamura-sensei understands the human heart like no other. Because her drawing is as I said above, part of the storytelling comes without dialogues. This is nothing short of impressive. Ren and Kyoko are defined by traumas. They are stuck in systems they made for themselves in order to deal with horrible things of their past. From self-protection to self-hatred, from self-punishment to their crumbling psychology that borders on insanity, each one of them will try to make do and clog holes that open wide in their respective mind's fortresses as events and people unknowingly fire with heavy mortars at them. Each time they manage to make some progress and a wall finally crumbles, a new wall is revealed. And each and every time, I thought... 'Ah yes, this was obvious this other wall was there, it wouldn't make sense if it wasn't'. Sometimes I saw it coming, sometimes, I felt stupid for not seeing it coming. But overall it is pure logic. Some may feel that it is dragged on, but still, it completely makes sense and feels totally natural.

The problem lies elsewhere. It lies in the fact that for each given situation that may help move the plot forward, there are generally 2 or 3 possibilities, according to the characters' psychology and personality. But out of these few possibilities, Nakamura Yoshiki will always make her characters choose the one that stalls character development the most. It is logical, it works perfectly well, but once you get used to her logic, you understand that there were other ways that could have worked equally well with the characters. Except these would move the plot much faster. And once you start to see this, you start to realize how mechanical the writing really is. And yes, this reminds me of the stone hobby again.

Nakamura Yoshiki is a master at storyboards. She may hint a detail, barely perceptible... and then another one 3 chapters later... these are build-ups. If you just read through the whole thing, you won't notice what she does. She is a master at build-ups because she is a master at storyboards. Her story is made of an intricate pattern or intertwined build-ups. Some build-ups are immediate ones, where she uses a situation she created to hint a sudden misunderstanding that may make the story progress. It always happens at the bottom of a page. I am sure you know how the top of next page turns out. Another build-up is the mid-term one. It is constructed over a few chapters to reach a certain situation. Almost all the time, the situation is solved by going back to square one or something equivalent. Except knowledge of the incident will be reminded and may be used as a build-up element years later. The last build-up type is a story arc build-up. There are story arcs that hint that things can't stay as they are for much longer, and then the situations become more and more tense until... not much actually. Because the characters are who they are, the situation stalls not because of a lack of opportunity to make things progress, but because they need things to stall. Understanding that actually deflates the hype a lot... Rinse and repeat. The whole thing is made up of intertwined build-ups of various lengths and various ranges, and so you always are under the impression that something pretty intense is happening... This is pure genius manipulation. But... the build-ups are only of two natures... either something bound to change the relationship between Kyoko and Ren... or a problem of sorts. My gripe is that the acting part is never teased this way, which tends to make me think, again, that the acting stuff is no more than a cumbersome afterthought for Nakamura. Which is really a terrible perspective for me.

But even though I say that things go back to square one, this is not entirely the case. As I said, the memory of the event will be retained. And facts can only be ignored this many times. The story progresses. If slowly. Maybe the most debatable part of the whole manga is towards chapter 240/280 where 40 monthly chapters describe less than a week. And actually, I don't think much time has passed even up to chapter 300. It has been 180 chapters to describe 4 months of the second year. There are always little things that happen that get you hooked... And by the way... As of the time I write this, 'Skip Beat' has been publishing for 20 years. But even so, it didn't drag as much as you may think. 'Diamond no Ace' published the same number of volumes in the span of only 9 years. And 'Baby Steps' in 10 years. It is merely that while Nakamura published 35 pages every two weeks in the beginning, these past few years, she has been publishing only 20 pages (almost) every month. Days seem to never end in the manga, which is why it feels dragged on.

Overall, whether you will like it or not will depend. The writing method of the author knows how to hook a reader, almost terrifyingly so. And even at my age, suffice that I read a few pages and I am reminded of why I still look back to it once every year or so. I don't have much hope to get the development I have been hoping for. Nakamura-sensei really looks to me as the more traditional and conservative side Japan, or at least, this is how she feels to me. I don't expect her to deliver or go beyond what is expected of her. She already started a manga with a vengeful, possessed MC, which is already pretty gutsy for a shoujo manga. Something tells me that she won't go out of her way to do things she doesn't want to do at this point, and she doesn't care about showbiz (it seems to me that in her world, it is all about Japan, too, which doesn't help considering the overall quality of their TV and TV dramas. And even though her story is meant to be international). My biggest worry here is to see 'Skip Beat' devolving into a mere, random, generic shoujo romance, deprived of any intent to develop its second storyline about acting. That would make the whole journey taste bitter.

First and foremost, I must admit that I generally disdain most shoujo manga. However, when a shoujo manga manages to captivate me, it's because it defies predictability, its characters are multidimensional, and the protagonist isn't some clumsy damsel in distress or a magical girl. This particular manga has indeed captured my interest.

To begin with, what drew me in after reading the synopsis was the art. I had previously read a manga by this author (Tokyo Crazy Paradise) and was astounded by both the quality difference and the stylistic shift. Tokyo Crazy Paradise was a shonen manga with romantic elements, and its art reflected that. Shoujo manga needs to convey a distinct vibe from shonen, and I believe Yoshiki Nakamura deliberately elongated the characters' bodies and used thinner lines to showcase his (or her?) mastery of style. Although, I will concede that these elongated bodies occasionally make me cringe. The eyes and expressions hold significant importance for this mangaka; every expression communicates directly to the reader.

The main characters are exceptionally well-developed. Kyouko is far from one-dimensional... she likely harbors an infinite array of personalities just waiting to be revealed. She's unpredictable, like a whirlwind. Shou is undeniably human—he discards Kyouko when he no longer needs her but gradually falls deeply in love with her. He often feels confused, and despite my dislike for him, I must acknowledge that he possesses greater character depth than Ren. Ren appears more as the handsome-with-hidden-darkness archetype, which makes him somewhat predictable and ultimately a bit boring.

The storyline, though seemingly simple, resonates with many girls worldwide—wanting revenge on a guy. As the characters evolve, learning to accept each other, the focus of the manga begins to shift.

In summary, Skip Beat is an accomplished manga; it’s very solid and excellent, ranking among my favorites (:

Is this the One Piece of shoujo manga?

It's been a while since I last wrote a review, but it's been even longer since Skip Beat! began. In the simple words of another reader of this series:

"Either we will die or the author will die before this manga is completed."

Honestly, I've faithfully followed Skip Beat! for several years now, with the intent of postponing my review until its completion. But what is this? "This pacing is rather slow," thought I. "The clothing and hairstyles are a bit outdated as well, I noticed. Just when did this begin? ...I'm sorry, does that say 2002?!? We're coming up on 20 years now?!"

Before we dive into the actual content and quality of the series, my preliminary advice is to delay starting this series for as long as possible so you aren't left waiting for monthly updates of chapters that are consistently short. There it is, I can't do more for you on that front, let's get to the critique.

Skip Beat! is sublime, despite its mediocre artwork. A long-running series should boast (1) an expansive storyline and (2) notable character development; Skip Beat! succeeds in both.

We achieve the former through the realm of entertainment. As an actress, Kyoko's ongoing improvement in her acting range translates directly to the environmental expansion viewed by the reader. It's historical drama, it's an action flick, it's shoujo within shoujo (so meta!). I most likely would have dropped the series upon reaching the latest chapters, except one of these subplots hooked my interest and I remain hopeful for more content like it.

The latter benefit, character development, is the author's particular—and possibly indirect—skill. Without this, the series would be truly unbearable. Truthfully, characters' big "realization" moments are somewhat overblown and fairly trite. However, the underlying pace of the story actually results in subtle shifts for the story's leads that are very satisfying to consider at large. I wonder how much this effect is derived from the author's own maturing over 2 decades of work.

To conclude, Skip Beat! holds a unique place in the ranks of shoujo manga for a reason. I think you'll find something to enjoy in its many pages, but if you like conclusions (like me), then hold off for "another minute."

The Skip Beat! manga retains much of what makes the anime so captivating. It remains a lighthearted, humorous story about twisted intentions and personal transformation that isn't afraid to delve into deeper issues when necessary. The main character continues to shine, possessing both vulnerabilities and strengths that make her engaging, with her growth being central to and driving the plot.

However, due to its significantly longer length, the manga introduces both advantages and disadvantages not present in the anime. For one, it delves more deeply into the other characters, giving those around Kyouko added depth and dimension. This extended exploration also provides a broader picture of Kyouko's development, taking us further on her journey. The additional length allows for more scenarios involving the characters, which is beneficial if you want to see more of them but can be seen as a drawback if it causes the plot to meander too much, especially since some situations veer towards the more fantastical. In the manga, we also see the budding romance between Kyouko and Ren, which can be viewed as either a strength or weakness depending on your perspective. Personally, I consider it a strength, as it highlights Kyouko's progress and builds on themes of learning to love and be vulnerable again. I appreciate the slow-burn nature of their relationship, allowing us to grow alongside the characters and their feelings. That said, I understand why some find fault with it, given its reliance on typical tropes. To me, it feels indulgent, but an indulgence I welcome and enjoy.

A significant issue I have is with Ren's character. While I like him enough and he evokes warm, fuzzy feelings, I wish his hidden history had been handled differently. It seems like the manga tries too hard to make him intriguing at the expense of complicating the plot. I'm content with Ren just being himself without needing a dark, mysterious side. A character can be appealing without an aura of danger. Additionally, some of the male-female interactions are not as progressive as I'd prefer, but these instances aren't frequent enough to detract significantly from the overall experience. Lastly, the art style admittedly looks dated, but I grew accustomed to it, and it improves as the manga progresses.

In conclusion, despite its flaws, none were significant enough to diminish my adoration for this manga. Skip Beat! is definitely a delightful treat, and precisely the kind of sweet treat I relish.

Skip Beat! has been a staple on my top 10 manga list for quite some time, but it recently slipped off. Don't misunderstand; this manga is fantastic, and I've followed it for ages. It dropped for a minor reason – I've been reading other series while waiting for updates. Let's dive into the review.

In my view, which is certainly debatable, what makes Skip Beat! stand out is its protagonist, Kyouko. She's the most intriguing, enjoyable, and lovable character I've encountered in any manga. Without her, I don't think this series would be nearly as captivating. Her presence overshadows everyone else to the point where I struggle to care about other characters when she's around. She embodies craziness, which is precisely why I adore her. However, this focus creates issues. Despite decent development and screen time, I find it hard to connect with the rest of the cast. The depth and complexity given to Kyouko just don't translate well to others. While opinions vary, Kyouko remains a standout favorite for many.

Regarding the art, there's not much to critique. It features a distinct style that some might appreciate, though I initially found it somewhat irritating. Over time, I grew accustomed to it, so it's no longer an issue. This is more about personal preferences regarding anatomical structure.

The manga as a whole is remarkable, and its flaws are integral to the story. For instance, Kyouko's occasional slumps can feel drawn out, though they illustrate her struggles to get into character. Additionally, the shounen-esque moments occasionally made me cringe, but they highlight her natural talent. As mentioned, the character imbalance is another flaw. Some might argue I'm biased towards Kyouko, and they'd be right. But honestly, without her, my interest in the manga would wane significantly. Why? Because the comedy and narrative revolve around her eccentricity. She defines the manga for me, even if others might enjoy different aspects.

To conclude, Skip Beat! is a must-read for anyone seeking a manga with excellent comedy, romance, and character growth. There are numerous unforgettable moments that will stay with you.

Until next time!