Skip Beat!

Skip Beat! is one of those captivating stories that grabs your attention right from the start. I initially picked it up on a whim after finishing all the manga I was reading and had some extra time to read for at least an hour. That's when I stumbled upon Skip Beat!. At first, I wasn't too intrigued by it; the plot seemed pretty typical for a shoujo. However, once I reached the end of chapter one, I couldn't wait to dive into the next. After that night, I spent all my free time catching up with every available chapter, eagerly awaiting the release of each new one every few weeks. Before I knew it, seven years passed, and I'm still as in love with this series as I was when I first read it.

Story: Skip Beat! is exceptionally well-paced, allowing characters to develop naturally without feeling forced or awkward. Each story arc leaves me excited, knowing that the next one will be even better and more thrilling than the last. The humor doesn't feel contrived like in many other shoujo manga, and there are moments where I literally laugh out loud due to its sheer absurdity. It strikes a balance between being over-the-top and subtle, and even when humor is added to serious moments, it never feels out of place or off-putting. My only gripe is the lag between chapter updates, but that's understandable.

Art: To be honest, I wasn't a huge fan of the art style when I first started reading, and sometimes it still bothers me. However, it grew on me, and now I can't imagine the series having any other style. The expressions are handled very well, making it easy to understand how a character feels without them needing to speak.

Character: What truly surprised me about this manga were the characters—they are so lively, colorful, and unique. Every character, no matter how brief their appearance, makes a significant impact. There is plenty of character development, which is always a plus in any series. Even though Kyoko is the main character, the side characters are never forgotten, even if they disappear for certain periods.

Enjoyment: Skip Beat! is one of the few shoujo series that has captured my heart. It has everything I wanted and more. While I'm not typically a big fan of the shoujo genre because plots often seem overused and cliché, Skip Beat! consistently surprises me in ways I didn't think possible.

Overall: There isn't much about this series that I have an issue with—just a few minor things here and there, but that's being nitpicky. Anyone, whether they enjoy shoujo or not, should give this series a chance. You never know—it could become an instant favorite.

Skip Beat! is indeed a fantastic manga. Initially, I was somewhat hesitant to read it, but after the first few chapters, I was immediately captivated. The story revolves around a girl who gave everything for a guy, only to discover he had been exploiting her all along. Kyoko abandoned everything to support her love, Shotaro, who dreams of becoming a star. She worked tirelessly to please him until she accidentally overheard a conversation between him and his manager. It turns out that Shotaro never truly cared for her and had merely been taking advantage of her naivety. Enraged, Kyoko vows to enter show business herself and exact revenge.

At first glance, the plot might seem a bit absurd with its naive characters. However, as the narrative unfolds, the characters evolve, and Kyoko's desire for vengeance takes a back seat when she realizes that acting is something she genuinely enjoys doing for herself. The characters are superb; they quickly won me over. Especially the protagonist, I found myself cheering for every achievement and shedding tears at every mistake. The manga strikes an excellent balance between humor and emotion.

The only downside for me in this manga is the artwork, but that could just be my pickiness speaking! I have thoroughly enjoyed every single chapter so far and am eagerly awaiting the release of the next ones.

I hope this helps!! :)

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.....

Kyoko's thirst for vengeance upon discovering that her former childhood friend had been exploiting her for years is the spark that ignites the plot and initiates a series of transformations in Kyoko. Fortunately, both the narrative and the characters' motivations evolve beyond this initial premise; otherwise, the story might have become monotonous and one-dimensional.

Instead of being solely about revenge, Skip Beat ultimately unfolds as a tale of individuals grappling with their past traumas or struggles. For Kyoko, it’s her history with Shou and the sense of abandonment by her mother. For Ren, it’s his estrangement from his father and the guilt over his past sins. Even the supporting cast has their own issues to resolve.

I truly enjoyed both Ren's and Kyoko's characters. They were well-rounded, defying stereotypes, driven by various motivations and capable of growth over time. Their relationship developed incredibly slowly—gradually so. I appreciate such pacing in a romance ("love at first sight" makes me gag a bit), but some may find the pace too sluggish.

The setting allowed the mangaka to place the protagonists in diverse scenarios, pushing the boundaries of their relationship without feeling contrived. The shifting roles they played in their acting careers helped keep the story fresh. I particularly liked the Cain Heel arc as it tested the limits of their relationship. However, I felt that arc fizzled out somewhat, and I would have appreciated more resolution or lasting changes in how Ren and Kyoko treated each other. Once those roles ended, I sensed their relationship regressed too much.

Story: I found this to be a well-thought-out and highly original storyline. The humor and the situations the main characters find themselves in are simply delightful.

Art: One word: Superb!! The artwork is excellent and detailed when necessary, and the witty touches had me laughing so hard! For me, the art is a crucial factor in enjoying a manga, and this one meets my standards perfectly. The facial expressions of the characters are particularly well-executed.

Character: Although I'm only up to chapter 15, I can already see that the characters are developing nicely. The author doesn't overwhelm you with information all at once but instead leaves some mystery for the reader to uncover as the story progresses, creating an engaging build-up effect.

Enjoyment: This manga is funny, becoming increasingly romantic, and handles life situations dramatically. It's a brilliant shoujo—what more could you ask for?! XD It rocks; I truly enjoy every chapter, eager to read more and laugh even more!

I give it a full 10!

I'm astonished by how much I enjoyed this series. I practically devoured all the released volumes in just two days and couldn't put it down. To be honest, I don't usually read a lot of shoujo because I find the typical air-headed girls and their charming male counterparts somewhat tiresome. However, this one is incredibly addictive. I absolutely adore the main character, Mogami Kyouko, and her journey as an actress!

All those scenes where she gets to experiment with new roles (especially the arcs where she acts in Sho's music video and portrays Natsu in Box-R are my favorites) are genuinely thrilling. The Natsu arc, in particular, stands out. I hope the mangaka continues to focus on Kyouko's struggle to become a top actress while showcasing more of these amazing acting scenes, keeping the romance as a secondary element.

The male characters are your standard handsome bishounen, but they're quite enjoyable too. Ren is mysterious yet charming in an endearing way. Sho starts off as this arrogant jerk at the beginning of the manga, but he really grows on you over time. Love it! My only wish is that the mangaka would release new content faster.

Do you enjoy love stories infused with humor and drama, featuring well-developed characters and plenty of reasons to keep turning the pages? If so, Skip Beat offers all that and a bit more.

The narrative unfolds in such a way that keeps the manga engaging; it doesn't revolve around just one aspect of a character. In each volume (more or less), there's a primary theme accompanied by several minor ones that become significant as the story progresses, ensuring it never gets dull.

The characters are intricately constructed, behaving and speaking in accordance with their complexities. Throughout the story (so far), the protagonist makes new friends, undergoes numerous experiences, and challenges herself.

However, a word of advice: if you wish to avoid becoming addicted to an ongoing manga, perhaps hold off for a while, wait for a few more books to be released because it can truly get out of hand!!!

Okay, look. At first glance, you think, meh. On second glance, you wonder why this is so great and popular???? Then, after being recommended to it SO many times based on your interests, you decide to read just ONE chapter. Suddenly, everything changes. It is SOO funny; it's fantasy but at the same time not quite fantasy...... Kyoko reminds me of myself. Blind and slightly easy to fool but can get so angry that imaginary devils attack! She loves fairies (

The story is about a 16-year-old girl named Mogami Kyoko, who is betrayed by her celebrity childhood friend and crush, Fuwa Sho. Seeking revenge, she enters the showbiz world with the aim of climbing to the top to defeat Fuwa. Along the way, she encounters various people, including Tsuruga Ren (the male lead). The narrative also focuses on Tsuruga Ren, Japan's most popular man and one of its best actors, delving into his mysterious past. This story consistently brings laughter.

I provided this basic summary to help you understand it better. Now then...

DO NOT BE FOOLED BY THE COVER OR THE SYNOPSIS. Trust me. I was utterly deceived. I passed over this anime several times before deciding to watch it. It made me think that the female lead was a vulnerable character who would fall in love again with the person who betrayed her. That’s not the case at all. Moreover, I thought it would be full of drama like the female lead suffering from the dark depths of the celebrity world, but no. That doesn't happen. Kyoko is one of the strongest female characters in shoujo manga, in my opinion. I am confident anyone would appreciate her, as well as the male lead.

More importantly, I must say, the story does not revolve solely around Kyoko. A significant part revolves around Ren too. If half of the story is about Kyoko, the other half is about Ren. Personally, I crave more for Ren's past (filled with secrets) and his story than Kyoko's because it's so mysterious and intriguing. I just adore Ren ><

How Kyoko tries to understand a character to act is amazing. I am sure this story will make you laugh until your stomach hurts. Lol.

The story, characters, art (especially the chibis are the best), you will love everything about it. It's a must-watch and read. I would rate it 1000/10!!! My most favorite manga. (Sorry, that's just how I get when talking about Skip Beat. *sighs*)

When I first glanced at Skip Beat and noticed it was a shoujo, I won't lie, I wasn't impressed. All the sparkles and showbiz made it seem so unoriginal. I put off reading it for as long as possible! However, I picked it up two days ago and have been unable to put it down since! I finished all 177 chapters! It's FREAKIN AMAZING!

Story: Initially, the first chapter left me unconvinced, but by the fifth chapter, everything took off, and I understood how the story was going to be told! It's not really fluffy; instead, it's more funny and deep. This isn't your typical boy-meets-girl, love-triangle story...this is so much more. It's incredibly REALISTIC, which is what I love about it. The characters' pasts influence them, but they don't dwell on it constantly. It's realistic in that even if something hurts you, you have to move on, and the story portrays this perfectly. I've had tears streaming down my face from laughing so hard at the dialogue!

Art: Admittedly, when I first started reading, I found the art confusing and hard to follow, but that improved around chapter three. The expressions she shows are truly amazing. Having read many manga, this is the first where I've seen a character like Tsuruga Ren make such a wide range of emotional faces, all looking so genuine. The care taken in their portrayal is excellent, along with the costumes the characters wear. Sometimes the panels can be a bit crowded, hence the nine out of ten.

Character: The character development here is excellent. Every character is unique, and their personalities are so lifelike. You can sometimes predict what will happen next because you know the character so well. As the manga progresses, they develop and learn, yet retain their original essence. My only gripe is that the main character, despite her growth, remains too static. It's both a plus and a minus—she hasn't realized certain things she should have.

Enjoyment: This gets full marks. I read all available chapters. This manga will evoke every emotion from you. I've felt anxiety, panic, happiness, sadness, curiosity, and even anger! I've laughed out loud countless times and felt despair alongside the characters. This is a guaranteed read. Don't judge it by its cover; dive into this incredibly detailed and realistic world!

This is an incredible story!!! I absolutely loved the amount of comedy woven into it and how it doesn't dwell on the romantic aspects all the time. Overall, Kyoko is my favorite character, and it's almost impossible not to adore her little demons and her reactions to everything. It's also delightful to witness Ren's feelings evolve as the narrative progresses, while Kyoko remains wonderfully naive throughout.

The development of Kyoko's character through the plot, combined with the magnificent art style and dialogue, places this manga in my top 5 list. I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the next chapter. ^.^

Quite honestly, don't start reading Skip Beat! Well, not until it's completed anyway.

Skip Beat! is a remarkably well-crafted manga. The artwork is crisp and often intricately detailed, though sadly not when it comes to anatomy. Currently, it consists of 203 chapters and receives updates monthly. I highly advise waiting until the series concludes because it's that good! The anticipation of waiting an entire month for a new chapter can be quite nerve-wracking and exhausting.

Nonetheless, this manga is an absolute must-read. It's charming without being overly sweet. The character development is outstanding, and it features plenty of gripping cliffhangers. The storyline is rich in detail, and the pacing is just right.

I have to admit, when I first looked at the description of Skip Beat, I thought it would be just another shoujo manga filled with typical elements like bishounens, a love triangle, and a heroine pondering how to express her feelings for the male lead. However, Skip Beat presents its characters and plot in a revolutionary and inspiring way.

Kyoko Mogami, the protagonist, far exceeded my expectations. Initially, I didn't appreciate her portrayal as a girl deeply in one-sided love, but she quickly evolved, embarking on a journey to become an actress. Kyoko's emotions span a wide range, from menacing to utterly charming. She displays maturity in some aspects, yet becomes childlike again when listening to stories about princesses and ladies. It's delightful to see how talented she is while remaining grounded. Readers with various personalities will likely connect with her emotionally, even if they haven’t experienced what Kyoko has.

Ren Tsuruga, often labeled as the "cold-hearted ladies' man," speaks frankly, especially regarding his profession. Yet, his character could have been developed further by Nakahara-sensei. Later in the series, Ren undergoes significant inner turmoil, but readers struggle to connect because Ren’s emotions are hard to decipher. As expected of a shoujo male lead, he excels in many areas, from fighting to acting, but isn't as well-rounded as hoped.

Yashiro, Ren’s manager, and Lory Takarada, president of Kyoko and Ren’s agency, possess an uncanny ability to resolve their problems. Yashiro can pinpoint Ren’s feelings, from hatred to jealousy. Takarada offers wisdom, guiding them gently. Both characters provide comedic relief and unique perspectives on the situation.

The story is more creative than most, emphasizing that acting is an art form, not merely a task. Few shoujo leads are motivated by revenge or struggle with love, like Kyoko. Sho Fuwa’s narcissism brings a fresh understanding of self-love. Initially, everything seems light-hearted, but later, darker themes emerge, captivating some while disturbing others.

Initially, I was disappointed with the artwork. Ren and Sho have extremely long, triangular faces, making them indistinguishable from other male characters their age. I wished Ren had more human proportions, so he’d seem more relatable. Kyoko, however, is wonderfully expressive throughout, contrasting the impassive faces of Ren and others.

So far, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this manga! Revisiting the character-defining moments motivates me. Skip Beat is an insightful and enjoyable read that anyone would appreciate.