Skip Beat!

The manga is incredibly enjoyable to read. Even though it's not usually my type of thing, I found myself unable to put it down until I had finished every chapter. Now, I eagerly anticipate the next release.

The storyline stands out for its originality, which only enhances the reading experience. The artwork is top-notch, and the characters are wonderfully varied, adding depth and enjoyment to the narrative. This manga has broad appeal and can be enjoyed by almost anyone.

I'm also hopeful that the anime adaptation will be good. So far, I appreciate the Japanese voice actors' performances.

This manga isn't particularly original since I've noticed that many other mangas I've read share a similar storyline revolving around revenge.

Story: It's basically about a girl and her former best friend/first love who goes to Tokyo to become a pop star, taking her along just to do the housework. Later, she overhears him talking to another actress, saying he feels nothing for her and that she means nothing to him. After hearing this, she decides to enter the showbiz world and become an actress to get back at him for leading her on. Honestly, who hasn't read something like this before? It lacks originality and creativity but is still an enjoyable read.

Art: The art is incredible! The characters' emotions are perfectly depicted on their faces and through their body language. The author is very precise in conveying his characters' emotions. When they're angry, you can tell by how they look, not just what they say. You can easily discern when they're happy or sad, and any other emotion they might feel.

Character: The character development isn't original, as I mentioned earlier, but it does have some uniqueness. The characters are independent and do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. Everything else about them is amazing too.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone.

Overall: AWESOME!! 10 out of 10!

Story: Skip Beat is my absolute favorite in the realms of manga, anime, and even its live-action adaptation! The narrative dives deep yet maintains a humorous and light-hearted tone. Each character grapples with their own emotional turmoil tied to love, all set against the glamorous backdrop of the entertainment industry.

Art: Initially, the artwork might seem a bit off-putting due to the characters' elongated forms. However, the facial expressions are incredibly expressive, and over time, the art becomes more appealing. I particularly enjoy the contrast between the chibi style used in lighter moments and the detailed expressions during emotional scenes.

Character: Every character is meticulously crafted and well-developed, especially the protagonist Kyoko. She breaks the mold of typical female leads with her innocence, except when it comes to her vendetta against Sho. Her journey truly tugs at my heartstrings! Ren and Sho are equally compelling, each with their own depth and emotional complexity. Despite being meant to be disliked, Sho's character flaws make it hard for me to hate him for long. The story beautifully depicts various types of relationships.

Enjoyment: Following the rollercoaster that is Skip Beat is an absolute blast! As Ren and Kyoko grow closer, the tension builds, and the balance between emotional depth and comedic relief is spot-on.

Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this manga, even if shoujo isn't usually your genre.

Skip Beat is and will always be one of my favorite manga. Everything about it makes you read on, holding your breath for the next chapter. It's a unique story full of laughter, touching moments, and romance.

Story: This is definitely in my top five. I've read and re-read it countless times, yet I still want to dive back in again. It never tires me out but keeps me alert, eager to see what happens next. I really enjoy spending time reading it; every minute is worth it.

Art: The characters are incredibly well-drawn, with no noticeable errors. The art style matches their personalities and attitudes perfectly. The chibi forms or special effects, like Kyoko turning into a squirrel, are simply awesome.

Character: In this manga, I found some of the best heroes and heroines ever. Kyoko breaks the mold, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Ren is cool, handsome, and a deeply intriguing character who fits perfectly into the story. The President, Maria, Moko, Yoshiro-san, and the others are all funny and cool in their own ways.

Enjoyment: I can't rate it any higher than 100/10 if that were possible.

Overall: I love it. I can't wait for the next chapters. It's really interesting :):):)

I truly enjoyed the story, though my main issue lies with either the pacing or the artwork. It boasts one of the best plots I've encountered in a while, which makes it all the more disappointing. The main character initially comes across as unintelligent for her age, but as the narrative progresses, you realize you underestimated the complexity of the story by not considering it more deeply and simply accepting it at face value. At least, that was my experience, and I must admit, I was pleasantly surprised in that regard. The character development is exceptional, and no character feels like they are merely there to fill space.

As I neared the last few chapters, catching up fully, I found myself growing disappointed because I felt the story should have advanced further by then. Given that new chapters are only released once a month, I decided to stop reading until the entire story is completed so I wouldn't subject myself to further frustration.

Kyoko, abandoned by her mother at six, grows up with childhood friend Sho before moving to Tokyo to support his celebrity dreams. Upon discovering Sho has been exploiting her for rent and as a personal maid, she vows revenge by surpassing him in entertainment. Despite her plain looks, she aggressively pursues an audition at a major company but fails due to her inability to grasp romantic love. The president, recognizing her potential, offers a second chance if she relearns how to love, leading her to join the "Love Me Section" in a hideous neon pink jumpsuit. Completing tasks to recover suppressed emotions, Kyoko's antics intertwine her with famous celebrity Ren, who dislikes her because her motivations stem from revenge rather than self-fulfillment. The narrative focuses on her growth and the love triangle between her, Sho, and Ren.

Sound familiar? The execution is anything but generic, and characters masterfully drive the story. Kyoko’s thirst for vengeance leads her to craft voodoo dolls. Her knowledge of Japanese traditions and surprising versatility as an actress open rare opportunities. Ren’s affected smile hints at a darker personality, while Sho struggles to forget his childhood affection for Kyoko. The eccentric president, obsessed with love, reschedules business calls to play otome games.

The story itself is expertly crafted. Kyoko’s eccentricity lands her a mascot job, her empathy towards those with traumatic pasts brings her closer to Ren, and her grief recovery impacts her and others. Nakamura ties character growth to strained childhoods. Kyoko’s rise in popularity feels organic, with roles matching her strengths. Skip Beat excels in blending character growth with comedy, drama, and romance.

The art underscores emotional connections. Eschewing realism for expressive styles allows readers to feel characters' emotions. Kyoko’s tears soften even the most jaded reader, and Ren’s malice behind his smile is palpable. Initially grating, the art quickly wins you over.

Skip Beat is sarcastic and hilarious, drawing you into its world. You sympathize with Kyoko’s pain and her supernatural revenge tactics, rooting for both her growth and vengeful traits. Sho’s portrayal isn’t one-dimensional despite being introduced as a user and playboy. Kyoko’s grunt work for Love Me coupled with her rising stardom grounds the story.

However, I recommend stopping after chapter 233. A shift in artwork from expressive to glassy hints at an incoherent plot detached from characters. Images of Kyoko sobbing feel impersonal, with wide eyes and a cold frown. New characters tangentially related to the plot are introduced, key ones disappear, numerous unresolved problems arise, and Kyoko becomes a Mary Sue. Her mastery of stage combat within a month defies logic. The strong bond with main characters breaks, and instances of character growth feel contrived.

Skip Beat! One of the best manga EVER. It's my absolute favorite shoujo manga.

Story: The storyline is incredibly good. This manga is truly original and stands out from the crowd. I doubt you'll come across another shoujo manga that's this exceptional and unique. Unlike many clichéd stories centered solely around romance, Skip Beat! offers much more than just love. Romance is a part of it, but it's not the entire focus.

Art: The art is decent. Personally, I enjoy this style. It strikes a balance—not too overdone, yet quite pleasing. While there are manga with better artwork, the drawing style here is perfectly fine.

Characters: Oh wow, the characters are phenomenal. The development of each character is outstanding. You can easily relate to them and understand their thoughts and feelings. They're so endearing that you'll want to give them all a big hug and a comforting cookie.

Enjoyment: I thoroughly enjoyed reading this manga. It's absolutely amazing. It's one of those series that keeps you glued to the pages, making you eagerly anticipate the next chapter.

In conclusion, do yourself a favor and read this manga. READ IT NOW!

This is a humorous take on a shojo series. I really enjoy the comedy, which counterbalances the more sentimental aspects typical of shojo stories. The protagonist possesses traits that make her both strong and relatable, maintaining realism (she's "ordinary," not overly gifted without effort, clumsy but not an empty-headed character, etc.). There are some debatable elements in the story (like age gaps), but these are handled with thoughtful logic that keeps things grounded and not too off-putting.

The one downside for me was feeling incomplete. Whether it was part of a backstory or an aspect of a character’s personality, sometimes the writers didn’t elaborate enough, leaving you to fill in the blanks. If you read the manga, this isn't much of an issue, but if you only watch the series, it leaves you craving more.

I rate the animated series a 7 - I'd give it an 8, but its incompleteness and unlikely completion hold it back. However, since the manga is good, my overall experience probably lands around an 8ish.