Nikah Kontrak : Kejutan Sang CEO

Fane is a hero, can't wait for the real war to unfold

HORRIBLE NOVEL. Female lead has no backbone or self respect.Male lead hits her , scolds her, humiliates her and even has a public mistress with whom he f*cks around while the identity of female lead as real wife is still not disclosed.But still female lead apparently falls in love with him.Its bad

Absolutely delightful manga. The artwork is stunning and minimalist, echoing the "controlled blocks of black and expressive linework" that fashion artists such as Rene Gauru are renowned for. The narrative steers clear of the preachiness often found in stories tackling the artificiality of celebrity life, addressing the topic with elegance—a refreshing change indeed. My sole critique lies in the characters; they lacked depth. By the story's conclusion, key characters, including the protagonist, should have undergone notable development but instead remained static.  

That aside, it was exquisite. Rightfully titled "Avant-garde," it resonated deeply with my inner fashion student.

Ok, I can appreciate what this manga tried to be and the questions it attempted to raise. There are indeed some crucial subjects at play here: suicide, rape, and the impact of the beauty industry on one's psyche, among others.

That's the sole reason why I don't give this a lower rating. Because otherwise, everything else is just... terrible. Part of me suspects that it's intentionally bad, but even so, I couldn't bring myself to enjoy this story.

Helter Skelter primarily follows Ririko's narrative (more closely than any other character). She's an actress/model/celebrity and also a real bitch. You simply can't feel sympathy for her, not even when the mangaka inserts some sorrowful moments. It feels like we're supposed to think, "Oh, poor rich and privileged woman :( She's a bitch because of her circumstances! That totally excuses the way she treats others!"

Uhm... no. I might have felt a bit of sympathy if she wasn't a complete bitch all the time. If there were just a few instances but most of the time (or at least half the time) she was decent. But that's not the case; Ririko ensures she's consistently rude and a pain in the neck for everyone she encounters (especially her employees).

[MILD SPOILER WARNING] She even goes as far as to RAPE her personal assistant, TWICE. Actually, it's implied to happen more than twice, but it's explicitly shown to us two times. [/END OF SPOILER]

She's abusive both physically and emotionally/mentally, and just... such a toxic individual. There's no way you could root for her happiness.

When the story isn't centered on her being a horrible person, it focuses on this poorly executed mystery involving a beauty clinic. This had the potential to be the best and most intriguing part of the manga, but I can't decide which is worse: this or Ririko's perspective.

And while I wasn't expecting a happy ending (Ririko certainly doesn't deserve one), instead, we got an open ending that accomplishes nothing. It doesn't explain anything; it just leaves us puzzled. For me specifically, it just made me feel relieved that it was finally over; I didn't even question it.

Lastly: the art. I understand this part of the review is subjective, but seriously, google a page from this manga. Do it, I dare you. Preferably one that shows Ririko or any other character. See what I mean?

I suppose the irony is that Ririko is meant to be the most beautiful human being on Earth, but the mangaka's art style is unappealing. But to be completely honest, the art didn't help me like this manga at all. I could overlook this point and still give it a good rating if I liked the story despite that, but sadly, this was just another reason why I didn't.

Recently, the live-action movie based on this manga came out. I haven't watched it yet, but maybe that's more enjoyable than this? They cast a beautiful woman to play Ririko, and I won't have to endure this unappealing art style, so that's already a plus.

This manga truly took me by surprise. The cover is appealing, but the artwork inside leaves much to be desired... It's not terrible, but it's certainly not great either.  

The content of the manga, however, is its saving grace. The story and plot are engaging, delving into themes like drugs, beauty, and sex. Other aspects are explored as well.  

The manga sheds light on the realities of various industries, particularly fashion. The obsession with beauty—being the most beautiful at any cost—can become extreme. Moreover, it highlights how some people are mentally fragile, passively accepting everything without question. Liliko's managers, for instance, come across as overly passive and weak. Her mother...  

I'll avoid spoilers here, but in short, this manga is worth reading. It's quite brief, spanning only 9 chapters. While the art isn't exceptional, the focus should be on the content.  

<p>

Maintaining the top position in any field is a challenging endeavor, whether it's sports, intellect, or the modeling industry. In a world where beauty reigns supreme, individuals often resort to various methods to preserve their allure—be it through makeup, drugs, or even plastic surgery. Enter Ririko, Japan's leading model, who takes these efforts to an extreme.

Helter Skelter delves into Ririko's life as a Japanese top model striving to retain her status amidst shifting beauty standards and emerging competitors. As mentioned, Ririko employs plastic surgery to adapt to evolving definitions of beauty. However, this comes at a cost: regular upkeep is essential, and excessive procedures eventually prove ineffective over time.

As the narrative unfolds, the adverse effects of plastic surgery become apparent—bruising, skin issues, psychological problems stemming from drug use, among others. These complications impact not only Ririko herself but also her interactions with her team. Emotional instability emerges as one of the side effects.

The storytelling excels through meaningful dialogues that offer readers deep insights into the emotional states of all characters and their actions. One element I found lacking was the backstory behind Ririko's journey to becoming such a model. Personally, I would have appreciated witnessing her gradual "transformation" into the present-day Ririko and understanding her emotional state during that period.

Helter Skelter introduces several characters: Hada, Ririko's assistant; 'Mom,' her manager; a detective investigating a case linked to Ririko; her sister, and more. While most characters lack substantial development, their interactions with the protagonist are highlighted. However, these secondary figures have minimal influence on Ririko's growth. It's worth noting that some supporting characters possess intriguing backgrounds or motives, enhancing the reader's experience. Ririko's evolution is primarily shaped by media pressures and her personal perception of beauty, showcasing her immense ego and providing insight into her decision to undergo plastic surgery.

The art style in Helter Skelter is somewhat underwhelming. It is simplistic with minimal detail, which I consider a significant drawback for the manga. Given the emphasis on beauty, one would expect intricately drawn characters and diverse physical appearances. Due to this artistic approach, Ririko's physical transformations are hardly noticeable, a similar issue affecting other characters. Some might argue that this simplicity aligns with the subjective nature of beauty, but I believe it fails to effectively convey the concept of beauty and Ririko's changes.

Helter Skelter offers an engaging read with a compelling story, providing valuable insights into the modeling world and the consequences of extensive plastic surgery. Although the art style doesn't fully complement the narrative, the story compensates for it. I recommend this manga to anyone interested in the modeling industry or seeking something unique, as it is relatively brief yet boasts a solid storyline.

Thank you for reading, and any feedback is welcome.<p>

"A word before we start: laughter and screams sound very much alike." Okazaki Kyoko "Helter Skelter"

When I finished chapter 9 of this manga, I felt an intense need to listen to the Beatles song "Helter Skelter" to complete the feeling that "Helter Skelter," the manga, started in me. Do you know all the definitions of this title? Originally, Helter Skelter is an amusement park ride with a slide built in a spiral around a high tower. On Paul McCartney's explanation for the song, he said: "Using the symbol of a helter skelter as a ride from the top to the bottom; the rise and fall of the Roman Empire—and this was the fall, the demise." Charles Manson, a serial killer who believed Beatles songs contained a coded prophecy of an apocalyptic war, defined it as: “Helter Skelter is confusion. Confusion is coming down fast. If you don’t see the confusion coming down fast around you, you can call it what you wish.” It's pure chaos, and that's what we slowly see in this manga—confusion and chaos, a ride from the top to the bottom with Riroko.

Story: Our main character is the anti-heroine Riroko/Ririko. We enter her celebrity life following her twisted mind since the beginning when her perfect body starts to crumble. When your work is based on using your body image, you start to do everything to achieve the world's beauty concept and maintain it as time passes by. But, unfortunately, it isn't enough. Even with more and more surgeries, the time will come. "It's a rat race."

Helter Skelter introduces us to a lot of subjects, be it in dialogues, little panels showing high-school girls talking, quick and smart quotes, small jokes, or in one of the character's thoughts. Talks about the media and how it controls the news, about how a person can be loved by millions and still be lonely, make you question if the person became that way because of the world, the pressure, or because of her own choices... and it doesn't give the answer. Tells us about relationships and how weak they can be... Makes you think about your principles. Are they right? Aren't you filled with conformity?

This manga has background stories too. The characters are connected somehow; a police detective doing an investigation can be "a feather of the same wing" with Riroko. Her manager Hada, one of those who suffer with Riroko imposing herself, can choose a path that she never imagined.

Life is full of decisions. Are your decisions based on your principles? On the world's ideals? On others' orders? Which one?

Development: I like the development. Some details in the story you can consider overdone a little, but still amazing how everything happens. Like Riroko's bruises, surgery after surgery... Can we consider Riroko a Josei creature from "Frankenstein"? She's compared with a chimera, built with every fashion sense of that time, "an unnatural face, it doesn't match." Riroko's story is compared with Norma's from "Sunset Boulevard" too. The way the fashion industry influences women everywhere, "I want to become her, I want to be like her!" Easily hearing an "I just sleep and eat what I want" from the ideal successful model makes you yearn even more for it. Where did her fall begin? People stopped liking Riroko a bit, she became even more twisted and bothered, people stopped liking her even more... It's a vicious circle. For the background stories, the way Okazaki Kyoko connects them is just great. A detail here and there in chapters 1 to 6, one page for the mama, the manager, the clinic... And in chapters 7 to 9, everything collides.

Art: I must say, I wasn't happy with the art style. Since we were dealing with the concept of beauty, I was expecting a detailed art with a perfectionist touch. I was expecting more beauty. Then, I stopped to think: "What was I expecting...? Was MY concept of beauty. What I find pretty." and a quote from the previous chapter snapped in my mind: "Her beauty is a manifestation of our own desires"... Oh, you got me there, Okazaki Kyoko. So, giving a second thought, you realize the art style is just... necessary. Specially for the quickly transformation of beauty to freaky, which is just so easily and well done with an alternative art like this (Nakamura Asumiko is a great example too of how quickly a calm face can change to a face full with anger). How can I not give a 10 to a manga that answered my question with its own character's dialogues?

Overall: You have to read it slowly to enjoy everything. Or read it fast to have a quick ride from the top to the bottom. I don't know. I'm pretty sure this manga is not for everyone, and some won't appreciate it. I was thinking of an 8 when I started it, a 9 in chapter 6, but I could only give a 10 when I finished and started thinking about the quotes and the way she connects everything in the end.

Remember: "Youth and beauty are not synonymous. Youth is beautiful, but beauty isn't youth." What is beautiful for you?

This review isn't my usual more formal style, but I decided to post it here anyway.  

"Helter Skelter" is another fantastic manga by Kyoko Okazaki. While I didn't find it as polished as "Pink," it's still incredibly close in quality. For the most part, it holds up just as well, but the art seems to suffer from some rushing. Apparently, this manga didn't undergo the usual cleaning process before being collected into tankobon because Okazaki was hit by a car near the end of its publication. In "Pink," I appreciated Okazaki's deliberately messy style, but here it feels messier and less intentional most of the time. It's not necessarily bad—I still find the style appealing—but others might not. The art does improve significantly in the final chapters, though.  

As for the story, it's much more plot-driven than "Pink." Although predictable, the ending was incredibly satisfying, and despite hints at a continuation, I believe it works perfectly as-is. While the narrative doesn't break new ground, even for when it was originally published, it presents its subject matter in Okazaki's distinct storytelling style, occasionally veering into ridiculous or surreal territory. The characterization of Liliko and the other characters is spot-on, balancing realism with caricature, straddling the line between the actual and the exaggerated. The facial expressions are extraordinarily expressive, the dialogue raw and unfiltered, and the inner monologue deeply revealing. The pacing is flawless, adjusting seamlessly as the story progresses. The entire experience was a joy to read, and the cathartic conclusion served as the perfect capstone to reinforce the story's central theme.  

I would highly recommend "Helter Skelter" unless you're put off by the art style.