Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he’s casting her out now that he’s famous enough! Kyoko won’t suffer in silence—she’s going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!
Ren is playing a strange double role as the half-British actor Cain Heel who’s starring as the supernatural serial killer BJ in a new thriller. Normally Ren would have no trouble maintaining both roles, but playing BJ requires him to tap the darkest depths of his psyche, and it’s starting to takes its toll on him. To help ease his strain, Kyoko has been assigned to keep an eye on him as Cain Heel’s sister Setsuka. Kyoko seems to have a special insight into Ren’s torment that lets her help him, but how can she keep things professional when she keep walking in on him in the shower!
Yoshiki Nakamura (仲村佳樹) is a Japanese mangaka. She was born June 17. Nakamura made her manga debut with "Yume de Auyori Suteki" in the manga magazine Hana to Yume in 1993.
Kyoko and Ren had some really good moments in this book y’all. The romantic tension is through the roof. Can’t wait to read more and see where their relationship will go!
Cute series, but at this point too much back and forth, no plot progression, weird character situations. I want to finish it, but how many more volumes will it drag on? I'll probably stop buying it and just read it on ComiXology.
The last time I read any Skip Beat! was probably back in 2012...I have no excuses for falling so atrociously behind on my reading of this series lololol.
But I think I managed to pick up back where I'd left off. I made my first trip to the library in a hot minute last week and you can bet my eyes went the size of dinner plates when I saw how many of the back issues they had in the manga section. So naturally I nabbed the massive ridiculous pile of volumes that any normal person probably wouldn't attempt to carry. I regret nothing.
So now, what to say about my thoughts. I mean, this remains one of my top favorite shoujo manga ever. It's just as fun and silly and outrageous while also being as heartfelt and emotionally devastating as I remember it being. The portion of the story that this massive collection of story installments covered had a lot to do with Kyoko finally being face with the fact that SHE IS IN LOVE WITH REN OMG FINALLY GURL STOP PLAYING IGNORANT MY GAWD. Suffice to say, there's a lot of messy emotional stuff going on. A little too much Shotaro showing up when he's not wanted to stir shit up for my taste, but I accept his narrative purpose, I guess. *shrug* I still hate how manipulative he is of Kyoko and Ren both and at this point can't fucking stand him (not sure that I ever could to begin with, but you get what I'm saying).
A lot of jealousy on both sides for Ren and Kyoko. Some of it entertaining (mostly Ren with that Kijima guy, boi was about ready to throw hands and it was hilarious), while the rest was super duper heart-wrenching (gawd, Kyoko, my bby gurl, I can't believe how scared she is of her feelings and that she like...gurl, I know exactly who hurt you and I myself am about ready to murder the fuck outta him for all of this omg).
The big highlights that probably everyone freaked the fuck out over when these chapters were first published obviously had to have been the hickey scene (which...listen, I understand the logistics of why it most definitely was for the best it didn't lead to sex, but I'mma still be incensed over being teased so shamelessly like T_T) as well as Kyoko's Big Realization Moment(TM) with the imaginary falling over the edge of a cliff sequence. The first was all kinds of intense and arousing (srsly those lines about 'Cain' wanting to keep 'Setsu' chained up and her being fucking delighted about it, like those two are gonna have quite the sex life once all the unresolved tension finally bubbles over omg), whereas the second...well, it'd have destroyed if it were actually the first time I'd seen them.
Really, I think the most emotionally compelling part of what's happening in the story has to be Kyoko's struggle to come to terms with being in love again. She's so scared of reverting to the unhealthy dynamic she had when she was younger and more naive with stupid Shotaro that she can't open herself up to the possibility of a healthier, happier relationship with Ren, who actually does love her back in a way that's caring and reciprocal. She also seems to conflate true, deeper romantic feelings with the flightier puppy love sort of crush that the one actress who catches 'Cain' accidentally behaving the way he normally does as Ren. Really looking forward to that misconception being cleared up for her, because she deserves to know the difference and that she's deserving of that kind of love in return. <3
So yeah, I loved it, which was to be expected, I loved this silly sweet lil' manga since I was like 12 or 13 and still do. Really can't wait to burn through the next several volumes I've got on hand. (Also, I looked it up several days ago, and apparently the manga is still ongoing? Which, both excites and concerns me, because I really hope the development of Kyoko & Ren's relationship moves forward in a satisfying way (as in I want them together already omg, don't make me keep waiting for that ish in the year of our lord 2019 Nakamura jfc) but then I also wouldn't necessarily mind if this manga went on forever as well, it's just that good tbqh.)
Volumes 31-33 covers the Cain Heel arc (which does not seem to be ending anytime soon). As a fan of Ren, I found it interesting for him to get back in touch with his original self. He's like Shakespearean-level tragic.
Most of the time I'm not sure how to react when it comes to Kyoko and Ren acting out the Cain Heel siblings, Cain and Setsuka. Cause I'm like this is incest territory y'all but I'm also proud of Kyoko because she gets to kinda explore her feelings for Ren thought Setsuka. But of course this got all messed up cause of Shotaro (have I mentioned my immense dislike of him?).
Throughout this volume, I was just so proud of Ren and Kyoko. They're both realizing that they're having feelings again and I think Ren is finally accepting that he CAN be happy *wipes tears from eyes*
Eeek! Kyoko admitted to herself that she’s in love with Ren! I’m surprised she didn’t go crazy when she realized it. I’m curious how the President will react now that he knows she’s in love with Ren. I can understand why Kyoko is so hesitant to be in love since Sho Fuwa messed her up. I hate Fuwa especially since he keeps going after her and trying to “get her back.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Amazing! Truly amazing! The spicy scenes took my breath away. And that ending left me wanting more and so much more. Nakamura has taken us by a storm. Cannot wait to see what happens next! Truly this series is my life and heart. I love it so dearly!!!
2021: So, I feel like the Heel Siblings arc is a bit long. I am ready to move this along. My heart still breaks for Kyoko and not ready to love again. Even though I was complaining about this feeling too long, I do like Ren being developed into a deeper character.
Again my status updates should provide my overall impression.
Although I'm uncomfortable with some things, the story actually acknowledge those and other characters react to it in a way that's both hilarious and comforting.
To quote Mr. MeSeeks: This is gettin' weird! ^_- I'm actually really enjoying the freedom that being the Heel siblings gives to Ren and Kyoko despite the awkwardness of their fake biological relationship. It's a funny and different way for them to tap into and express their emotions.
SERIES REVIEW: (Side note - I have read more than what's official by reading translated online scans, as such my view may be a bit biased based on further plot developments.) Skip Beat is possibly the best shoujo I have ever read! While the art style may throw newer readers off as it is very 90's/early 2000's do NOT let it keep you from giving this manga a try! The characters and plot more than make up for any lacking art. Kyoko is my favorite protagonist I have ever read - book or manga. This is not your typical shoujo by any means. It has romance but focuses more on Kyoko's growth as an individual as well as her determination to find herself. The other characters are not left behined either. They are also constantly growing and changing in different ways giving off such a vibrant and realistic vibe (well mostly realistic-if you have read it you know what I mean) If you are looking for romance, comedy, a shoujo with depth this is the one. While at times the slower romance pace is frustrating the pay offs make it worth it. Instead of a cheap fix so many shoujo manga are doing this is a slow burning master piece. I really cannot give this series enough praise and everyone - shoujo fan or not, manga fan or not - needs to give it a try!
Ren is still having problems with his new role, and Kyoko is playing the role of his sister who is in love with him. These two are basically living together to enter this role, and somehow it's working. But, they are also getting closer together, and even share a few intimate moments.
Kyoko is also suffering, because she finally realized how she feels about Ren, and she knows once the President finds out it will all be over.
This was my favorite of the series by far! I adored Ren and Kyoko together. And I'm so glad she figure out how she feels. I can't wait to see what happens next. And I really loved the whole plot line of this one, and how intense it was at times.
Kyoko played flawless even better than Ren in some of these parts. It was just perfect!