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スキップとローファー [Skip to Loafer] #12
Skip and Loafer Vol. 12
REASONS TO CELEBRATE
After an unforgettable class trip, the gang shifts their attention to the upcoming school festival. It’s their second year in high school, and their last chance to get elbow-deep in the festivities—and no one wants to leave with a single regret! Mitsumi is overjoyed that her family will be attending, while, Sousuke faces himself on the stage. Somehow, these two might be overcoming the gap between them...
Aware that they have precious little time left as high schoolers, Mitsumi and Sousuke fulfill a promise from long ago.
After an unforgettable class trip, the gang shifts their attention to the upcoming school festival. It’s their second year in high school, and their last chance to get elbow-deep in the festivities—and no one wants to leave with a single regret! Mitsumi is overjoyed that her family will be attending, while, Sousuke faces himself on the stage. Somehow, these two might be overcoming the gap between them...
Aware that they have precious little time left as high schoolers, Mitsumi and Sousuke fulfill a promise from long ago.
200 pages, Paperback
First published August 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
July 9, 2026
I don’t want every manga to be Skip & Loafer, but I do wish they could all be written with the same amount of skill and care.
This is a series that refuses to exist in black and white (you know what I mean) and instead recognizes that people often have a variety of shades of light and dark within them and the capacity to change from one to the other.
You could make a very reasonable case that Shima is running away with this series as its most interesting character at this point. He wouldn’t be there without Mitsumi’s impact on his life, but the poor guy just keeps going through it.
Or having gone through it. Post class trip arc, we see just how bad things got between Shima and his mom. There’s more to that story and it’s a fascinating look at showbiz moms and the destructive potential of drowning your kid in expectations.
This comes out during a discussion with Ririka and their mutual friend, when Shima also fleshes out the truth behind Taiga, who nearly derailed Ririka’s entire career due to the drinking scandal he inadvertently embroiled her in.
There’s an emotional honesty to this series that you don’t see pretty much anywhere else and the moment Shima ends up having is surprisingly heartfelt and feels like the sort of breakthrough you’d have at actual therapy.
Not surprisingly, it’s school festival time again, which means an excuse for Shima to act and Mitsumi to strut her stuff as the president. And they might get a moment or two together as well.
All of this section is great, from burgeoning romance for couples both old and new to the unleashing of Mitsumi’s family into the greater metropolitan Tokyo area to cause their own brand of chaos.
We also really get the hint that Kanechika, who dragged Shima into the drama club, is very likely neurodivergent. There’s definitely a lot to be inferred from his flashback, at least. Just another one of those quiet inclusive moments this does well.
But this does everything well, if I’m honest. It’s one of my top ten series ever and has not let me down once. This volume wraps up with two amazing moments, leaving us on a perfect final panel. No notes. Sometimes I struggle to say anything in a review - for this series I could go on for ages.
5 stars - we’re now waiting quite a while between volumes now, but they’re absolutely worth the wait. This is an impeccable high school story and just a great story in general.
This is a series that refuses to exist in black and white (you know what I mean) and instead recognizes that people often have a variety of shades of light and dark within them and the capacity to change from one to the other.
You could make a very reasonable case that Shima is running away with this series as its most interesting character at this point. He wouldn’t be there without Mitsumi’s impact on his life, but the poor guy just keeps going through it.
Or having gone through it. Post class trip arc, we see just how bad things got between Shima and his mom. There’s more to that story and it’s a fascinating look at showbiz moms and the destructive potential of drowning your kid in expectations.
This comes out during a discussion with Ririka and their mutual friend, when Shima also fleshes out the truth behind Taiga, who nearly derailed Ririka’s entire career due to the drinking scandal he inadvertently embroiled her in.
There’s an emotional honesty to this series that you don’t see pretty much anywhere else and the moment Shima ends up having is surprisingly heartfelt and feels like the sort of breakthrough you’d have at actual therapy.
Not surprisingly, it’s school festival time again, which means an excuse for Shima to act and Mitsumi to strut her stuff as the president. And they might get a moment or two together as well.
All of this section is great, from burgeoning romance for couples both old and new to the unleashing of Mitsumi’s family into the greater metropolitan Tokyo area to cause their own brand of chaos.
We also really get the hint that Kanechika, who dragged Shima into the drama club, is very likely neurodivergent. There’s definitely a lot to be inferred from his flashback, at least. Just another one of those quiet inclusive moments this does well.
But this does everything well, if I’m honest. It’s one of my top ten series ever and has not let me down once. This volume wraps up with two amazing moments, leaving us on a perfect final panel. No notes. Sometimes I struggle to say anything in a review - for this series I could go on for ages.
5 stars - we’re now waiting quite a while between volumes now, but they’re absolutely worth the wait. This is an impeccable high school story and just a great story in general.
October 18, 2025
Sousuke Shima is such a well written character. I love watching him slowly work through his trauma and begin to heal and flourish little by little. And as always I love seeing Mitsumi and the girls they are so beloved to me.
Also... THE HUG!!! I actually screamed. Can you believe it took them 72 chapters to hug??
Also... THE HUG!!! I actually screamed. Can you believe it took them 72 chapters to hug??
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January 11, 2026ꉂ(˵˃ ᗜ ˂˵) started my year off right !! so freaking cute. 𝜗ৎ
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August 8, 2026Les quiero muchísimo 😭😭😭😭
April 9, 2026
YA ME LOS ACABÉ, Ahora voy a tener que esperar.
No se como voy aguantar así 😭💔
MUCHO MENOS ASÍ, de repente Shima se decide en que se va a declarar a Mitsumi y al día siguiente se arrepiente, AGARRENME, QUE ME VA A DAR 😞
Y luego son tan tiernitos, no puedo más. Pusieron a Shima de Frankenstein en su obra (que le quedaba muy bien el papel) y apenas vio a Mitsumi su impulso fue abrazarla, no se imaginan la emoción ✨️😭💐
En otra ocasion, él vio una bufanda y pensó en lo tierna que se le vería a ella.
Luego, en el santuario el pidió como deseo que todas sus metas (las de Mitsumi) se cumplieran y que fuera feliz.
A lo que voy es que, son todas esa pequeñas cosas que él hace por ella, sin el afán de ser egoísta y distraerla de sus objetivos, solo quiere estar ahí para ella, quiere apoyarla de todas las formas posibles y eso es taaaaan lindo, es el amor más puro que pueda existir 🥹✨️💖
COMO VOY A ESPERA TANTO PARA VER COMO CONTINUA???? Que triste estoy 😭😭😭
No se como voy aguantar así 😭💔
MUCHO MENOS ASÍ, de repente Shima se decide en que se va a declarar a Mitsumi y al día siguiente se arrepiente, AGARRENME, QUE ME VA A DAR 😞
Y luego son tan tiernitos, no puedo más. Pusieron a Shima de Frankenstein en su obra (que le quedaba muy bien el papel) y apenas vio a Mitsumi su impulso fue abrazarla, no se imaginan la emoción ✨️😭💐
En otra ocasion, él vio una bufanda y pensó en lo tierna que se le vería a ella.
Luego, en el santuario el pidió como deseo que todas sus metas (las de Mitsumi) se cumplieran y que fuera feliz.
A lo que voy es que, son todas esa pequeñas cosas que él hace por ella, sin el afán de ser egoísta y distraerla de sus objetivos, solo quiere estar ahí para ella, quiere apoyarla de todas las formas posibles y eso es taaaaan lindo, es el amor más puro que pueda existir 🥹✨️💖
COMO VOY A ESPERA TANTO PARA VER COMO CONTINUA???? Que triste estoy 😭😭😭
September 16, 2025
I LOVE THEM SO DAMN MUCH
July 12, 2026
One of my favorite manga series of all time hands down. Genuinely couldn’t wait to get my hands on this volume. Every character has such sincere development and genuine stories behind them and it’s just such a good read every single time. If someone asks me for a manga recommendation, Skip and Loafer is always an automatic go to!!!
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April 17, 2026SAQUEN OTRO TOMO YAAA
August 30, 2025
5 ✨ stars
I love my kids so much
I love my kids so much
Read
August 23, 2025WHAT IF I CRIED
August 13, 2026
4,5
Mamma mia, che gran bel volume!
Qui viene fatta luce sul passato di Sosuke, un passato segnato dal rapporto difficile con la madre - una donna che ha riversato sul figlio tutte le sue speranze di successo e di rivincita. Il problema è che tutto questo si è tradotto in un atteggiamento oppressivo e prevaricatore, a tratti anche violento, tanto che a) registi e direttori di casting evitavano accuratamente di scritturare Sosuke in modo da non dover avere a che fare con lei, e b) la recitazione era diventata una fonte di ansia per il bambino (sì, perché stiamo parlando di un bambino delle elementari). E così, per sfuggire a questa angoscia, Sosuke inizia a mentire, a saltare le lezioni e seguire un amico più grande (che spesso lo portava fuori con gente non proprio adatta, ecco). Quando la verità salta fuori, quello diventa il punto di rottura nel rapporto tra Sosuke e la madre: se la prima cerca di farsi aiutare e di ricucire il rapporto, il ragazzo mantiene una certa distanza. Di fatto, lei ha fatto pesare sulle spalle di questo bambino tutte le sue frustrazioni, rendendo la recitazione non un piacere, ma qualcosa di profondamente angosciante. Ora però Sosuke, forte anche del sostegno di Mitsumi e di tutti i compagni, sembra essere pronto a cambiare pagina (e magari anche riallacciare i rapporti con la madre). Diciamo che la recitazione non diventa più un'imposizione dall'alto, ma una scelta personale, un modo per affrontare le ferite del passato e per iniziare a guardare al futuro con più consapevolezza e meno indolenza (Mitsumi docet).
Di madri come quella di Sosuke è pieno il mondo, donne che finiscono per soffocare i figli sotto il peso delle loro aspirazioni e frustrazioni, donne che vedono nei figli una via verso il successo che loro non hanno mai conosciuto. Solo che così facendo non fanno altro che ottenere l'esatto contrario, rovinando la vita a questi poveri figli, spesso segnandoli a vita. Chissà se nei prossimi volumi vedremo questo riavvicinamento tra madre e figlio.
Piccola postilla per la nostra Mitsumi, sempre instancabile e sempre impegnata a fare mille cose insieme - e a questo giro c'è tutta la sua famiglia a darle sostegno, arrivata a Tokyo per partecipare al festival culturale (evento che non può mai mancare in qualsiasi manga di ambientazione scolastica).
Mamma mia, che gran bel volume!
Qui viene fatta luce sul passato di Sosuke, un passato segnato dal rapporto difficile con la madre - una donna che ha riversato sul figlio tutte le sue speranze di successo e di rivincita. Il problema è che tutto questo si è tradotto in un atteggiamento oppressivo e prevaricatore, a tratti anche violento, tanto che a) registi e direttori di casting evitavano accuratamente di scritturare Sosuke in modo da non dover avere a che fare con lei, e b) la recitazione era diventata una fonte di ansia per il bambino (sì, perché stiamo parlando di un bambino delle elementari). E così, per sfuggire a questa angoscia, Sosuke inizia a mentire, a saltare le lezioni e seguire un amico più grande (che spesso lo portava fuori con gente non proprio adatta, ecco). Quando la verità salta fuori, quello diventa il punto di rottura nel rapporto tra Sosuke e la madre: se la prima cerca di farsi aiutare e di ricucire il rapporto, il ragazzo mantiene una certa distanza. Di fatto, lei ha fatto pesare sulle spalle di questo bambino tutte le sue frustrazioni, rendendo la recitazione non un piacere, ma qualcosa di profondamente angosciante. Ora però Sosuke, forte anche del sostegno di Mitsumi e di tutti i compagni, sembra essere pronto a cambiare pagina (e magari anche riallacciare i rapporti con la madre). Diciamo che la recitazione non diventa più un'imposizione dall'alto, ma una scelta personale, un modo per affrontare le ferite del passato e per iniziare a guardare al futuro con più consapevolezza e meno indolenza (Mitsumi docet).
Di madri come quella di Sosuke è pieno il mondo, donne che finiscono per soffocare i figli sotto il peso delle loro aspirazioni e frustrazioni, donne che vedono nei figli una via verso il successo che loro non hanno mai conosciuto. Solo che così facendo non fanno altro che ottenere l'esatto contrario, rovinando la vita a questi poveri figli, spesso segnandoli a vita. Chissà se nei prossimi volumi vedremo questo riavvicinamento tra madre e figlio.
Piccola postilla per la nostra Mitsumi, sempre instancabile e sempre impegnata a fare mille cose insieme - e a questo giro c'è tutta la sua famiglia a darle sostegno, arrivata a Tokyo per partecipare al festival culturale (evento che non può mai mancare in qualsiasi manga di ambientazione scolastica).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2026
I love this series. I love every single character. The author has a way of making you have empathy and want the best even if the character isn't "perfect". This series allows characters to make mistakes and grow and learn from it which I think sometimes is something we forget in real life. That humans will human and it is okay. Mistakes and past should be something to grow and change from, not something that holds us from moving forward and finding love and acceptance. This my favorite boys romance/slice of life manga that I call "the big feels for boys". Some of the stories relies on too much dialogue or emotional maturity of its characters. This one feels just right. They have big conversations but sometimes the resolution isn't at the end of them, there is still growing to do. Dramatic things happen but they always feel grounded in reality. I love the art too.
Its school festival time again. Sousuke is given more back story and he is trying to grow as a person. He acknowledges that he has so much he needs to deal with before he can be the partner he wants and he has hard conversations in this volume. Mitsumi's family comes to town and helps show her growth as well cause our girl is doing the work on herself. She is triving and its nice to see her family appreciate and love her.
6/6 stars.
Its school festival time again. Sousuke is given more back story and he is trying to grow as a person. He acknowledges that he has so much he needs to deal with before he can be the partner he wants and he has hard conversations in this volume. Mitsumi's family comes to town and helps show her growth as well cause our girl is doing the work on herself. She is triving and its nice to see her family appreciate and love her.
6/6 stars.
Review of advance copy
Another incredible volume of Skip and Loafer! The character arcs and storytelling remain top-tier. It’s tough waiting a year between releases, but if that's the price for maintaining this level of quality, I'll happily pay it.
Volume 12 gives a lot of much-deserved focus to Sousuke, and the end of scene 68 was so devastatingly precious that I literally had to close the book to just sit with it for a minute. Mitsumi also continues to shine—her pure, cheerful energy and the way she genuinely celebrates her friends' happiness is just beautiful to read. An incredible read from start to finish! If you’ve loved the series so far, this volume will absolutely not disappoint.
Volume 12 gives a lot of much-deserved focus to Sousuke, and the end of scene 68 was so devastatingly precious that I literally had to close the book to just sit with it for a minute. Mitsumi also continues to shine—her pure, cheerful energy and the way she genuinely celebrates her friends' happiness is just beautiful to read. An incredible read from start to finish! If you’ve loved the series so far, this volume will absolutely not disappoint.
August 13, 2026
Després del viatge tenim la preparació del festival escolar amb l'obra de teatre de Frankenstein com eix principal. L'evolució del personatge del Shima i tot el rerefons de nen actor amb una relació turbulenta amb sa mare ha definit el seu tarannà en l'actualitat. Un bagatge emocional dur i sorprenent, sobretot en una sèrie slice of life d'adolescents d'institut, però això és el que fa tan especial aquesta història. L'aparença és de senzillesa, però s'hi amaga una complexitat psicològica molt ben plasmada en cadascuna de les vides, ja siguin protagonistes o secundaris. Amb ganes de continuar sempre ♥️
July 13, 2026
Finally, all of Shima’s past comes to light! His mother is not a bad person. I’m a parent, I get it. You want to give your baby everything. She made mistakes and she seems regretful. Shima knows that she has changed. It’s now time for him to let go of his resentment. Inviting her to the festival was a big step!
I loved seeing Mitsumi’s family come to Tokyo.
The Frankenstein play was great! The ending of this volume got me though! So cute that Shima just marched right over a hugged Mitsumi!!!!
I loved seeing Mitsumi’s family come to Tokyo.
The Frankenstein play was great! The ending of this volume got me though! So cute that Shima just marched right over a hugged Mitsumi!!!!
April 16, 2026
a supremely well-rounded and heart wrenching story. it's extraordinarily ordinary but there's some magic caught in these pages. the characters are so alive and thoughtful! i want to root for them through their struggles! i see myself and my friends in them too.
i know it's not over, but i love the way the story is flowing and who these people are. have my whole entire heart <3
i know it's not over, but i love the way the story is flowing and who these people are. have my whole entire heart <3
July 25, 2026
Ahhhhh I'm ALWAYS so excited for a new Skip and Loafer volume!!
This was another gorgeous edition tot he series. This volume is mainly about Sousuke's background as a child actor and how that affected his relationship with his mum. Also how he's going through his own healing journey and rebuilding his relationship with acting.
Also that end scene 👀 Cannot wait for volume 13!!
This was another gorgeous edition tot he series. This volume is mainly about Sousuke's background as a child actor and how that affected his relationship with his mum. Also how he's going through his own healing journey and rebuilding his relationship with acting.
Also that end scene 👀 Cannot wait for volume 13!!
October 20, 2025
As an adult, I don't feel much connection to most of the shojo series recently, except this one. The mangaka(author) of this series really fleshes out all of the characters well, and I'm really invested in their character development.
August 9, 2026
Oh Skip and Loafer, the one consistent in my life. The Frankenstein analogy was very very good, breaking cycles!! I will now need to reread the other volumes because Takamatsu is absolutely drawing parallels between Shimas roles he's playing and himself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2025
love love love this story and where this is going !! such a cute and realistic story <3
September 1, 2025
mukai being shocked at everything shima does is so funny to me 😭 mukai x mika nation we never die, yuzumako nation we ALSO never die. ALSO THE HUG AT THE END I DIEDDDDDDDD
September 12, 2025
こんなところで終わるかよっ！
September 18, 2025
You can’t just end on a cliffhanger like that?? When’s the next one coming out??
September 26, 2025
4.25/5 I NEED THE NEXT CHAPTERS NEEEEOOOOWWWWW
October 5, 2025
in which shima discovers his feelings for mitsumi 🤭 he gives her a hug!!!!! he & mama also start making up 🥹
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2025
everyone should read skip and loafer
March 9, 2026
Pasaría el resto de mi vida leyendo esta historia, como les quiero...
March 15, 2026
are you kidding me... the thematic parallels between shima-kun and Frankenstein's creature... absolutely insane. i was crying by the end again...
Review of advance copy received from Editore
volume super emozionante, mi ha scaldato il cuore 😭😭😭
March 16, 2026
Questo manga è sempre una garanzia ❤️
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews