Skip and Loafer, Vol. 2

スキップとローファー [Skip to Loafer] #2

by Misaki Takamatsu

While Mitsumi adjusts to big city life, her cheerful and forthright personality brings joy to her classmates. Now that she’s getting the hang of high school, her circle expands even further.

Genres: Manga, Romance, Slice Of Life, Comics, Young Adult, Seinen, Graphic Novels

184 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 23, 2019

About the author

Name (in native Japanese): 高松美咲

Reviews

[Bookishrealm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This manga is one that is going to keep getting better volume by volume. I didn’t expect to see so much complexity in character development and character relationships. Mitsumi and Shima definitely reach a crossroad in their relationship that make them really consider the bond that they share. If there ends up being a romance between the two of them, Takamatsu is doing an excellent job slowly building to that moment. I also like that all of the characters are so three dimensional. There was one person that I was destined to dislike, but she ends up having an extremely interesting role in the story. Overall, this series is great. If you haven’t m, definitely check out volume 1! I can’t wait to see what volume 3 holds.

[daph pink ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly realistic manga with characters that I want to be friends with in real life since they are all so believable and endearing. Be it with family or friends, the bonds of friendship are expertly constructed. It's the epitome of a slice of life.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I haven't made up with someone this dramatically since grade school!"

At this point, I've talked several times about how claustrophobic romance manga can make me feel, with their entire casts devoted to nothing but the central relationship, and every event working for or against the good ol' HEA. I think that's at least part of what makes Skip and Loafer so enjoyable for me. Yes, Mitsumi and Shima seem to be getting closer that way, but it isn't the obsessive focus of the story.

It's much more about building friendships and working together, about communication and understanding, and where they can founder; and finding things that are different about others that you can admire without thinking you're inferior for lacking those characteristics. There isn't a lot of high drama, which is partly why in the quote above, Shima finds Mitsumi's apology funny. But that naïve earnestness is also part of what draws people to her, just as Shima's easygoing nature draws people to him, too (and his good looks, to be fair).

My usual online retailer has had volume 3 out of stock for quite some time. Disappointing! As soon as I get the e-mail that it's available, I'll be picking up the next one of these.

[fer bañuelos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Es que no entienden YO SOY MITSUMI BOOTS

[Nicolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author gets relationships. It's refreshing to see in a manga interactions of characters that don't predicate romance and as real and grounded it could be.

I can seriously describe this series as relaxing. It's not stressful to read it.

[literarylesbian · Rating 5 out of 5]

so so good 😭

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute art and characters, but the low-key, slow-paced story is testing my patience a little bit.

I have another volume on hand for later in the week. We'll see if it picks up now that one character has had an emotional breakthrough of sorts.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Scene 6. Tingly Friends -- Scene 7. Packed Schedules -- Scene 8. Prickly Personal Practice -- Scene 9. Class Match Chaos -- Scene 10. A Drizzly Start to the Rainy Season -- Scene 11. A Twinkling End to the Rainy Season -- Kittykura-san -- Afterword -- Skip & Loafer: Royal Road -- Makocchan -- Yuzu-chan

[Milo (if lost, return to hot fictional character) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ugh i just love this series. the communication and the friendships and ugh yes

[Keiko, the manga enthusiast ♒︎ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing more to say, it just gets better and better!

Although, I want to see a much broader view of our pleasant guy, Shima Sousuke. I'm really curious! I like looking at his face too! Just pure handsomeness! What a spectacular art style! And finally, Mitsumi is going to be conscious of her unknown feelings for Shima! And, I thought I'm going to hate Mika Egashira, but a nice twist of events. This is a light read, a very destressing one (as the title and cover art suggest) that will plaster a smile on your face.

see also my review for Volume 1

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mitsumi learns the shocking truth of Shima’s childhood, but the present ends up being much harder to deal with. When the two end up in an argument, it’s Mitsumi’s forthrightness up against Shima’s laisser-faire and it turns out running from your problems isn’t always the best solution.

This series continues to surprise me with how nuanced its storytelling and characterization can be. It isn’t nearly as funny this volume, but the plotting is so good that you won’t even notice. It’s nice to see that there are still new grooves to be made in such a well-trodden path.

Everything people do here is justified and makes sense - nothing is strictly in service to the script or ratcheting up the drama and, as a result, the whole thing has a lived-in feel that’s hard to beat. It stands out amongst the crowded shojo school genre.

When the drama senpai reveals Shima’s history and his reasons for wanting to drag him into the club, Mitsumi… talks to Shima and respects his desire to not act again!? It’s refreshing! It happens to feed into Shima’s own issues, as we’ll see, but still… people as people, not props.

Other books would have dragged him into it for him to have a massive revelation of how much he loves acting still. A big thank-you to Mitsumi and the sparks fly, yadda yadda. Here, he had his reasons and the book firmly closes on that for now.

Things really start cooking when Mitsumi spends time helping out the hyper-focused student council president to learn how to schedule and make the most of her time. Without even realizing it, Mitsumi introduces a lot of conflict that subtly teaches the value of chilling out once in a while. It’s a very charming story.

Things get a bit sillier with the class competition, as Mitsumi tries to hide how awful she is at sports (despite everybody being quite aware). This leads to her asking the person who has been the meanest to her so far for help, in an interesting twist, implying Mitsumi is particularly clueless.

It’s a story of somebody who has put so much work in, but sees Mitsumi as getting a free pass and touches on weight and resentment and shows that Mitsumi isn’t actually so oblivious or cheerful that she doesn’t know what’s up. But her reasoning makes sense and she helps the other girl feel seen in a way that’s kind of touching. It’s really good.

Which leads into the big Shima v Mitsumi scuffle after Shima proves to be both the titular skip AND loafer and Mitsumi is horrified at his attitude towards his studies and the two exchange some pretty awkward comments. Shima is very content to coast and that’s absolutely appalling to Mitsumi.

Friends fight, it totally happens. Which is interesting here because it causes Shima’s mask to slip even further and forces him to acknowledge that he was pretty ticked by something said back in the first volume.

While his default is to ignore things that bother him, he doesn’t want to here and, even as Mitsumi is trying to figure out how to express herself (and does a good job!), he decides to be honest with her and it definitely starts the romance path for these two.

If I had a major issue with this book, it’s honestly that this art style doesn’t do a thing for me and that does foster a little ennui that the writing takes time to overcome. It’s worth the effort though.

Still, if you’re sick of school stories then this likely won’t change your mind, even though I think this is a cut above. It hits story beats that are, if not wholly original, at least less common and often tweaks them in interesting ways.

4.5 stars - without the preponderance of jokes it falls to the story to carry the day and the book is up to the task. For me the art keeps trying to drag things down, but the more I ruminate on the writing the better I like it, so rounding up on this one.

[Jen13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really unique series. I went into it thinking it would be a basic high school shojo romance, but it's a bit different. In my opinion it feels more like slice-of-life comedy. There is a romantic relationship possibly simmering in the background, but it's not the focal point. It's more about Mitsumi adjusting to life in the big city, making friends, and how her country-girl forthright personality effects those around her. The artwork is so cute and original, it perfectly fits the tone of the story. Highly recommended to fans of slice-of-life manga!

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This it the Ted Lasso (Season 1-2 anyway) of Manga.

I'm just getting such happy vibes when reading this. Mitsumi has to be one of the most adorable main leads ever, trying her best, while also bringing joy to everyone around her. She has a few great scenes, especially with Mika this time around that really surprised me. Mika teaching Mitsumi how to play vollyball starts off funny but ends with happiness. The author just knows how to give some many extra layers to characters here. And the chapter with Shima is SUPER cute but also really important for people to understand other's feelings in the process. Rumors can be vicious and it's important to go to the person to see who they really are.

Again, excellent character work, cute moments, and heartfelt throughout. A 5 out of 5.

[reejy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Still so cute! Clear and open communication is so nice to see. The characters are all so great, they feel like they could be real people. The interactions and conflicts feel realistic and not overly dramatic.

[Rowina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bonito.

[Katarzyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

AAAAAAAAAA I LOVE THEM SO MUCH I LOVE THEM ALL

I'm not even kidding this is gonna be probably my fav series it's so lovely, there isn't a single character I dislike so far.

I'm sad Nao-chan wasn't in this volume I'm in love with her she's an icon

Waiting for the volumes to come out is gonna be so sad, well at least they started to translate it (⁠ㆁ⁠ω⁠ㆁ⁠)

[Marty-chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Che bello ❤️

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the first half of this volume about as much as the first volume, but the last few chapters of this volume were so so good. Them both managing to sort out their own feeling and make up with eachother was 😮‍💨 and I’m glad it didn’t run on for too long or occur because of a stupid reason. Mitsumi understanding her feelings for him at the end was cute as heck as well.
I need to read the next volume for sure😤

[◍❁ꌚꅐꍏꁅ❁◍ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Lucille · Rating 5 out of 5]

J’aime tellement ce manga 🤩🤩🤩

[Elena Coorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un magnífico segundo volumen donde conoceremos más de los protagonistas y de su grupo de amigos. Mitsumi se enfrentará por primera vez a tener que aprender un deporte, y aunque está muy nerviosa porque los parciales se acercan, conseguirá poco a poco y con estudio, ir escalando puestos en las listas de los mejores de la clase. No obstante, conseguirá esta proeza sin descuidar su relación con la familia y amigos, a diferencia de algunos de sus compañeros.

Al igual que el primero, me ha parecido un tomo muy divertido, lleno de escenas de humor y viñetas con dibujos chubbies que me han enamorado. Además me han encantado todas las ilustraciones de inicio de capítulo, en especial la de la temporada de lluvias en Japón.

Estoy deseando que publiquen el siguiente 🥳

[⊹ ࣪ ˖ ꒰ঌ mimi ໒꒱ ⊹ ࣪ ˖ [semi-ia] · Rating 3 out of 5]

golden retriever boy x black cat girl energy

this series is so cute and adorable 🥰

[Cecilia · Rating 5 out of 5]

a misunderstanding arc that lasted like 4 pages oh this is generational

[maya ☆ (aced her finals!) · Rating 5 out of 5]

my heart is so giddy, you don't understand. (spoilers ahead!!)

this one is all about opening up. sousuke and mitsumi are having great conversations that give us insight into their characters like family relations, goals in life and by proximity, the weight of expectations, just a fleeting moment. it's a gem, it's delicate, wholesome, supportive and done in truly real teenager manner. like the person does teenagers the best way i've ever read. anyways, talking honestly is such a blessing. as for the group fo friends, they are so positive and genuine for the most part. they are surprisingly thoughtful for teenagers and they have seeminglh mundane conversation that encourage them in private introspection about themselves and the conceptions they have of other people. i jsut rlly am in love with the way that it's handle, plus paired with the art who holds just an air or goodness and lightheartedness: it's just a combo that just captures me.

we also get a peak into mika egashira's mind and body, which was and still is gravely affected by the japanese beautty standard, the methods they encourage and the resentment towards other women that comes with it.she's revealed to be a blunt and pessimistic girl but she's also been given a depth that is relatable and that she's not being manipulative for her pleasure directly, but more out of fear and will of not going back to that place of hurt and trauma (place of which she was probably bullied - traces of a historically fatphobic society). she adopted a restrictive view of life as she thinks almost word for word "if i can't be a beauty or a pure straightforward person, will anyone ever love me?" and it broke my heart :( . that chapiter rlly touched me. i look forward to her transformation as she learns and hangs out more with mitsumi.

now that boys and love become a topic of conversation between fumi and mitsumu, i love how they open up to each other about feeling and being curious about love and all.

we have get our first confrontation born out of an unconscious grudge. i loved the way this was navigated and how it was resolved - i swear they are so wholesome and so good. they talk and apologize each other and yet again, sousuke opens up about family relations and how it bothered him the thought that she might think he was a slacker. and in this conversation, the writer turned it into a perfect moment of affection of he touches her wrist(omg!!) and it's so heartfelt and i don't wanna spoil too much but omg omg omg omg omg there's hints of young high school love blossoming, i already know what's happening up vol 6. but i can't, i'm so giddy and pleaseee omg the panel in which sousuke says "i think this is the first time i've ever been real friends with a girl", the art is so on point, so cute, so flirty, so omg!!!!

i can't wait but i have to go to sleep. tomorrow!!!

[veepa · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was so cute :(

i’ve never really been a manga person (which is surprising because i loveeee webtoons and manhwas) but this series might make me one!!

this was so sweet!! i adore all the characters and i love watching mitsumi and sosuke’s relationship grow. more specifically though, i loved the small conflict they had and how they resolved it (along with that realization at the end lolol).

pretty much, this has been such a lovely series so far and i am adoring it!! it’s easy to see why it’s had so much hype recently <3

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh god... I see myself very much in Shima... this doesn't bode well. Particularly the quote that is making me feel Big Things for him is "You know saying what you feel? I don't think that has any real use, you know?" in chapter 11. With his overall demeanor and his fluffy hair, he's very quickly making his way into my skrunkly characters I want to squish and tear apart (aka my favorite characters). All in just 11 chapters. That's impressive... So impressive I had to come here before I finished reading. I'll be back in a few.

Alright! Ah, that resolved really nicely. They're so cute. I enjoyed this volume more than volume 1. Volume 1 set things up pretty well, but I really enjoy how we're getting to understand the characters more. I think there's more to Shima's homelife than we see right now. (Btw, sorry if I'm not using the right names- Japanese names kind of confuse me!) I'm warming up to Egashira. I really like her addition in the story, I think without her it might be a bit too stale. Being a slice of life, there won't be intense storylines, so I think the frankness and even sneakiness she brings into the story, as well as her insecurity manifesting in different ways, will bring a lot to the story.

[Maryam]

I feel like I really get Shima? To some extent at least. All these characters are written so realistically that you can honestly see yourself in all of them but I felt particularly connected to his character in this volume. Really good writing, excited to read more.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This volume was so precious. I love learning more about our characters and that their friendships and trust in each other are growing.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THEM SO MUCH!!!!

[Lia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is going to keep getting better

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5* half a point solely for the realization at the end, so cute and wholesome I love this series