Ranked #14

Skip Beat! (Manga)

It's always a shock when you start submerging yourself in a story that you don't think will be that interesting and suddenly find yourself completely lost in it. Being a big fan of stories about the underdog, I'd have to say, Skip Beat! definitely captivated me; you're pulled in and can't stop reading wondering what will happen next.

The characters themselves are very unique and well developed. The main character turns out to be a young heroine, Mogami Kyoko, probably one of my favorite characters. Her natural frankness and unsurpassed perseverance makes you just want to root for her even though the way she was introduced into the entertainment world is so unusual. Despite being undermined and looked down upon, it's just amazing how much she achieves and shines. Besides Kyoko, there are so many characters that you meet in the story, each with their own complex story and background. The characters are so dynamic, each in their own way that it just makes you want to know more about every single one of them.

It's no surprise that the characters themselves are so well developed since even those characters have to try act out other characters within the story, almost like a story within the story. The main storyline is quite simple, but the complexity lies within the background of each actor, each character. As you read on, you find out that everyone has a secret that they don't wish to be revealed, and that must be how it is in the entertainment industry.

As far as art is concerned, I must say that I have no complaints at all, although the author does tend to "chibi" forms a lot probably because of the difficulty and detail involved with each character. However, when it comes to the crucial moments, the expressions and looks on the faces of each character are amazing. When a character looks angry, it sends chills down your spine. The author certainly breathes life into each character. A smile can be from genuine to cruel to down right evil.

Overall, I loved the characters and the story development of Skip Beat! If you enjoy stories about the underdog, someone with a little bit of talent and a lot of perseverance, then I definitely recommend giving Skip Beat! a read.

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When I first heard about Skip Beat, I (sadly) wasn't one of the first people who loved it from its summary. In fact, after reading the brief summary I went "Psshhh, what's so great about this? No originality at all! The art isn't even that great either!" and walked away.
The reason I first started to read it was because
1) I had finished my favorite manga at the time
2) I was extremely bored and it was ranked quite high
Horrible reasons I know, and I really didn't think I would enjoy Skip Beat at all. In fact I don't know why there were so many people that love this series.

After the first chapter, I was hooked. The main girl at first was just like any other but the comedy and sarcasm and carefully drawn out eyes got my attention. Plus, the originally "not so original" plot began to seem much more interesting. After that, I read every single chapter up to 139 in about 3 days.

Story: It's not that high on the originality style because I can probably name a couple of stories that revolve around revenge and etc. However, the plot after the beginning, although a bit cliche, is still quite different and makes you crave more. That's the important thing, sure plot is necessary but even if the plot isn't "original" so long as the characters are good, then the story will automatically be good. Which is why this is 9.

Art: Okay, so the bodies are a bit exaggerated and elongated to show how "beautiful" they really are. Even though this a bit of a turnoff for me at first before I read the manga, I grew to be able to ignore the bodies and focus more on the facial expressions and eyes. Her eyes are amazing, it shows you all of the emotions and feelings. Since you can grow to ignore or later like me now, enjoy the exaggeration then art goes to 10. If you can't, it's more 9 since you cannot deny that most shoujo manga art is quite beautiful.

Character: No matter what anyone says, characters are JUST AS or even MORE important than the plot. No matter how unique or original your plot is, if your characters don't match up to it, the book or manga is not going to fare well. What Skip Beat lacks in it's originality department, it shows up in the characters. I won't go into great detail at the people because it would border on spoilers but as you read you can greatly identify each of the character's inner thoughts. Since this is told in Kyoko's perspective, you get to see how crazy she gets and laugh your head off at her "misfortune"! Truly an interesting main character.

Enjoyment: It's great. That's all I can really say. You laugh, you sympathize, you cry and you get angry along with Kyoko. It's amazing when a manga can get you going that much. This manga really is great and I'm sure even the worst critics (like me) can enjoy this.

Overall: 10. Simply (almost) perfect. A great read!

(Man that really was long! But I hoped this helped at least someone!)
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Story: Well i thought this was a well thought out and very good original story line.
I loved the humor and the situations the main characters get into.

Art: One word: Superb!!
It's good and detailed when it needs to be and in witty places i nearly wet myself laughing!
I find the art in a manga a major point if i am to like it and i found it very acceptable to my
standards. The facial expressions of the characters are very good.

character: well i'm only at chap 15 but i find the characters are already developing very nicely..
but the author doesn't land you with too much info at one but leaves the mystery background for the reader to understand as the story goes on.... creating a very nice building up effect.


Enjoyment: It is funny gets more and more romantic...it is dramatic dealing with life situations and it is a brilliant shoujo what more do you want?! XD it rocks i really enjoy every chapter craving to know more and laugh A LOT more!
lol

I give it a full 10! read more

When I saw the summary of this manga, I have to admit, I wasn't really that interested in it, but i gave it a try anyway and I'm so glad I did. One of my favorite things about this manga is the characters. Kyoko is a perfect heroine, as she is always entertaining and fun to watch. She is also unlike most cliche shoujo heroines who cry a lot and depend on others to protect them. The other characters are wonderful and lovable too and have their own quirks. There's Ren, the nice hot and popular actor, who may have a deeper connection to Kyoko, I won''t spoil anything though. Yashiro, Ren's manager, who always has me laughing, Moko san, Kyoko's reluctant best friend, and even the director, who is super dramatic and hilarious, oh and of course Sho, the bad boy rockstar player who dumped Kyoko. However, there is other things about this manga that really got me hooked, such as Kyoko's amazing acting abilities, the beautiful artwork, and the plot, which isn't only focused on romance, just to let you know, but has just enough to thouroughly enjoy it. This is definitely a manga worth checking out, trust me you won't be disappointed. read more

This is an awesome story!!! I really liked how much comedy is included in it and how it doesn't focus on the romance part ALL THE TIME. Overall, I like most Kyoko and it's hard not to like her little demons and the way she reacts to everything. It's also nice to see how Ren's feelings develop as the story goes along and wonderfully naive she stays throughout the whole time.

The way Kyoko progresses during the plot and the magnificent way that the whole thing is drawn and what they say makes this manga on my top 5 list and I can't wait till the next chapter comes out. ^.^ read more

Okay, first I have to say: I hate shoujo manga. Really. I can't stand the stuff. The stories, the styles, the characters .... ew.
But... I have been absolutely shocked by how much I enjoy this particular shoujo manga. And why do I like it? It takes the normal genre of shoujo and takes it so a new level, becoming something original.

First off, I still don't really like the art. Sorry, but I've never been a big fan of the style. It's GOOD, sure, but it's just personal preference that I dislike it. A bit too stereotypical bishie style. But everything else makes up for this.

The story is fantastic. I was so hooked I couldn't stop reading practically! (I nearly put off my homework for a couple days just to read it! ... whoops)
There are a few bits I got frustrated with, like how some characters I like don't appear for chapters on end, but the character interaction is just so interesting that I forgive all my grievances.

The characters are the thing that really did it for me. I am so SICK of the "perfect girl" heroines of both shoujo and shounen manga. The thing I love about Skip Beat's heroin is that she ISN'T perfect. Kyoko is bent on revenge, really dense when it comes to relationships but has a sense of duty to people she's responsible for. She doesn't follow the common cute, clumsy,endearingly stupd "mother theresa" character mold. This is no Tohru of Fruits Basket.

Skip Beat's humor is well-executed, and the romance is very enjoyable to read. I am always so excited for the next chapter to come.

Skip beat is one of the highest-caliber shoujo mangas out there, and it is truly deserving of a read. I VERY highly recommend it to anyone, shoujo-fan or not. read more

This manga isn't all that original cause in quite a few mangas that I have read, the story line has been pretty much the same by being about revenge.

Story: It'd pretty much all about a girl and a former best friend/first love who decides to go to Tokyo to become a pop star and takes her with him just so she can do all the house work. Later, she over hears him talking to another actress about her and says that he feels nothing for her and that she's nothing to him. After hearing that she decides to enter the show-biz world and become an actess to try and get back at him for leading her on.
So, in all honesty, who has read something that isn't something along those lines? It pretty much has no originality or creativity what-so-ever, but it really is a good read.

Art: The art is amazing! ! The characters' emotions are shown prefectly on the characters face and in their body language. The author is very precise on how he wants the emotions of his characters to be brought across. When their pissed, you know their pissed, not by what their saying, but by how they look. When they're happy, you can tell, when they're sad, you can tell. When they feel anyother emotion, you can tell.

Character: The character isn't origianl, like I said before, but it does have SOME origianlity. The characters are independent and do what they have to, to get what they want. Everythiong else about is just amazing to.

I very much so enjoyed it and I would most definetly recommend it to anyone and everyone

Overall: AWESOME! ! 10 til the end! ! read more

The manga itself is really fun to read. I'm normally not one to read something like this, but I couldn't stop reading until I'd read every chapter out, and now I fervently await the next one >.<

The storyline is very original, making the enjoyment of reading it heighten! The art is great, and the characters are so diverse that it adds to the story and enjoyment. The manga is something just about anyone can enjoy. Hopefully the anime will be good too, so far, I like the Japanese voice actors.

the manga is amazingly epic. it's so crazy and hilarious you never want to stop reading!!! I was captivated when I read the first chapter nuff said! read it and get your fill because this may be thee best manga that has ever been written!...in my opinion it is! it's so funny you'll laugh a lot more than you'll cry so please be sure to make regular bathroom breaks...i learned the hard way!

This is a very spunkey anime about a girl who is bent on revenge . Here former #1 Sho Fuwa had thrown her aside for kicks. Now changing her entire outlook she dose here best to go into show bussisness for her revenge and her life. It has almost no blood or gorging of any kind so it be good for young kids. I geuss its ok, so enjoy it.