Skip and Loafer is quite possibly the best coming-of-age romantic comedy in the decade and definitely in this new era of shoujo series. It has the fun and carefree nostalgia of old shoujo while serving a step in the right direction for the genre as a whole with its sincerity and welcomed seriousness. Its cast of realistically driven and portrayed characters are a delight! The situations they get into are heartwarming but they also productively show the internal conflicts of the characters. At first glance this show may not seem to offer much, but it effectively tackles dramatic and often times depressing themes of: self-image, dreams, relationships and the confidence and/or struggles of trying to address them as a young kid. The leads themselves are by far some of my favorite main characters in romance, slice of life, and animanga in general. The themes I mentioned earlier can only be addressed in such an impressive way through an emotionally mature yet socially immature girl like Mitsumi and her male counterpart, Shima, who is just the opposite. Mitsumi's genuine and candid personality is so endearing and creates a perfect juxtaposition to a very conflicted and closed-off character like Shima. This series doesn't shy away from showing the ugly and flawed aspects of people but it also gives us hope for growth from them, as well. Regardless, Mitsumi and Shima's dynamic as a romantic couple (and often times just as two people) is not only so refreshing but also extremely healing and needed... I seriously cannot recommend this series any more. If not for the main characters, the art style is so fun and cute and the entire cast is so expressive! My highest praise for this series is all the characters feel REAL which is not only under represented in this genre but also under appreciated!! Anyways, I don't know how else to encourage you with my whole being to consume this fabulous series--please read and watch!!!
