Estimated reading time: 2 – 4 minutes
(Originally posted April 21, 2009)
Skip Beat’s summary courtesy of One Manga:
“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! Kyoko won’t suffer in silence–she’s going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz!”
The summary, while accurate, just really doesn’t capture how awesome this manga is. I’d want to add:
Kyoko, reeling from the depths of Sho’s betrayal, casts off her loving, gentle demeanor to become an avenging demon who thirsts for his blood!
Cheesy. Yeah. But it’s true. Even the bloodthirsty part.
Now I’ve only made it Chapter 36, but I honestly have blubbered a few times while reading Skip Beat. This manga’s initial appeal for me could be summed up in the following images:
Chapter 1 Pg. 47
Skip Beat Chapter 1 48
Skip Beat Chapter 1 Pg. 49
However, while Kyoko’s need for vengeance still drives her motivations, she learns to find herself. Okay, that’s just not specific enough. Kyoko, through her encounters with “showbiz people”, is able to dissect her personality. She comes to find out how much of what she’s learned, suffered, accepted, and strived for where never for her benefit, but rather a few key dysfunctional people.
While this may be a manga with a questionable title, I have found myself reflecting on my own life since I began reading this yesterday. I intimately know what it’s like to strive to please a parent who only sees perfection as an indicator of my worth. I also know what it’s like to be burned by someone you’ve sacrificed for and trusted. I’ve often wondered if my personality is truly my own or a reflection of what a few key dysfunctional people in my past wanted of me.
Okay, enough personal blog therapy.
Skip Beat is definitely worth a lengthy read. I’m watching Kyoko and those she encounters growing alongside her. Don’t let the cutesy title put you off like it’s done me for a couple of years. This manga has it all: angst, drama, comedy, even romance.
You can find it at: http://www.onemanga.com/Skip_Beat/
I’ve missed Julian & Lily as well. I’m...