I've been doing Manga Mondays every week since I started my blog 2 years ago. It's always been a personal feature, but now I'm going to try turning it into a meme. There are quite a few people who do Manga Mondays. I don't claim by any means that I owned or created the idea of Manga Mondays - it's an obvious choice given the alliteration. I think a meme would be a good way for everyone to publicize their own Manga Mondays and get a little more publicity.
The linky will be below my review.
Skip Beat! vol. 5 by Yoshiki Nakamura
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!
Kyoko lands a regular role on a TV show...as a giant chicken. Not content to settle for poultry recognition, Kyoko tries out for a big commercial. At the audition she runs into her Love Me rival Moko, who's having rival woes of her own. With a jealous rich girl out to bring them down, can Kyoko and Moko overcome their difficulties and act as a team to trounce the competition?(courtesy of the back cover)
Review
*Warning: Potential spoilers. My manga reviews tend to be more of a summary than a review. I find it hard to review manga in the same way I do regular books.
Kyoko and Moko establish a strong working relationship that is leading into a friendship in this volume. They both end up auditioning for the same commercial. It turns out that the commercial calls for two actresses and Kyoko and Moko are paired for the audition.
They fight a common enemy. Erika is a filthy rich girl who buys her way into acting jobs. Moko beat her for a part in the school play in 3rd grade and Erika has sought revenge ever since. It's ironic that Kyoko is celebrated in a way for her eternal grudge against Sho, while the reader immediately demonizes Erika for seeking vengeance at Kyoko. The key difference is that Kyoko is an essentially kind person and a hard worker while Erika is a snob. Plus, trying to get revenge at a guy just doesn't have the same level of cruelty as girl on girl meanness.
Kyoko grows as an actress in this volume. Not only is she able to play off Moko's lead (who has a lot of acting ability), but she shows the ability to lead others as well. Kyoko can get into the head of a character and make the emotions feel real. She even surprises herself I think. I like seeing Kyoko's talent. It shows that she has the potential to be Ren's equal as far as acting goes.
Ren plays only a small role in this volume and Sho plays none at all. Ren only appears in the first Act (this manga breaks each chapter into acts). Kyoko and Ren's relationship is still uneasy. It's made even more awkward by the fact that Ren showed a kinder side of himself in volume 4. Kyoko is started to be attracted to Ren without even knowing it.
From my review this volume doesn't sound that impressive, but I really liked it. Kyoko clearly grew as a character and I like that Moko is playing a bigger part. Erika was hilarious in her stuck up rich girl role. A clear caricature, but fun nonetheless.
Erika sounds like a fun love-to-hate type of character, and I always enjoy those:) Seems like a solidly entertaining volume Alison!
ReplyDeleteI also find that one character is encouraged to seek revenge while the other is not. I wonder if Erika will get flushed out as a character or just stay as a comedy relief. I'm starting to notice the comic relief characters more and more.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this manga. I read it not that long ago and remember breezing right through it.
ReplyDeleteHi, I have a really stupid question, pardon my ignorance, but what exactly is a "manga"?
ReplyDeleteI think this sounds like a fun series. I really need to snag a copy!
ReplyDeleteOh my god! This scene was awesome! i really hated the girl, she's such a spoil brat. Anyway, i thought it showed a great bond with Kyoko and Moko. I thought the ideas Kyoko got in a few seconds was amazing!
ReplyDeleteGreat review! =D
Nice review! I really do love Kyoko and Moko's relationship.
ReplyDeleteMy Manga Monday Post
LOL. Poor Kyoko and her inability to find any nice people to befriend. It really is sad, but I guess that industry is like that. It makes for a lot of tension in the story.
ReplyDeleteNice review!
I left all my manga back in NZ... Though, I should read and review some for my blog methinks.
ReplyDeleteI wish I read more Manga. I've tried but I can't seem to find any that I really enjoy. This one looks good though. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteOoh Skip Beat ^_^ Have you watched the Taiwanese drama of it? It's really good. I watched it while I was living in Taiwan.
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