Manga Mondays #119: Skip Beat! vol. 20 by Yoshiki Nakamura

*I'm in the middle of my big European trip - our cruise is now over! We're spending a few more days in Rome - so I won't be able to comment back right now. I'll try to get back to everyone when I'm done with my traveling in mid September!

Manga Mondays Meme!

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. 20 by Yoshiki Nakamura

Summary

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!

It's the season of giving in Tokyo, but Lory's granddaughter Maria is in no mood to celebrate. Kyoko, never one to sit out a challenge, finally gets Maria to admit what has her so soured on the holidays. It turns out December 24th is Maria's birthday--and the anniversary of her mother's death! Can Kyoko work a Christmas miracle and give this little girl a happy birthday? (courtesy of the back cover and Goodreads)

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.

Volume 20 is a break from the melodrama of the past several volumes. Not that there isn't drama galore in this volume as well, but it's a lighter one. Kyoko throws a party for the president's granddaughter Maria. The little girl's birthday is on December 24, but she hates both her birthday and Christmas. So Kyoko styles it as a "Thank You" party - to thank everyone for being involved in her life.


Kyoko always knows the right thing to say - well, unless it's dealing with Ren. She is especially good with children. Kyoko knows just how to treat Maria. With sensitivity but never condescension. She's able to turn Maria's negative emotions into something more positive within her even knowing it.

The party quickly becomes a gigantic endeavor - as anything does when the president of the agency gets involved. He is flamboyant to the max. Despite the hugeness of the party, Kyoko manages everything. She plans and cooks the meals (or at least a model for the cooks to use). She helps organize and decorate and runs around like a madman.

And just like everything Kyoko touches is golden, the party is a hit. Best of all, Maria's father surprises her with a visit. It helps heal the little girl's heart.

What would a party be without Ren? Luckily, we don't have to find out. He dotes on little Maria, but mostly he's there for Kyoko. Because it's her birthday too! (on Christmas Day) Ren surprises her with a lovely rose. A sweet way to end off the volume.

Sign up for the Manga Mondays Meme!

-No linky this week since I'm out of town. Sorry. :-( You can leave your links in the comments.