Skip Beat! Vol. 6

Synopsis:

The girls (Kyouko & Moko) were warned not to get sick or injured before the shooting of the CM advertisement. Overhearing this, Erika who had not given up decide to send a couple of guys to hurt them. When the girls were on the street chatting & strengthening their “friendship” (Kyouko practically force Moko to window shop & eat ice-cream together because it’s what girlfriends do!), they unconsciously avoided Erika’s guys (who in the end got hurt themselves). When Erika decided to take things into her own hands, she got injured as well! Moko said some really hard but good advice to Erika, whom finally realize her mistake and decided to fight and work her way up the entertainment industry the fair way.

The shooting of CM advertisement was finally done. It was reveal that Kyouko had to drop out from her school (because of baka-Shou) and felt very regretful that she had no experience as a high school girl. Yashiro-san got sick and had to take leave. The company sent Kyouko to act as a temporary manager for Ren, but she didn’t really do a good job at it (mostly because no one would believe that she’s his manager... LOL). At the same time, President Lory informed Kyouko that she can enter a private high school. Kyouko was so determined to enter that she started studying like crazy for the entrance exam. Ren, who prided himself in never falling sick, finally fell sick as well (caught the flu from Yashiro-san). Kyouko took such good care of him that he wonders why she’s working so hard eventhough he hadn’t been nice to her. The next day when Ren was better & started working again, he almost caught Kyouko playing around with her Ren-doll...luckily he didn’t see the doll & thought that Kyouko was just studying his character (in the movie that he’s currently acting in). Later, Kyouko also help Ren in memorizing his script. Ren realize that her “voice acting” has gotten much better, and it surprises him again.

Review:

There’s a lot going on here (compared to the previous volume which concentrates only on the CM audition). I’m freakingly happy to see more scenes of our 2 main characters – together again... LOL... the scenes where Kyouko was taking care of Ren was really cute & sweet, and the appearance of Ren-doll was a lovely addition. There’s just so much to read and notice in this volume. Read it to find out more!

Labels: Skip Beat

Posted at 12:38 AM

Skip Beat! Vol. 5

Synopsis:

Well, it turns out that Kyouko wasn’t fired from her chicken role (the name’s Bo which I will be using from now on) after all. Seems that the audience loved her “enthusiasm” and she was funny (of course!). When leaving the studio, she had yet another encounter with Ren, who frightened the life out of her, but also giving her good tips on how an actor should attract as much attention as possible and take advantage of every opportunity in the entertainment industry.

Later on, Kyouko decided to audition to act in a CM (a type of beverage) advertisement. When at the audition, she met a arrogant and rude actress, Erika, whom everyone seems to be afraid of. Even Moko who also audition fear her. Since Erika uses her connection, she was always able to get the role that she audition for. Both Kyouko & Moko made no impression at all as all the other girls made a circus of themselves. They decided to team up and wear their bright pink Love me outfits to attract attention!!! And they did. The director was noticing them. Furthermore, to make it even easier for Kyouko & Moko, the director decided to audition the girls by breaking them into pairs. The first test was for the pair of girls to get into a quarrel over a guy. Even though they didn’t discussed anything beforehand, both girls manage to complete the test successfully, surprising everyone. The 2^nd test was a follow up, where the girls have to “reconcile”, after fighting. This time Kyouko manage to think up of a good idea, but it was stolen by Erika. When it came to their turn to act, Kyouko thought of an even better idea to show Moko’s & her reconciliation. With such great partnership, both of them passed the audition & were chosen to act in the CM advert.

Review:

The highlight of this volume is definitely the audition tests for the CM advert. This is definitely one of my favorite arc story in the manga. The way Kyouko & Moko act in the test showed how much talent they have, especially Kyouko who have an “inner” talent that not many people can see, whereas Moko’s talent is more clearly seen for the present time.

Labels: Skip Beat

Posted at 12:10 AM

Ouran Koukou Vol. 6

Synopsis:

It is the season for the school festival, and Ouran students does it in a grand scale indeed. All clubs & societies are competing for the central saloon – the most strategic place for a “booth” (if you can even call it that!) during the festival. Host Club, naturally, is competing for it as well. A treasure hunt race between the, & the football club will determine the winner. At the same time, someone is sending threatening letters to the Host Club.

With all the happenings, Host Club still manage to win the treasure hunt beautifully with style too. Turns out that the sender of the letters was the fiancee of the football club president. She just wanted him to notice her more instead of challenging Kyouya all the time. However, she’s not just the only one sending the letters, the anonymous empty letters with invisible ink were actually sent by Tamaki’s dad to tease him.

School festival arrived & Host Club is extra grand and very successful. Even Tamaki’s grandmother came. However, she showed her extreme displeasure for him and harshly told him not to touch her. The rest of the hosts told Haruhi about Tamaki’s past – his mother is actually a French women whom Tamaki’s father left his wife for. Because of that, the grandmother hated her (for more of this story, do read and support the manga!).

Review:

This is one of my favourite volumes because it reveal for the first time, so much of Tamaki’s life and why he is what he is now. Furthermore, this story arc about the school festival is one of the first stories arc that actually extend to more than 1 chapter. In fact, it covers almost the entire of volume 6. This show that the manga storyline is finally getting somewhere instead of nowhere.

Let us look forward to volume 7 & beyond!

Labels: Ouran

Posted at 3:21 AM

Skip Beat! Vol. 4

Synopsis:

Volume 4 open off with a flashback to Maria’s story about what she felt regarding her estranged relationship with her father. It closely resemble the play that Kyouko is currently “acting” in the challenge with the other actress. Unconsciously, Maria was drawn into the play and started replying to Kyouko’s words. It is a very touching scene as Maria finally admitted to how much her father loves her. From this event, it was also revealed that Kyouko herself does not have a good relationship with her own parents.

Later on, Kyouko was at the company building staircase, “strengthening” herself up with the “magical powers” of the crystal stone that Corn (a childhood friend) had given her. Unfortunately, the stone fell way down stairs right at the leg of Ren. When returning the stone, both of them had a very illuminating conversation (which you guys should read for yourself!). When Ren left, he mentioned – “how could someone change so much...” and yet, she didn’t changed as much as I had.

Kyouko continued her acting lessons, and managed to land a role on an entertainment tv show – as a chicken (their mascot, it seems). On her first day of the job, guess who would have appeared as a guest star – Shou! It is an incredible “meeting” of sorts between the 2. Kyouko was fired up, and she had the advantage of the chicken suit (it means that Shou didn’t know it was her). Of course, he did manage to guess that it was Kyouko in the suit. Things got so messed up that she was fired from her job as the chicken...

Upset, Kyouko wandered around the station, and it really was her unlucky (although I would say she was lucky) day! Ren was brooding around as well. However, he didn’t recognize the chicken! Seems that Ren was having some trouble understanding his script, and he asked the chicken for help. Here, Ren revealed a little about his own past and Kyouko saw yet another side of his personality. When both of them separated, Kyouko vow to do her best for tomorrow even though there’s plenty of challenges ahead.

Review:

Whew! Back to reviewing Skip Beat at last! I just noticed that my synopsis for volume 3 is unusually long. I’ll try to tone it down, which means less spoilers here.

Moko made quite a number of appearances here, although mostly for the funny scenes. There aren’t too much happenings in this volume except for the Kyouko-Shou battle at the tv station. In fact, my favourite scene would be the final part where Kyouko & Ren had a nice conversation and in my opinion, this is when Kyouko finally start liking Ren as a person, and not just respect or fear him.

It is quite clear from Ren’s words about both him & Kyouko changing that he is Corn – Kyouko’s childhood friend who gave her the magical stone that can absorb dark evil thoughts or feelings (at least that’s my interpretation of it). Although, Ren is clearly unwilling to reveal this fact to her (spoilers: and will not do so even up till the later volumes). Kyouko think of Corn as a magical being with powers, not human. I can't wait for the development of our 2 main characters.

As a side note, of this date, i found out that Skip Beat! will be made into an anime as well as a Taiwan idol drama. I'll just say that I am happy to hear of the making of the anime, and not so pleased about the drama as I don't think that it will be good enough to live up to the manga.

Labels: Skip Beat

Posted at 1:38 AM