I have been reading Skip Beat since I was 12 years old. And unfortunately, every time I start the series, I'll inevitably get to a cliff hanger ending, leave it for a couple of years and then re-read it again, wind up at yet another cliff hanger ending and then leave it again.
I am convinced this pattern of reading the manga series from the first to the latest chapter, putting it down for a few years and then re-reading from the beginning all over again will continue on endlessly until I'm in a retirement home.
And while dear, sweet Yoshiki Nakamura has spent the past 20+ years writing the story, I have no issues with the pacing. I don't think it's dragging on or introducing unnecessary plotlines. In fact, I've enjoyed every chapter I've read so far. And I don't think an ending is coming anytime soon. But I just can't help myself. So let's talk about it.
Spoilers for the entirety of Skip Beat: every single chapter that's out as of the 28th of February, 2025. I'm sorry, if you want spoiler free, you won't get it from me. Not for this manga series, unfortunately. I just don't want to do spoiler free. This series is too long. I'd be limiting myself too much.
Kyoko Mogami Is My Favourite Character Of All Time
Listen, is Kyoko an absolute train wreck who goes from one extreme to the next? Yes! Her devoting her life to Sho, and sacrificing her own identity in the process, was incredibly unhealthy. Her reacting to his betrayal by devoting herself to vengeance and closing herself off to ever loving again is equally unhealthy.
But when we look at the way she was raised, can we really blame her?
You see, Kyoko Mogami is a victim of abuse and neglect. Her own mother treated her like she was a curse. And I know the backstory. I understand that Saena was deeply traumatised and she didn't choose to have this baby. But it doesn't change the fact that she caused severe psychological harm to a child who only ever wanted to be loved by her.
So of course Kyoko doesn't understand how to be a functional member of society. Of course she finds it difficult to love and be loved. Of course she allows people to walk all over her. That's how she was raised. If anything, we should applaud her for even recognising Sho's misdeeds enough to want to take vengeance.
Plus the girl is an actual prodigy. If it wasn't for the amount of pressure her mum put on her, I have no doubt she'd be a 100% average student. You only have to look at how quickly she develops any new skill she tries to learn. From acting to modelling to ballet and even sword fighting. This girl just needs to pull an all nighter and she's suddenly a pro.
I'm actually jealous.
Kyoko And Ren Are Perfect For Each Other
Yes, I understand the age gap is problematic. Sure, a four year age gap isn't exactly an insurmountable challenge. But it is a huge deal when one of them is a minor and the other is in their 20s. And the maturity gap between them is huge. Ren has clearly gotten around, even if he's never been in love before Kyoko. While Kyoko is still trying to "save her first kiss" for marriage. She is so completely clueless when it comes to relationships that she's the only person who doesn't recognise Ren clearly likes her. Even when he openly flirts with her or claims possession over her, she either doesn't bat an eye or assumes it's because Ren is a "ladies man".
But at the same time, this is a fictional story and it's MANGA! If you're looking to manga as your role model for healthy relationships, you need to stop reading them. Manga is more likely to persuade you incest is fine than it is to teach you how to be in a healthy relationship. And I say that as someone who absolutely loves it.
If we ignore the age gap and focus on them as individuals, they're perfect for each other. Ren truly understand Kyoko and he plays along with her fantasies. And while it may not be healthy for her to be stuck in her delusions, let the poor girl at least have this. She's a victim of abuse who's been taken advantage of / bullied her entire life.
So if she wants to believe in fairies as a teenager, let her!
Who's to say she's even wrong. After all, she created magical beings with her anger alone. And we know they're real because multiple people throughout the series are either affected by their presence or sees them. So it's not illogical to assume she may have a greater awareness of the supernatural than your average person.
And while Ren doesn't share her beliefs, he recognises how important they are to her and acts accordingly. And in turn, Kyoko understands Ren very well. She's one of the few people who see his darkness. And even if they don't know it, they're each other's confidantes.
The Corn And Bo Of It All
For those of you who either don't know or can't remember, Kyoko and Ren actually met as children. Before Kuon took on the stage name "Tsuruga Ren" so he could become an established actor without the influence of his family, he visited Kyoto as a child. And that's when six year old Kyoko met him for the first time, in all his gleaming blond haired green eyed beauty, and assumed he was a fairy. And he went with it. In fact, when she mispronounced his name and called him "Corn" instead, he never corrected her.
Kyoko told Corn her deepest insecurities. He was the only one who got to see her at her darkest moments. And she valued him so deeply, she still carried around the stone he gave her for ten years.
And in turn, when Kyoko was acting as Bo, she helped Ren. And he grew to rely on her (though he still doesn't know she's Bo). He shared things with her he has never told anyone else before. And despite the fact that Bo is forever laughing at or teasing Ren, he still values her advice deeply.
Whether they recognise it or not, they have a deep connection. And despite the age gap, I think they could be a great couple. And I don't think Ren would ever pressure her to do anything she didn't want.
Skip Beat! Chooses To See The Best In People: Even The Ones We May Not Consider To Deserve It
While it can be corny for protagonists to spout a moral compass that involves forgiving every villain for every misdeed they've ever committed, the way Skip Beat! does it feels genuine.
At the end of the day, while Kyoko may focus single-mindedly on revenge, that's not what she needs. Kyoko needs to be in an environment where she feels loved and nurtured. And she has never been as happy as she was when she realised she truly wanted to be an actress for herself.
Final Thoughts
I long for the day Skip Beat! will finally be over. Not because I want to rush through it but because I'm well and truly intrigued. I genuinely want to see where Yoshiki Nakamura takes this story. She's laid the groundwork for something truly amazing. And considering it's kept me hooked for over a decade, I don't see that going away anytime soon.
I want Ren and Kyoko to end up together. I need Sho to fully mature and show genuine remorse over his actions.