Skip Beat!, Vol. 07

スキップ・ビート! [Skip Beat!] #7

by Yoshiki Nakamura

When Kyoko’s heart is broken, she decides that revenge is a dish best served in the spotlight!

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!

All Kyoko's dreams are coming true! She's got a best friend (okay, so Moko still needs to come to terms with their bosom-buddyhood, but she's learning). She's finally going to high school (so what if a mean girl is picking on her--Kyoko knows how to deal with bullies). And she's landed a spot in Sho's new video (Yes! Revenge! Bwa ha ha ha! ). Life doesn't get any better than this.

Chapters: 36-41

Genres: Manga, Romance, Shojo, Graphic Novels, Humor, Comedy, Young Adult

200 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2004

About the author

Yoshiki Nakamura (仲村佳樹) is a Japanese mangaka. She was born June 17. Nakamura made her manga debut with "Yume de Auyori Suteki" in the manga magazine Hana to Yume in 1993.

Reviews

[Anna 'Bookbuyer' · Rating 5 out of 5]

So mean of Ren to give her a -10 after giving her a 100% stamp! It really goes to show that his feelings for her started as early as the first few volumes!!! -.-

And the doors I spoke of in the last volume have started in this one. Kyoko gets an acting job for Sho's PV but almost turns it down! Thank god for Kanae! She is probably one of the only people besides Ren that could convince her that it was worthwhile to work in the PV.

Edit:

I'm really glad that Kyoko found something to do for herself even if it started out as revenge agains Fuwa.

I love when Ren teases her. Like when he suggested she have a bath and she was uncomfortable because they are male and female. So funny.

I don't know how Kyoko ends up going to fast on her bike? Like how? 🤔

KYOKO'S IN HIGH SCHOOL! YAY! 😁

Why is Mimori so mean to her. 😒

Her demons will never not be hilarious to me.

Kyoko kicking Shou! YES! Go Kyoko! Give him some of the pain you feel! 🎉

[Alison (AlisonCanRead) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kyoko never fails to amuse me. She is your stereotypical girly girl - selfless, modest, endlessly optimistic. She practically floats to school every day. She's so happy to be there. She skirts right by bullies' insults and goes along her happy way. Until...someone brings up Sho or insults Kyoko in a certain way (saying she "doesn't have a celebrity's aura") and a switch is flipped. Sweet little Kyoko becomes evil, raging, angry Kyoko.

Everything comes back to Sho. Kyoko hates the idea that she is beneath anyone. And in her head, any insinuation that she is "less than" comes back to Sho. Too bad for her, because Sho manages to worm his way into her life over and over. Kyoko is starring in Sho's music video. She tries to hide her true identity from him, but he figures out. In his eyes, Kyoko is nothing. That she could even conceive to become an actress is laughable. That's what he thinks on the surface. However, his manager quickly notices that Sho is - unconsciously at least - attracted to Kyoko. He can't keep his eyes off her. I'm curious how this chemistry will evolve.

There's a cute conversation between Ren and his manager. It's very clear that Ren is fascinated by Kyoko. I don't know if he "like" likes her yet, but she is foremost in his mind. He is particularly worried that she is so motivated by revenge towards Sho. Not because it's unbecoming, but because he thinks she's above it. That to be moved by a negative power will hurt her in the long run. And you can tell that he already wants what's best for Kyoko.

Another good edition to this series. It's not the most memorable volume, but sets the stage for more Sho/Kyoko and Ren/Kyoko interaction.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another favorite volume!! All the happy feels of the last volume come to a halt right away with what Ren does when awarding Kyoko her points. What a turkey! Kyoko must face Sho when she is hired to be a part of his latest promo video. Her co-star and classmate is a brat that I highly dislike. Ugh! But when I see Kyoko in her angel costume-what a transformation. She looks quite different. It was interesting watching Kyoko trying to hide her identity and Sho trying to figure her out. While is is insanely childish and annoying he isn't stupid. I love how she really starts to shine and SHo starts to get an idea of what she could be.

[RoRo · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 stars

I just am thinking. I do not like this manga series anymore. It just isn't appealing to me anymore. So with that said, I am officially stopping to read these manga volumes. It is nothing against the author or anything, I am just not invested in this series as I was before.

Thank you.

RoRo

[Starbubbles · Rating 4 out of 5]

2021: Truthfully, I want more Ren and less Sho. Obviously I am a Kyoko x Ren forever girl. Haha! Not that there is a love triangle going on. There isn't. Confusion averted.

[An · Rating 5 out of 5]

WRAAK MUAHAHAHA

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing read. I think the manga is the best version of the story, but I want to give the anime and tv series based on the manga a chance as well. I am in love with this manga. It is one of my all-time favourites. Also, I love the characters besides Shou. In this volume, I really loved reading Ren's thoughts. It makes me appreciate him that much more as a character. He does have shortcomings, but he is amazing in my eyes. Kyoko is the perfect angel. I really loved the transformation to an angel. She really knows how to change her personality to fit the character. I loved that Sho will get to see how far Kyoko has come in the next volume. The ending was fantastic. Can't wait to read Volume 8 and I hope it keeps getting better. Overall, an incredible read.

[Jody Mena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this manga! Kyoko is a perfect anti-heroine, and her show down with Sho in this volume was absolutely perfect! Good little heroines might be sweet and forgiving, but Kyoko's that dark side of all girls who've been screwed over by a man - hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, and literally in this case! I adore her 'evil spirits' and her curse dolls. I wonder what will happen between her and Ren now that she's up against Sho. I'm dying to find out what will happen when Kyoko finds out he was the one who gave her her blue stone! Ah, this series has really grown on me! I can't wait to read the next book!

[sheymar · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, I enjoyed this volume very much. It was very petty of Ren to take 10 points off for Kyoko, but I get where he’s coming from. She definitely does not know how to read the room and is lowkey kinda dumb. His gentlemanly smile kills me every time. I’m glad Kyoko took on the role for Sho’s music video and as much as I hate to say this, Sho is a pretty entertaining character and he always brings some drama to the story. He’s so slow tho and I’m actually surprised he ended up recognizing Kyoko at all. He’d be very dumb if he fell for her ‘Fuwachi’ act and all. The other pochi girl was kinda annoying me and Sho is such a player. He’s always making out with some older women too like seriously? Anyways, Kyoko looked gorgeous as the angel for the music video and I’m ready for her to crush Sho and “kill” him as a devil!

[GuisBell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parece que Ren empieza a tener sentimientos por Kyoko que genial, pero porque Shoutaro empieza a mostrar interés por Kyoko.

[DonutKnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yeah, you go Kyoko! Show Sho who’s boss! ✊😁

[august · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, but that angel scene though? Super gay.

[keikii Eats Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

31:32

[Cyn. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sho confrontation is *chef's kiss*

[TheaMon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ich kann nicht aufhören! ❤️

[Sol · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 / 5

I don't think I enjoyed this quite as much as the others so far? 8'D

It's still really good, but there just wasn't enough Ren and honestly, the amount of Shou in this was irritating (I don't like him okay? XDD;)

I loved Kyouko trying to keep her identity a secret from Shou though, that was absolutely amazing; with all the "demonic feelings" being quickly turned off and changed to an "innocent Shou fangirl" whenever he turned around to see what was making him nervous ;D The idea of her getting to play the "angel that turns into a demon by committing murder" (of Shou too!) is amazing and I can't wait to see that bit. Hopefully it'll be soon in the next volume because I really want to see how that goes. I'm sure it'll be AMAZING 8D

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite arcs!
I think I finally got used to the art style, I really like the chibi versions of the characters


...also I had the sad realisation that I'm now 3 whole years older than Ren 🥲

[anenko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m always thrilled to get my hands on a new volume of Skip Beat! I love this series so very much, and each new volume sends me back to the first in order to enjoy the whole story all over again.

In this volume, we get a little more development to Kyoko and Ren’s relationship. By this point, it’s obvious that there’s a romance brewing, although Kyoko is still completely clueless, and Ren is somewhere between clueless and in denial.

Kyoko finally gets her chance to face down Sho, and get her revenge: they are both acting in Sho’s promotional video, and Kyoko is determined to outshine and humiliate Sho in his own video. As always, I love the sense of humour present throughout the volume--there are some great comedic moments as Kyoko tries to hide her true identity from a suspicious Sho. I love her rapid shift from vengeful spirits and dark glower to wide, sparkling doe eyes every time Sho looks at her.

I’m greatly looking forward to the next volume, when Kyoko and Sho actually act together/against one another.

[Lid]

En mangas sólo puntúo el primer volumen como nota general del manga

El manager es el mejor personaje secundario. Siempre pone de manifiesto los sentimientos de Ren hasta antes de que él mismo se de cuenta y su manera de observar siempre sus expresiones... ¡Lo adoro!
Por otra parte, este tomo ha estado muy interesante porque aparece Sho y a Kyoko le toca enfrentarse a él. La cosa no acaba más que empezar y ya se palpa la tensión en el ambiente, Kyoko va a disfrutar mucho con esto y yo también. Además tiene puntos muy divertidos, como siempre ;)

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love seeing her finally compete with Sho! She’s def gonna get him!

[Lemoona · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s always fun to read the promo video arc! Kyoko looked absolutely stunning. She should’ve been on the cover instead of Sho!

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread June 27th, 2025

I LOOOOVE this angel and demon arc. But this volume is only the beginning. The juiciest part is in the next one.

Reread June 21st, 2021

YOU GO GIRL

[Luana · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Allora perché lo stai facendo?"
"Forse perché voglio costruire Kyoko Mogami. Io, sin da piccola, non ho mai pensato neppure una volta a cosa volessi diventare. Quando mi applicavo in qualcosa, l'ho sempre fatto per altri. Mi sono sempre concentrata su come compiacerli. E' attorno a questo che ha sempre ruotato il mio mondo. Però, stavolta è diverso. Quando studio recitazione, sento di dare vita a una nuova me stessa con le mie sole forze! Voglio coltivare il mio talento. Ciò mi rende felice. Voglio fare molte altre esperienze, assorbire conoscenze, così da espandere ulteriormente il mio mondo. Per questo studio recitazione."

4,5

Sto amando tutto! In questo volume, vediamo ancora qualche piccolo passo avanti nel rapporto tra Ren e Kyoko, i due stanno iniziando finalmente a capirsi e a superare le rispettive prime impressioni dell'altro. Da un lato, abbiamo la scelta di Kyoko di aprirsi con lui, di spiengargli i veri motivi che l'hanno spinta a impegnarsi a fondo nello studio della recitazione (che vanno al di là del semplice piano di vendetta personale, perché quello, alla fine della fiera, è stata solo la motivazione iniziale), oltre alla sua amirazione per la sua etica del lavoro; dall'altro, c'è Ren che, ben consapevole delle cose che la ferivano da bambina, decide di venire incontro alla nostra protagonista, aiutandola a non caricarsi di troppa pressione autoimposta. Entrambi cominciano a mettere in discussione l'iniziale antipatia reciproca. E tutto sommato, capisco la convinzione espressa da Ren, ovvero che sarebbe meglio che Kyoko non incontrasse mai più Sho, in modo da lasciar andare con il tempo tutte le emozioni negative, in modo naturale...peccato che venga smentito dopo due nanosecondi!
In tutto questo, mi sento di spendere due parole per Yashiro, il manager di Ren, che ha già iniziato ad intuire quali siano i veri sentimenti del suo protetto nei confronti di Kyoko, sentimenti di cui forse lui non è nemmeno a conoscenza, almeno per ora. Direi che abbiamo trovato chi guida il carro di questa ship!

E poi...beh, uno dei momenti più attesi, ovvero l'incontro tra Kyoko e il pirla biondo. Ho adorato il modo in cui la sensei ha costruito il tutto: un video musicale, con una canzone quantomeno adatta alla nostra situazione - un angelo corrotto dal diavolo. E, a ben vedere, questo è quello che è successo alla nostra protagonista: il tradimento di Sho ha mandato definitivamente in pezzi la purezza di Kyoko. Una ragazza sempre solare, piena di fiducia nel prossimo e sempre attenta ai bisogni degli altri, che si trova a fare i conti, per la prima volta, con tutte le emozioni negative represse nel tempo. Le azioni dell'idiota sono state la classica goccia che ha fatto traboccare il vaso. A pensarci bene, Kyoko è sempre stata maltrattata dalle persone a cui voleva più bene - la freddezza della madre, la negligenza e mancanza di rispetto del suo migliore amico. Tutti atteggiamenti che l'hanno spinta a sminuirsi, a sentirsi poco importante e non degna di attenzione. Il danno fatto da Sho è terribile: a parte l'idea di non volersi innamorare più (e qui Ren, una volta che si sarà svegliato, avrà molto lavoro da fare), c'è quella paura di aprire il proprio cuore a qualsiasi emozione positiva, paura non solo di dare amore, ma anche di riceverlo.
Il bietolone biondo si ritroverà davanti una Kyoko diversa, non più la ragazzina accomodante che avrebbe fatto qualsiasi cosa per lui. E il cretino rimane pure sorpreso! Probabilmente, non si rende nemmeno conto del danno che ha fatto. O probabilmente, non ha mai davvero capito la persona che aveva di fronte. Di sicuro, non ci ha mai nemmeno provato. Maledetto beota! Vedremo se la recitazione di Kyoko saprà irretire l'idiota o se finirà in rissa...

[Julie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s not easy to be a substitute manager, a budding actress, and a wannabe high school student all at the same time, but Kyoko never backs down from a challenge! Even when she and Ren are caught in a serious traffic jam, and she is worried that he will be late to work, thus tarnishing his perfect image, she makes sure he gets there on time, even if she has to appropriate someone’s bike to do it!

At school, she finds herself being picked on by one girl in particular, Mimori Nanokura, although Kyoko doesn’t understand why that is. When Kyoko runs across the commercial she and Moko did together, while walking on the street, she is taken by surprise, although she isn’t exactly flattered by some of the comments she overhears from passersby. Even more surprising is the call she receives from Ren. Is he watching her or something? How? He hasn’t had time to give her marks for being his manager, but somehow that doesn’t work out as well as either one planned.

Kyoko’s manager receives a call from someone who was impressed with the Curara commercial and wants to use the two girls – aka Moko and Kyoko - in a music video – featuring Sho Fuwa? Can it be? Kyoko is furious at first at the idea of being used by Sho, until she begins to see this in another light, namely as an opportunity to use Sho as a stepping stone for her own career. But Moko has already made another commitment to a 2-hour drama, so Kyoko will be on her own, if they will accept her.

At the audition, Sho keeps staring at Kyoko. She realizes she has to make him believe it’s not her, so she begins to act completely not like herself. But then Moko’s role is re-cast – and given to Mimori? Will she reveal who Kyoko really is? How can she get the girl to stay quiet, at least long enough to get through this music video? Or maybe it’s time to let him see who she really is, so he can worry?

This was a fabulous volume, especially the back and forth between Kyoko and Sho. How like a man, to want her now that he sees what he couldn’t see in her before. The music video they are shooting concerns a devil (Sho) and two angels, and Kyoko plays the angel who wants to kill him. How appropriate is that? Also, Ren still seems to be struggling against his feelings for Kyoko, but even his manager can see he cares. Kyoko continues to grow, both as a person and as an actress. Loved this, looking forward to more!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Today's post is on Skip Beat!, vol 7 by Yoshiki Nakamura. It is the sixth in her long running series and you need to have read the six volumes to understand what is going on. It is 190 pages long and is published by Shojo Beat. The cover has Sho dressed up as a demon from his music video on it. There is no foul language, no sex, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who likes shojo manga, strong heroines, and funny revenge stories. The story is told from third person close of Kyoko the main character. There Be Spoilers Ahead.



From the back of the book- All Kyoko's dreams are coming true! She's got a best friend (okay Moko still needs to come to terms with their bosom-buddyhood, but she's learning). She's finally going to high school (so what if a mean girl is picking on her- Kyoko knows how to deal with bullies). And she's landed a spot in Sho's new video (Yes! Revenge! Bwa haha ha!) Life doesn't get any better than this.


Review- We finished the mini-arc with Ren and him seeing Kyoko is still the same person, just a little angrier than when he first knew her. Then we get to see Kyoko in high school dealing with normal high school stuff like mean girls but Kyoko's tough and she does not care. The rest of the volume is Kyoko trying to stop Sho from recognizing her and firing her. Sho does but he does not fire her, instead he gives her the chance to beat him on the camera in acting. At the end of the volume Sho realizes that Kyoko has some good acting skills and she could beat him. I liked seeing Kyoko and Sho enact in this volume with how much Kyoko has changed to Sho. Kyoko is still the same person but now she just does not care about how others feel. Sho does not know what to think about how Kyoko is now and it is confusing him. I like it. I look forward to seeing more of Kyoko and seeing her win in this little battle.


I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

[Shaked Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In three words: SO MUCH SHO!
We haven’t actually gotten to see much of Sho (Shotaro) Fuwa before this volume. Although we get a lot of information about him and are constantly reminded of him and his douchery actions and past, we don’t usually get to see too much of him... but in this volume we do! And I have to say it, I f***ing hate that motherf***er. I mean I love his complexity as a character and the dynamic relationship between him and Kyoko, but I f***ing hate him.
I just love this voulme, because I love to see how amazed Sho is by Kyoko. I loved how Kyoko was trying to hide her identity from Sho, and how he was determined to know if she really was Kyoko. She was trying to pretend to be a total airhead and it was so cute and funny, I just loved every minute of it!

[kuristina- tabreez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Ren looks at her... Even his manager knows; he feels love for her. She feels something for him too, so how long will it be until those two can meet in the middle and realize their feelings for one another on the surface? Ah, even if this wasn't a shoujo, it would still take some time considering who and how they both are. But, as things are all appearing to look up, a wonderful opportunity comes Mogami's way...a gig involving Sho.
Dealing with Sho Fuwa so soon is exactly what Ren Tsuruga doesn't want for Kyoko. But with both of them away from the agency for work and not on a regular talking basis, there's no advice he can give her to convince her that now is too soon. What will happen..?

[Sylwia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It takes me some effort to get into the volumes of this manga, mostly because of the writing style (with the tiny little notes all over the place that slow me down). And the pacing is a bit slow: it'll take a few pages to make one concise statement, but that's important to the ambiance. What's awesome about this series is the messages. I especially appreciated the way we learned about how she dedicated her childhood to pleasing others and how important it is to become self-serving (in terms of quality of life and self-care). It's interesting to watch her become more self-involved.

[♡Kayla♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sho really is such an awful guy, he had no reason to be that cruel to someone who was such a great friend to him, and he just continues being the biggest jerk just because he can. Part of me wants him to have a redemption arch, so we can see him actually acknowledge all of the crap he's done and try to make amends finally... but the other part just wants to see him suffer by the hands of Kyoko lmao