Skip Beat! thoughts and reactions

I will sometimes go on Hiatus (to let the manga gain chapters) but feel free to talk Skip Beat with me!

[flamingdiva]

I find it funny that one of the most important (and best) arcs in Skip Beat is when Kyoko and Ren act as incestuous emo/goth siblings

[wheezingdog]

It's such a turning point for both of them as individuals and to their relationship. But you honestly forget they're supposed to be siblings from time to time because Kyoko can't fully lean into it due to her fears and trauma and Ren is battling Kuon most of the time.

It isn't until they say it outloud that it's like "oh yeah, they're incestuous!" But I like that it's not a focal point. It's just so that people avoid them because "siscon/brocon weirdos".

It's a brilliant cover to be honest.

I can't wait for it to be announced it was Ren and Kyoko all along and people look at them in a different light. Like "Wow... so the hickey????" That's gonna be fuuuuunnnn.

[ottermelonart]

💕💕 another new print! skip beat this time! 💕💕

[selene-moonie]

something i need to see animated in the year of our lord 2025:

skip beat chapter 144: valentine arc

i don't think i've ever been as angered as i was when i read this for the first time

[wheezingdog]

soooooo, does anyone know where I can read Skip Beat! at all?

o.o all the manga sites I used to read are not working and I'm at a loss.

[wheezingdog]

So question!

If they were to announce one day that they were going to remake Skip Beat! or something, what would you guys like to see?

Would you like...

current art style with the beginning story

keep the old art style and progress over time

continue from the end of the season with recent art style

continue from the end of the season with old art style

other (leave a message!)

Voting ended onSep 26, 2025

I wouldn't mind at all if they redid season 1 with the current art style they're at right now. But, obviously there's a charm with the old art style that hits the nostalgia. Personally, I would kill to see the Heel Sibling Arc animated. Ugh, that would be something.

[wheezingdog]

Spoilers

So, now we got a curious little story about how Sho was hospitalized and doesn't remember shit from the night before and the FBI is involved? Like, damn, what a way to really entice us. But, I also feel like we're missing a lot of information.

Obviously, we are, but more so, what I want to criticize is the pacing. Trust me, as a Skip Beat! fan, I know how long it takes to wait for an update. We get 12 chapters, maybe, per year. But, lately, the writing feels more like a pause rather than to build suspense. I know the build up for Prince and Kuon's rivalry is going to be pretty intense, yet I just also feel like we're going to be waiting a long while with every new story beat.

We need to know what happened with Fuwa Sho. We gotta follow the storyline they're doing for Ren's Parents. Kyoko is taking a tiny back seat for now, because it doesn't involve her fully until it will. Moko-chan's storyline with her co-star is gonna need a bit of time. And the racist storyline is also gonna be a factor in the project.

I'm also probably behind? The only chapters I can find online are of chapter 333 as the latest, so it's gonna be difficult to find a consistent update with everything that happened with the manga websites. If any of you know anything, let me know!

I'm curious as to what will happen and I speculate that they drugged Sho, considering he doesn't remember anything and the suspicion the nurse had was very telling. Having the FBI show up means something happened and it was enough to get them involved. I just wonder if that means they'll end up getting Kyoko involved considering she's also in the States and, y'know, they share a bond.

[bluelgn]

good summer to catch up on some sweet delicious shoujo ✨

[wheezingdog]

Skip Beat! ep9

Spoilers

The reason I say spoilers is just in case someone who hasn't read all 330 chapters and only knows the anime wouldn't be spoiled by lore.

Anyways

Ren has a WHOLE LOTTA NERVE telling Maria that her father would be embarrassed and happy seeing her again after their strained relationship. Like, dude. DUDE. Come on now. I see you for what you are. At first, I thought 'Oh, actually how nice. It's super sweet that Ren, who also has a strained relationship with his parents, would comfort Maria because he sees himself in her.' NO. NO.

Ren literally is so infuriated by his father's presence that he mentally checks out when he's told dear old Dad is returning to Japan for a lil bit. He just loses his composure enough that Yashiro notices that he seems on edge. You literally didn't even want to SEE his ass and only did so because the girl you love shocked you so bad, you were just full of anger and confusion and just straight up was like: "We fightin'"

Don't you go around trying to say that "Oh, your Dad probably feels happy but embarrassed to see you." LIKE SIR. You are talking to a little girl who feels responsible that her mother is dead because she asked her to fly back for her birthday. You are traumatized that your actions got Rick killed because he chased after you because you were being a lil thug. Yeah, your actions directly got someone killed, but at the same time, it wasn't really your fault. It was a tragic accident that happened.

I'm on to you, Kuon/Ren/Corn/B.J./Cain. I'm. On. To. YOU.

[wheezingdog]

I knew it. I knew this image was perfect. Guys, Bo is a fucking Smash Character. Let's go!

[wheezingdog]

Does Fuwa Shotaro like Kyoko?

It's hard to say if he likes her, the way we could say is romantic, but with the chapters focusing on them, he does show that he might be having mixed feelings. He wants to control her, as he claims. He wants to be the only thing on her mind. He wants to consume her life. But, does he like her? I can't really say for sure, but I can say that he finds her alluring, in his own way. Yeah, his type is mostly older women with big boobs, or just big boobs in general, but at the same time, he also can't help himself around her. As some people pointed out, he doesn't use his knowledge about Kyoko to help her life, but I also feel like that isn't always the case. He remembers what she likes to eat for breakfast. He knows her interests and remembers the things about her that could be absolutely trivial under normal circumstances. Why remember the name she gave a cosmetic? Honestly, with how little he's supposed to care about her, why remember something trivial like that? They have a complex relationship. He talks about her as his enemy, but who goes over to his enemy's place to check up on her after watching her mother say on national television that she doesn't have a daughter? Who sees her dead eyes and kisses her just to get a reaction out of her and snap her back to reality? To want to find her because he knows (now) that she tends to run away to cry somewhere? If he didn't care about her, why put forth the effort? The Vie Ghoul (Beagle) incident was directly affecting him, so of course he'd have more at stake in it than other areas. But, he also did go out of his way to rescue her, climbing through a window, going through the forest, just to find her. To beat up a stalker to prevent him from speaking about anything he did to her to cover up everything? He didn't have to go that far to protect her. He didn't have to use underhanded methods to protect her. He went out of his way to ask Mimori to find her in school and trap her so he could "kidnap" her to scold her about going to a fancy party and get dolled up by a man. Why would you do that if you didn't care? Even if you did care, why go through that much effort? It's hard to say he likes her, but he does care for her. To say he doesn't would feel like a complete lie. He cares for her, but he's blinded by his ego to treat her as anything other than an enemy in her life. That's the only way he can interact with her. I will say, I am deadly curious what they were talking about when he went to pick up the pickled gourd from the shop. The one where Ren lost his cool, entirely. They were laughing and joking with each other and she was smiling, so it makes me very curious what the deal was.

I hope we can find out about that morning when he left to America, because I can only imagine assume it was trivial on their part, based on the way Kyoko reacted when she felt like she covered her bases, but she did say he had a kind side to him. Even if it was out of anger to make Ren hurt for what he said to her.

[wheezingdog]

I will say that I do like the idea of Shotaro starting to show interest in Kyoko. I like the fact that Kyoko is someone he thinks about and cares about in his own way. Now, not to say I want them together, he's a walking Red Flag and won't do anything but make her a maid for his family's inn. However, I prefer that he shows his care and concern for her despite the fact that he initially didn't show any at all. Or rather, we know he has some level of care towards her. There is a reason why Kyoko loved Fuwa Shotaro for a reason. There was a reason right there that made her love him. There has to be. It has to be something he did that she felt her heart skipping a beat while she was with him. We just don't know what it is. What was it exactly that made her love him wholeheartedly? She thought all about him since childhood. She felt her heart start to love him, probably since middle school. Here's the thing, we see that he brushed some leaves off her hair during one tiny spot in the Heel Sibling Arc. We know that she felt love for him because she was talking about her feelings for Kuon/Ren at the time. We know she has felt that love; so something happened.

He cares for her. He remembers her favorite things, even though it's not hard at all. As I mentioned earlier in this post, he remembers the name of the cosmetic Royal Snow that she gave. She gave it a cute little name. He grew up with her. She's his childhood friend who lived with him. He knows everything about her just like she knows everything about him. When she calls him out on being a coward during the Vie Ghoul chapters, he knows she's not mincing her words. She treats him like a childhood friend, but she has no reserves in showing her anger. He can be himself around her because there's no one else he can completely let himself be free.

I like the fact that the series shows that he cares. Admittedly, his care is very toxic and he obviously still wants control, but as we see in the series, what they say and how they express it is vastly different from what they feel. He likes her. He is starting to like her more and more, hence why we have these moments where he has annoyance or jealousy on his face when he thinks about her and Ren or her and Reino. He looks at her when she says she will never have feelings for him, like he's hurt by it, but isn't sure how to feel about it. He talks about her not wanting to be that "bland, boring" housewife that only lives for the other person.

It shows that he would've probably liked her initially if she had been someone who was expressive. Kyoko has a charm about her. She always has. A senpai likes her. He's got a little crush on her, despite the fact that she's been wearing a chicken mascot costume. Reino confesses his feelings towards her because he finds her interesting, despite the fact that he only finds that interest when she's angry. Kuon has been in love with her forever. Kijima wanted to get to know her better but only backed off when Ren showed his interest for her and made him aware that he shouldn't pursue her any further. Hell, Murasame likes her when she's Setsu. My fav, Koga, expresses interest in her and only loses it because he finds out she likes Ren, his rival. She has a charm about her that can draw men to her.

It makes sense that Shotaro would show his care. It makes sense he'd be drawn in. It makes sense why he'd start to like her. I like the fact that the author is showing this. I like the fact that Shotaro isn't just a onenote villain/antagonist towards her. He doesn't really ruin her life, or rather, he doesn't go out of his way to do it. They're just linked together like that because they're childhood friends in the entertainment industry. She works in the main building where he goes from time to time to perform.

To be honest, I would like them to be friends. Not even kidding. Because, Kyoko doesn't need her revenge to continue being an actress anymore. She wants to because she wants to. It's her choice. I just want a moment where Sho finally admits that he treated her terribly. He should have a chapter where he reflects on his actions and genuinely apologizes to her and that they can start being friends. He doesn't have to like her, even, just admit his faults. Say: "Hey, I screwed up. I manipulated you, treated you like a wallet and a maid and I basically used your love for me to take you with me to pursue my dream. I'm sorry. I owe you a great debt for your sacrifice." Just something, y'know?

[wheezingdog]

I will say this

So, rereading it again because I'm a little obsessed for the time being, I find it fascinating that during the Vie Ghoul Arc, or the "Suddenly a Love Story" Arc, I finally came to the conclusion that Ren literally couldn't play Katsuki because Ren doesn't love.

It's not like I didn't know that he couldn't play Katsuki in Dark Moon because he was incapable of understanding his emotions of love due to not allowing Kuon to have a shred of happiness, but the fact that the way he created Ren was to avoid relationships in general. Now, I've reread this a lot, a good amount of times, but there hasn't really been a time where Ren Tsugura has been in a relationship. Everyone talked about how he was #1 for "Men you want to date" for the longest time. When he ends up in a "relationship" with that older actress, everyone is raving over it that he finally ended up in one.

But, that's not the case. Kuon has been in plenty of relationships. He's mentioned it to the president and it's been shown to us that he has had experience in a relationship in the past. He just never fell in love with any of them like he has for Kyoko.

This is obvious, so I'm not really saying anything no one really knows. What I'm saying is that Ren, the character Kuon created, is incapable of falling in love. And because he's incapable of it, the creation of him causes problems for his life. His indifference towards his feelings, like his love for Kyoko or his jealousy or even his happiness, is Ren. Ren doesn't know how to feel jealousy over someone. Ren doesn't know how to fall in love. He's not meant to. So, when Kuon feels jealousy or happiness or love, Ren can't show those feelings because his character has no idea how to portray them. When we see Ren being jealous or happy or in love, it's not him. It's Kuon.

It's not just his dark moments, where he's cold and ruthless. We assume it's the darkness because that's what everyone else focuses on, but each time we see Ren showing his emotions, whatever they may be, it's Kuon. Ren is starting to crack. Ren is breaking character because Kuon is breaking his character because Kyoko is helping him heal.

That's just my opinion and theory and I find it fascinating. If you feel the same, that's cool. I won't feel so alone. But, if you don't, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. :3

[wheezingdog]

Like, the whole Dark Moon party chapters (171-173 I think) is just Ren flashing people with his dazzling smile. Ren is smiling his emotions away like it's not a big deal, while Kuon is practically foaming at the mouth, seething with rage. This man is about to pounce on Kijima for daring touching his Kyoko and dressing her up. He's about to tear out his throat for saying he and Kyoko should go out. And she agreed? Oh, he's seeing all sorts of red. But, Ren is not like that. Ren is gentle. He's charismatic and sweet and polite. He's stern, yes, but he's not the type of man to lash out his anger at someone. Ren isn't a violent man. Isn't a jealous man. So, all he can do is smile and laugh. But, his true feelings still seep through. When Kyoko tells Kijima that she can't because she vowed to remain pure, he truly feels a sickly pride inside that she truly denied Kijima and kept her promise to him. Kuon can't help but smile, genuinely, something Ren can do. For the most part.

[wheezingdog]

I will say this

So, rereading it again because I'm a little obsessed for the time being, I find it fascinating that during the Vie Ghoul Arc, or the "Suddenly a Love Story" Arc, I finally came to the conclusion that Ren literally couldn't play Katsuki because Ren doesn't love.

It's not like I didn't know that he couldn't play Katsuki in Dark Moon because he was incapable of understanding his emotions of love due to not allowing Kuon to have a shred of happiness, but the fact that the way he created Ren was to avoid relationships in general. Now, I've reread this a lot, a good amount of times, but there hasn't really been a time where Ren Tsugura has been in a relationship. Everyone talked about how he was #1 for "Men you want to date" for the longest time. When he ends up in a "relationship" with that older actress, everyone is raving over it that he finally ended up in one.

But, that's not the case. Kuon has been in plenty of relationships. He's mentioned it to the president and it's been shown to us that he has had experience in a relationship in the past. He just never fell in love with any of them like he has for Kyoko.

This is obvious, so I'm not really saying anything no one really knows. What I'm saying is that Ren, the character Kuon created, is incapable of falling in love. And because he's incapable of it, the creation of him causes problems for his life. His indifference towards his feelings, like his love for Kyoko or his jealousy or even his happiness, is Ren. Ren doesn't know how to feel jealousy over someone. Ren doesn't know how to fall in love. He's not meant to. So, when Kuon feels jealousy or happiness or love, Ren can't show those feelings because his character has no idea how to portray them. When we see Ren being jealous or happy or in love, it's not him. It's Kuon.

It's not just his dark moments, where he's cold and ruthless. We assume it's the darkness because that's what everyone else focuses on, but each time we see Ren showing his emotions, whatever they may be, it's Kuon. Ren is starting to crack. Ren is breaking character because Kuon is breaking his character because Kyoko is helping him heal.

That's just my opinion and theory and I find it fascinating. If you feel the same, that's cool. I won't feel so alone. But, if you don't, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. :3

[wheezingdog]

Does the supernatural exist in Skip Beat?

I actually am quite curious if it actually does. Considering the idea that fairies exist, the manga establishes that they do not, in fact, exist. Kyoko's grudge spirits exist in a vacuum, meant to symbolize her anger/hatred/frustration/ect. but also implies that they can interact with humans around them. But, if we take cartoon logic in this, they only exist for the sake of comedy and nothing else. Until Reino makes his appearance. This man is literally capable of seeing them and capturing the grudge spirits. It's not a joking matter, either, since he uses one to blackmail Kyoko into giving him chocolates. He even uses spirit beads to show the spirit to his band mates. He even takes it a step further by implying that he can see memories of certain objects. Like, he was able to see Kuon clearly in his mind just by holding the stone that Kuon gave to Kyoko. And, as another joke moment, he was capable of using his abilities to see the grudge spirit meteor and make it into an actual photo for his non-spiritual bandmate/friend to see. So do they exist. Does the supernatural exist in this world, even just a little, or doesn't it?

[wheezingdog]

Ren really has been going through it, but I think nothing will top the woman he loves dearly giving a life-size replica of himself to a little girl.

You gotta have a type of resolve to simply smile and laugh and not think too hard about it. Especially, since, at this point, you don't even know she was even capable of doing something like that at all.

[wheezingdog]

You know what I really appreciate? I appreciate that over the years, the "same face" syndrome of Skip Beat got a bit better. Don't get me wrong, it still gets me a few times, but it has gotten better with time.

If you didn't know any better, he looks exactly like Ren, but with lower eyelashes. That's about the only difference between them. Take them away and "BOOM!" totally Ren. It actually almost confused the fuck out of me the first time I read this. But now?

Still similar, but at the very least, the hair is very distinctive. So, I call that a WIN.

[wheezingdog]

Chapter 79

Btw, this was also very gay as hell. Why is he holding him like that? Why is he grabbing his face like that? I get the hug, for sure, but to whisper softly in his ear like that? To hold this older man in your arms and touch his face so gently? Naaah, that's a lil gay. I see you, Ren. I see what you are. Bisexual king, over here. If Kyoko was a dude, you'd love her all the same.

[wheezingdog]

Does Fuwa Shotaro like Kyoko?

It's hard to say if he likes her, the way we could say is romantic, but with the chapters focusing on them, he does show that he might be having mixed feelings. He wants to control her, as he claims. He wants to be the only thing on her mind. He wants to consume her life. But, does he like her? I can't really say for sure, but I can say that he finds her alluring, in his own way. Yeah, his type is mostly older women with big boobs, or just big boobs in general, but at the same time, he also can't help himself around her. As some people pointed out, he doesn't use his knowledge about Kyoko to help her life, but I also feel like that isn't always the case. He remembers what she likes to eat for breakfast. He knows her interests and remembers the things about her that could be absolutely trivial under normal circumstances. Why remember the name she gave a cosmetic? Honestly, with how little he's supposed to care about her, why remember something trivial like that? They have a complex relationship. He talks about her as his enemy, but who goes over to his enemy's place to check up on her after watching her mother say on national television that she doesn't have a daughter? Who sees her dead eyes and kisses her just to get a reaction out of her and snap her back to reality? To want to find her because he knows (now) that she tends to run away to cry somewhere? If he didn't care about her, why put forth the effort? The Vie Ghoul (Beagle) incident was directly affecting him, so of course he'd have more at stake in it than other areas. But, he also did go out of his way to rescue her, climbing through a window, going through the forest, just to find her. To beat up a stalker to prevent him from speaking about anything he did to her to cover up everything? He didn't have to go that far to protect her. He didn't have to use underhanded methods to protect her. He went out of his way to ask Mimori to find her in school and trap her so he could "kidnap" her to scold her about going to a fancy party and get dolled up by a man. Why would you do that if you didn't care? Even if you did care, why go through that much effort? It's hard to say he likes her, but he does care for her. To say he doesn't would feel like a complete lie. He cares for her, but he's blinded by his ego to treat her as anything other than an enemy in her life. That's the only way he can interact with her. I will say, I am deadly curious what they were talking about when he went to pick up the pickled gourd from the shop. The one where Ren lost his cool, entirely. They were laughing and joking with each other and she was smiling, so it makes me very curious what the deal was.

I hope we can find out about that morning when he left to America, because I can only imagine assume it was trivial on their part, based on the way Kyoko reacted when she felt like she covered her bases, but she did say he had a kind side to him. Even if it was out of anger to make Ren hurt for what he said to her.