Skip Beat Episode 1 - Kyoko-sama has arrived!
If this does not remind you of the late 90s shoujo anime, nothing does really…
This fourth edition of the Fall Impressions 08 should have included Class 5-2 the series but the fact that Xebec royally screwed up with the cast and the graphics meant that this will become a solo entry all about my beloved Kyoko-sama. Anyway, as you all would know, Skip Beat is the anime that I have been going crazy ever since it is slated for release during the Fall season.
Despite operating on a slightly low graphical platform, will Skip Beat still impress? Or will it break the fragile heart of Impz when he realizes his beloved Kyoko-sama has been woefully misrepresented? Anyway, I did ramble on a lot in the entry.
Do tell me if you prefer a standard review rather than my unstructured ramblings.
The goddess before her transformation.
Kyoko Mogami is a simple and polite girl who works shifts in many part-time jobs. It turns out that her boyfriend is actually Shotaro Fuwa, an up and coming singer at the tender age of 16. In the changing room of her part-time shift, she found other colleagues discussing about her boyfriend.
You know, Kyoko, you deserve better. Much better than this blonde wannabe.
They said that they will switch from Ren (a very famous actor) to Shotaro, and talked about the posters she received by buying his CD. Being the completely submissive and fangirling girlfriend, she realizes she did not get the posters after buying it. Going into panic mode, she rushes out with the receipt. Her colleagues are surprised how crazed she is over an idol.
Personally, I remember how I didn’t like Kyoko-sama for the first impression because I felt that she was spineless. At the start of the series, she is just the type of girl that I will never date in my life. I like my girl to be spunky, to be strong, to be able to fight back. I do not want someone who is submissive. That is why Kyoko-sama’s eventual transformation works for me so much. What is the joy of life with that kind of wife? Maybe some alpha males will prefer the original Kyoko but not me.
The eyes of evilness have not completely appeared as yet, but it is soon for its birth! Go, Evil Kyoko!
If I have to admit something about the start, I really do not like Kyoko here. She represents everything that a shoujo female character is stereotyped to be: weak, needy, submissive and a total pushover. However, without this typical representation, her transformation into the goddess known as Kyoko-sama will never be that impressive. I also have to add that the first few minutes of the series really made me feel that I was back in the 1990s watching Kare Kano.
I know Hal Maker Studios is not that rich of an animation company, but this feels dated. My poor Kyoko-sama has to suffer from seemingly below-par graphics.
Are you also awed by the sparkling and shocking appearance of my Kyoko-sama?
Anyway, enough complaining. She rushes off to get that poster and got it since she is the most awesome woman around. No, not kidding there. After getting the poster, she realized she is late for the next job.
When a desperate Kyoko-sama is just so darn hot.
How dare you make my Kyoko-sama look so haggard, Shotaro!
At the next job, her employers said that she looked so haggard and wondered about her future considering that she should be in school enjoying herself. She just smiled and said that she has a reason for working so hard, and giving up on her studies.
I really find that part of the blind devotion by Kyoko is one that believes in princess and dreams. Being a girl who has always done things for Shotaro, it is but expected. Nonetheless, the setting of Skip Beat represents a very modern society still steeped in the world of machismo. Her devotion to a guy seems like an ironic representation of women. Despite modernity, it’s still traditional.
This is all your fault, Shotaro! Soon, Shotaro will get a new name from me.
A happy Kyoko is good. A happy Kyoko
After her job, she returned home to find the lights on. Shotaro is back but he is in a particularly foul mood. He, being the Dicktaro, wanted to leave almost immediately but Kyoko held him back with his favorite pudding.
But the dicktaro does not seem to appreciate our heroine too much. You gay prick.
Honestly, if there is a positive out of this anime compared to the manga, it is that they manage to make Dicktaro a much bigger dick compared to the manga. I have lost count on my burning desire to punch the hell crap of this person during this episode’s viewing and I was worried that the readers will consider my insane fascination to bash up this sorry asshole a bit extreme. Oops, did I say that loud? Dicktaro is definitely one of the characters you love to hate, and he’s good looking to boot. Hell yea to kickbutting this dick.
You think you are cool? Ya, you are cool in the head. Aka you have nothing in there.
After chatting about his ego-filled life that is generally empty, he saw a popularity contest where Ren (the famous actor that eclipsed Dicktaro’s popularity) was considered to be the man most girls at the age of 25 wanted to kiss. Dicktaro, as expected, only placed a lowly 7th. With that, he got pissed since his good looks are nothing and left our poor Kyoko.
Kyoko, you don’t have to prostate for this dicktaro! I will worship you instead, my goddess!
The way that Kyoko is way so submissive sometimes make me wonder about her naivety. No matter how much she transformed, her naivety still shows. No matter how much she hates Shotaro, she still trusts people way too easily once they get into her good books. I guess that is the part that I like about Kyoko. She has this friendly appeal that will get to you. It’s infectious.
Now is the time to add that this episode actually did a faithful transition from manga to anime. To manga fans, this might be a good thing because the only thing that all of us will complain is about the slightly low quality animation. Other than that, the story plot is kept as it is. There is perhaps little surprise about it, but being able to imagine and visualize and vocalize the characters does make a manga reader like me happy. The voice actors and actresses are fitting for their role, as I can actually imagine Kyoko having that kind of voice.
Sad Kyoko makes Impz a sad boy.
Very sad indeed. She called that Dicktaro the next day, and left a voice message to comfort him.
Parents? Remember that blonde characters with asshole-like properties deserved to be on the stake. In addition, keep them away from sweet wonderful spunky girls like Kyoko-sama. They do not deserve her.
Later in the day, she tries to deliver some snacks for Dicktaro. However, she overheard the conversation between him and his manager. He has never treated her like a girlfriend, and only tricked her to Tokyo to make her a slave. Now that he is famous, his manager told him to let Kyoko go back to Kyoto.
All of this is heard by Kyoko. This results in the goddess’s transformation…
From greatness…
To uber awesomeness…
Well, until the security arrived.
Kyoko-sama was dragged off by security, and Dicktaro told her that it is a joke that someone so plain like her can get revenge. He also told her that she can try to beat him in popularity, but being such an useless woman, she has no chance at all.
Of course, this is the time for hot Kyoko-sama!Kyoko-sama decided to have a makeover, to be the Kyoko-sama that I worship. All hail the goddess of Skip beat, Kyoko-sama!
All in all, this is a solid first episode. I cannot wait for Moko to appear (sorry for spoilers). She is my second favorite character and I really wonder how much they will cover for this series since Skip Beat is a long running shoujo series that is still undergoing. Any chance they will hit Dark Moon? I hope so, because that is when my Kyoko-sama becomes so fricking awesome that I have a severe case of nosebleeding.
Anyway, sorry for the excessive rant on Dicktaro. I think I will stick to my normal format for next episode.
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“Any chance they will hit Dark Moon? I hope so, because that is when my Kyoko-sama becomes so fricking awesome that I have a severe case of nosebleeding.”
Oh fuck yes! it would be so insanely great.Evil overloed Kyoko-sama’s domination will be complete when the people see Dark Moon.They shall be no peace until her reign is absolute.
Moko will appear quickly if I remember well.Second ep probably unless I am confusing the names..
Hell yeahhh!!!!! LOVE the the ranting, don’t worry you took the words out of mouth regarding the cucaracha of sho, it was awesom pure win lulz,lulz >:D. i would enjoy to have more of this your rantings more often from you, since i was lauthing histericaly while reading it . viva skip beat at last something different from your tipical shoujo.
They better get to Dark Moon! That’s the best stuff!
I’m really looking forward to the next episode, because we get more REN! and the appearance of LORY! (who is voiced by the guy who did Shou Taishi in SaiMono, how’s that for laughs?)
Gradly to know you like Kanae as well. I was questioned in AnimeSuki because I said I liked Kanae and Maria better than those two males.
Another thing I’m looking forward to from the manga is Dicktaro’s PV and the role of Kyoko-sama. Kyoko-sama in that PV was also pure awesome
Ah! I’ve been waiting for this ever since I got into Skip Beat! (which was unfortunately only in this past summer) but yeah… the animation doesn’t quite look as pretty as the manga, but hopefully the content and other stuff will make up for it. And they BETTER get to Dark Moon! and further! That’s when Kyoko becomes even more awesome than ever. Oh Mio…
I’m still waiting for the next chapter 129 and above I wanna see Natsu kick the asses of those talentless co-stars and director that’s giving her a hard time. From the raw of 129 looks like Kyoko’s Natsu is going to be great as well~ Yay for her variations of mean XD. But what I especially want to see in the anime is… FAIRY TALE MODE! OMG he’s a pixie!
LoL “Dicktaro”. That’s awesome. I really couldn’t stop laughing when I read that. I will forever remember him as that from now on =)
On another note, I am so sad that the graphics are so low-quality…it even appears sort of “grainy”…I don’t know if people will understand what I mean but the color palette for this anime just bores me =(
When I envisioned this anime and pictured very vibrant colors that would go along with the very vibrant characters, ESPECIALLY Kyoko’s character. She’s so amazingly awesome and she has so much life in her. I really am not appreciating the down-toned, almost pastel colors. I don’t know about the rest of you… I purposefully changed the contrast on the screen as I was watching this episode.
But all in all, I agree that the episode was a solid effort. Kyoko ROCKS!!! Does anyone else feel that her voice is sort of off? Or maybe that’s just me =/
Oh will I ever stop enjoying other people ripping on Shotaro? No. It’s just not possible. Shotaro always deserves more crap than he gets. “Dicktaro” is just perfect for him!
This is exactly how Skip beat! should be presented to everyone. Kyoko is the almighty goddess of shoujo manga and Shotaro is the worthless crap not even fit to kneel before her!
As if Shotaro didn’t already look pathetic, next week we’ll get even more great characters when Lory, Maria, and Moko all appear for the first time. And Ren gets more screen time to show why he’s the best guy in show business (he’s actually smart enough to realize what a great girl Kyoko is). Compared to all of them Shotaro is laughable!
LOL! Go Kyoko-Sama ! Beat the Crap out of him !
All hail the almighty Kyoko-samaaaa!!!! Love the rant and rave, Impz. And yes, the Dark Moon arc MUST BE animated!! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the characters enter the Skip Beat anime stage :3
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Dicktaro! * goes off and dies laughing * never going to be able to get that one out of my head. Thank you.
And Kyoko really is just wonderful, isn’t she? She’s so much better than the men, even Ren, that I really wonder how the couple dynamic will work - she’s best on top.
I love the manga. I am faithfully collecting the volumes when they hit the shelf here, and read ahead when they are scanned at onemanga.com. I can’t gush enough about this manga. ..this is about the only manga that I read over and over and don’t get tire of it. Some readers says that it is draggy and prolonged but I like to think that the story develops Kyouko into who she is. .. I like the detail and the interations that she has with eveyone. . .I haven’t found it boring at all. So I am really anticipating this anime series. . .I can’t wait to collect it once it comes out on dvd. . .because I am that much of a Kyoko and/or Ren fan. ..
“But the dicktaro does not seem to appreciate our heroine too much. You gay prick.”
I laughed aloud for two solid minutes after reading that caption.
All hail Kyoko-sama!
Sorry for taking so long to reply. Watching the new series of One outs has made me go @_@
@Zeus: Well, Moko was not really very nice at the start. I must admit that they probably wanted Moko to be an one-off rival but realize how awesome it will be for her to be a recurring friend to Kyoko. Their friendship, by the way, is for great justice!
@Lucky: Heh, I will probably blog in a randomized way, with tons of hate for Dicktaro and lavishing love to Kyoko-sama. I am biased? No, I am being FRICKING OBJECTIVE.
@L-chan: Ya, Ren Ren Ren! *_* why am I so happy for a guy to appear???
@Herbert: Why, what’s wrong with that? I am a guy, I like Kanae and she’s fricking cute.
@Maxi: Spoilers, my friend, spoilers. I prefer the commercial to be honest. Kyoko-sama has so many cute expressions there.
@Twilight: T_T ya, but the plot if they keep it as it is, will be extremely strong. MIO-SAMA, PLEASE TORTURE ME..
@Machi: Ho ho ho, yes sire, yes sire. She will be great. I like it when Kyoko turns into magic fairy kingdom inhabitant.
@Katherine: What? You mean you never thought of abusive, ridiculous nicknames for that asshole? I have been thinking of at least 10 other names for him but I found that Dicktaro fits him like a book.
It is actually quite grainy as you speak, and the color palette lacks a bit of vibrancy. I actually feel that the voice will not fit the initial Kyoko, but she will do just fine when it is the new transformation. You have to know that 90% of the time in Episode 1 is a Kyoko we cannot really associate with after that.
@Fuyu: Huh, who will ever get tired? I still was hoping that he will be burned on a stake for hurting the pure and innocent Kyoko-sama. By the way, if you wish to stay and read the blog, please call Shotaro Dicktaro. No other names can fit him better. Thanks.
@Working: Beat? THRASH HIM.
@Jen: I want! I am saving up cash to buy the manga at one shot. I keep re-reading it!
@Kylara: Huh, you are speaking the obvious. She’s best on top huh? I am so taking that statement way out of context. Oh god, my mind.
@Paj: I don’t think it is draggy to be honest, but I guess many of them wish to see more romance. I actually like how Kyoko struggles at different situations and learns how to solve difficult problems as a budding actress. I guess I am different.
@Etikos: Glad to make you laugh. Will it help if I tell you that is what I uttered while watching it and felt that it was good to write on the blog?
LOL. Dicktaro ROFLMAO. Love it when u rant. Shit was awesome. Best summary ever. Kyoko is the shit and this is the best manga I ever read. The first episode is not too catchy but after that i hope should be great.
Impz…you are such a freaking woman.
I actually like the kind of nostalgic feel the anime gives me. I would have preferred a higher budget, of course, but I don’t mind the nostalgia. :]
(Hello spoilers.)
I can’t wait for the full cast to be introduced! And I’m hoping they get into the Dark Moon Arc, too - without rushing it. Not only does Kyouko go through a lot, we even see Ren start to struggle (which is when I became totally obsessed with the fact that they are awesome for each other)! He is no longer Perfect Man #1 With Rather Cute Moments, but Somewhat Perfect Man With Backstory and Issues #1 With Rather Cute Moments [and an awesome manager]. Ahh, I want to see how they animate Yashiro. It’s going to be awesome.
Those who says Skip Beat drags is probably, I agree, commenting on the romance. But I think Skip Beat’s strength is that they don’t focus on that so much as they do on character development. Ah, Skip Beat, I love you so. Nakamura, I sell my soul to you. Which reminds me that I need to get the last two manga published in Japanese, since I hadn’t kept up with it this year. =| Rargh.
So out of curiousity, do you hate
ShoDicktaro? I just got a vague feeling from your review, but I could be wrong… ;p@Angelina: Well, I really don’t like Dicktaro a lot. He is still a dick up to the most recent manga releases. I hope he chokes and dies. How dare he challenge the great Ren for Kyoko-sama’s hand. He cannot even beat me! HAHAHAHA! The first episode is not really catching as it is just to set up Kyoko’s transformation.
@Calawain: And… you are a hentai.
Somehow from reading chapter 1 to chapter 128, my rage for shotaro mysteriously died down. I don’t hate him but I don’t like him either. Another guy that I thought I would hate was beagle but I ended up liking him! Same with Kanae. I wonder if the anime will explore more on Kyoko’s mom? I’m so curious about that.
@Lina: Hmm, I think one of the key things that has been missing is the really draggy (read: non-existent) romantic tension between Ren and Kyoko. That said, skip beat is more than your typical shoujo series. It is about Kyoko learning that life is not about for others, but for herself. The character development of Kyoko is sparkling, and I feel that if you think of it in that perspective, Skip Beat is successful. I do want more Ren x Kyoko moments though. ARGHHH!
I don’t hate Dicktaro. What about Dicktaro can you really hate? ;P
@Elva: Really? I wanted to burn him in a stake at the start. Now, I just want to run a stake through him. I guess that is a lessening of hate. Beagle is into major spoiler territory, so I won’t continue ^^
Damn…
I’m as tainted is Impz.
I bought the only 2 Vol of Skip Beat! in french after watching anime.
How bad of me.
Repeat after me :
I must not read Impz’s shojo reviews : It’s bad for my productivity
I must not read Impz’s shojo reviews : It’s bad for my pocket
I must not read Impz’s shojo reviews : It’s bad for my rest time
I must not read Impz’s shojo reviews : I’m falling more to the dark side of the shojo.
I just read Skip Beat’s manga. Since I’ve always heard about its awesomeness and now that it becomes anime, it’s time for me to know this shoujo. Shotaro is indeed Dicktaro, but since from Dark Moon arc… I found myself enjoying KyokoxShotaro moments a lot. = =’ usually my style is Ren’s… this is so strange ><
btw, Impz, can you or your gf tell me “how to get your bf start reading and watching shoujo with you?” I’d be nice if my bf could share Shoujo’s fun with me, hahaha
@Krebmarket: Repeat after me, Kreb.
I will read Impz’s shojo reviews: It’s good for procrastination.
I will read Impz’s shojo reviews: You will support the industry
I will read Impz’s shojo reviews: I won’t do anything good with the rest time anyway
I will read Impz’s shojo reviews: I love the dark side.
Thank you :>
@Blist: Hmm, you have stumbled me to be honest. I am perhaps a very atypical male who likes shoujo. I mean I LOVE SHOUJO a lot that maybe even girls might not like shoujo more than me. I am just that kind of a dreamer. Anyway, a good way to do so (you have to compromise) is to trade anime. In other words, allow him to choose an anime/show/movie that you will not normally watch, and watch it and try to enjoy it. With that, trade to watch Skip Beat. That’s how I negotiate with Thirteensugars most of the time.
Anyway, you like Dicktaro x Kyoko moments? IT’S WAR, LADY!
have any subbers started work on this little gem? ironically its showing on my local channel on the same week at Japan, but the bloody thing is on the very night when im not free! graaaaaaa!
@Imp :
It’s Krebmarkt not Krebmarket :p
Your review is great, keep it that way.
I guess you should share that serie review with Thirteensugars.
I remember an hilarious podcast with you, Thirteensugars and people teasing your manly voice.
Like Impz, i’m a male who prefer mostly shojo because too many shonen are way too shallow, not worth re-read and on par with fast food.
Now i just hope that someone will sub this anime.
haha, it’s because I read your old review about you and Thirteensugars watching Special A together that makes me want to do sth. like that too~~ >.< so it’s you two’s fault! for making me envious
Hey your reviews are good but I think both the kyoko’s are nice in their own ways…..but anyway i hate Sho!!!! i think Dicktaro is a good name for him……..Kyoko is definetly the best!