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SKIP BEAT! VOL. 16 (ADVANCE REVIEW) |
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Reviews
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Sunday, 04 January 2009 |
 | | ▪ | RELEASED BY: | | VIZ MEDIA | | | ▪ | AUTHOR / ART: | | YOSHIKI NAKAMURA | | | ▪ | FORMAT: | | JAPANESE / B&W | | | ▪ | PAGES: | | 200 | | | ▪ | RATING: | | T | | | ▪ | RELEASE DATE: | | 01/06/2009 | | | ▪ | REVIEW DATE: | | 01/04/2008 | | | ▪ | REVIEWED BY: | | HOLLY ELLINGWOOD |
After the aggressions by the lead singer of Vie Ghoul, Ren and Sho are about to have a showdown for Kyoko’s heart. She resents feeling grateful to Sho for his timely rescue, and lets him know in typical comedic Kyoko fashion. But it is that very exchange that so unsettles Ren. He sees that these two share a bond due to their past. He also recognizes what Sho feels for Kyoko. Ren realizes he now has a rival for Kyoko’s affections, but fears he cannot compete against the man Kyoko so ardently loves to hate! The romance takes quite the spin in the latest volume. Both men know how the other feels, both recognize and shoot their rivalry into full swing. Meanwhile Kyoko remains utterly clueless that either are interested in her romantically whatsoever. She proves exceptionally and comically (perhaps tragically) dense on the subject. The latest volume is rich with back story and insights, offering more hints about Ren’s tragic past, and ominous notes regarding Vie Ghoul’s lead. While Ren struggles to find a way to make Kyoko recognize him as a man, a touching, albeit awkward, moment between them might change all that. It is a truly sweet scene and raises hope for Ren and these two as a couple. However the manga devotes a large part of its energy towards Sho. It shows him dealing with Vie Ghoul, luring them into a trap of his making instead of the other way around. It demonstrates that he is a talent in his own right as a musician and a businessman. But it fails to snare any meaningful sympathy for him. Readers are unlikely to find their support shifting from Ren to Sho anytime soon. He still is nowhere near repentant enough for his past behavior towards Kyoko nor has he shown himself to be anything but the selfish man he has always been. That he now sees Kyoko as an attractive woman and romantic interest doesn’t change his arrogance. Ren and Kyoko will continue to have their hands full dealing with him.
IN SUMMARY:
A love triangle hits the roof but the girl who’s the center of all the attention hasn’t bought a clue! |
