Manga Maniac Cafe For the Geek in all of us

Title:  Skip Beat! Vol 15

Author: Yoshiki Nakamura

Publisher: Viz

ISBN: 9781421519524

May Contain Spoilers

Argh! Kyoko really has to learn to rein in that impressive temper of hers!  Stalked by the lead singer of Vie Ghoul, she is finally cornered, and like a cat, she comes out spitting and hissing.  Reino is scary guy, and I’m glad he’s not out to get me.  Abruptly changing his target from Sho to Kyoko, he vows to make her hate him as passionately as she hates Sho.  What is wrong with this guy?

The whole scene with Reino was a little unsettling, as he overpowers her and threatens to leave her used and soiled for Sho to find.  Kyoko didn’t show any of her customary explosions of emotion – instead, she’s like a snake caught by the gaze of a mongoose, and all I really wanted her to do was snap out of her trance and slug this idiot.  I also wanted Ren, who could tell there was something seriously wrong with Kyoko, to drop everything and run to her rescue.  Instead, we are left with Sho, whose intentions are less than honorable, to save the day.  Ugh.

I love all of the drama that is developing, and the new evil thorn in Kyoko’s side.  With Reino threatening to destroy her career, Sho doesn’t seem like such a jerk anymore.  Ren appears when Kyoko is at her lowest, and she’s drawn to the comforting light that radiates from him.  I wonder what he’s going to do when he discovers everything that’s going on, and Sho’s role in it.  There are all kinds of simmering emotions waiting to boil over, and no one is immune to them.  Who is going to lose it first?  Ren, Kyoko, or Sho?? 

Grade: B+

Rated for Teen