About Skip and Loafer
Another Japanese Manga series from Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon similarly to Heavenly Delusion and Yakuza Fiancé. Skip and Loafer is a slice of life romance written and illustrated by Misaki Takamatsu. It received an anime adaptation in 2023.
P.A. Works adapted the manga into a 12-episode anime. Recently, there have been leaks of a potential second season.
At the 10th Anime Trending Awards the anime won second in the Best Slice of Life Category. Only falling behind to the ever-so-popular Spy x Family.
Synopsis
The main character Mitsumi Iwakura, is a high school student who moves to Tokyo from a rural area. She plans to take high school in Tokyo because she dreams of being a politician.
On her first day of high school she realizes that she isn’t ready for the city life. Thankfully, she quickly befriends Sousuke Shima, a laid-back and charismatic classmate. They met coincidentally at the train station, both of them being late for the opening ceremony. Shima helps her adjust to the fast-paced city life.
Skip and Loafer Anime Review
What I liked
Art style
The art style looks care-free and gentle, which isn’t a bad thing. I’m not sure how else to describe the style, It fits what the anime is going for.
All the characters have their own distinct features, which makes it easy to discern them, even in the Skip and Loafer manga. Additionally, the color palette that P.A. Works chose is a pastel palette. The colors are soft and they fit the characters.
The Characters
The characters all have their individual flaws. However, that doesn’t stop them from being so likable. All the characters in Skip and Loafer are likable because they are realistic and relatable. (referring to their flaws and the problems they have)
The Main Duo (Mitsumi & Shima)
The main duo of Mitsumi and Shima is the typical unlikely pairing. A popular charming guy with the new girl from the countryside with no friends. They end up being close friends who aren’t sure if they have feelings for one another.
Mitsumi is a care-free, kind soul. She is socially aware about herself, and doesn’t do more than what she can. She just loves being herself, which is something not many people can say.
On the other hand, Shima is a different person on the inside. He may seem like a cheerful soul on the outside, but deep down he is full of guilt and insecurity. His backstory isn’t touched on too much in the anime like it has in the manga. He keeps up this cheerful act because that’s what other people expect of him.
The Rest of the Friend Group (Mika, Yuzuki and Makoto)
At first, it looked like Mika was going to be the antagonist of the story. She had a crush on Shima at first, that is why she didn’t like Mitsumi, since they were close. Yet she becomes good friends with Mitsumi and her aunt. She is insecure about herself, but learns to deal with it throughout the series.
Next is Yuzuki and Makoto. Another unlikely pairing of close friends. Makoto was a loner at first who didn’t know how to socialize. Meanwhile, Yuzuki is an outgoing girl and is popular because of her looks.
They didn’t get along at first because of their major differences in personality. But they became close friends because they noticed their differences and talked it out. They got a better understanding of one another.
As a whole, this friend group is ‘normal’. As a group entering high school, they have a long way to go. Everybody has their flaws and weaknesses, and they mostly bottle it up inside. They don’t overshare their feelings like a typical slice of life anime.
Mitsumi’s Aunt (Nao-chan)
Nao-chan is who Mitsumi stays with in Tokyo. They live in a small apartment together. She is canonically a trans-woman. She’s like a mother to the entire friend group, and is even close to Mika because she sees her insecurities.
Nao-chan went through a painful past, and even in the story the author highlights whispers of passersby.
She is a fantastic character to have in this anime because she has experience in life. Additionally, it’s nice to have inclusivity in anime. Nao-chan is comfortable with herself and the decisions that she’s made. She is my second favorite character after Yuzuki.
What I thought could have been better
Conflict
The main type of conflict in this anime is internal conflict. Which, like I’ve mentioned many times in this article, is realistic.
This is mainly a slice of life anime, thus conflict would be explored as much. But there is a side of romance in this story. They could’ve explored that love triangle between Mika, Shima and Mitsumi.
Longer Season
I am up to date with this manga. I would say that it only gets better from where the anime ends. If the anime was 24 episodes long it had the chance to stop at a better time in the story. The characters and their feelings would have been more fleshed out.
Thankfully there have been leaks of a second season coming, but no official announcement has been made as of yet.
Would I Recommend Skip and Loafer?
If you’re in need of a cute, wholesome anime that you can enjoy in one sitting, Skip and Loafer is definitely for you. This series stands out in character development. Making it easy for the audience to connect with each character on screen. From Mitsumi’s genuine kindness to Shima’s hidden insecurities, you will find yourself falling in love with their stories.
If the 12 episodes leave you wanting more, you’ll be pleased to know that the manga has around 60 chapters as of this writing. I can assure you that it’s worth catching up on. The chapters are released monthly, giving you a reason to look forward to each new installment. Whether you prefer watching the animated episodes or reading the manga Skip and Loafer has plenty of heartwarming moments.
Hoping for More Skip and Loafer in the Future
Skip and Loafer is a wholesome slice-of-life anime that beautifully captures the struggles and joys of high school life. With relatable characters and a gentle art style, it invites viewers into Mitsumi’s journey. The friendships formed, especially between Mitsumi and Shima, are heartwarming and realistic.
The anime could have included more conflict and character backstories. However, its focus on personal growth makes it enjoyable.
If you’re looking for a sweet and uplifting story, Skip and Loafer is a perfect choice. With more chapters available in the manga and a potential second season, there’s plenty to explore. Whether you watch the anime or read the manga, you’re sure to fall in love with this delightful series.
