March 23, 2016

Review: Skip Beat [Chapter 234]

[Free Talk: Since there seems to be people who still read the summary and I don't feel easy about  'unconfirmed spoilers' being considered as summaries so I've write this up based on Impatient Scans. I'll categorize this and probably others as 'review' if the summary isn't in detail. Those categorized as 'preview' are summaries in detail but I'm not yet committing to keep on summarizing them. ]

Kyouko thinks about what Sawara told her and thinks that it might be related to the new role that Kanae hates. She couldn’t confirm it because Kanae doesn’t talk much about herself. She isn’t quite convinced that story about the role being stolen is true. Upon arriving at the room, Kyouko happily goes into her excited Kanae greeting but no one is there.

Kyouko realizes that she came too early. So, when Kanae arrives, Kyouko burst into her excited greeting only to have Kanae immediately closing the door on her. Kyouko goes out to complain about the treatment. Kanae comments that she doesn’t seem to have any worries. Kyouko happily says that she doesn’t for they have all gone away. Since Kyouko isn’t using her fake face, Kanae decides that she is really telling the truth. She starts to think that Ren’s gloomy face earlier has nothing to do with Kyouko.

Kyouko invites her to go in to talk about what Sawara told her which she claims is worrying her. From Kyouko’s fake face, Kanae realizes that she isn’t worried at all. <- most likely, she just wants to spend some time with Kanae. With some chamomile tea, Kyouko talks about a certain role being stolen. Kanae confirms that there is indeed a female ninja role in the movie but they have to redo the audition. They find it strange that they have to redo it when usually there is a back-up actress who was chosen during the first audition.

Kyouko and Kanae wonder why the client is saying that the role was stolen from her when there is a new audition for Momiji [female ninja]. With the clue of ‘stolen role’, Kanae says that when she was auditioning for Chidori, her role as the daughter of the samurai, there was someone trying to forcefully take her role but miserably failed. It was here when Kyouko realized that Kanae still has to audition for that role. She thought that it was ‘given’ to her by Lory.

Kanae couldn’t say no even if she hated the role since the character is a stalker and she is so in love to the point of having no dignity. She is determined to get it since she’s greedy and Lory chose it for her. Kanae still has to pass the second audition. To prepare for it, Kanae is being trained by Hiou’s grandfather, Kotetsu who is good in swordsmanship. Her role had learned it while stalking the wandering samurai/ronin.

Kanae thinks that the girl who wanted to get the Chidori role would now want to audition for the Momiji role. Kyouko got very excited since she wants to see Kanae up close in a sword fight. Since the Love Me request is also not a prank, Kyouko plans to audition for Momiji. They go to Kanae’s manager who panics at first for he thought Kanae wanted to audition for Momiji. He is relieved that it was Kyouko. Kyouko is dreamily thinking of protecting Kanae in her role as the ninja.

The manager comments that Kyouko is in the talent division so she didn’t get this information. The manager gives Kyouko the flyer. The title is ‘The Scared Lotus in the Mire’. Kyouko stares at it for a long time. [<- In case you didn’t know, Ren is Lotus in Chinese/kanji] Kanae asks her why she is staring at one spot. After some pause, Kyouko assumes the title refers to Chidori for being pure while in a filthy surrounding.

Irked Kanae reminds her that Chidori is a slave to love, a stalker and had fallen to her desires. Kanae thinks that the title refers to the wandering samurai, Shizuma. Kanae offers to lend to Kyouko the books about it. She tells Kyouko to get it today since she’ll be busy in the next two days. After Kyouko bows in thanks to Kanae’s manager, the two are walking when Kanae mentions about something troubling Ren. She assumes that it might be about work.

Kanae asks if Kyouko told Ren about her relationship with her mother. Kyouko says that she didn’t. So, this made Kanae decide that it really has nothing to do with Kyouko. At home, while holding the books, Kyouko start to feel guilty over how she responded to Ren on the cellphone after everything. She starts to wonder what is troubling him, perhaps it is about her. Or, it might be about work like Kanae mentioned.

While helping out in the restaurant, Kyouko keeps on thinking of approaching Ren as Bo to know what’s bugging him since it is only with Bo when she can ask him anything without restraint. Soon, it is 1:15am. All of the customers had left. Daruma wife thanks Kyouko for the help. While putting down the signs outside the restaurant, Kyouko isn’t at ease over letting Ren go to Guam tomorrow night when he has something troubling him.

Unfortunately, she also has work for Box’R tomorrow. Just when she is pulling the noren [door curtain] down, she accidentally makes it fall on her. She braces herself to be hit by the rod but only the cloth hit her. She notices a hand holding the rod. And yes, it is Ren who smiles and greets her.

Comment: The title of the chapter is the same with the title of the movie.. or was it drama? Since I saw it is ‘lotus’, I immediately thought that it will be about Ren. Since Kyouko will audition for the movie and Kanae will also be in the movie, will the mangaka be so nice to also cast in Ren as Shizuma, the samurai?

It would be fitting since he is ‘Ren/lotus’ and the title supposedly meant to be the samurai. ^^ If not, we can at least hope that aside from Kotetsu, Ren will teach Kyouko some action scenes ^^

Hm..from the looks of things, the new movie/drama can be interesting. I like this mangaka’s action scenes so that’s something to look forward to. Kyouko and Kanae will also be likely acting together in the movie/drama. I wonder how the antagonist will be like. In a way, I think that antagonist like the previous ones will once again push Kyouko’s acting to a new level ^^

Anyway, just when I was about to dismiss that Ren will not show up, but no, he did since the ‘night’ is not yet over. He is worried so he’ll be there. In a way, Kyouko had already met with Kanae who is also worried about her. I wonder what excuse Ren will come up with since he supposedly doesn’t know about her awful relationship with her mother. Will Kyouko as herself get the courage to be more frank with him like how she was when she is Bo?

Well, at least, we’ll get to have 1-2 chapters with Ren before he ‘disappears’ again for some time since he is going back to Guam. But again, because of the title, I think this arc will be about Ren. Hopefully. Maybe, more about his past?

Quote of the day:
Consider the past but don't dwell in it. Dream for the future, but don't sleep on it. Concentrate the on the present moment. Snatch every opportunity. ~ Collins Hasty

50 comments:

  1. Awesome! Although got to see the TL manga but this clarified some stuff. Thanks!

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    1. You're welcome and thanks~, Christine ^-^

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  2. Yup.hope there is more of that.with the pace one thing i know for sure i will be an oooold lady by the time this manga ends.��

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    1. Lol..spears. How long is that estimate? 5-10 years?

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    2. I cant take it if its dragged over 5 years������

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    3. Hehe..is that so. ^^

      If you think we still have 5 arcs left to go...I estimated it to be one arc every year or more.

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    4. yeah i agree. The pace in this manga is really something remarkeable xD I know that the story is quite detailed because the mangaka doesn't rush things. Buuut i was 15 when I started reading skip beat (liked it immediately) and now I am 26, will be 27 in a couple of months...

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    5. Yup ^^

      And it doesn't help that the mangaka is now releasing it once a month instead of two chapters per month years before.

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  3. Kat wen is the next chapter of namaikizakari???...

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    1. Diane, it should be already out last Saturday in Japan but the Chinese scanlation isn't out yet.

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  4. yaaaay...! thanks for keep reviewing this manga, kat. this time of the month always gives me such torture until i can read your review/summary. Thaaaaanks a lot ^_^

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  5. Thank you. I enjoy reading your summaries!!!!!!!!

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    1. You're welcome and glad to hear that ^-^

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  6. Thanks for the lovely review KAT!!

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  7. Thank you for the review or summary or whatever, I always waiting for this and I am so happy if it will be about Ren. Since Ren is too long (for me) not in here and I miss him hehe, I just want to see Ren act again 😁

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  8. Thank you so much Kat. I am so grateful.I really missed Kyoko and Ren so much!

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  9. Oh I was right about the movie [or drama]. Honestly, i was hoping that Ren would play the antagonist part [Murasame or even Kijima can play the protagonist character hahahaha], so that Ren can teach Kyoko to a new level of acting, and he will not pair with Kanae as the leading role. [OMG, what am i thinking getting jealous like that XD] But, i don't mind him being the protagonist, too. He's more suitable for the part :p

    Thanks for the review, Kat. :))

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    1. Hm..that will be interesting, Aryan. As the antagonist. Any will do as long as he is in the movie/drama ^^

      Thanks for reading ^-^

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  10. I think the role of the movie is Ren (wandering samurai), fo that, in the last chapter he was in that place, to practice or learn to use swords. the actris who wanted to get the Chidori role, wanted to be with him, because Chidori is the character who falls for the hero

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    1. Very possible, Adriana.

      Hm..but didn't she claim that the female ninja role was 'stolen' from her. I would think that originally, she wanted the Momiji role but it was stolen. She tried to get Chidori but failed. Due to some accident, the Momiji audition is open again.

      Still, it depends if Ren's role is already decided in the movie that the actress want to be with him. When Ren was in that place, iirc, Kanae didn't know why and I'm sure she would have more or less know who the actor playing the male lead if it is already decided. If not, perhaps that actress is betting on Ren getting that role through the audition?

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  11. Thanks for the summary, Kat!
    Hmmm... I had the impression that it was Hiou's grandfather that was playing the samurai because in the last chapter I recall Moko saying that that he was "old" like well... there's an obvoius difference with the age gap. Not that it really apllies to the grandfather but for an older guy I was thinking someone much older than Ren. I mean it would be weird for Moko not to know who the lead is especially with her research. I guess I'd have to wait but I wonder how long till its revealed. Also I wonder, if Hiou's grandfather isn't taking part in this. I mean, does he even have time to be helping Moko with his schedule? Well, even if Ren is the lead, Chidori isn't the main female role. After all she's just a stalker, lol. (The main lead won't fall for a supporting role at least not in the end or until she becomes really important.) So if that person wants the role to get to Ren, as one possiblity, she just might be desperate to go that far. Maybe its foreshadowing? A woman after Ren, a stalker! Though he would notice if someone is following him, he has sharp senses after all.

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    1. Er... I mean thanks for the review, Kat! I like hearing your thoughts. :)

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    2. Thank you for the review, Kat :))
      I agree with you, Brittany. As i remember, the role of Chidori is a job that the president chose for Moko-san. And considering that she is new comer, i think her part it's not a leading role but quite important for the story. Aside from that, perhaps the leading actor has not been selected by the film's director also, or was deliberately kept secret who will play it. So Moko-san can not know who will portray the male leading role. Well i guess we all have to wait, lol.

      Dex.

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    3. Thanks for reading, Brittany ^-^

      True..and it depends if the male lead also needs to be auditioned. Unless, it is a secret until the last minute or, maybe the one who'll play it backs out later on?

      It depends. I would assume that Hiou's grandfather is retired/semi-retired so he helps out young actors/actresses from time to time. Actually, it depends on how old he is. ^^;

      Lol..actually, it doesn't necessarily mean that she isn't the lead just because she is a stalker/madly in love with the samurai. If she isn't, does it mean that the story is a love triangle along with the ninja as the one whom the male lead actually likes?

      Well, if it is Ren's stalker, that person should be an actress or at least in some level because this is a movie that requires auditions. She would be very lucky to get that role. It depends if Ren is actually in the movie, too and if the male lead also requires audition.

      Basically, I'm not too convinced that the actress is after Ren since this will be too much of a hassle and the chances of being with him in the movie/drama is quite slim.

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    4. You're welcome, Dex ^-^

      Yup, those might be the reasons why Kanae doesn't know who'll play the male lead. If it is Ren, I want to see Kyouko's reaction to it ^^

      I would assume that it is a lead role because usually in this kind of genre, the daughter of the samuari/lord is the female lead..unless, it is the female ninja. =P

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    5. oooh, you are right, Kat. I hope that Kyoko will get the female shinobi role!! As i recall in volume 31 [i don't remember the chapter ^^, forgive me], when the president offered her to go to school by company's car and she refused it by running away taking a trackless route like a female shinobi, Kyoko has the flexibility and agility to become a shinobi. She definitely suit for the role. And Ren will be wearing Japanese clothes like hakama, or maybe dou [chest armour] ^^ ah, my hopes keeps getting high, lol ... I mean, that certainly would be very interesting drama ^___^ *excited* But, i guess the mangaka would focus on Kyoko and Ren, not the play =D.

      Dex.

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    6. Yup, Dex, she also has the stamina for it like riding the bicycle in super speed with Ren on it. If I recall, she also showed those skills when trying to get away from Shou when he went to her school.

      Yup..but I'm not sure about the dou since that role is suppose to be a ronin/wandering samurai/samurai who has no lord.

      True...but perhaps, both though more on the couple since we usually get to know a lot of whatever drama/movie they are in. ^^

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    7. Lol, I didn't mean for it to sound as if a stalker can't be a lead role. What I forgot to say it's a role that Lory recommended but Moko isn't quite there to be the female protagonist, since she is a newcomer like Dex said. Hmmm... you're right about Ren, it would be a hassle. As for Kyoko, I wonder how she'll play Momiji. Truthfuly, last year when I was thinking about all the roles she played, one scenerio of mine was she got a role of a ninja. It was a lead role but either way I can't believe that part of my theories came true, lol. I can't wait!

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    8. Brittany, I cannot actually say that Kanae cannot be the female lead because she's a newcomer. If she got the talent and fits the role, I think she can get a female lead role especially since it will be chosen through audition = not exactly picked by a producer/director/etc who would most likely choose someone who already has a name especially if profit is the main target.

      Actually, it also depends on what kind of ninja is this..will her face be covered? Would it be like how Ren is with BJ? They didn't know who the actress is? Will there be a stunt double? But still, acting as a ninja is very different from the usual and it will be interesting ^^

      Hehe..tell me if it turns out as you imagined for Kyouko ^^

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  12. Thanks, Kat!!! I also hope this arc will be about Ren, or have lots of Ren & Kyouko interaction!

    And hurray for Ren appearing at the end of this chapter!! I actually didn't see that coming. With so much emphasis on Kyouko dutifully closing up shop outside, I was worried she was about to be attacked/kidnapped (I don't know why, lol).

    So exciting to possibly have Kyouko and Kanae work together! It would be amazing to have Ren in it too. Actually, wouldn't it be exciting if the directors decided to hire the girls for the opposite roles so that Kyouko would have to be interested in Ren! I'd love to see how they would deal with being love interests on the set!! Hopefully some real feelings would manage to show through in the process! Probably wishful thinking though. :)

    Also, I'm glad you mentioned the Ren/Lotus kanji! It was not mentioned in a translator note on the English scanlation that I saw. It seems like an important thing to leave out, since it adds a whole different reason for her to be blushing rather than what she told Kanae.

    Thanks again!! :)

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    1. You're welcome, squeaker ^-^

      Hopefully so ^^

      Lol..is that so. I'm actually already thinking that he'll show up around that time. And, he did ^^

      Possible..though Kyouko would have to 're-live' her past self so in a way, it will be interesting. But for the sake of improving one's acting, it is better for Kanae to play her current role and Kyouko doing the ninja one.

      =)

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  13. Me, too. even though i already read the manga.. i knew i'd understand it here better. The current chapter is kind of confusing for me. The part where Kyouko develops her characters is always a good part of each arc so I'm looking forward for a new role. It's a bonus if she'll be working with either Kanae or Ren, even better if it's the three of them.

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  14. All this summary and comments are very interesting for someone like me who want to guess what will happen next. But is there really nobody who thinks that Ren will tell her or at least try to tell her he is Kuon?
    I mean, last time in Guam, he said to himself that he will tell her everything.
    And the night before, she was crying in his arm, mistaking him for Corn.
    I think he is tired of her being too far from him when he is Ren...
    But maybe it is just what I want to happen and I m a bit impatient. :)

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    1. May_be, no one will tell her since Lory and others will definitely not since it is a secret. They don't know Kyouko knows him as Kuon/Corn. And, don't you think it is better for Ren to tell it himself? I'm not sure how Kyouko will react if she learns it from someone else. I mean, that might cause more trouble = dragging of the series.

      Well, either learn it from Ren himself or perhaps, she guessed it herself but I'm not inclined to like it if someone else told her especially after all this time. It seems anti-climactic.

      Yes, in the next opportunity..perhaps, when he is 'caught' again.

      When she was crying then, she had realized that he was Ren and well, she was crying so he cannot exactly just blurt it out. It only reminded her of how Corn would comfort her. That is another clue.

      I understand...well, we can only hope that something does happen in this arc. ^^

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    2. Interesting thought what if she finds out he's kuon while she is dressed as bo.

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    3. No, I said I thought that Ren would tell her himself. But it is probably still too early... ^^
      Sorry if I wasn't clear, English isn't my mother tongue :)

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    4. That would be amusing, happybunnychan ^^

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    5. Sorry, May_be, it's my fault. I misread what you wrote. ^^;

      Ya..perhaps, it is for the timing. Actually, I think the mangaka is just timing it for the story rather than Ren deciding the time when to tell Kyouko. =P

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  15. as mentioned by most of the readers here, i think the main role/ hero of the movie is ren, since he was wearing that costume in the previous chapter, if he is not in the part of a historical movie ren would not have the time to idle by learning sword techniques. Its not quite sure if Kanae and Rens roles were set before... but it would interesting to watch both of them act in a movie, since they have different perspective about acting and creating roles, it can be a way for kanae to observe first hand acting methods demonstrated by ren (which might increase her dismay for him). As for Kyoko, she might get Momiji the ninja, she has to bring her acting to a new level since shes a woman in love who has to watch her best friend and the man she's in love with to share romantic moments on-screen. She needs to put a lot of effort to hide her feelings for ren, this may cause her to have a huge dilemma or she might triumph through it by using the rule of heart as mentioned by ren before.. All the best to all three characters.. they are my most beloved!! I think this arc would b even more interesting than the previous ones.. it may even expose some of kyoko's true feelings to kanae...
    n i bet we can even see Hiou-kun getting jealous as he watches kanae flirting with ren on-screen, get ready for some action mixed up with jealousy, n mushy-lovelove scenes.. hehehe
    i wonder why lorry stopped the info of the audition for the role momiji did not slip to the talent department, where kyoko was placed in. Even sawara didnt know about it? does that give u any hint? hmmm
    Btw Kat thank you for the summary, it was great to re-read ur summary after the manga..

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    1. Indeed.

      Hm..that's interesting, the mangaka might aim for that if all three will be in the drama/movie.

      Lol..it will be like a love polygon.

      I'm not sure. I assumed it was because of the movie production side's decision. If Lory did had anything to do with it, is it because of either Kanae or Ren? Well, if Ren is really in that drama. If it is so, I couldn't guess the motive ^^;;

      Thanks for reading ^-^

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    2. Kyoko is a talent not an actress her acting jobs she has gotten were from her getting the offers. Unless it's a pv or commercial I don't think it would be easily available in her section.We know Lory has big plans for her so maybe he had another project in mind for kyoko besides she was assigned to her own special project at the time Kanae went to the first audition. As for Ren it's possible he already had the offer and lory put Kanae there to help teach her and help further kyokos own feelings until he realized she's already in love with ren. Lory already said that he hopes Ren doesn't learn of Kyokos feelings yet, so I don't think he wants to set them up so they are revealed

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  16. I would not be surprised if ren was the lead since he was dressed like a samurai previously. Kyoko might get jealous if she has to watch ren and kanae as lovers though

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    1. Is that so, happybunnychan.

      I considered that as a regular Japanese outfit..I mean not specifically for a samurai. ^^;

      Possible.

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  17. When is the next chapter out? Can't wait to read it!

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    1. It is already out..just waiting for the scanlation.

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