Skip-Beat!, Vol. 20

by Yoshiki Nakamura

Book Overview

When Kyoko's heart is broken, she decides that revenge is a dish best served in the spotlight

Kyoko Mogami followed her true love Sho to Tokyo to support him while he made it big as an idol. But he's casting her out now that he's famous Kyoko won't suffer in silence--she's going to get her sweet revenge by beating Sho in show biz

It's the season of giving in Tokyo, but Lory's granddaughter Maria is in no mood to celebrate. Kyoko,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1421530724
• ISBN13: 9781421530727
• Release Date: March 2010
• Publisher: Viz Media
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.9" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

Celebration!

Maria, President Lory's grandaughter, has a Christmas birthday, but Kyouko learns that the little girl doesn't want to celebrate either her birthday or Christmas. Maria still feels guilty over the death of her mother (who died in a plane crash on her way to see her daughter for her birthday) and doesn't feel like her birthday is a thing to celebrate. Kyouko thinks it's too sad for her to think of her birthday as a sorrowful thing, so she comes up with a plan- she convinces Maria to host a "happy grateful party" with her to thank the people they love for being in their lives. The two have fun planning the party, and when President Lory gets involved, things get really extravagant. And what kind of surprise is waiting for Kyouko at midnight? This is a really sweet volume. Kyouko is sort of a big sister to Maria, and it's nice to see her look out for the younger girl. Maria also adores Kyouko, and the bond between them is adorable. Maria is one of those characters that could have been relegated to the side-lines, and it's good to see her get some development. She finally makes some progress with her feelings of guilt in this volume. Moko also has a fairly prominent role for the first time in a while, and she also has a cute moment with Kyouko. There's also a pretty big Ren/Kyouko moment in this volume, and though it doesn't make a whole lot of progress for the couple, Kyouko seems to be showing more interest in Ren. Finally, the over the top party is a lot of fun to read. Volume 20 is cute, and I like that it features characters who tend to get left behind by the main story. And next volume, we get back to Kyouko's amazing acting! I'm already looking forward to it!

A "Happy Grateful" party

The 20th volume is entirely about the "Happy Grateful" party that Kyoko and Maria throw on December 24th. Kyoko puts her foot in it when she mentions Maria's birthday. Maria doesn't celebrate her birthday because a few years previously Maria's mother died in a plane crash on Maria's birthday. In an attempt to atone for mentioning such a sore subject, Kyoko suggests that she and Maria throw a party - not for Christmas, and not because it's Maria's birthday - but for the dear people in their lives. "To my dear friends, I want to say thank you and that I was happy to know you this year." Maria and Kyoko have a wonderful time planning and executing their party. Of course, Lory, Maria's grandfather, has to contribute his own absurdly over the top touches, like trumpet fanfares and a cheering crowd to introduce each guest. At the end of the party, Lory has a big dramatic surprise for Maria involving tons of paper butterflies and a flood of flowers. Moko, one of my favorite characters, reappears in this volume. We get the guest's perspective on the party from her. Ren Tsuruga has a minor part in this volume. There is really no advancement in the Ren - Kyoko relationship. The party is a big success. Everyone has a great time. Maria's birthday is somewhat salvaged, in that she has something to be happy about instead of dwelling on guilty and misery over her mother's death. And once the party is over Kyoko gets a surprise gift of her own.