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Amazon.com: Skip Beat! Vol. 8 (Skip Beat (Graphic Novels)): Books: Yoshiko NakamuraYoshiki Nakamura, oh how I love thee. Skip Beat is one of those books where I finish the volume, run to Amazon to check when the next one is out (not until November!! ;o;) and then consider reading the series so far over again. The story is that engaging. I'm going to read this book again when I'm finished writing this review.
Yoshiiki Nakamura's artwork has improved a lot since her previous work Tokyo Crazy Paradise, and it wasn't that bad then. She still only has about four different faces that she uses for all her characters, two female and two male. But attitudes and body language of the characters (and hairstyles) are distinctive enough to keep you from getting confused. I did have a little trouble in this volume when Kyoko and Mimori were in their angel garb since they had the same hair and clothes. The fact that Kyoko's eyes and chin are just a bit sharper then Mimori's wasn't really enough to distinguish them.
I really love how she uses a character's whole body to express their emotion. You might not be able to figure out who's who from their face, but you can't mistake them from the way they carry themselves in a panel. She also doesn't fall into the manga style trap of having only one "happy" (or sad, or angry) face for her characters. Kyoko especially is as readable as a book. You can plainly see from her expression and carriage when she gets her hopes up, when she's feeling sad, when she's angry. And I love Kyoko's grudge spirits. They're so evil and cute at the same time.
Nakamura is also of the school that you should never draw a background when a screentone will do instead.
In this volume Kyoko continues to act in Sho's Promo clip as an Angel character who has to kill his Devil character. In the last volume she completely overwhelmed Mimori and shocked Sho with the level of her acting. After promising to crush Sho with her acting she's quickly knocked down a peg when she flops during the pivotal murder scene. The problem being, as an angel, she's supposed to be conflicted about killing the devil. But Kyoko is obviously enjoying choking the life out of Sho too much to make that work.
She calls her acting friend and fellow "Love-Me" section member Moko for advice. When she gets Moko's voice mail, she calls Ren for advice but leaves a weird message on his phone. Moko calls back and helps Kyoko get into her character's head. Kyoko again performs and overwhelming performance.
Everyone is curious about her relationship with Sho. Their bickering, taunting and Sho's unusual interest in her make everyone wonder if they are or were dating, despite their denials. Sho doesn't seem to really know what's going on himself. He keeps saying he doesn't care about her but everyone sees that he treats her differently.
It doesn't sound like much to take up the bulk of the book, but I was eagerly turning each page. I also really love the care even side characters get in Nakamura's book. Mr. Yashiro, Ren's manager, is great. Nakamura helps express what the stoic Ren is feeling by having Yashiro react for him or about his actions without making it seem obvious or forced. The bits with Ren's cellphone, both Ren's reaction to getting Kyoko's call and the threat at the end by Yashiro, were a treat to watch. More please!
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