Skip and Loafer[a] (Japanese: スキップとローファー, Hepburn: Sukippu to Rōfā) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Misaki Takamatsu. It has been serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon since August 2018. It has been licensed in North America for English release by Seven Seas Entertainment. An anime television series adaptation produced by P.A. Works aired from April to June 2023.
By January 2023, the manga had over 1 million copies in circulation. In 2023, Skip and Loafer won the 47th Kodansha Manga Award in the general category.
Plot
Mitsumi Iwakura is a sparkling high school student who moved from the outskirts of Ishikawa Prefecture to high school in Tokyo after graduating from junior high school. Mitsumi grew up in a depopulated area, with only eight students in her class. However, on the day of her entrance ceremony, she gets caught in the commuter rush and gets lost, and her life plan is quickly frustrated. A tall and handsome boy who was worried about Mitsumi calls out to her and decides to go to school with her every day.
First-year high school student who moved to Tokyo from the outskirts of Ishikawa Prefecture near Suzu. She has bobbed hair and sanpaku eyes. Raised a child prodigy, she entered high school at the top of her class; however, she has no athletic ability. Her pure personality unintentionally influences the people around her. She has a younger sister and brother.
Mitsumi's classmate who has blonde hair and is popular with girls. He is known for sabotaging the entrance ceremony and skipping classes. Though he planned to skip the entrance ceremony, he meets Mitsumi and they run to school together.
Mitsumi's classmate who approached her after Mitsumi became friends with Sōsuke. Mitsumi's pure nature inspired her to face her complexes. She develops a caring relationship with Mitsumi.
Mitsumi's classmate and her first friend in Tokyo. Her popularity among boys made her develop a complex about being shunned by other girls. She studied abroad in her childhood and has blonde hair, so people assume she is good at English, but according to herself she is not that good at it.
Mitsumi's classmate. She is introverted and worries about becoming isolated; she meets Mitsumi when she joined the student council to join some kind of community. Despite not liking flirtatious people, she meets Yuzuki through Mitsumi and they become close friends.
Mitsumi's classmate and Sōsuke's friend. He is the class clown who is loved, teased, and harmless to humans and animals; however, he is surprisingly diligent, making cookies for everyone in the class and supporting his classmates quietly.
Second-year student and the next director of the drama club. He recruits Mitsumi to the club. He becomes overly absorbed in theater and can lack delicacy in his actions but is also an honest person who cheers others up.
Second-year student council member. An extreme perfectionist who voluntarily follows a strict daily schedule. She had a stoic personality but became kinder upon meeting Mitsumi. She was a candidate for the next student council president, but lost to Kazakami due to her scary image, and became vice president.
Media
Manga
Written and illustrated by Misaki Takamatsu, Skip and Loafer has been serialized in Kodansha's Monthly Afternoon since August 25, 2018.[7][8] Kodansha has collected its chapters into individual tankōbon volumes. The first volume was released on January 23, 2019.[9] As of August 23, 2023, nine volumes have been released.[10]
In North America, Seven Seas Entertainment announced that they had licensed the manga for English release in February 2021.[11] The first volume was released on August 10, 2021.[12]
In November 2021, it was announced that the series would receive an anime television series adaptation.[29] It was animated by P.A. Works and written and directed by Kotomi Deai, with character designs handled by Manami Umeshita, who also served as chief animation director, and music composed by Takatsugu Wakabayashi.[30][4] The series aired from April 4 to June 20, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks.[5][31] The opening theme is "Mellow" (メロウ) by Keina Suda, while the ending theme is "Hanauta to Mawari Michi" (ハナウタとまわり道, "Humming and Detour") by Rikako Aida.[32]Crunchyroll has licensed the series.[33] Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia, and premiered on Aniplus Asia.[34]
On the first day of high school, Mitsumi gets lost on her way to school in the Tokyo commuter rush. Shima, enrolled in the same school, happens upon her and accompanies her. Mitsumi ends up running barefoot to make it to the entrance ceremony late but just in time for her ceremonial address as the representative for the first-years. Despite forgetting to have the script with her, she successfully gives the entire speech from memory, then proceeds to throw up on her homeroom teacher out of nervousness and exhaustion. Mitsumi finds out she is in the same class as Shima, who asks to be friends.
2
"Fidgeting and Wandering" Transliteration: "Sowasowa Urouro" (Japanese: そわそわ うろうろ)
Yuriko Abe
Tomoko Shinozuka
Yuriko Abe
April 11, 2023 (2023-04-11)
During her self-introduction to the class, Mitsumi tells a joke about her ambition which lands awkwardly. Mitsumi and Shima are voted in together as class representatives. At a karaoke party with classmates, Yuzuki points out to Mitsumi Mika is using her to get closer to Shima. Encouraged by her childhood friend Fumi over the phone, Mitsumi rejoins the group and sings a children's song, to everyone's amusement. Mitsumi attends the drama club's performance as she contemplates which school club to join. When asked for advice, Shima tells Mitsumi not to concern herself too much about what decision to make. Kanechika, the drama club's president, recognizes Shima as a child actor from some years ago, but Shima curtly tells him to drop the topic.
3
"Dreamy and Sparky" Transliteration: "Fuwafuwa Bachibachi" (Japanese: フワフワ バチバチ)
Akira Takamura
Katsurō Hidaka
Jong Heo
April 18, 2023 (2023-04-18)
Mitsumi meets Makoto when she visits the student council to inquire about joining. After the meeting, Mitsumi is encouraged by Shima to invite Makoto to hang out together at a cafe. Makoto invites Mitsumi to the movies, which becomes a group event when other classmates join in. Makoto becomes uncomfortable with a friendly Yuzuki, who she perceives as a type of person she dislikes. However, Makoto's attitude begins to soften thanks to Mitsumi's attempts to bond with both of them over popcorn.
4
"Tingling and Scraping" Transliteration: "Piripiri Katsukatsu" (Japanese: ピリピリ カツカツ)
Ken Sanuma
Tomoko Shinozuka
Ken Sanuma
April 25, 2023 (2023-04-25)
Kanechika asks Mitsumi to help him recruit Shima into the drama club, which makes her anxious throughout the day. Shima and Mitsumi talk about his past goal of pleasing his mom through his acting and her future goal of entering public service to help her hometown. They promise to support each other going forward. Mitsumi becomes worried about her time management, so she starts to shadow Takamine, a senior in the student council who follows a packed, detailed schedule. While on an errand, Mitsumi and Takamine end up missing the bus and fall behind schedule. Takamine is initially upset, but she notices Mitsumi enjoying the experience and taking in the sights. Takamine and Shima advise Mitsumi to find a style that works best for her.
5
"Prickly and Giddy" Transliteration: "Chikuchiku Isoiso" (Japanese: チクチク いそいそ)
Yōhei Fukui
Katsurō Hidaka
Norihiro Naganuma
May 2, 2023 (2023-05-02)
Mitsumi signs up for volleyball in the upcoming class matches. Being unathletic, she asks a reluctant Mika to give her lessons. During the practice sessions, Mika notices Mitsumi standing up to some abrasive seniors and appreciating the people who help her. Mika learns Mitsumi asked her specifically because she considers Mika a harsh but honest hard-working person. On the day of the class match, Mitsumi's volleyball team wins the first few matches. The girls head over to the boys' basketball match, and Mitsumi is too embarrassed to approach Shima in front of so many cheering girls. When Kanechika observes Shima may be feeling lonely despite being popular, Mitsumi recalls how Shima approached her and became her friend. She returns to the match and gives Shima some pickled vegetables she made.
6
"Drizzling and Flickering" Transliteration: "Shitoshito Chikachika" (Japanese: シトシト チカチカ)
Fumi tells Mitsumi she likes a boy. Mitsumi becomes concerned when Shima misses school because he slept in. Additionally, she hears about how he has occasionally skipped school before, amongst other rumors of his delinquency. When she confronts him the next day, he responds dismissively, leaving her flustered. Mitsumi and Shima each feels bad about the conversation. Mitsumi decides to make up with Shima and confesses she was not having any fun at school without him. Shima clears up the rumors by explaining his complicated situation at home. Shima comments to Mitsumi this is first time he has been real friends with a girl, as Mitsumi starts to recall what Fumi said about love.
7
"Hectic and Hot Stuff" Transliteration: "Patapata Motemote" (Japanese: パタパタ モテモテ)
Mitsuyo Yokono
Katsurō Hidaka
Yuriko Abe
May 16, 2023 (2023-05-16)
Mitsumi is appointed as student council secretary, while an upset Takamine becomes vice-president after losing the election to a popular last-minute challenger. Kanechika learns about what happened and screens an embarrassing movie he made as a child. Takamine comes to terms with her election loss and offers to work together with the new president. As summer vacation approaches, Shima turns down several girls who confess to him. Mitsumi asks Shima on a whim to go to the zoo together, and she is shocked when he accepts. Later, Ririka, a famous model and Shima's childhood friend, visits the school out of the blue to see Shima.
8
"Heat and Complications" Transliteration: "Muwamuwa Iroiro" (Japanese: ムワムワ いろいろ)
Chie Yamashiro
Yōko Yonaiyama
Chie Yamashiro
May 23, 2023 (2023-05-23)
Mitsumi and Shima visit the zoo together. Mitsumi's Aunt Nao and Mika, who both found out about the "date", are tailing them, end up running into each other. Mitsumi and Shima cut the visit short because of the hot weather. Mitsumi shops for gifts for her family and encourages Shima to buy one for his little brother. Nao and Mika decide to stop following them once they realize Shima is a genuine friend to Mitsumi. Yuzuki, Makoto and Mika come over to Mitsumi's for a sleepover. Yuzuki shares she did not get along well with friends in middle school but is thoroughly enjoying high school. Mika tries to leave early with an excuse, but Nao sees through the lie. Mika rejoins her friends with Nao's encouragement. Ririka calls Shima over and reminds him he was responsible for her career ending as a child actor.
9
"Drowsy and Peppy" Transliteration: "Torotoro Runrun" (Japanese: トロトロ ルンルン)
Shū Honma
Katsurō Hidaka
Shū Honma
May 30, 2023 (2023-05-30)
Mitsumi visits returns home for the summer and relaxes with her family and her good friends. Mitsumi returns to school after the break and reunites with the girls, but she feels a little distant from Shima. As a student council member, Mitsumi becomes busy with preparations for the school cultural festival. She finds Shima in low spirits and gives him crackers she brought from her hometown.
10
"Scrambling and Dripping" Transliteration: "Batabata Poroporo" (Japanese: バタバタ ポロポロ)
Takanori Yano
Yōko Yonaiyama
Katsumi Terahigashi
June 6, 2023 (2023-06-06)
Mitsumi's class decides to put on a stage play for the cultural festival. Shima feels uncomfortable about acting, but agrees to it when asked. Mitsumi is too busy with the student council work to participate, but she eagerly agrees to help. Shima worries whether Mitsumi is taking on too much. Mitsumi falls asleep while working and fails to review the script as promised. Mitsumi overhears her classmates complaining about her. When Shima tries to cheer her up, Mitsumi breaks down crying because she in turn realizes she has not been looking out for her friend. Shima begins performing his song and dance in front of Mitsumi, and she joins in. As she starts feeling better, she comes up with suggestions to improve the play for her classmates.
11
"Hype and Excitement" Transliteration: "Waiwai Zawazawa" (Japanese: ワイワイ ザワザワ)
Yuriko Abe
Katsurō Hidaka
Yuriko Abe
June 13, 2023 (2023-06-13)
The school cultural festival begins, and everyone is busy with the events. Mitsumi meets the visiting middle school friends of her friends and reflects on her friendships. When a lost three-year-old Keiri manages to reach Shima's classroom, Mitsumi realizes he is Shima's little brother. The class scrambles to find Shima and his mom. Keiri cries from relief when Shima shows up, while Mitsumi finds Shima's mom.
Mitsumi and Shima's mom run into Ririka and Chris, a childhood friend of Shima's. Ririka accuses Shima's mom of forcing Shima to act again. When the group arrives at the classroom, Shima's mom takes Keiri home without watching the play, while the class finds out about Shima's child actor career. Mitsumi tries to separate Ririka and Shima by physically jumping in between the two during Ririka guilt-tripping of Shima. During the last performance, Shima contemplates his own feelings and what he wants. After the performance, Shima expresses to Ririka his desire to move on from the past and enjoy his high school life. Ririka storms out upset, and Chris tells her Shima will still stay friends with her. The cultural festivals end with a huge success. As everyone cleans up and heads home, Mitsumi is happy to see Shima is acting differently than usual.
Reception
Manga
By January 2023, the Skip and Loafer manga had over 1 million copies in circulation.[38]
Alongside Ranking of Kings, Skip and Loafer ranked seventh on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of best manga of 2020 for male readers;[39] it ranked eighth on the 2024 edition.[40] The series ranked 46th on the 2021 "Book of the Year" list by Da Vinci magazine;[41] it ranked ninth on the 2023 list.[42] In 2020, the series was nominated for the 13th Manga Taishō and placed third with 58 points.[43][44] It was nominated for the 44th Kodansha Manga Award in the general category in 2020;[45] it was nominated for the 46th edition in the same category in 2022;[46] it won the 47th edition in the same category in 2023.[47][48] The manga was one of the Jury Recommended Works at the 23rd Japan Media Arts Festival in 2020.[49] It was one of the Jury Recommended Works for the French 17th ACBD's Prix Asie de la Critique 2023.[50]
Rebecca Silverman of Anime News Network gave the first two volumes an A−. Silverman wrote: "Skip and Loafer may not have fabulous art and it may not have an innovative story. But it does have a firm grasp of its storytelling and characters and a not inconsiderable sense of humor. It's light without being frothy and real without being a drag, and if you're looking for a story that verges on the humorous slice-of-life genre, I can't recommend this enough. Treats characters like individual people, balances humor and seriousness well".[51]
Anime
The anime adaptation won the Golden Dragon Award for Overseas Animation at the 20th China Animation & Comic Competition in 2023.[52] It was also nominated in the Best Romance and Best Slice of Life categories at the 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2024.[53]
The anime series was received positively. Alex Henderson of Anime Feminist reviewed the first episode, calling it "cute as a button", with naturalistic animation and well-done backdrops, with a female protagonist who is "endearing", said there is still room for the show to "wobble", and argued that the episode was "thoroughly charming".[54]
Note
^Engrish rendition of the original Japanese title. As for the Japanese title, Takamatsu explains that Skippu (スキップ) refers to the characters' ambitiousness while loafers (ローファー, Rōfā) are worn with school uniforms,[3] thus this title when translated correctly becomes either Skips and Loafers or Skippers and Loafers.
^Henderson, Alex (April 4, 2023). "Skip and Loafer – Episode 1". Anime Feminist. Archived from the original on April 12, 2023. Retrieved April 21, 2023.
