Skip and Loafer

***Skip and Loafer*** (スキップとローファー, *Sukippu to Rōfā*?) is a Japanese seinen manga series written and illustrated by Misaki Takamatsu. It has been serialized in Monthly Afternoon magazine by Kodansha since October 2018. It was nominated for the Manga Taisho Award in 2020 and won third place. As of May 2023, the total circulation of the comic books, including electronic versions, had exceeded one million copies.

As a media mix, it was announced in November 2021 that the series will be adapted into a television anime.

## Synopsis

Mitsumi Iwakura is a bright and shiny high school student who, upon graduating from middle school, went from a remote area of Ishikawa Prefecture to a high-achieving high school in Tokyo.

Because she grew up in a sparsely populated area at the edge of Ishikawa prefecture, Mitsumi Iwakura is straightforward, pure, and a bit airheaded. *"I won't make a single mistake in this high school life!"* she declares with a rough breath. Her reasoning being, *"Because I have a clear life plan!"* Such as *"I will definitely go to T University for college,"* *"I will graduate from the law department as the top student,"* *"When I die, I want my bones scattered in the Sea of Japan,"* and so on. She is a 15-year-old dreamer who lacks experience in communication with her peers.

However, on the day of the entrance ceremony, Mitsumi got lost, got caught up in the rush hour commute, and felt dizzy from the crowd. Her life plan was shattered and she felt depressed. A tall and handsome young man who was worried about Mitsumi's condition approached her and they ended up going to school together.

## Reception

Skip and Loafer, along with Ranking of Kings, earned the seventh spot on Takarajimasha's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! list of the best manga for male readers in 2020. Additionally, the series also earned the 46th spot on Da Vinci magazine's 2021 "Book of the Year" list.

The manga series received several nominations and recognitions in 2020, such as placing third with 58 points at the 13th Manga Taishō, as well as being nominated for the general category of the 44th Kodansha Manga Award. In 2022, it was nominated again for the 46th Kodansha Manga Award in the same category. Additionally, the series was one of the Jury Recommended Works at the 23rd Japan Media Arts Festival in 2020.

According to Rebecca Silverman, a reviewer for Anime News Network, the first two volumes of Skip and Loafer received an A- rating. Silverman stated that although the series may not have exceptional artwork or a groundbreaking storyline, it does excel in its storytelling, character development, and humorous tone.

Seven Seas Entertainment declared in February 2021 that they obtained the license to release the English version of the manga in North America. The first volume became available on August 10, 2021.

## Bibliographic Information

Misaki Takamatsu, ***Skip to Loafer***, published by Kodansha, Afternoon KC, currently 8 volumes (as of May 3, 2023).
* Volume 1 was published on January 23, 2019 (released on the same day), 978-4-06-514209-7.
* Volume 2 was published on July 23, 2019 (released on the same day), 978-4-06-516300-9.
* Volume 3 was published on February 21, 2020 (released on the same day), 978-4-06-518471-4.
* Volume 4 was published on August 21, 2020 (released on the same day), 978-4-06-520539-6.
* Volume 5 was published on March 23, 2021 (released on the same day), 978-4-06-522497-7.
* Volume 6 was published on November 22, 2021 (released on the same day), 978-4-06-525779-1.
* Volume 7 was published on June 22, 2022 (released on the same day), 978-4-06-528147-5.
* Volume 8 was published on January 23, 2023 (released on the same day), 978-4-06-530267-5.

## Main Characters

***Main article: List of Characters***
Mitsumi Iwakura (岩倉 美津未, *Iwakura Mitsumi*?)
Voiced by: Tomoyo Kurosawa
Sousuke Shima (志摩 聡介, *Shima Sōsuke*?)
Voiced by: Akinori Egoshi
## External links

* *Skip and Loafer* official website at *Monthly Afternoon* (in Japanese)
* *Skip and Loafer* official anime website (in Japanese)
* Skip and Loafer (manga) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia

## References

 "“安彦良和“最後の新連載”次号アフタで始動、「カナリアたちの舟」高松美咲新作も”". *Comic Natalie*. Retrieved on August 25, 2018.
 "“マンガ大賞の授賞式にカエルの被り物で山口つばさ登場「まさか自分が登壇できるとは」”". *Comic Natalie*. Retrieved on March 16, 2020.
 "@takamatsumisaki tweet celebration!". *Author's Tweet*. Retrieved on January 19, 2023.
 "“高松美咲「スキップとローファー」TVアニメ化決定”". *Comic Natalie*. Retrieved on November 22, 2021.
 "Kono Manga ga Sugoi! Editors Unveil 2020 Rankings". *Anime News Network*. Retrieved on February 8, 2021.
 "Demon Slayer Tops Da Vinci Manga Ranking for 2nd Consecutive Year". *Anime News Network*. Retrieved on December 7, 2021.
 "13th Manga Taisho Awards Nominate 12 Titles". *Anime News Network*.
 "Tsubasa Yamaguchi's The Blue Period. Manga Wins 13th Manga Taisho Awards". *Anime News Network*.
 "44th Annual Kodansha Manga Awards' Nominees Announced". *Anime News Network*.
 "第46回講談社漫画賞の最終候補作14作品が決定". *Natasha, Inc.*.
 "Manga Division – 2020 [23rd Japan Media Arts Festival Archive]".
 "Japan Media Arts Festival". Retrieved on March 18, 2021.
 "Skip and Loafer GN 1-2 - Review". *Anime News Network*.
 "Seven Seas Licenses Skip and Loafer Manga". *Anime News Network*. Retrieved on February 8, 2021.
 "Skip and Loafer TV Anime Unveils Teaser Video, Cast, Staff". *Anime News Network*. Retrieved on June 21, 2022.