Skip and Loafer

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. A second season has been announced.

Skip and Loafer
First tankōbon volume cover, featuring Mitsumi Iwakura (left) and Sōsuke Shima (right)
スキップとローファー (Sukippu to Rōfā)
Genre	Romantic comedy[1] Slice of life[2]
Manga
Written by	Misaki Takamatsu
Published by	Kodansha
English publisher	NA: Seven Seas Entertainment
Imprint	Afternoon KC
Magazine	Monthly Afternoon
Demographic	Seinen
Original run	August 25, 2018 – present
Volumes	11
Anime television series
Directed by	Kotomi Deai
Written by	Kotomi Deai Yoko Yonaiyama (S2)
Music by	Takatsugu Wakabayashi
Studio	P.A. Works
Licensed by	Crunchyroll SEA: Plus Media Networks Asia
Original network	Tokyo MX, AT-X, HAB, BS Asahi, Kansai TV
Original run	April 4, 2023 – present
Episodes	12

By March 2024, the manga had over 2.3 million copies in circulation. In 2023, Skip and Loafer won the 47th Kodansha Manga Award in the general category.

Plot

Mitsumi Iwakura is a 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. A tall, handsome boy worried about Mitsumi calls out to her and runs to school with her. He is a student of the same school and her classmate by chance.

Characters

Mitsumi Iwakura (岩倉 美津未, Iwakura Mitsumi)

Voiced by: Tomoyo Kurosawa^[4]

First-year high school student who moved to Tokyo from the outskirts of Ishikawa Prefecture. 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.

Sōsuke Shima (志摩 聡介, Shima Sōsuke)

Voiced by: Akinori Egoshi^[4]

Mitsumi's classmate who is handsome and 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.

Mika Egashira (江頭 ミカ, Egashira Mika)

Voiced by: Yuka Terasaki^[5]

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.

Yuzuki Murashige (村重 結月, Murashige Yuzuki)

Voiced by: Maaya Uchida^[5]

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 so people assume she is good at English, but according to herself she is not that good at it.

Makoto Kurume (久留米 誠, Kurume Makoto)

Voiced by: Megumi Han^[5]

Mitsumi's classmate. She is introverted and worries about becoming isolated; she meets Mitsumi when she considered joining the student council to join some kind of community. Despite not liking flirtatious people, she meets Yuzuki through Mitsumi and they become close friends.

Nao (ナオ)

Voiced by: Mitsuki Saiga^[6]

Mitsumi's paternal aunt. She is a transgender woman and works as a stylist. Mitsumi's guardian since she moved to Tokyo.

Tsukasa Mukai (迎井 司, Mukai Tsukasa)

Voiced by: Hikaru Tanaka^[6]

Mitsumi's classmate and Sōsuke's friend since middle school. He is quiet and kindhearted.

Kento Yamada (山田 健斗, Yamada Kento)

Voiced by: Ayumu Murase^[6]

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.

Narumi Kanechika (兼近 鳴海, Kanechika Narumi)

Voiced by: Ryōhei Kimura^[6]

Second-year student and the next director of the drama club. He recruits Shima 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.

Tokiko Takamine (高嶺 十貴子, Takamine Tokiko)

Voiced by: Minami Tsuda^[6]

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 December 23, 2024, 11 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]

Volumes

No.	Original release date	Original ISBN	English release date	English ISBN
1	January 23, 2019[9]	978-4-06-514209-7	August 10, 2021[12]	978-1-64-827588-3
2	July 23, 2019[13]	978-4-06-516300-9	November 2, 2021[14]	978-1-64-827621-7
3	February 21, 2020[15]	978-4-06-518471-4	February 8, 2022[16]	978-1-63858-116-1
4	August 21, 2020[17]	978-4-06-520539-6	April 12, 2022[18]	978-1-63858-203-8
5	March 23, 2021[19]	978-4-06-522497-7	July 26, 2022[20]	978-1-63858-371-4
6	November 22, 2021[21]	978-4-06-525779-1	November 29, 2022[22]	978-1-63858-789-7
7	June 22, 2022[23]	978-4-06-528147-5	May 9, 2023[24]	978-1-68579-495-8
8	January 23, 2023[25]	978-4-06-530267-5	October 24, 2023[26]	979-8-88843-031-6
9	August 23, 2023[27]	978-4-06-532642-8	May 21, 2024[28]	979-8-88843-769-8
10	March 22, 2024[29]	978-4-06-534851-2	October 22, 2024[30]	979-8-89160-658-6
11	December 23, 2024[10]	978-4-06-537722-2	September 2, 2025[31]	979-8-89373-291-7

Anime

In November 2021, it was announced that the series would receive an anime television series adaptation.^[32] 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.^[33][4] The series aired from April 4 to June 20, 2023, on Tokyo MX and other networks.^[5][34] 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.^[35]

In December 2024, it was announced that the series will receive a second season.^[36][37] The main staff members from the first season are reprising their roles, with Yoko Yonaiyama joining Deai to write the scripts.^[38]

Crunchyroll streamed the series.^[39] Plus Media Networks Asia licensed the series in Southeast Asia, and premiered on Aniplus Asia.^[40]

Episodes

No.	Title [41][42]	Directed by [41]	Written by [41]	Storyboarded by [41]	Original release date [43]
1	"Sparkling-Fresh" Transliteration: "Pikapika" (Japanese: ピカピカ)	Kotomi Deai	Yōko Yonaiyama	Kotomi Deai	April 4, 2023 (2023-04-04)
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)	Tomoko Hiramuki	Yōko Yonaiyama	Toshiya Shinohara	May 9, 2023 (2023-05-09)
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.
12	"Shining" Transliteration: "Kirakira" (Japanese: キラキラ)	Kotomi Deai	Yōko Yonaiyama	Kotomi Deai	June 20, 2023 (2023-06-20)
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.^[44] By March 2024, it had over 2.3 million copies in circulation.^[45]

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;^[46] it ranked eighth on the 2024 edition.^[47] The series ranked 46th on the 2021 "Book of the Year" list by Da Vinci magazine;^[48] it ranked ninth on the 2023 list.^[49] In 2020, the series was nominated for the 13th Manga Taishō and placed third with 58 points.^[50][51] It was nominated for the 44th Kodansha Manga Award in the general category in 2020;^[52] it was nominated for the 46th edition in the same category in 2022;^[53] it won the 47th edition in the same category in 2023.^[54][55] The manga was one of the Jury Recommended Works at the 23rd Japan Media Arts Festival in 2020.^[56] It was one of the Jury Recommended Works for the French 17th ACBD's Prix Asie de la Critique 2023.^[57]

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".^[58]

Anime

The anime adaptation won the Golden Dragon Award for Overseas Animation at the 20th China Animation & Comic Competition in 2023.^[59] The series was nominated in the Best Romance and Best Slice of Life categories at the 8th Crunchyroll Anime Awards in 2024.^[60] It also won the Magnolia Award for Best Storytelling, while it was nominated for Best Animation at the 29th Shanghai Television Festival.^[61][62]

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".^[63]

Note

1. Transliteration of the original Japanese title. As for the Japanese title, Takamatsu explains that Sukippu (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.