Skip and Loafer (スキップとローファー) is a 12 episode slice of love romance based on the manga of the same name by Takamatsu Misaki. The series aired over the Spring of 2023.
Iwakura Mitsumi moves into her aunts Tokyo apartment in order to attend a prestigious high school. Having grown up in a rural area, she is quickly overwhelmed by the crush of humanity that the capitol city offers. She ends up getting lost on the first day of school, only to be rescued by a handsome laid-back guy who also goes to her school. The boy, Shima Sousuke, is less than serious about his life as a student, but sees a kinship in the flustered girl. Surprisingly, the scatterbrained Mitsumi is the top scoring student for the grade. Her reputation explodes when she pukes on her homeroom teacher after giving the opening ceremony speech. Mitsumi doesn't let public humiliation phase her and grabs her life as a high school student in Tokyo by the balls. Her upbeat attitude, strong will and likeability quickly builds a small group of friends around her.
One of the friends is Sousuke, who ended up being in the same class. Mitsumi is fully aware of her naivety and doesn't let those that begin to flock around her hide their intentions. As her group continues to be with her she begins to relax and accept the things they say and do as being genuine. While they spend time together she grows closer to Sousuke. At first she believed he was someone who only talked to her because he felt the need to be nice to everyone, not actually having any interest in being friends. She starts to wonder if her growing feelings for him could be more than friendship but isn't willing to push it. The more she gets to know him the more she learns about a past he is desperate to hide from everyone and himself. Sousuke was a child actor, due to the insistence of his mother. Things got out of control and he, along with some actor friends, got in trouble due to underage partying. He is struggling to make amends with those that got hurt through the incident and his strained family relationship, instead floating aimlessly through his life.
This is a series that presents its self as a true to form fish out of water, ugly duckling getting the prince romance. But in reality its a comforting slice of life series that only lets the romance in at the edges. Instead it focus on the characters growing in each other presence and forging ahead with their lives. I wouldn't exactly call it a romance but there is always that underling thread of a future life together for Mitsumi and Sousuke. The series doesn't push that narrative, instead it pulls back, taking in the characters lives in a more natural way. Showing them experience changes in personality and views of themselves and the world around them. There are some aspects of drama as well, particularly with Sousuke's past and one of the friends, Egashira Mika, who struggles with her appearance and personality.
The character designs hearken back to an older style, simple in execution. The strong point in the design are Mitsumi's expressions and fluidity. It does fall into the lower standard of modern animation, so its not like its out of place, just a little disappointing. The series ends on a note of resolution, to some extent and it would be surprising if more was produced. The series, which covers the first four tankoubon, leaves many things up in the air, such as what happened in Sousuke's past. What is the reality behind the strained relationship with his mother, the events that lead to him leaving acting and almost destroying his model friends career. While this is a major spoiler, we also don't get concrete confirmation that either main character develops deeper emotions for the other or acts upon them, just a hint of blush and a shared glance at the end. What we do get is a well done main character in Mitsumi, one we have seen before, a strong and clear eyed protagonist, with the drive to accomplish anything. Unlike those who came before her she is natural and likeable, not over baring, flawed yet willing to accept those flaws. We also see a nod to alternative lives with her aunt being trans, and handling it in a respectful and realistic manner. Over all, this is a fun and cute series that breaks out of the slice of life romance trope but not completely. It offers the possibility of a shift in story telling that is welcome.
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