Skip & Loafer: A Dive Into Humanity

If you’re into the beauty of humanity, connections, and the profoundness of people’s everyday lives, then Skip and Loafer is definitely the right anime for you. Skip and Loafer is a slice-of-life, coming of age anime by Misaki Takamatsu that primarily revolves around the life of Mitsumi Iwakura, a 15 year old girl who’s moving from the small countryside to Tokyo. The show focuses on her life navigating through this big change, and handles nervousness carefully in a way that’s both comedic and realistic. Alongside Mitsumi is her first friend, Shima Sousuke, a popular dream-boat that seems to get along with everyone. The light-heartness of the premise given may lead you to think that this is a simple shoujo anime that falls into the typical romance category, but Skip and Loafer is truly a diamond among stones. 

Each character in Skip and Loafer has their own story, and it makes it feel realistic and inclusive to all. These characters are treated like real people, and it goes beneath the surface. It reminds you of your own humanity, that the people you meet everyday have their own troubles that they’ve gone through or still go through. Although the anime focuses on both Mitsumi and Shima, there’s light that’s shed onto every character that you see - even the ones that seem most minuscule. These characters are more-so shown in the manga, since the anime hasn’t caught up with the manga’s updates as of yet. It goes through the journey of processing trauma, healing, and bittersweet feelings that come with growing up. Though the two main characters, Mitsumi and Shima, have a romantic tie between them, it isn’t primarily dwelled upon nor emphasized. It’s a subtle slow-burn that unravels itself the more you read, unlike romance-focused anime that would have the attention only on forced romantic aspects to get the FL and ML together. Rather, Skip and Loafer place emphasis on platonic relationships, and the ordeal of getting to know another person. Though it’s scary and nerve-wracking, you’re learning about each other together. It allows both characters to expand their relationship instead of diving into romance headfirst. 

To expand on the two main characters, Mitsumi grew up with close-knit family and friends. Meanwhile, Shima has more of a complicated relationship with his family - and his overall perspective of life. While Mitsumi is bright, carefree, and risky, Shima contrasts that by being reluctant, cast-away and an observer. The two balance each other out well, and Shima gives the perception that he’s somebody who has it all figured out – but that couldn’t be further than the truth. Unexpectedly, he grows fond of his newfound friend, and finds himself feeling things that he never experienced before. Together, they work throughout issues and grow as people. Skip and Loafer emulates the peculiar emotions you’d get from a Studio Ghibli film, and matches up with a quote by Hayao Miyazaki (Studio Ghibli’s co-founder).. “I’ve become skeptical of the unwritten rule that just because a boy and a girl appear in the same feature, a romance must ensue. Rather, I want to portray a slightly different relationship, one where the two mutually inspire each-other to live. If I’m able to, then perhaps I’ll be closer to portraying a true expression of love.”

If I managed to pique your interest with Skip and Loafer, I recommend you give it a watch! The anime is coming out with a Season 2 this year, and though there isn’t a confirmed date set - it’s speculated by fans to come out in March. The manga is definitely worth it as well, and is sure to tug at your heartstrings.