Fan Art of Characters from Skip and Loafer - The Tenderness of Adolescence

Can a naive child prodigy from the countryside survive the big city with only her book smarts? With the power of dreams (and friendship!), anything is possible!

Skip and Loafer is an ongoing manga series written and illustrated by Misaki Takamatsu. Currently serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon, this heartwarming series, with its cast of unique and lovable characters, has amassed a host of fans for its slice-of-life charm. An anime adaptation also aired from April to June 2023.

The story begins with the protagonist, Mitsumi Iwakura, moving to a top-ranking high school in Tokyo from rural Ishikawa after graduating from junior high school. A child prodigy, Mitsumi dreams of going to a prestigious university and making a positive impact on the world. However, on the day of the matriculation ceremony, her plans go astray when she gets caught in the commuter rush, leaving her lost and disoriented. Sousuke Shima, her future classmate, approaches her and helps her out of her distress, and the two become fast friends.

Heartwarming through and through, this slice-of-life series also has its serious moments. At times, the characters may butt heads with each other, but through these interactions, they learn to be vulnerable and mature as individuals over time. Skip and Loafer manages to capture its characters’ internal struggles and vulnerability in a tender and compassionate way, all the while maintaining a hopeful and uplifting tone, which explains why it is loved by many.

In this feature, you’ll encounter fan art of the main characters, Mitsumi and Sousuke, and other beloved figures like Makoto, Yuzuki, Mika, and Fumino, that perfectly showcase the series’ themes of friendship and resilience. Enjoy!