This manga was unusual. I'm not sure if I like it or not. The main character is offbeat and the situation doesn't seem likely based on the information in the story.
That said, I would read the next volume just to see what happens.

Difficult to follow visually and creepy in its implications of acting as a sign of mental issues. Lost my interest as they layered on more challenges -- taking care of younger siblings, financial issues, etc. Not gripping enough to finish, particularly given that the series was cancelled due to the author's arrest for assaulting teen girls.

Act-age is smart and fun. It brings a whole new story to the manga genre. Enjoyable and fun. Definitely recommend.

Anime/manga isn't my favorite book to read, but as a member of the Maverick committee I am required to. This one just didn't connect with me at all. I couldn't understand most of what was going on.

I personally did not find the story of this manga interesting. The art is nice, but I am not drawn to the characters. This isn't to say that I don't think the story would appeal to others, hence why I gave it three stars. If you enjoy stories where the main character is naive, but determined and the supporting characters go through ridiculous looking feats to force the main character to grow quickly then this may be for you. It's not something I'm looking to read right now.

I read this manga quite a bit ago when I first requested it and it was nice! The characters and story kept me entertained, plus the art is absolutely stunning - one of the main reasons I wanted to pick this book up in the first place - but, after hearing about what the artist of this did to young middle school aged girls, I don't think I'll continue on in this series.

There's nothing wrong with it, by any means, and I can understand why it's so beloved by so many but I don't think I can support someone like that.

This was a great manga about Kei Yonagi who is trying to support her siblings with her acting. In the process of this she catches the eye of a director and this starts her acting career. If you are a fan of the classic manga, Skip Beat! then you will most likely enjoy this one as well. Overall, I enjoyed most of this but I wasn't really a fan or the art style. The faces were just off to me and seemed kind of creepy. But if that doesn't bother you then I think a lot of people will enjoy this.

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own* 


Okay, first off I want to say I loved reading this one. Absolutely, loved it. I read it and immediately the first thing I did at work the next day was buy this from Baker & Taylor. Then I saw volume 2 on Netgalley! I requested it, read it immediately, put it in my cart to purchase at work, and was so excited for this series. 

Then, the author gets arrested *sigh* Such a bummer that good works have to be ruined.
I don't want to get into it, but I am not buying more for my library -- then I noticed Viz is also stopping publication of this series, so High Five to Viz! I knew there was a reason you were one of my dream jobs when I was considering being a translator. 

To review this book is complicated, you see? Yes I enjoyed it, but we aren't getting more in English, probably no more in Japan, and what is the point of waxing on about another good book by a bad author? 

Let this be a review for Viz then and how awesome I think they are. Great work y'all for taking action, being responsive to the community, and for continuing to translate fantastic books for us all to read.

I really loved the look in this book into what method acting really is. As someone who has heard the phrase and seen a few actors who use it, I thought it was something different than what it is. I really appreciated this look into not only that, but also into the struggles that an aspiring actress deals with in the industry.

Turns out I just don't like manga. Maybe the translation's not good enough but I also just don't like the artwork in general. It's too bad because I've heard so many good things about so many manga.

The first volume is fast-paced and entertaining.

Yonagi entered an acting competition with no training and lost. But she was able to impress the internationally known director Sumiji. He is determined to mold her into the actress she could become but first, her has to train her in the basics. The plot quickly picks up, introducing new characters, and developing Yonagi's background. Her disconnection with reality is unsettling but exciting. There are brief nudity and some shameless fan services but none is prevalent throughout the chapters.

That said, enlight of the arrest of the author, his own personal intentions are clearly reflected by the character Sumiji's actions.

The theatre nerd in me was very drawn into the premise of this. And I wasn't disappointed. I felt like the story was unique and quirky and just the lightness that I needed right now.

I'm not sure how to feel about this series now since it just got abruptly canceled after its author was arrested. The beginning of the story is rough, but it leaves you wanting more. I think the portrayal of Yonagi Kei is fantastic and it is a positive addition to the realm of acting manga ala Glass Mask!

This series is available on the Shonen Jump app/site subscription with almost the entire backlog available digitally, but I assume it might be taken off the service soon. Make sure to read ahead that way!

*Scheduled to be posted August 5th*
Hello Fellow Readers,
As much as I wanted to like this manga I just couldn't get into it. The plot is a little weird and the characters are even weirder. Most of the time this wouldn't bother me as manga characters typically get that way sometimes but this time they just didn't mesh with me. I did feel for the main character in the beginning.

Kei's dad is gone, her mother is dead and she is responsible for two young kids. It makes sense that she wants to loose herself in movies, but at the same time she can't fully remove herself because her acting needs to be able to relate to the experiences she has in life. It's not really acting (although they are mostly talking about method acting in this and I am not a actor so who knows?) to me, it's just her rating her scenes to her life.

I lost my connection with Kei after her 'second' role and I just couldn't get the connection back. I like connecting to characters even if it's not on a personal level. Yes, I understand she is weird, it's mentioned a lot in the manga, but when she wanted to return a check for a commercial because she didn't do exactly what it said in the script, I just found it ridiculous.

The manga isn't bad at all, I can see it being very funny, especially with all the hi-jinks Kei gets into but I just don't think this is for me.

An aspiring actress utilizing method-acting into her auditions delivers refreshingly grim promises in subsequent volumes. Author Tatsuya Matsuki and illustrator Shiro Uzaki explore the dangerous territories of chasing one's dream through Kei Yonagi's visceral performances - from her "encounter with a wolf" to clenching her fist to the point of bleeding makes for engaging storytelling. Uzaki's depiction of Kei as well as her rival, Chiyoko Momoshiro, are apt in their characterization - Kei is fierce with dark heavy lines while Chiyoko is light and carefree, with a white blank aura surrounding her. There is a noticeable chemistry between author and illustrator yet has the need to sometime explain the situation like a shounen instead of letting the image speak for itself. There is a lot to expect in this tale and I look forward to seeing how Kei can become a successful actress while not becoming Icarus.

Kei Yonagi is a high school student who always wanted to be an actress ever since she was a child. She had spent her childhood, watching old movies attentively, and learning how actions and emotions portrayed in all kinds of situations. With her mother gone, Yonagi has to take care of her two younger siblings and start auditioning for any role without success.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The story follows Kei Yonagi, a teen girl who believes she was born to be an actor. She is a method actor and uses her past experiences to influences her acting skills. When she has past experiences to draw from, she nails it. But she is inexperienced and often doesn’t have real life experience to draw from. Despite not getting the role, she is discovered by an up and coming director, and thus begins her journey. I thought Yonagi was really spacey and weird. I didn’t connect to her on an emotional level, but I’m hoping to in future volumes.

This book has a really intriguing storyline. I found myself fascinated by Kei Yonagi and her unfolding story. I found this character to be very likable and easy to root for. I felt that this story had a unique feel to it that made it quite compelling and it inspired some interesting thoughts and questions. I liked the art used in this manga and felt worked exceptionally well wit the story being told. All and all very enjoyable and fun.

This is a bit like a modern, shounen version of the classic acting manga Glass Mask, only here it's more properly called "method acting." Kei's need to earn money for herself and her orphaned siblings is pursued earnestly, and if we question where on earth child services is in all of this, well, it's easy enough to see Kei as someone who would reject any offer of help she doesn't feel she earned. "But you're a kid" would definitely not fly as a reason with this girl. The only major issue with the volume is one that's actually a make-or-break one - nearly every character is unlikable. It's in a realistic way and for a believable reason, but it's almost exhausting to wade through the shallows of their personalities. It's good, but not what to pick up if you're looking for a light bit of escapism.

This Shonen Jump title by two relatively unknown creators, artist Shiro Usazaki and writer Tatsuya Matsuki, is a series that, while it has some issues, does also have an appeal. Since it began it has been nominated for awards and in 2022 it will be adapted into a play.

act-age follows 16-year-old schoolgirl Kei Yonagi. She aspires to be an actress, but has had to deal with a series of setbacks in her life. Her father abandoned the family and her mother is dead. Also, she has two younger siblings to look after. Despite these problems, she still believes she can overcome all this to become a great actress.

Read more at Anime UK News: https://animeuknews.net/2020/07/act-age-volume-1-review/