Act-age

Act-Age was a unique Jump manga, designs that made you fall in love with the series and a plot that while at times silly, felt different. It felt like your typical battle shonen, but with girls acting instead. The story itself was good, nothing that special, but still very good. The art is what stood out and made this something I HAD to read.


I'm a sucker for good manga with female protagonists, so to find out "Jump has a manga with one, that isn't a comedy or romance" made me jump right in. Unfortunately, with it being cancelled, due to the author's crimes, there's not much to replace it.



And while it's unfortunate, I'm glad that they didn't carry on. What he did was wrong, I don't care how good of a writer he is, there's no coming back from this, nor should there be. It was a 5/5 manga, one of the few books in Jump that made me want more every week, but what can you do? That's life.


The Artist is amazing however and I do hope she finds steady work in manga again.

Honestly, if you're looking for a manga to read, don't read this one.

Act-Age was one of the first series I followed in WSJ. I loved it, especially the art. The premise was also interesting enough, as I never had much experience with stories about movies and acting. It was also selling amazingly well, with even an anime and live-action play on the way. Everything was going good, until the author turned out to be a d*ck.

And it was cancelled. A series with so much potential. Good characters, art, and story. Plenty of opportunities to begin a new era of Weekly Shonen Jump, but it all ended.

That's why you shouldn't read it. Spare yourself the pain of an incomplete story. The pain of what could've happened. A story with potential, failed by it's very own author.

However, I do really hope the artist can make another manga, and I hope it takes off. She doesn't deserve what happened with this series, and she has a lot of potential.

Act-Age. I don't know if it was due to my love for character dramas or my experience in moviemaking in high school, reading this manga mesmerizes me.

Act-Age, Chapter 62: Shinjuku. My favorite manga chapter of all time.

Act-Age, Chapter 62, page 21. It was Kei, tired and sweaty, yet still smiling at the camera. My favorite manga page of all time.

That chapter was the big turning point in Kei's career, with the people around her starting to recognize her and the music video showing her talent in method acting and being the reason why everyone started noticing her as more than a supporting actress. That page, in particular, shows how talented she was and how much she was in love with acting.

When I read the news of the cancellation, it hurt me. It might be somewhat overdramatic, but I clearly reminded being disappointed and sad because of this. As a matter of fact, looking at the MAL page makes me sigh in disappointment. To this day, I still can't find a character drama that comes close to Act-Age. Some of them might be better, some of them might be worse, but I never found something I love as much as this manga.

To the artist, I hope you good luck in future endeavors, and I hope you get a good author that is also a decent human being, or even make your own story if you want to.

To the author, fuck you.

New and well-executed manga, this manga brought fresh air into the slice of life genre. The main plot of the story is about a girl who wants to be an actress. The pretty simple premise? No, it isn’t. Because you will see why this manga is so different from the other manga that has been released before.

Story: 10/10
The manga had a great development story. The story is executed well, it is easy to understand sometimes heartwarming but sometimes gives a look about the protagonist's struggle to be a great actress. However, unfortunately, we can’t see the result of the story development occurring with the characters, because something had happened that affect the story writer can’t continue the story.

Character: 9/10
I will say, all the characters here are memorable. The character developed deeply and can give a mark about who is who, and what special about this character. So, I think you will not miss any character in this manga although it just a minor character.

Art: 10/10
I will say, the art is simple but strong. It can draw the expression of every character really good, you can see clearly what the character felt inside his mind. It can be sad, happy, angry, excited that portrayed deeply with a simple art that emphasizes the story.

Enjoyment: 9/10
It really was a fascinating experince when I read this manga. Every chapter and page make you want to see what happened next to the protagonist. I also enjoyed the art and the story of Kei Yonagi (protagonist) which depict a figure of a beutiful lass that lack the knowledge of the world of acting.

Overall: 9/10
This manga is so good that it deserved more story more than just one volume. I had a little hope if this manga would continue its journey in the future. Although it is just a manga with one volume, go read it, it worth your time.

Quick review: If i had to describe it with one sentence: "Waste of a a good idea" The artwork is ok enough, especially the colouring, character are kinda bland, the story process is little boring but the climax is a cutely really good but a little too short.

Two new manga artists joined the Jump family with a really unique manga for shonen jump. Personally i am all about movie and a manga based on that makes me hyped. But this may not be the one i was waiting

Story: Its about typical as it can get, a decent start for a first manga. It start with a narration like any other manga you ever saw in your life and the its goes as normal as you can get. For manga based on acting i was expecting more and you can tell towards the climax of the story how much more you can have but for a reason it doesn't want to take you there in the first minute. You have some funny moments but they feel force most of the time. This would be a better chapter if they did the climax in the start too. Show me more challenging acting and draw my attention! don't save it at the end. And the is still going on and on with exposition and dialogues and less acting parts.Reader are too judgmental in the first 5 pages so don't just save the good stuff in the end, do more of that.


Character: They seem so one note colour for the moment. Every manga I've redd im like "why do you have that other characters don't have" and beside the main chapter can cry willingly there is nothing much else. You have some many colourful directors in Hollywood, take something from that. Don't shoe all this series unenthusiastic guys. Characters are the soul of the manga. If you character are bland you manga will feel bland.

Art: There is not really much to say about it, its pretty simple and feels like "this is my first manga in a magazine". The weakest think is the backgrounds. There are so few you can't really tell where you are. I think the artist hate drawing them but for start its okay, you will get some assistants to do your work will be fine as long you actually put someone to do backgrounds. Also the line are kind too thick and not so pleasant some times.

As weird it may sound i did enjoyed it a little, at least the first chapter, mainly cause of the climax of the first chapter. I only wish they give me more of the and more colourful characters to cheer. For now it feels like its going to have 2 volumes or something

Just picked up this series last week due to the recruitment for stage play.

Boy this is one hell of a ride the story premise is about a newbie actor with extreme talent rise to stardom.

The author completely capture you with its story arcs leaving u on the edge and always wanting to know what happen next with not much break in between the arcs also flow thru very naturally. thru the chapters you can see how the protagonist grow even though she is talented she has to work hard to adapt to different scenarios in the acting industry from films , stage plays , advertisement and so on.

The main drawing factor of this manga its story drama and suspense.The author is really good at the buildup of suspense and finally end it with a extremely satisfying climax with just the right amount of comedy in it so you wont feel your being totally bombarded by melodramatic dramas.

Special mention this manga emphasis on the EYE is next level as the characters get into their role the mangaka manage to portray the emotions extremely powerful to the readers a joke in the community is when u see the rinengan shit about to get real!

So if your looking for your shounen jump craving this is the manga to go to it is not shounen but the story sucks u in and make u wanting more.Great read you wont regret it

Before its cancellation, Act-age was my favorite running manga series and I was excited to see how it would developed. Now we will never see the end to this wonderful story. I can only judge what has been completed, and imagine what could have been.

Story (7/10):
In my opinion, this is the weakest part of the manga but it is by no means bad. The story's purpose is to create interesting scenarios for the characters to do the heavy lifting. Kei's goal to become a top actor is a compelling enough premise that gets her to interact with colorful characters and reflect on herself. It's pretty basic on the surface, but the manga makes up for it in other areas.

Art (10/10):
Usazaki quite possibly has one of the most appealing and beautiful art styles I have ever seen. Her designs are stylish and sharp. It has a very "raw" quality to it because of her sketchy and angular style. Her style of eyes in particular reflect an expressiveness that I have never seen in any other series. I appreciate the lack of fanservice as well. The art is beautiful, but not "sexy". It makes Act-age visually distinct from the many other manga and anime with cutesier art, and helps sell the darker moments.

Character (9/10):
This is where Act-age's writing really shines. Act-age is very much a character driven series. Kei Yonagi is an incredibly refreshing protagonist. Against a sea of brash male shounen protagonists, Kei is a unique take on a determined, talented, and broken female character. Her struggle to hone her craft while also keeping control of her identity is an intricate balancing act, and watching Kei inch closer and closer to the brink is frightening and thrilling. The side characters are handled well too. Chiyoko is the most developed side character, and she makes for an incredible foil to Kei, creating one of the most unique shounen rivalries of recent memory. Kuroyama, Araya, Akira, Oogami, Hanako, and the recently introduced Ren all round out the cast wonderfully, each with their own unique talents and struggles in the industry. My only criticism is that some arcs introduce a few too many characters that get lost in all of the overarching stories.

Enjoyment (10/10):
I was heavily invested in Act-age from the start. The subject and approach was so novel. Each arc seemed to be bigger and better than the last. I eagerly waited for the next chapter to come out. I loved almost everything about this manga and it was truly something special. I doubt anything will fill the hole that this manga's author has left in my heart.

Overall (9/10):
Despite my gushing, and despite loving this manga wholeheartedly up until now, I cannot easily recommend reading it. For one, this manga's premature end will leave a sour taste in the readers' mouths. It is incredibly depressing to see such potential be completely squandered. I am also of the belief that art cannot be easily separated from the artist. While I love the work, the author has committed an egregious crime, and it is difficult for many to reconcile the fact that we have been supporting such an individual. Nevertheless, Act-age was an amazing manga while it lasted, and unfortunately will go down as a story that never reached its potential.

I don't know how to start this review, honestly, words can't describe this manga. You should experience it. From the first chapter, the story comes off strong and well built. You get sucked in the world in a matter of a few chapters. Every little level up of the protagonist makes you starve and crave for her next development. And let me tell you something, the development of characters in this manga is no joke. Normally, when reading your typical manga, the only one to develop is the main character however what's surprising is the improvement of other characters as well. They also get engulfed by the MC's presence which leads them to prove themselves, and that's one of the things that stroke me in this manga, I didn't forget any supportive character even the girl who won the stars competition(she shows up after that but u got my point). The art is nothing out of ordinary but it delivers the message and it's improving gradually(milky way scene was dazzling). The expressions and the atmosphere are so well depicted that I've felt the voice of the princess iron fan resonating in my ears. That's how powerful and strong this manga is.
I also want to point out that I feel this manga shows the most beautiful and the ugliest emotions a human being can have. It's also a journey to help the main protagonist to get track of her life, her real life.

It was a good ride while it ended.

The manga has been cancelled because the writer has been arrested for sexually molesting middle school girls, and therefore the manga will be ended abruptly with no ending. I believe that this is for the best, and you should have the same mindset as well.

You also shouldn't feel ashamed for having and still liking this manga, because I still do. But even then, no matter how good a work is, if half of the production is being led by a disgusting and criminal individual, then it should no longer be supported.

The Illustrator, Shiro Usazaki, however has done nothing wrong and throughout this series has contributed her best work, having helped shaped this manga into what it is today. Even though you should no longer be supporting the author, please be there to support Usazaki who's career has suffered from her co-workers unforgivable misdeeds.

I have decided to drop this manga before reaching it's final remaining chapter, as I don't want to be left disappointed by the abrupt ending and that I want to no longer be associated with this work. Though I don't recommend picking it up to those who have yet to read it because of my said reasons, it's really up to you in the end to do so or not.

But if you are to do that, I recommend not paying for it as that money will go to the writer. Please support Shiro Uzasaki through her twitter and Pixiv account which are both listed in her MAL bio:

https://myanimelist.net/people/47664/Shiro_Usazaki

This is simply outstanding in every single way a manga can be.

Kei Yonagi is a really compelling main character, she's fun, she has a real character deveolpment throughout the series.

The secondary characters are amazing as well, with some clever and really smart writing and breathtaking visuals by the 22 year old mangaka drawing it and the author.

Don't think this is just a mere story about "becoming an actress", Act-Age is a story about many things. Dealing with loss, death, sadness, overcoming your personal problems to do something greater.

The first 20 chapters or so are really slow, but after the first arc (Death Island) ends, the story goes on full wild. Galactic Railroad has some philosophical content that really made me feel something. It reminded me of seinen mangas like Oyasumi Punpun and Vagabond. Yeah, the writing in this manga is really THIS good.

In my opinion, this is the best Weekly Shounen Jump has to offer as of right now.

Go read it! Now! You'll have a good time! This isn't a silly story about a little girl trying to become an actress. Trust me. Kei Yonagi is maybe the greatest woman main character to ever come out of a shounen manga. She's even better than Jojo's Bizarre Adventures Stone Ocean's Jolyne Cujoh. She has a proper character grow. In fact, almost every character in this manga has a proper character arc.

Read it!