Jun 16, 2025
Act Out is a two-part manga centered around the young figure skater Ibara, and it could be described as the grown-up, darker counterpart to Yuri on Ice!!!. While Yuri on Ice celebrates the joy and beauty of the sport with a more lighthearted and romantic tone, Act Out plunges into the shadows—exploring the emotional intensity of high-level performance, the psychological toll of competition, and the complexities of human relationships.
What stands out most in Act Out is its raw emotional depth. The manga doesn’t shy away from portraying the darker sides of ambition, identity, and loneliness. Ibara’s journey as a skater is not only physical but
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deeply psychological. His relationship with performance, with his own expectations, and with those around him is turbulent and painfully real. The tension between artistry and self-worth is a central theme, and it’s portrayed with striking honesty. Even within its short length, the manga manages to leave a strong emotional impact, especially through its expressive use of silence, gesture, and internal conflict.
I would have gladly rated this manga a 10, but a few technical shortcomings hold it back. At times, the proportions and facial features feel off, which distracts from the emotional weight of certain panels. More importantly, the story ends too abruptly. It’s as if one more volume was needed to let the characters breathe and reach a more satisfying resolution. There’s much more potential in these characters, but it feels like they weren’t given the space to fully tell their story.
Act Out is a powerful and emotionally rich manga that offers a poignant look at the world of figure skating through a deeply human lens. It’s short, but intense, and absolutely worth reading.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9
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