Glass Mask is a saga depicting the devotion of Maya Kitajima to the performing arts as a professional stage actress, and her competition with her skilled rival, Ayumi Himekawa. They are both pursuing the degree of acting proficiency and career success required to play the lead role of the legendary stage play "The Crimson Goddess" ("Kurenai Tennyo"). Maya is not particularly beautiful or smart in school, but her passion for acting is all-consuming, to the point where she literally puts her own life on the line several times for the sake of a role. Always told by her mother that she was good for nothing, Maya wants to prove to the world and to herself that she has worth. On the other hand, everyone expects the gifted and multi-talented Ayumi to succeed, so she is determined to reach the top on her own without the help of her prestigious parents.
As the story unfolds it encompasses the tangled human relationships of many characters, including Maya's mentor, Chigusa Tsukikage, who discovered Maya's tremendous talent for acting during her search for a successor capable of performing the role of "The Crimson Goddess", and Masumi Hayami, the young president of Daito, who often interacts with Maya as a crafty and cold-hearted entrepreneur, while giving her faithful support and warm encouragement in the disguise of an anonymous fan ("The Purple Rose Person", or "murasaki no bara no hito" as Maya calls him for his trademark gift of purple roses). Hajime Onodera, a director for Daito, wants the rights to "Kurenai Tennyo," which were given to Tsukikage by the playwright; since Tsukikage refuses to sell him the rights, Onodera tries to drive Tsukikage's acting school out of business through a series of nefarious schemes. Since Onodera is working for Hayami, Maya (unaware that Hayami is the "Purple Rose Person") hates him. Though there is an age difference of eleven years, Masumi falls in love with Maya and gives her encouragement in subtle ways.
This anime pulled me in from episode one. The storyline is great and the plays are also very interesting. However unlike the manga the anime ends quite abruptly and is incomplete. The ending wasn't very fulfilling but the story up to the near 45 episodes were great. I can't help but re-watch this over and over and never get sick of it.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
Worth a Look
Written by Kashi.Kali on July 18, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Overall Rating
Excellent
Story: 5
Dialogue: 5
Animation: 5
Entertainment: 5
I read the Manga first...and immediately fell in love with it! :) when I heard there will be an Anime about it - there were no questions - I HAD TO WATCH IT! :D
Suzue Miuchi (MANGAKA) wants to end the series...it has now 45 volumes...can't wait :)
You will love all the characters and begin identifying with one of them. I have to say...even though I REALLY hate the name Maya (bad expierences! :P) I love her...she lives in her own world of theater, has a kind and loving heart. When Maya suffers and has bad or good experience you'll feel with her. (read more)
I read the Manga first...and immediately fell in love with it! :) when I heard there will be an Anime about it - there were no questions - I HAD TO WATCH IT! :D
Suzue Miuchi (MANGAKA) wants to end the series...it has now 45 volumes...can't wait :)
You will love all the characters and begin identifying with one of them. I have to say...even though I REALLY hate the name Maya (bad expierences! :P) I love her...she lives in her own world of theater, has a kind and loving heart. When Maya suffers and has bad or good experience you'll feel with her. And then there is Masumi (although a lot older than Maya) you'll just want them to get together!! They are like water and oil in the beginning (mostly from Maya's point of view), but later on they set aside their differences...we will see (maybe read) what the result of their understanding will be...
If you enjoy Animes about life, theater, drama and love...you'll just love this one! Try it! :) It's worth a look (and from my point of view - even 51 more :D) ENJOY! (show less)
It's a good series but just wanted to say that the OVA was uploaded in the wrong file, the date for the OVA was 1998 not 2005 and should be placed on it's own place titled Glass Mask OVA (1998) a minor thing that should be fixed if possible.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
If you like Skip Beat!
Written by angpanday on December 12, 2010 at 8:35 AM
Overall Rating
Excellent
Story: 5
Dialogue: 5
Animation: 4
Entertainment: 5
First time i watched skip beat i was left hanging since the anime didn't really end and was forced to read the manga but still left an empty hole! But watching this anime filled up the hole for me! It's a really great story and you wont stop but cheer for Maya and be at the edge wanting and waiting to see what happens next. If you liked skip beat you'll love this anime!
