P.A.: Private Actress



P.A.: Private Actress is a 1992-1997 manga by Michiyo Akaishi, author of Towa Kamo Shirenai, among other titles.

Shiho Kobayakawa is the most popular girl at her school. She's pretty, polite, softspoken, booksmart... almost the spitting image of the Yamato Nadeshiko aka ideal Japanese woman. What they don't know, however, is that Shiho has a very uncommon part-time job: a private actress, meaning an actor and stand-in who is hired for personal purposes rather than fame. For example, if a young man needs someone to pretend to be his girlfriend so their family will stop nagging him about lack of commitment to relationships, he can go to Shiho's agency and hire her to pose as his girl for some time, which she will do for as long as it's needed and the requester can pay up.

The manga itself dwells on Shiho's life and work, showing us the reasons why people would hire an actor for such purposes. It also slowly shows us Shiho's real life, and the reasons why a girl like her would rather pose as a PA than going into stardom despite having both looks and talent to do so. ..

Needs More Love. Give it here!

"Ruriko: SAYURI?! Did you turn young again?!"
 * Becoming the Mask: Several of Shiho's works involve her all but believing she's truly the person she pretends to be.
 * Bitch in Sheep's Clothing: A certain actress who works with Shiho at some point, Ruriko Daichi, who is famed for being sweet on stage and a total bitch to her co-workers, especially her personal attendants.
 * Dead Little Sister: In the first chapter, Shiho has to impersonate a missing girl named Meiju in front of her father, an ill businessman named Sendou whose secretary hires her behind his back to make sure his last days of life are happy.
 * Even the Girls Want Her: Many of Shiho's classmates are seriously wet for her.
 * Ill Girl: Subverted: Shiho is not sickly, but pretends to be so people won't suspect her when she takes time off school to work.
 * Lady Drunk: Ruriko Daichi
 * The Masquerade: In a sense. Shiho's work is to help people keep some of these in their real lives.
 * Ordinary High School Student: Shiho.
 * Shojo
 * Strong Family Resemblance: Shiho and her mom, Sayuri, . Lampshaded when Ruriko sees Shiho's face clearly while drunk:
 * Strong Family Resemblance: Shiho and her mom, Sayuri, . Lampshaded when Ruriko sees Shiho's face clearly while drunk:


 * Tall, Dark and Bishoujo: Shiho
 * Tragic Keepsake:
 * White Dwarf Starlet: . She actually relied more on her acting talent than her looks, but . At the same time, her old rival, Ruriko Daichi, is absolutely terrified by the prospect of becoming one of these, which is what makes her become a Lady Drunk.