Ok, I can appreciate what this manga tried to be and the questions it tried to raise. There are some really important subjects in play here: suicide, rape, what the beauty industry can do to one's mind, to name a few.
That's the only reason why I don't give this a lower rating. Because everything else is just... terrible. Part of me thinks that it's terrible on purpose, but even so, I couldn't bring myself to enjoy this story.
Helter Skelter follows Ririko's story (more closely than any of the other characters), she's an actress/model/celebrity and also a reeeeeal bitch. You can't feel sympathy for her, not even when the mangaka throws in some sad moments. Like we're supposed to go "oh, poor rich and privileged white girl :( She's a bitch because of the circumstances! That totally justifies the shitty way she treats other people!"
Uhm... no. I could feel a bit of sympathy for her if she wasn't a bitch ALL THE TIME. If it was just a few moments but most of the time (or at least half of the time) she was a decent person. But that's not the case, Ririko makes sure to constantly be rude and a pain in the ass of everyone she meets (most importantly, her employees).
[MILD SPOILER WARNING]She even goes far as to RAPE her P.A, TWICE. Actually, it's implied to happen more than twice, but it is explicitly shown to us two times.[/END OF SPOILER]
She's abusive physically and mentally/emotionally, and just... such a toxic person. There is no way you could root for her happiness.
When the story isn't focusing on her being a horrible person, it focuses on this half-assed mystery involving a beauty clinic. This had the potential to be the best and most interesting part of the manga, but I can't decide which is worse: this or Ririko's pov.
And while I wasn't expecting a happy ending (Ririko certainly doesn't deserve one), instead we got an open ending that does nothing for us. It doesn't explain anything, it just leaves us confused. For me specifically, it just made me feel relieved that it was finally over, I didn't even question it lol
Last but not least: the art. I realize that this part of the review is subjective, but really, do you think this is pretty?
I guess the irony is that Ririko is supposed to be the most beautiful human being on Earth, but the mangaka's art style is ugly. But to be completely honest, the art didn't help me like this not one bit. I could overlook this point and still give it a good rating if I liked the story despite that, but sadly, this was just another one of the reasons why I didn't.
Recently the live action movie based on this manga came out. I haven't watched it yet, but maybe that is more enjoyable than this? They got a beautiful woman to play Ririko and I won't have to endure this ugly art style, so that's already a plus lol