Paradise Kiss: Difference between revisions

'''Paradise Kiss''' is a 5 volume [[Joseijosei]] manga series by [[Ai Yazawa]] (of [[Nana]] fame) that ran in Zipper magazine from 2000 to 2004. It's a sequel [[Spin-Off|of sorts]] to her previous work ''[[Gokinjo Monogatari]]'', with several characters from it making appearances and being relatives of the cast, but it can be read as stand-alone and has in fact been published in countries where Gokinjo [[No Export for You|has not been released]].

It tells the story of Yukari Hayasaka, a high school senior whose life revolves solely around her studies and her upcoming university entrance exams. That is, until she meets punk rocker Arashi and stylish [[Transsexualism|lady]]trans woman Isabella, who accostaccosts her and ask her to model the [[Pimped-Out Dress|dress]] they're working on for the upcoming fashion show of their arts high school. They proceed to <s> kidnap</s> take her to ''the Atelier'', where she meets [[Kawaiiko|sweet]] and [[The Cutie|lovely]] Miwako and [[The Dandy|charismatic]] and [[Bishonen|handsome]] <s> Johji</s> George, [[Insufferable Genius|fashion designer extraordinaire]] in the making. Together, they form the [[Title Drop|Paradise Kiss]] [[Nakama|ensemble]]. This chance encounter shakes herup Yukari's dull and monotonous life, and thrusts her into a self-discovery journey and a passionate and [[The Masochism Tango|rocky romance]] with George.

Overall, it's an [[Deconstruction|unconventional]] [[Josei]]josei manga with a cast of unusual characters, with the world of [[Author Appeal|alternative fashion]] as a backdrop. It can also be seen as a deconstruction of the shoujo romance genre.

The series was adapted into a 12 episode anime series in 2005, which proved an excellent excuse for Yazawa to design [[Unlimited Wardrobe|a heap of all new outfits]] for the characters. (Note that it lacks the manga's habit of [[No Fourth Wall|having the characters share]] [[Genre Savvy|their knowing insights with the reader]]).

* [[Cute Shotaro Boy]]: Young Isabella is absolutely adorable. Bonus points in that she's a ''queer'' shotaexample as well.

* [[Distant Finale]]: Only alluded to in the anime. From the manga, we learn that {{spoiler|George designs costumes for Broadway, Yukari is a successful model and actress, engaged to Hiro, who is a doctor. Arashi and Miwako have a baby, Erika, and they're still good friends with Yukari and Hiro. Isabella is not mentioned, but presumably she's still working with George.}}

* [[Embarrassing First Name]]: George doesn't like to be called Jouji, his real name. Isabella is ''mortified'' if her real name, {{spoiler|Daisuke}}, is brought up.

* [[TranssexualismTransgender]]: Isabella,The thoughquite [[Bishonen|you]] mightIsabella notis havea knowntransgender at first]]woman.