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Paradise Kiss #1
Paradise Kiss, Part 1 of 3
Yukari is a spirited high school senior in the process of studying for her college entrance exams. Sadly the prospect of subjecting herself to a meaningless dull life leaves her feeling depressed about the future. In a bout of frustration, Yukari begins to ignore her courses and she begins to hang out with a group of fashion design students. But what Yukari doesn't know is that this circle is known as Paradise Kiss, and they are run by a pair of young designers already making their mark on the Asian scene. Furthermore, while her life is going to soon change, it will not be due to the elite political or commerce based future her family may have hoped for, instead her life may eventually be set in a world of high fashion, with her strutting down the catwalk as the face of Asian fashion!
280 pages, Paperback
First published September 4, 2012
5 people are currently reading
283 people want to read
About the author
Ai Yazawa
315 books3,316 followersAi Yazawa (Japanese: 矢沢あい, Yazawa Ai) is a Japanese manga author and illustrator. Her pen name comes from singer Eikichi Yazawa, of whom she is a fan.
Yazawa started her comics career in 1985. She specialises in shojo manga (girls' comics). Most of her works have been serialised in the magazines 'Ribon', 'Cookie' and 'Zipper'.
Yazawa's stories focus on young, often rebellious women and their relationships. The characters are always very stylish, and Yazawa herself is known for her sense of fashion. (She even attended a fashion school for some time after high school.)
Among her most famous manga are Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I'm No Angel, 1992–1995), Neighborhood Story (1995-1998), Paradise Kiss (1999-2004), and Nana (2000-2009), the latter awarded a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2003. Some of these works have been adapted into anime and live action movies.
Yazawa started her comics career in 1985. She specialises in shojo manga (girls' comics). Most of her works have been serialised in the magazines 'Ribon', 'Cookie' and 'Zipper'.
Yazawa's stories focus on young, often rebellious women and their relationships. The characters are always very stylish, and Yazawa herself is known for her sense of fashion. (She even attended a fashion school for some time after high school.)
Among her most famous manga are Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I'm No Angel, 1992–1995), Neighborhood Story (1995-1998), Paradise Kiss (1999-2004), and Nana (2000-2009), the latter awarded a Shogakukan Manga Award in 2003. Some of these works have been adapted into anime and live action movies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 29, 2018
[December 16, 2014] This book surprised me! I thought it was going to be a cliche manga, but there's nothing cliche about it. The story at the beginning was okay, but after a few pages, things intensified and then I was surprised, everything turned out not as I expected, the characters are charming, though the clothes aren't my cup of tea, I loved it. Seriously, I want to get the rest of the series.
[December 13, 2018] rereading the book again to jump to book 2 and 3 which I got last April. Plus, I just discovered that there are two adaptations of the series, one is an anime 12 episodes series and a 2011 movie! I really want to watch them!
I got to say, as an older woman, I feel that what Yukari was doing was so naive and kind of stupid. I didn't think George was worth it.
[December 13, 2018] rereading the book again to jump to book 2 and 3 which I got last April. Plus, I just discovered that there are two adaptations of the series, one is an anime 12 episodes series and a 2011 movie! I really want to watch them!
I got to say, as an older woman, I feel that what Yukari was doing was so naive and kind of stupid. I didn't think George was worth it.
October 10, 2014
There is something about Ai Yazawa. She takes a story that could very easily be pop garbage, and instead makes it one that buries itself into your heart. I forgot how much I had loved Paradise Kiss when I first read it a year ago. When I recently finished the Nana series, I looked back at my 4 star review and thought, "Paradise Kiss couldn't possibly be as good as Nana!" Well, it is. The art style feels familiar after reading Nana, but the stories are very different.
Whereas Nana explores the friendship between two different women, life landmarks, and fame; Paradise Kiss shows us the importance of finding your passion and not going with the flow of what is expected, and that even the people that you think are very different to you have the potential to be friends or teachers. There was a key moment in Paradise Kiss when the main character, Yukari (Caroline), figures out that though she thought she was so on track with her cram school and good marks, and that the PK designers are silly and stupid, it's the opposite. Through the course of Volume 1, she starts to examine her own actions and beliefs, and is actually able to change them and learn to be who she chooses. This seems like a common theme in manga/novels, but my god it is powerful in PK. I think it is the juxtaposition of Yukari against the members or PK that make this so strong: the hard worker who just wants to get into University, with no passions other than that; against the ones who follow their dreams of making art, and work hard at it.
Like Nana, Paradise Kiss also explores the intricacies and hurdles of human relationships - the strained one between Yukari and her overbearing mother, the unlikely but budding romance between Yukari and George, the difficult love triangle between three childhood friends. I think this is what puts Paradise Kiss above other manga, and Ai Yazawa above other mangaka. And can I just say how much I love Isabella, the transgender woman who designs for PK? I love her. She is an amazing mother figure to Yukari and the rest of PK without becoming a cliché.
Whereas Nana explores the friendship between two different women, life landmarks, and fame; Paradise Kiss shows us the importance of finding your passion and not going with the flow of what is expected, and that even the people that you think are very different to you have the potential to be friends or teachers. There was a key moment in Paradise Kiss when the main character, Yukari (Caroline), figures out that though she thought she was so on track with her cram school and good marks, and that the PK designers are silly and stupid, it's the opposite. Through the course of Volume 1, she starts to examine her own actions and beliefs, and is actually able to change them and learn to be who she chooses. This seems like a common theme in manga/novels, but my god it is powerful in PK. I think it is the juxtaposition of Yukari against the members or PK that make this so strong: the hard worker who just wants to get into University, with no passions other than that; against the ones who follow their dreams of making art, and work hard at it.
Like Nana, Paradise Kiss also explores the intricacies and hurdles of human relationships - the strained one between Yukari and her overbearing mother, the unlikely but budding romance between Yukari and George, the difficult love triangle between three childhood friends. I think this is what puts Paradise Kiss above other manga, and Ai Yazawa above other mangaka. And can I just say how much I love Isabella, the transgender woman who designs for PK? I love her. She is an amazing mother figure to Yukari and the rest of PK without becoming a cliché.
October 4, 2019
6 WONDERFUL STARS!!!
I ADORED this manga with my whole heart and am really glad I took my time with it.
A lovely story to savour.
RTC
I ADORED this manga with my whole heart and am really glad I took my time with it.
A lovely story to savour.
RTC
November 12, 2017
#fashion #designer #firstlove
March 19, 2026
(review over whole manga series) i loved this smmmm yukari get behind me 🦋
her and george were so infuriating but necessary and i teared up sm times
her and george were so infuriating but necessary and i teared up sm times
May 15, 2016
Really happy that this one is being re-published. I only had 2 volumes of this manga (2 and 5), and couldn't find the rest since Tokyopop stopped with manga releasing.
I am really happy with this volume, I like the size (though it is a bit bigger then the normal manga (in height)).
The story is great, can't wait for the second part to come out.
I am really happy with this volume, I like the size (though it is a bit bigger then the normal manga (in height)).
The story is great, can't wait for the second part to come out.
November 4, 2012
No conocí la edición de Tokyopop, solo pude leer la argentina de Ivrea cuyos tomos estaban partidos a la mitad, por lo que aquí la cosa está hecha con cariño y se nota a raudales. Extrañé si las páginas a color que hicieron mucha falta, pero la edición vale la pena sobretodo por el tamaño.
Ya espero con ansias los siguientes.
Ya espero con ansias los siguientes.
July 18, 2017
An excellent start to this manga series where fashion is the main focus, as the protagonist, after an invitation, agrees to model for a fashion school team. Their love for fashion and the clothes,dresses they design touch Yukari's heart and motivate her to follow her own dreams!
September 23, 2012
Still lovely after all these years.
Full review soon
Full review soon
October 3, 2012
I just love Yazawa's art and writing style. You can tell she loves her characters, and really understands them.
July 21, 2019
When I first read this, more than 10 years ago, I was intrigued by the story of a girl, veering off her expected path of studying and trying to rank high in school, to enter the world of fashion and love. But I realize now, that I was dumb as nails, because, reading it now, I know that Paradise Kiss is much more than that.
This is one of the Josei manga that remains with you for a lifetime. I used to consider it my favorite series, and now I realize that I had a lot to learn from it and it's still relevant to me, as an adult woman.
Yukari is the protagonist, and she is not as likable as one would expect from a main character. She is beautiful, but is packed with flaws and insecurities. The best part is that she doesn't remain a static character. She changes, challenges herself, makes mistakes, has fights, doubts herself - and with this journey, she learns a little more about what she wants and needs in her life. This is not a love story. It might seem like that, but I think it's a coming of age story. George is the catalyst in Yukari's life, so that she stops playing the victim and accepting complacency, and instead finally finds her own agency. Its a journey that all women can relate to.
This is one of the Josei manga that remains with you for a lifetime. I used to consider it my favorite series, and now I realize that I had a lot to learn from it and it's still relevant to me, as an adult woman.
Yukari is the protagonist, and she is not as likable as one would expect from a main character. She is beautiful, but is packed with flaws and insecurities. The best part is that she doesn't remain a static character. She changes, challenges herself, makes mistakes, has fights, doubts herself - and with this journey, she learns a little more about what she wants and needs in her life. This is not a love story. It might seem like that, but I think it's a coming of age story. George is the catalyst in Yukari's life, so that she stops playing the victim and accepting complacency, and instead finally finds her own agency. Its a journey that all women can relate to.
January 11, 2023
Paradise Kiss is a mix of romance and drama, with frequent comedic bits. The artwork is exquisite and shines in the story setting of high fashion. Romantic relationships between the main characters are complicated, messy, and unhealthy. Some of the slapstick comedy bits seemed out of place when the story got more serious.
Since Paradise Kiss was first published in 2000, the acceptance of bisexual and transgender people has grown. So to a reader in 2023, Isabella being called a man yet living her life exclusively as a woman, and Arashi using the word 'homo' in reference to George, come off as the characters being mean and ignorant. I feel like the manga volumes would benefit from translation notes or context notes at the end of the volume.
Since Paradise Kiss was first published in 2000, the acceptance of bisexual and transgender people has grown. So to a reader in 2023, Isabella being called a man yet living her life exclusively as a woman, and Arashi using the word 'homo' in reference to George, come off as the characters being mean and ignorant. I feel like the manga volumes would benefit from translation notes or context notes at the end of the volume.
May 4, 2025
I'm very glad I came back to this. it's kind of crazy to me that just a year ago I was too embarrassed to read this,, personal growth can be so sudden.
also I very much love how George is so annoying and terrible. I love when characters can be so flawed and irritating but still very endearing. I also love miwako <333 she's my favourite at the atelier
also I very much love how George is so annoying and terrible. I love when characters can be so flawed and irritating but still very endearing. I also love miwako <333 she's my favourite at the atelier
July 20, 2017
I loved this book I wasn't sure at first but now that I've read it I read it two times over and I really want to read the next book. It had everything a good story has but with its amazing originality unlike anything you've read before.
October 16, 2023
I didn't think I was going to enjoy this when I first started reading, but then it really started to pick up and took the story in placed I never would have guessed. Can't wait to read the next volume.
Also, there are some incredible character designs in this, I'm in love with the art style.
Also, there are some incredible character designs in this, I'm in love with the art style.
October 3, 2023
I thought it was gonna be horror
June 10, 2019
I don't know how to feel about this series. I like the art and how meta the story gets, but I'm not sold on any of the characters. Not digging the romance either since George is such an asshole.
May 16, 2016
Yukari is a senior in high school who doesn't know what she wants to do with her life. She studies because she feels that is what is expected of her, not out of any personal desire. When I was younger, I watched the anime and never got a chance to read the manga. Yukari and George have a interesting relationship, although I never felt they were suitable for each other in a long-term serious relationship. George is cold and not the most emotionally attached individual, but Yukari is very entitled and immature in the relationship. When I was younger, I didn't enjoy George's character as much as I do now. George is right about Yukari's decisions, although he doesn't always communicate in the kindest way. He mentions to her that she should focus on studying when she comes to atelier to hang out. She is using the atelier to hang out and escape from her real life. Then, again, who is the most mature at 18? Not most of us. Sometimes, it take seeing a different perspective in life to find yourself. Looking forward to Volume 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2015
Read #1
Started on December 20, 2015
Finished on December 21, 2015
2015 CramAThon Read #2
Challenge #2 (Bind-up)
*_* SO CUTE. I just ordered the rest of the series -- I'm totally regretting that I didn't order them all together so I could immediately finish it. It was a little problematic in some places -- I'm so predictable, but I didn't like how the boys treated the girls. However, I think the character negatives were intentional, so I overlooked it. (E.g., although George was very hot/cold to Yukari, in a way, I think he was doing it to push Yukari to admit her feelings -- he just went too far sometimes.) I think George's issues with fully trusting people will probably play out in the next two volumes, too (I hope).
I just really loved the characters! And so much sexual orientation openness! It was very refreshing!
Started on December 20, 2015
Finished on December 21, 2015
2015 CramAThon Read #2
Challenge #2 (Bind-up)
*_* SO CUTE. I just ordered the rest of the series -- I'm totally regretting that I didn't order them all together so I could immediately finish it. It was a little problematic in some places -- I'm so predictable, but I didn't like how the boys treated the girls. However, I think the character negatives were intentional, so I overlooked it. (E.g., although George was very hot/cold to Yukari, in a way, I think he was doing it to push Yukari to admit her feelings -- he just went too far sometimes.) I think George's issues with fully trusting people will probably play out in the next two volumes, too (I hope).
I just really loved the characters! And so much sexual orientation openness! It was very refreshing!
July 17, 2016
I have to say I was a little (read: more than a little) disappointed in the way our MC (and others) regarded sexuality and gender identity, and I was uncomfortable, early on, to the point of considering closing this manga. But I read on, and in the end I loved this. I feel like Yukari grew a lot in her understanding and her character as her horizon was widened. It doesn't mean I've forgotten those highly uncomfortable and not okay moments, but I think that will have been the extent of it. I hope.
September 29, 2012
i expect my experience reading this would be much different if i had not seen the anime first. maybe some of the magic is gone. i love the art and the creative use of panels. the story is an interesting one. it's just that George is an asshole, Miwako is both adorable and annoying, and the character's frequent breaking of the fourth wall is jarring. granted, i'm not the target audience for the book.
September 19, 2014
What a gorgeous manga! I don't traditionally have interest in stories involving fashion, but the artwork is beautiful and complexity of the character relationships is very interesting. There's seems not much manga for women in my demographic in North America (except yaoi... which is a tricky genre), but Paradise Kiss is a great addition to the josei offerings. I'm so glad this got republished after Tokyopop ceased production. I just picked up volume 2 for some good holiday reading :)
January 21, 2016
I'm rereading this for the first time in a few years. The illustrations are as gorgeous as ever, and I like how it's not a stereotypical shojo romance. Yukari is relatively innocent without being demure or scandalized and her growing pains are rendered with honesty. George is genuinely meant to be a jerk more than a romantic ideal, but the chemistry between him and Yukari is real and palpable. I forgot just how compulsively readable this series is.
December 2, 2014
I loved the fashion aspect of the series. It was just fun to see the outrageous costumes. The drama was a little grating. The protagonist was so wishy-washy. I wanted her to be more confident, which might be a bit much to expect from a high school senior. Her love was as cold as ice and it was baffling why she even liked him to begin with.
February 28, 2016
I've been reading Paradise Kiss and Nana simultaneously, which is slightly problematic because they're by the same author and have similar concepts but I seriously just love them both so much that I can't stop. Can't scream enough about how much I enjoy the combination of art and fashion and music and punk she brings to her works. Paradise Kiss is just a super enjoyable read.
September 16, 2016
This was a cute, enjoyable read. I liked the fashion aspect of it and absolutely loved the art style. The characters were fun, if a little bit trope-y, and while there were a few problematic aspects for me—mostly in the way sex, sexuality, and gender were sometimes handled—I did like the story overall, and hope to keep on with the series.
May 23, 2013
Romance set in the fashion industry. Surprisingly addictive!
June 7, 2014
Her art style is pretty cool and unique, and the story keeps up a good pace. Excited to read Parts 2 and 3!
May 26, 2018
Initial Read 5 stars
Second Read 5 stars
Second Read 5 stars
October 17, 2015
Freakin' gorgeous artwork (when it wants to be) and a very unique story. I'm reading the English 3-part manga that includes all 10 original volumes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews