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Paradise Kiss #3
Paradise Kiss, Part 3 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 and losing motivation, Yukari begins to ignore her courses as she begins to hang out with a group of fashion design students. Due to her attitude and her body type, her new friends feel she would be an ideal model for their designs, and eventually convince her to join their group.
In this final volume of Paradise Kiss, Yukari has only days before she has to take to the catwalk as the teen-aged members of ParaKiss head towards graduation. George is now making a name for himself by winning awards in the real world of high fashion. So there is a real threat of London or Paris calling to poach him from Tokyo, essentially taking him away from Yukari.
So what will be the future of this circle of friends? Yukari has hopes of continuing her education while still dabbling in modelling. She would hope to have George by her side, but with him spending more time designing on his own than with the group it appears as if he will be choosing work over love...for once.
In this final volume of Paradise Kiss, Yukari has only days before she has to take to the catwalk as the teen-aged members of ParaKiss head towards graduation. George is now making a name for himself by winning awards in the real world of high fashion. So there is a real threat of London or Paris calling to poach him from Tokyo, essentially taking him away from Yukari.
So what will be the future of this circle of friends? Yukari has hopes of continuing her education while still dabbling in modelling. She would hope to have George by her side, but with him spending more time designing on his own than with the group it appears as if he will be choosing work over love...for once.
312 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2013
75 people want to read
About the author
Ai Yazawa
298 books3,189 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
February 28, 2019
This must be the most surprising manga series I ever read where the girl actually marries a good guy and achieves all her dreams, not marry the asshole who is charming but all kinds of wrong for her. I truly enjoyed reading this series. Now I'm planning on watching the movie and finishing the anime series. Also I must add, how is no one is pissed at Arashi?? And how come Miwako stayed with him?! The men in this series are fucked up.
I just finished reading the mangas today, and now I'm done watching the anime as well but they didn't share the ending with you guys, Isabella goes with George to Paris, admitting to have always loved him and will always do, Yukari becomes so famous and years later when she is 28, she becomes a movie star and is engaged to marry Hiroyuki and still wears Paradise Kiss designs after 10 years, for their honeymoon they are going to America, where George invited them to a broadway musical and the costumes are his design, Yukari admits in the end that the play is a comedy but she will sure cry. Also Arashi and Miwako marry and have children.
So, in the end, they will always be each other's what if...
I just finished reading the mangas today, and now I'm done watching the anime as well but they didn't share the ending with you guys, Isabella goes with George to Paris, admitting to have always loved him and will always do, Yukari becomes so famous and years later when she is 28, she becomes a movie star and is engaged to marry Hiroyuki and still wears Paradise Kiss designs after 10 years, for their honeymoon they are going to America, where George invited them to a broadway musical and the costumes are his design, Yukari admits in the end that the play is a comedy but she will sure cry. Also Arashi and Miwako marry and have children.
So, in the end, they will always be each other's what if...
November 3, 2019
One of my favourite manga series ever!!!
It broke my heart and then put it back together again.
RTC
It broke my heart and then put it back together again.
RTC
July 17, 2016
(More like a really high 3.5)
So, this whirlwind of a series read is over. I loved this series so much, and only had three volumes to fall for it, and it was just an absolute delight. It's imperfect, the character can be dangerous to each other and some of the relationships (both familial and romantic) were so questionable and uneasy, and much of that wasn't addressed, outside Yukari and George's romance, but throughout this was just such a throughly gorgeous read. Some of the issues I had with the lgbtiqa weren't really cleared up, but learning about Isabella and how protective George was of her was such a lovely moment, and I'm really glad it was addressed.
Trigger warning for rape themes. (These two scenes were probably my least favourite part of the book; one was just... out of the blue, almost a joke-ish thing? And the other was about a character's relationship that was just left. It felt like they were both just taken so lightly and never discussed. Only one of them was even really realised as being wrong (part of a flashback) and the other was attempted and just ignored entirely.)
So, this whirlwind of a series read is over. I loved this series so much, and only had three volumes to fall for it, and it was just an absolute delight. It's imperfect, the character can be dangerous to each other and some of the relationships (both familial and romantic) were so questionable and uneasy, and much of that wasn't addressed, outside Yukari and George's romance, but throughout this was just such a throughly gorgeous read. Some of the issues I had with the lgbtiqa weren't really cleared up, but learning about Isabella and how protective George was of her was such a lovely moment, and I'm really glad it was addressed.
Trigger warning for rape themes. (These two scenes were probably my least favourite part of the book; one was just... out of the blue, almost a joke-ish thing? And the other was about a character's relationship that was just left. It felt like they were both just taken so lightly and never discussed. Only one of them was even really realised as being wrong (part of a flashback) and the other was attempted and just ignored entirely.)
September 12, 2016
This was... oddly a satisfying ending to a series that busted my balls at times and really understood what its like to be young almost at the same time, I feel as though I've grown along with the characters and I think this was the best sending off point for the characters and the series, I'm gonna miss tracking down copies of this book, and it's designs.
January 21, 2016
More of a 4.5 star finale, since a couple of elements troubled me. Either way, it broke my heart with its bittersweetness. It's a happy ending in that it reflects what's best for Yukari and George but it's painful to watch them get there.
May 16, 2016
I watched this anime several years ago, and it was one of those shows that stuck with me and remembered. When I had the chance to borrow this from the library, I read it. Paradise Kiss is a fantastic and very quick read. I loved the ending. Evidently this is not a popular view, but I'm glad that Yukari and George didn't end up together. There are certain people that come into you life and change your trajectory, and that was what George was for Yukari. It was a high school relationship and would have likely ended badly if they tried to make it work long-term. I also love Tokumori for Yukari because he is the one level-headed guy in this.
However, this is not the perfect manga, and I had some issues with the manga. I hated Arashi's and Miwako's relationship in the manga more than in the anime. From the anime, I felt that Arashi was just jealous of Tokumori, and his behavior bothered me less. However, when I learned that his forced himself on Miwako (aka non-consensual sex aka rape), I could not support this couple. And when Tokumori encouraged their relationship? Maybe I'm not understanding some cultural cue, but I felt that Miwako and Arashi were the most toxic relationship after reading this.
In the end, people may not get what they seek, but they ended up with happy, fulfilling lives. Great read.
However, this is not the perfect manga, and I had some issues with the manga. I hated Arashi's and Miwako's relationship in the manga more than in the anime. From the anime, I felt that Arashi was just jealous of Tokumori, and his behavior bothered me less. However, when I learned that his forced himself on Miwako (aka non-consensual sex aka rape), I could not support this couple. And when Tokumori encouraged their relationship? Maybe I'm not understanding some cultural cue, but I felt that Miwako and Arashi were the most toxic relationship after reading this.
In the end, people may not get what they seek, but they ended up with happy, fulfilling lives. Great read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2021
The Arashi and Miwako storyline was honestly the worst thing about this volume and the ending of their relationship too.
The transphobia during some panels as well also never sat well with me.
Aside from that, George and Yukari’s storyline was good. While reading I did feel they just weren’t good together. It wasn’t a relationship Yukari wanted and it made me mad reading so once I got to the ending of them never again meeting again and going separate ways was very nicely done. Yukari becoming engaged with someone who truly cares and is level headed was the best ending for her. But I won’t deny the affect George had on her life and how ParaKiss did change her life for the best. So he was always important for her. I enjoyed that a lot about the ending.
The transphobia during some panels as well also never sat well with me.
Aside from that, George and Yukari’s storyline was good. While reading I did feel they just weren’t good together. It wasn’t a relationship Yukari wanted and it made me mad reading so once I got to the ending of them never again meeting again and going separate ways was very nicely done. Yukari becoming engaged with someone who truly cares and is level headed was the best ending for her. But I won’t deny the affect George had on her life and how ParaKiss did change her life for the best. So he was always important for her. I enjoyed that a lot about the ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 7, 2025
I do appreciate the depiction of a more tumultuous and realistic experience, especially considering the main cast are all ~18 but god I hated George and Arashi. I suppose the lack of proper communication between yukari and George was pretty realistic, but that does not mean it didn't frustrate me beyond belief. the reveal also that Arashi is such an immensely horrible person?? that he assaulted miwako?? but don't worry all is forgiven because he's nice to Hiro now!! fuck off man. that's insane. get miwako out of there please //3
anyways in summary, Isabella was the best character. she's perfect in every way <3
anyways in summary, Isabella was the best character. she's perfect in every way <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 11, 2023
The series didn't end like I thought it would but I enjoyed the bittersweet ending. Paradise Kiss as a complete story is raw, emotional, complicated, and messy, hidden at times by the glamorous and fashionable art. Though characters make plenty of decisions and act in ways I wouldn't, Ai Yazawa wrote them in such a way that the choices made by characters make sense from their perspective.
If you enjoy Nana by the same author and wish it had gotten an ending, read Paradise Kiss.
If you enjoy Nana by the same author and wish it had gotten an ending, read Paradise Kiss.
October 18, 2023
oh my god I never expected this manga to end like this, it's so perfect; better than I ever would have imagined. Yukari is one of the best written female characters ever, she's just so real; I related to her throughout most of this manga. Simply loved this.
February 15, 2019
I really enjoyed this series but I hate the Arashi/Miwako storyline...
July 21, 2019
My full review is posted in Volume 1.
My Paradise Kiss Review
My Paradise Kiss Review
Read
March 17, 2023MAA CHE È STO FINALE MA SIAMO FUORI
March 8, 2013
Rating for the whole series.
It's been awhile, but I remember enjoying the characters. Lots of strange ones here. What I did not enjoy was the George/what's-her-butt relationship. It's grounded in and motived by kinky sex, but the manga's too prudish to describe the sex well enough to understand the nuances of relationship.
It's been awhile, but I remember enjoying the characters. Lots of strange ones here. What I did not enjoy was the George/what's-her-butt relationship. It's grounded in and motived by kinky sex, but the manga's too prudish to describe the sex well enough to understand the nuances of relationship.
February 13, 2016
Beautiful, just beautiful! I cried a few times. So much sadness, so much happening.
I really love the manga, it is much better than the anime. Though the anime will still hold a special place in my heart.
I really love the manga, it is much better than the anime. Though the anime will still hold a special place in my heart.
October 17, 2015
There's just something about the women in Ai Yazawa's works. They're all such badasses! I mean, yeah, it takes a while for her to get there in this one, but she does what feels right for her and stands up for herself even in doubt. A one-of-a-kind series, that's for sure.
March 14, 2013
Hermoso cierre para la hermosa edición de Vertical. Sueño de adolescencia cumplido, tener Parakiss y no en ivreashitcalidá.
May 23, 2013
Final volume. I stayed up until 2:00 AM to finish this one! Had to know how it would end. Realistic, but bittersweet.
June 12, 2014
A great ending to a great series!
May 26, 2018
Initial Read 5 stars
Second Read 5 stars
Second Read 5 stars
December 2, 2014
See part 1 for more thoughts.
April 22, 2015
How does Ai Yazawa manage to write such perfect stories that make me incredibly happy and rip my heart out at the same time?
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews