Paradise Kiss
- Thread starter MangaDex
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Dex-chan lover
- Joined
- Apr 20, 2018
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- 919
Isabella Army, representin'!
@Kiraidesu
turns out you were kinda right lmao
turns out you were kinda right lmao
Active member
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2020
- Messages
- 349
I first read ParaKiss when I was around Yukari's age. At the time, I couldn't understand why Yukari wouldn't run away with George. I had this childish notion that you should get married to your "soul mate", and even upon a second reading over 10 years later, I do still think they were soul mates. But George was right: Yukari made the right decision.
That person who brings out the best in you, who sets your soul on fire, they're the person who changes your life and leaves an indelible mark, but they're not exactly the kind of person you can grow old with. No, not Yukari and George. They were too alike--that was part of the reason why their union seemed like kismet. George was passionate about Yukari because she allowed him to be his best at the thing he really loved. Yukari loved George because he helped her to discover her own identity and find her passion. They needed each other when they had each other, but to grow into their fullest potential they needed to take separate paths. I see that now.
I have nostalgic feelings for this manga because it was one of the first I ever completed, but for its time it was bold and progressive--you know, it still is. The message of furiously pursuing your passion is really inspiring, even to this jaded obaa-chan. It's a story that captures that elusive time on the cusp of adulthood full of change and high-charged emotions and excitement and possibility.
It lives up to the hype. I think this is Ai Yazawa's best work.
That person who brings out the best in you, who sets your soul on fire, they're the person who changes your life and leaves an indelible mark, but they're not exactly the kind of person you can grow old with. No, not Yukari and George. They were too alike--that was part of the reason why their union seemed like kismet. George was passionate about Yukari because she allowed him to be his best at the thing he really loved. Yukari loved George because he helped her to discover her own identity and find her passion. They needed each other when they had each other, but to grow into their fullest potential they needed to take separate paths. I see that now.
I have nostalgic feelings for this manga because it was one of the first I ever completed, but for its time it was bold and progressive--you know, it still is. The message of furiously pursuing your passion is really inspiring, even to this jaded obaa-chan. It's a story that captures that elusive time on the cusp of adulthood full of change and high-charged emotions and excitement and possibility.
It lives up to the hype. I think this is Ai Yazawa's best work.
@Mangagirl07 I love your reflection and thoughts! I also agree with you. Thank you for sharing 
@Mangagirl07 I love your reflection and thoughts! I also agree with you. Thank you for sharing
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2020
- Messages
- 5
Such a masterpiece, a beautiful and bittersweet coming of age story.
I first read it in 2003, when I was in my teens. Back then I cried a lot and thought the ending was sad but beautiful ...
Rereading it now I still think the ending is sad and beautiful but I completely understand the reasons. They were madly in love, they were soulmates but they would not have been happy together for the rest of their lives. They met at the right time, they helped each other grow and they had to break apart in order to fulfill their dreams, to find themselves. They will always remember these days, and they will still have love for each other.
I first read it in 2003, when I was in my teens. Back then I cried a lot and thought the ending was sad but beautiful ...
Rereading it now I still think the ending is sad and beautiful but I completely understand the reasons. They were madly in love, they were soulmates but they would not have been happy together for the rest of their lives. They met at the right time, they helped each other grow and they had to break apart in order to fulfill their dreams, to find themselves. They will always remember these days, and they will still have love for each other.
Member
- Joined
- Jul 22, 2019
- Messages
- 154
I cried so much reading this omg, its such a masterpiece
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2025
- Messages
- 24
There are some cool panel layout designs where things in the background overlap w/the characters or vice-versa. Example: a character in the distance being perfectly framed withing the outline of glass that wine is being poured into to show how distant she feels in the situation/conversation despite being right there or the outline of a car/sign/shop being drawn lighter and more simplified to allow it to overlap the surrounding panels (this gives it a more complete shape to the eye vrs just cutting off the outline hard by the next panel). I appreciate all the small, fine details and pencil strokes that bring in so much texture (must have taken awhile to draw); lace feels like real lace as if I could reach out & touch it thru the page. I can easily imagine a lot of the clothing and accessories as real life pieces.
The romance is not the fairy tale type many stories have. Instead it is messy, confused, rough, and not ever lasting. Captures the infatuation of a first love, how it can make one mad & lead to rash decisions. It shows the emotional and mental conflict of love and of finding one's way in life/society. Ends with emotional & mental growth and maturity. A good insight into the challenges and struggles of a high school senior, even if it is dramatized. At 5 volumes it's just long enough for the story being told without feeling bogged down or taking too much of your time to read. I enjoyed this more than I was expecting & I would certainly recommend it, even though it's not one to buy for my bookshelf.
The romance is not the fairy tale type many stories have. Instead it is messy, confused, rough, and not ever lasting. Captures the infatuation of a first love, how it can make one mad & lead to rash decisions. It shows the emotional and mental conflict of love and of finding one's way in life/society. Ends with emotional & mental growth and maturity. A good insight into the challenges and struggles of a high school senior, even if it is dramatized. At 5 volumes it's just long enough for the story being told without feeling bogged down or taking too much of your time to read. I enjoyed this more than I was expecting & I would certainly recommend it, even though it's not one to buy for my bookshelf.
