Paradise Kiss is a story about fashion, romance, and finding yourself. It explores the dreams, desires, and struggles of young people. Created by Ai Yazawa, the famous author of Nana, this series is just as iconic, emotional, and deep as Nana.
🧵 Origins and World
Paradise Kiss is a josei manga published between 2000 and 2003 in the fashion magazine Zipper. It has 5 volumes, and was adapted into a 12 episode anime in 2005 with a memorable soundtrack, followed by a live action film in 2011.
📖 Summary
The story takes place in the same universe as Gokinjo : A Life in the Neighborhood. It follows Yukari Hayasaka, a hardworking high school student who randomly meets a group of fashion students. They ask her to become the model for their brand, Paradise Kiss, for their graduation fashion show. This moment marks the beginning of a big change, inside and out.
What I loved most was the unique style of each character, the beautiful visual world, and the emotional depth of people chasing their dreams while dealing with past and present pain.
If you love fashion and design, you’ll definitely connect with this story. It’s a powerful work that speaks to young adults, especially those who feel lost, are searching for their path, or simply want to live with passion.
