Paradise Kiss

Alternate Titles: ParaKiss

Original Japanese Release Date: 2005

Episode Length/Run-time: 12

Summary:

Yukari is your typical Japanese high school student.  She attends school every day, goes to cram school, obeys her parents to a T, and is at the point of having a mental breakdown over exams.  One day she is spotted by members of a group which calls themselves “Paradise Kiss.”  Students from a local fashion school they pull her into their world as a model for an upcoming competition.  Being renamed Caroline by the team she begins to respect these off-beat people who follow their dreams and their handsome yest mysterious leader/designer George.

Review:

Paradise Kiss is not an anime for your average male.  I never say never, but I will say if you have 20 guys in a room about 1-3, tops, will like or be interested in Paradise Kiss.  That being said, it speaks to the woman in every female.

Yukari/Caroline goes through a coming of age as most women do in their later High School years.  It’s that tender age of beginning to decide for yourself over allowing others, namely your parents and societal expectations to decide for you.  It’s also the age where you begin to make decisions of the risk versus the reward.  And, of course, love.

This is a mature anime, despite it’s appearance of cloths making and modeling.  It deals with premarital sex, relationships, running away from home, and of course love.  A slice of life drama it keeps you hoping and dreaming with Yukari and you really sympathize with her struggle.

The anime is polished and beautiful looking, in the style of Ai Yazawa.  Music isn’t anything notable, other than a good opening song, but it fits the series.  It’s also the perfect length, with very little filler.  And, just as it would be about to get boring it wraps up the series in a nice little bow like a present for your time.

It’s a great series for any girl or fan of fashion or romance.  The masculine man may want to stay away though.

[starrater]