If the series was set in university, with no other changes, it’d be a different and maybe more-palatable book here in 2021. As such, there’s some occasionally uncomfortable moments, sometimes portrayed lightheartedly and sometimes otherwise, that result from this friction. Honestly, ParaKiss (as fans refer to it) exists on the cusp between the genres, with very mature themes that would usually be tackled and explored in josei manga, but with characters in their last year of high-school, which is more of a shojo manga setting. We try to handle all of it as respectfully and tactfully as we can, but, well, this might be a tough episode, like the Helter Skelter episode was, so just a head’s up.ġ:46: So, is Paradise Kiss shojo manga? Is it Josei? Or is it something else entirely? As we mention, this manga was printed in the fashion magazine Zipper ( zipper.jp) and not in a traditional manga magazine with hard genre definitions. If not, buckle up.ĬW: There is discussion of underage characters having sex, non-consentual sexual intercourse, and some emotional abuse between couples and between parents and children. If that matters to you, maybe read it and then come back. SPOILERS: We spoil every single major plot point in Paradise Kiss. Kodansha ( Print & Digital)Ġ0:00: So! Lots going on with this episode, before we start it and get into it, here’s a few quick things:
Production by Grace Lu, Hiroko Mizuno, Chewei Fan, Daniela Yamada, Nicole Dochych, Jeremy Kahn, Anthony Quintessenza