Paradise Kiss is on the cutting edge of sequential art with high-quality pop-art illustrations that stretch the limits of traditional manga stereotypes. With characters who run the gamut of fashion, from the chic to the bizarre, Paradise Kiss is a coming of age story rooted in high comedy and one girl's awakening to her own beauty.

With bizarre humor and street style, Paradise Kiss is one of the top selling shoujo titles in Japan and reminiscent of American Indie Comics such as Chynna Clugston-Major's Blue Monday.

Ai Yazawa
Ai Yazawa is a popular manga-ka that the US is only just now discovering. With her innovative designs and ultra-expressive characterization and expressions, Yazawa has been popular in Asia and in Europe since the creation of her previous title, Gokinjo Monogatari. Loosely set in the same world as Paradise Kiss, Gokinjo features some characters from Paradise Kiss. Paradise Kiss is currently one of the most popular shoujo titles in Japan. Yazawa has worked on several other manga series, including Lunar Quarter and Tenshi Nankajanai.

English Version By: Kristen Bailey Murphy

Yukari
She is a beautiful but troubled teen who stresses herself out by trying too hard to please her parents ... until George comes along. Now she wants to please him, break out of her sheep mentality, and take control of her life. At the same time, his misfit group of fashion addicts wants her to model their designs.

George
The leader of Paradise Kiss, he is an individulaist, artist, and snob who comes off as cold and self-centered, but falls for Yukari and wants to take her out of her protective shell. A pretty boy, he is the top designer for Paradise Kiss - the group composed of Yaza Arts Design students.