Paradise Kiss (with Lucy and Robin from CLAMPcast in Wonderland)

Covers all of Paradise Kiss by Ai Yazawa.

Welcome to the world of high fashion (or at least, high drama). Paradise Kiss is one of those rare josei titles that got released in English, and it had a huge impact on this episode's special guests, Robin and Lucy (who host the podcast CLAMPcast in Wonderland). Ai Yazawa's work is relatable in many ways, and really inspired Shojo & Tell host Ashley to want to make some art after reading it. In the podcast, Robin, Lucy, and Ashley discuss the connection between creating art and creating life and how creators have limited control, the weight of expectations, the manga's amazing and frustrating LGBTQIA+ inclusions, how Paradise Kiss may or may not have influenced Akiko Higashimura's Princess Jellyfish, and much, much more. This episode is long, because we just love Isabella, Yukari, Miwako, Hiroyuki, Arashi, and even George, way too much.

REFERENCES

Paradise Kiss is available from Vertical ComicsParadise Kiss also has an anime adaptation that's fairly faithful to the manga. It is not available on streaming services in North America.Paradise Kiss is a sequel to an earlier Yazawa manga.Princess Jellyfish feels like a direct response to Paradise KissWe're also got some shades of Tamaki from Ouran High School Host ClubOutro song: "The Streatham Hill Gods" by Danosongs

CONTACT US

Listen to Lucy and Robin's podcast all about CLAMP manga and anime called CLAMPcast in Wonderland! It's really good.CLAMPcast on Twitter @CLAMPcastpodLucy and Robin also make a podcast about writing called Write for Me, Write for YouFollow Robin on Instagram @thegorgonistCheck out Robin's illustrations and books!Follow Lucy on Twitter @LucyinBooklandShojo & Tell on Twitter, Tumblr, and InstagramAshley on Twitter @AshMcD00

Next episode will be about volumes 1-6 of Fushigi Yugi: Genbu Kaiden by Yu Watase