You know you’ve been obsessing too much about a particular manga when you: 1.) Go out of your way to dig up artwork from the manga-ka’s previous work and 2.) take the time to write a thoroughly detailed response on the AoD manga boards when someone complains about how “your” series ends.
Since I know it will eventually be erased, here’s my commentary on the ending of Ai Yazawa’s Paradise Kiss.
If you don’t want the ending of ParaKiss spoiled… STOP READING
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Goes to show how differently people can view the same thing. ^_^
I thought it was a brilliant, fitting ending. (And one that gave each of the characters about whom I had grown to care a chance at happiness, while still maintaining a touch of realism.)
I agree that the resolution of the Arashi/Miwako/Hiroyuki triangle was well-played and satisfying.
However, I never really felt Yukari *was* a good fit for Hiro… in the beginning.
There was admiration and curiosity, but not a true connection except as friends. And I don’t think Yukari and Hiro would have found each other had they not had other people — George and Miwako, respectively — who pushed, challenged and inspired them to become true individuals, capable of finding and following their own dreams.
The last few pages, especially, cemented this for me.
That Yukari could so easily wear George’s designs and that Hiroyuki was so accepting, demonstrated they both realized that their romantic histories helped shape the person with whom each eventually fell in love.
And I don’t feel too bad for George: He closed the door on that chapter in his life — in a typically grand fashion — with his final gift to Yukari and went on to become a success, (most likely) very much on his own terms.
It isn’t explicitly spelled out, but it is not inconceivable to me that the tickets to the show were sent to the couple as a wedding gift — by George, himself.
For me, the ending could not have been more perfect or resonant.
Now they need to license MORE Yazawa manga. 💖