Paradise Kiss ep.3

October 28, 2005 | 17 Comments

Lately I've been a bit obsessed with the opening theme for this series and have been replaying it over and over again. In doing so, however, I think I've spotted a rather spoilery shot. I actually was a bit surprised to see this but then I realised that this is the kind of spoiler which is only noticeable to those who have read the manga. Besides, there are far more troubling things about the series, such as the character design. I feel that in this episode, the characters look even more different in comparison to the original manga. In some cases, the changes are actually quite good. For example, Miwako looks a bit like a Japanese girl during the 2nd coffee shop scene. But I still wish the design could be a lot closer to the manga's style. I also think that Kobayashi should get rid of those in-betweener dogs and flowers since they look jarring and inappropriate for the series.

Anyway, the episode begins with Yukari agreeing to have her measurement taken by the group so they can design clothes that fit her body. After the measurement is done, George asks Yukari to leave her mobile number so they can contact her. Until then, however, he asks Yukari to focus on her study. Yukari seems to be rather disappointed when she realises that the gang won't need her everyday. To make things worse, lately she has been unable to concentrate at school because her mind constantly thinks about George. In order to get rid of this thought, Yukari tries to convince herself that she's in love with Tokumori. Meanwhile, Miwako spots Arashi sitting outside the school, skipping class. After giving him some of her thoughts, she tells her boyfriend that she's on her way to have Chocolate-Banana parfait with Yukari and wonders if he would like to come as well.

Arashi promptly refuses the offer. Miwako, however, is quite happy to hear his refusal because she wants to spend some quality time with Yukari. Unknown to Miwako, however, Yukari plans to take Tokumori together with her to the coffee shop so he and Miwako can catch up with one another. While on their way to the coffee shop, however, Yukari encounters George. For some reason, Yukari feels bad about being seen together with Tokumori so she tries to call the guy. Tokumori wonders if Yukari knows George but Yukari lies and tells Tokumori that she mistook the guy for someone else. Anyway, the two eventually arrives at the coffee shop, surpring Miwako who didn't expect to see Tokumori there. She becomes even more panic when Yukari tells them that she has to leave the two alone. Yukari, however, assures Miwako that she promise to keep Arashi out of the loop.

Yukari does end up meeting Arashi on her way back to Atelier. But much to her relief, she finds out that he is only going to his band practice. There is, however, another problem: George suddenly gives her a cold shoulder treatment. Meanwhile Tokumori and Miwako have an equally awkward time talking to one another. Tokumori tries to assure Miwako that he has gotten over her but if she doesn't want to see him, he'll also respect that wish. Nevertheless, he hopes that one day she and Arashi can come to his father's store his father kind of misses Miwako. After Tokumori left, Miwako begins to remember about the time when she told Tokukmori that she doesn't want to see him again. At the same time, Yukari hears her cell phone ringing but because she's pre-occupied with a jealous George, she chooses to ignore the phone.

George thinks that the call probably comes from Tokumori. Yukari denies this and tells George that Tokumori doesn't know her number. Besides, he's just her classmate. Upon hearing this George thinks that they should be close friends with each other. He, however, wonders how close they should be. So begins kissing Yukari's hand while asking her if it's close enough. Yukari decides to ratchet up the challange and tells George that this wasn't enough. So George closing in for the kill but before the two can kiss, George's mobile rings and he decides to answer the call he receives from Isabella. He then leave Yukari alone after promising her that he'll maker her Saturday a night to remember. Later on that night, Yukari finds Miwako waiting outside of her cram school. Miwako informs Yukari that she tried to ring her but never got through.

Miwako tells Yukari that the reason she wants to see him is because she wants to give Yukari the photo she took during Yukari's welcome party. Yukari, however, understands that Miwako has come all the way to talk to her so she asks Miwako if there's something else Miwako wants to talk about. Miwako eventually breaks down and tells Yukari that the truth is, she wants to talk about Tokumori but she's afraid that Yukari won't be forthcoming because she likes Tokumori as well. Yukari, however, quickly assures Miwako that she is no longer interested in Tokumori. In fact, at the moment she can only think of another person. Because of this, the two decide to have some light dinner so they can talk a bit better. Inside the restaurant, however, Miwako tells Yukari that she can't eat because her tummy is in pain.

Yukari is concerned about this but Miwako assures her that she's going to be okay after she swallows her 'magic medicine'. Upon seeing the so-called 'magic medicine', Yukari points out to Miwako that they are just sugar candy. But Miwako tells Yukari that it really is 'magic medicine' from Santa, who's actually Arashi and Tokumori. Miwako then tells Yukari that the truth is, she loves Tokumori and Arashi equally but Arashi forced her to choose between him and Hiro. So in the end, Miwako chose not to see Tokumori any longer. Yukari points out that the fact Miwako chose Arashi suggests that she loves Arashi more. Miwako seems content to hear this and returns happily to Arashi's side. Meanwhile, Yukari is disappointed when George doesn't ring her mobile on Saturday. Eventually, however, the two meet and kiss in front of Atelier. They then go with the rest of the group to buy some fabrics for the dress they're about to design.

Impression:

I have to admit that I never like the George/Yukari pairing. I am not sure if it's the intention of the author or not, but I definitely never feel that I want to see the two together like I normally do with other fictional characters. I just think that the two are mismatched at best. Oh well, at least I'll get to see their emotional upheaval while they are together. That is bound to be entertaining at the very least. I also can't help but thinking that Miwako made the wrong decision when she chose Arashi over Tokumori during her childhood. I always think that she simply convinced herself that she loves Arashi more. Eventually, she began to believe her own conviction and gave up on Tokumori, who clearly still have a lot of feelings for her. Anyway, now that we finally arrive at this point of the story, I hope everyone understand what I meant when I said back in episode 1 that the ED theme reminds me of a character. ^^

© memento 2003