After more than two decades of devouring every shonen, shojo, seinen, and josei anime he could find, this seasoned oldtaku is still watching—week to week, episode by episode—and he’s not stopping anytime soon. Join him every week for fresh takes on your favorite series, hidden gems you’ve never heard of, and the kind of anime reflections only years of obsession can bring.
Follow the host here:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After more than two decades of devouring every shonen, shojo, seinen, and josei anime he could find, this seasoned oldtaku is still watching—week to week, episode by episode—and he’s not stopping anytime soon. Join him every week for fresh takes on your favorite series, hidden gems you’ve never heard of, and the kind of anime reflections only years of obsession can bring.
Follow the host here:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
n this episode, Alex dives into Paradise Kiss as a stylish, shoujo romance rooted in the pressures and possibilities of creative life. He frames the series through the lens of fashion education and modeling craft, tracing Yukari Hayasaka’s transformation from drifting student to professional model under the influence of George Koizumi, Miwako, Arashi, and Isabella. Drawing parallels to art school ecosystems and magnet programs, Alex explores how high standards can normalize “weird” behavior in creative industries—connecting fashion studios to professional kitchens and media mythologies that reward intensity, even when it veers toxic. He examines George’s curated persona, complex family dynamics, and leadership within the Paradise Kiss crew, alongside the grounded, punk-tinged studio setting that gives the series its sense of place. Pulling from personal artist interviews—including shout-outs to illustrator Jessica Luna and broader creative communities—Alex discusses the difference between talent and craft, highlighting modeling’s professional disciplines and the idea that talent is a pursued interest. He contrasts Yukari and George’s turbulent relationship with Miwako and Arashi’s more communicative bond, and situates Paradise Kiss within Ai Yazawa’s wider universe through Happy Berry, Neighborhood Stories, and Nana. By the end, Alex celebrates Paradise Kiss as a story about agency, style, and choosing a nontraditional path—showing how romance becomes a gateway to creative identity.
Visit https://bento-box.ghost.io/ for more anime thoughts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.