Candy Color Paradox
Ja kanji飴色パラドックス
Ja romajiAmeiro Paradokkusu
GenreRomantic comedy,[1] boys' love[1]
Candy Color Paradox
manga
AuthorIsaku Natsume
PublisherShinshokan
Magazine
  • Dear+ (2010–2012)
  • Chéri+ (2014–present)
ImprintDear+ Comics
FirstDecember 14, 2010
Volumes6
Candy Color Paradox
drama
DirectorTomoyuki Furumaya
WriterMiako Tadano
StudioFlag Pictures
Licensee
Network
FirstDecember 15, 2022
LastFebruary 10, 2023
Episodes8

Candy Color Paradox (飴色パラドックス, Ameiro Paradokkusu) is a Japanese manga series by Isaku Natsume. It was serialized in the boys' love manga magazine Dear+ from December 14, 2010, to May 14, 2012. The series was later renewed and published in the Spring 2014 issue of Chéri+, where it continues to be serialized irregularly. A live-action television drama adaptation was broadcast from December 15, 2022, to February 10, 2023, for Drama Shower, a programming block created MBS in collaboration with Tunku, Kadokawa Corporation's label for live-action boys' love television dramas.

Plot

Originally a reporter for politics, journalist Satoshi Onoe is suddenly transferred to the celebrity gossip section in the weekly tabloid magazine Dash! and paired with photographer Motoharu Kaburagi, who Onoe views as his rival, as his partner for stake-outs. Onoe and Kaburagi constantly clash with each other from many factors such as Onoe's strong sense of justice, Kaburagi's two-faced and unethical methods of gathering information, and Onoe's ex-girlfriend choosing Kaburagi over him. Over time, Onoe comes to respect Kaburagi as he understands him more, while Kaburagi values Onoe's innocent outlook over journalism. The two eventually fall in love as they continue working together.[2]

Characters

Satoshi Onoe (尾上 聡, Onoe Satoshi)
Onoe is a reporter for Dash! and has a straight-laced personality.[3] He has a strong sense of justice.[3]
Motoharu Kaburagi (蕪木 元治, Kaburagi Motoharu)
Kaburagi works as a photographer in Dash!, and while he has a cool composure, he also has a kind side that allows him to show consideration for others.[3] Unlike Onoe, Kaburagi will do anything for a scoop and maintains his connections through deceit, bribery, and sex to obtain information.[3] Kaburagi admires Onoe's innocent outlook on journalism and hopes that he will not become as jaded as he is.

Media

Manga

Candy Color Paradox is written and illustrated by Isaku Natsume. It was serialized in the boys' love manga magazine Dear+ from the January 2011 issue released on December 14, 2010, to the June 2012 issue released on May 14, 2012.[4] Natsume resumed the series beginning with the Spring 2014 issue of Chéri+ released on April 30, 2014, where it continues to be serialized irregularly.[5] The chapters were later released in six bound volumes by Shinshokan under the Dear+ Comics imprint.

Isaku Natsume Fanbook, a collection featuring Natsume's boys' love works published with Shinshokan, was released on November 30, 2013, and included extra comics consisting of crossovers with Dōshiyō mo Nai Keredo and Tight Rope, her other works.[6] In 2015, the release of vol. 3 of Candy Color Paradox was included in a promotional event where first-press editions were distributed with an extra comic.[7] The first press bonus also included a ticket that allowed customers to apply to purchase an audio drama CD adaptation of Natsume's latest work at the time, Heart no Kakurega.[7] In late October 2015, Natsume's artwork for Candy Color Paradox, as well as Heart no Kakurega, had a feature exhibition at Yurindo Comic Kingdom at Yokohama Station.[7]

On September 15, 2017, Dear+ announced that the tankōbon versions will be released with a new cover design starting with volume 4. The covers for volumes 1 to 3 were also redesigned with new artwork following the announcement.[8]

On August 1, 2018, Viz Media announced that they had licensed the series for North American distribution in English under their SuBLime imprint.[9]

Drama CD

Several audio dramas based on each volume of Candy Color Paradox was released by Shinshokan on CD, starring Takashi Kondō as Onoe and Tomoaki Maeno as Kaburagi.[10] The first drama CD was released on July 30, 2011.[10] The second drama CD was released on November 28, 2012.[11] The third drama CD was released on February 26, 2016.[12]

OVA

Candy Color Paradox: (Secret) Tape was included as part of 6 Lovers, a compilation DVD featuring six anime shorts based on the series from Dear+ as part of the magazine's 20th anniversary.[13] 6 Lovers was released on March 30, 2021.[13] The short stars Yusuke Shirai as Onoe and Junta Terashima as Kaburagi.[13]

Television drama

On November 13, 2022, Flag Pictures announced that they were producing a live-action television drama adaptation of Candy Color Paradox with 8 episodes planned.[2] The series premiered on December 15, 2022, as the fifth entry of MBS' Drama Shower programming block,[14] with other broadcasts on TV Kanagawa, Gunma TV, Tochigi TV, TV Saitama, and Chiba TV.[2] The series is also streamed on Viki and GagaOOLala for English distribution.[15]

The drama adaptation stars Fantastics from Exile Tribe member Keito Kimura as Onoe and Milk member Jyutaro Yamanaka as Kaburagi.[2] The supporting cast includes Atsuki Kashio, Sae Miyazawa, Kenta Izuka, Rinne Yoshida, Tomohiro Ichikawa, Yu Koyanagi, and Ryuichi Ohura.[16] The opening theme is "Go Sign" by Billy Laurent and the ending theme is "Finder" by Claquepot.[16][17] As the series was broadcast, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage was uploaded weekly on Tunku's (Kadokawa's label for live-action boys' love dramas) Niconico channel.[14]

Isaku Natsume was involved in the scriptwriting process, stating that the writing team had included her opinions in their revisions.[18] Kimura and Yamanaka were familiar with each other after guest-starring in the live-action television drama adaptation of Yakuza Lover together, and Candy Color Paradox is not only their first time starring together, but their first time starring in lead roles.[3] Kimura was instructed by the director to act as though he were having a normal conversation and thus gave a realistic portrayal of Onoe.[3] Kimura also ad-libbed an unspecified scene through gestures.[3]

Reception

In December 2022, a cumulative total of over 1.3 million physical copies have been sold in Japan.[14] Media outlets such as Da Vinci and Right Stuf reviewed Candy Color Paradox favorably, stating that the series shows off the appeal of having a bickering couple while also showing that they can come to an understanding and fall in love because of it.[1][19] In 2016, Candy Color Paradox ranked no. 9 in a list of recommended boys' love titles based on a survey of bookstore employees nationwide in Japan.[20] Rebecca Silverman from Anime News Network praised the story and art, but she also claimed that readers may find the story rushed at times and Onoe irritating.[21]

References

  1. ^ Ameno, Suso (2016-03-14). "大人気ケンカップルが3年ぶりに登場！ 『飴色パラドックス』最新刊！" [The super popular bickering couple that has returned after 3 years! The latest release from Candy Color Paradox!] (in Japanese). Da Vinci. Archived November 23, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  2. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (2022-11-13). "Candy Color Paradox Boys Love Manga Gets Live-Action TV Series". Anime News Network. Archived December 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  3. ^ "BLドラマ「飴色パラドックス」、山中柔太朗が木村慧人のアドリブにキュン!?" [BL drama Candy Color Paradox, Jyutaro Yamanaka's heart skipped over Keito Kimura's ad-lib?!] (in Japanese). TV Guide. 2022-12-14. Archived December 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  4. ^ "ディアプラス2012年6月号" [Dear+ June 2012 issue] (in Japanese). Shinshokan. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  5. ^ "シェリプラス2014年ハルvol.12" [Chéri+ Spring 2014 issue vol. 12] (in Japanese). Shinshokan. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  6. ^ "夏目イサク ファンブック" [Isaku Natsume Fanbook] (in Japanese). Shinshokan. Archived July 16, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  7. ^ "夏目イサク3カ月連続発売で「ハートの隠れ家」ドラマCD全サや原画展" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. 2015-09-22. Archived December 22, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  8. ^ Dear+ & Chéri+ Editorial Department (2017-09-15). "【🌟応募者全員サービス🌟】 夏目イサク先生の超人気作『飴色パラドックス』が④巻からカバーデザイン一新！🎉✨ それにともない、既刊①〜③巻もデザインリニューアル＆「①〜③巻新デザインカバーセット」応募者全員サービスも実施！😆🎊✨ 詳細⇒http://shinshokan.com/139/" (in Japanese). No. 908663334920007680. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  9. ^ Ressler, Karen (2018-08-01). "SuBLime Licenses Love in Limbo, Candy Color Paradox Manga". Anime News Network. Archived December 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  10. ^ "ドラマCD「飴色パラドックス」" [Drama CD Candy Color Paradox] (in Japanese). Shinshokan. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  11. ^ "ドラマCD「飴色パラドックス (2) 」" [Drama CD Candy Color Paradox vol. 2] (in Japanese). Shinshokan. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  12. ^ "飴色パラドックス3" [Candy Color Paradox vol. 3] (in Japanese). Oricon. Archived December 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  13. ^ "ディアプラス20周年記念インモーションアニメ作品集「6 LOVERS」(DVD)" [Dear+ 20th Anniversary Celebration In Motion Anime Compilation 6 Lovers (DVD)] (in Japanese). Shinshokan. Archived July 30, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  14. ^ "木村慧人×山中柔太朗 キス直前『飴色パラドックス』予告解禁、第1話追加場面写真も" (in Japanese). Dwango JP News. Kadokawa Corporation. 2022-12-13. Archived December 24, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  15. ^ "Candy Color Paradox". Viki. Archived December 22, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  16. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (2022-11-23). "Live-Action Candy Color Paradox Series Reveals More Cast, Theme Song Artists". Anime News Network. Archived December 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  17. ^ "ドラマ「飴色パラドックス」蕪木が尾上の顎を引き寄せ見つめ合う、ED主題歌入り予告編" [Trailer of the drama Candy Color Paradox features Kaburagi draws Onoe's face close as they gaze at each other, ending theme song] (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. 2022-12-13. Archived December 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  18. ^ "ケンカップルBL「飴色パラドックス」ドラマ化決定、木村慧人＆山中柔太朗のW主演で" [Bickering couple BL Candy Color Paradox drama adaptation green-lit, Keito Kimura and Jyutaro Yamanaka to co-star] (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. 2022-11-14. Archived December 8, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  19. ^ Quinn. "Candy Color Paradox Manga Volume 1 Review". Right Stuf. Archived from the original on December 21, 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  20. ^ "全国書店員が選んだBLランキング、1位は昨年に続き「テンカウント」" (in Japanese). Comic Natalie. 2016-03-10. Archived April 10, 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  21. ^ Silverman, Rebecca (2019-04-14). "Candy Color Paradox GN 1". Anime News Network. Archived December 21, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-12-20.