 | |
List Price: $9.99 | | Publisher: TokyoPop
Salesrank: 582674
Released: July 6, 2004 |
| Our Price: $0.95 |
| Used Price: $0.01 |
|
| Media: Paperback |
|
Editorial Review:
A Diva torn from Chaos; a Savior doomed to Love Take an amazing journey with a mysterious young woman who is searching for identity and salvation in this world and beyond. Ai finds herself lost, alone and penniless on the cold, hard streets of Tokyo. With flickers of memory, she must piece together clues about who she is, how she ended up on Earth and the secret of the ornate heart-shaped box she carries with her. Sparks fly when Kent, a complicated young college student, offers his help...and possibly more. But time is running out, as the clashing forces of love and chaos close in around her...
Princess Ai Vol. 1 Reviews:
Not in love. 
2008-01-22 - I can't say I was impressed with this manga. That is my sugar-coated statement to sum up my point of view. My actual feelings are that I have never felt such hatred for a manga. The only redeeming quality of this piece of tripe is the gorgeous artwork of Misaho Kujiradou, and fashion designs by renowned artist Ai Yazawa, creator of Paradise Kiss.
The book starts off with a mysterious girl in ripped clothing landing in a pile of garbage (an honest start, since the whole manga never rises from the proverbial rubbage heap). She wanders aimlessly about, attracting attention without even realizing it, since she is pondering over the mystery of the heart shaped box. From there, the plot plunges downhill, as what seems like a likeable heroine turns sour, offset by undeveloped cardboard characters and unrealistic rivalries with everyone, stemming from `jealousy' of Ai's good looks and `talent'. In fact, all of the characters in the book get no back histories, they are merely stepping stones to reveal more of Ai's `greatness'.
Before we go any further into my scathing review, I'd like to say that I'm not a fan of Love either, hence my title. But this is not a review of the co-author, so I digress. This is only relevant because Ai is Love's `alter-ego', and she is VERY clearly a Mary-Sue, probably stemming from Love's own inflated ego.
Despite the main character being unlikeable at best, and all of the other characters outshone in Ai's slutty glory, the plot fails to entice. I have sat through anime and manga with horrible characters and found myself loving them in the end. NOT so in Ai.
My summary, spend your money elsewhere. This book is gorgeous to look at, and the costume designs are beautiful, but there's something rotten on the inside.
Beautiful artwork, terrible writing. 
2007-01-07 - As an avid fan of both Courtney Love and manga, I was excited when I heard about Princess Ai. Sadly, this is the one and only manga out of the MANY I have read to hold the distinction of "Unfinishable." I valiantly struggled through the first two chapters, but could not make myself read the last one. Instead, I skimmed through to see if anything interesting would happen. (That's a "no.") As I closed the book, I realized something -- I was *literally* falling asleep! I could not stop yawning and was about to pass out cold right there on my couch!
The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, but the writing is just awful - repetitive (how many times can Ai ask herself why she's in Tokyo?) and almost useless. The vast majority of the characters lose whatever appeal they initially had as the "plot" plods painfully along.
I am really disappointed. I feel like this book could have been so much more. Try reading the real story of Courtney Love -- I guarantee it's much more fascinating.
PRINCESS COURTNEY'S ALTER EGO 
2005-05-09 - Princess Ai was created by Courtney Love (yes THAT Courtney Love) and D.J. Milky. I'm not sure what the genesis of the character is and how exactly Love was involved in the project. It's somewhat obvious the character of Princess Ai is based on herself or maybe an alternate view of herself. I'm honestly not all the knowledgeable about Love or her late husband, Curt Cobain so I will review the book strictly on its merits alone without any backstory which may not be necessary anyway.
The beautiful Princess Ai finds herself in Tokyo, Japan. She doesn't know who she is or how she got there. When she's accosted by a thief, she is aided by a young man named Kent who retrieves her heart-shaped box necklace. Kent works in the library at Shinjuku University and takes Ai there where a strange book seems to jog her memory just a fraction. Kent also invites Ai to stay at his home but Ai knows she'll have to earn some money if she's going to find her way in the big city. Ai learns that Kent is a musician and he soon inspires Ai's own musical talents. She visits a strip club called club Cupid where she agrees to sing but refuses to strip. The owner is so intrigued by the girl he hires her, much to the chagrin of the clubs star attraction, Mika.
Ai continues to visit the library for more clues to her background and finally discovers her name is Ai and she was a princess in a land called Ai-Land. She can even picture her father and senses some sadness about her mother. But how did Ai get to Earth? What does the mysterious street musician have to do with her? Ai soon finds herself recruited by the HTA talent agency that won't take no for an answer. Meanwhile, something else is looking for Ai. A furie named Tess, a fanged creature with dragon wings and dragon heads that breathe fire.
The first Volume of Princess Ai does not offer many answers about Ai's life and background. We are given only small doses of revelations about the mysteries that surround her, Ai-land, and the evil furie who is hunting her. Princess Ai is filled with a grand helping of humor as Ai is truly a stranger in a strange land with all of the pratfalls that go along with it. There's a hilarious scene where a man tries to take advantage of her by wanting to be her "sugar daddy". Ai is gorgeously illustrated by Misaho Kujiradou and also written by Kujiradou and D.J. Milky. Don't read the book or not read the book because of Courtney Love's involvement. There seems to be some rather divergent opinions on this book because of Love, but this is really Kujiradou's book, anyway. There's a rapid pace to this Manga that keeps you wanting more. I'll be interested to see where the story goes in the next volume.
Reviewed by Tim Janson
LOVED 
2004-12-10 - The story is very interesting and it makes you want to know more. To know more about Kent and AI and just all of the characters. It has a very cute and good little love story in it as well as a little bit of action and music. The songs that AI sings in the manga are very beautiful; I wish I could actually hear someone sing them!
And just a warning the story is very addicting!
Beautiful Drawings and Great New Fashions!
2004-12-01 - This manga is about a girl named Ai who is from the planet Ailand. She suddenly finds herself in Tokyo, Japan and all she remembers is her name is Ai and that she is the princess of Ailand.
She meets Kent, a rocker, and he helps her discover her great singing talent. Ai gets a job where she puts her great body and vocal talent to good use! She gets into some scrapes where she's able to fight her way out and even grows wings at one point.
This book has very good drawings by manga-ka Misaho Kujiradou. The drawings in this book are better than the plot itself, but that just makes the manga even more enjoyable. All-in-all, I'd recomend this to anyone who is looking to see some great drawings or someone who likes fashion/romance mangas with a bit of sci-fi thrown in.
