Misaho Kujiradou

Princess Ai may have returned to Ai-land, but rumours about her still abound on Earth. Where did she go, what happenned during her final concert, and where did she come from in the first place? This book collects short stories that act like articles in a gossip magazine - each exploring a different manga-ka's take on the Ai legend, occasionally adding to the true narrative while making us question whether any of it is true. I think this format works perfectly to give fans of the series another dose of Ai's unique magic.… (mere)

The final volume of princess Ai's journey of self discovery is packed with action, adventure, and love as Ai travels the world and then returns to Tokyo for a final concert. Many of her memories return, but Ai still doesn't know everything - specifically about her mother, who might be a Dougen. At the finale Ai must choose between her love for the human world and her duty to continue the revolution in Ai-land, and hard as it may be for her to leave Kent she makes the choice to complete her journey. What is next for princess Ai? We can be assure that whatever lies in her path she will meet with the same tenacity and understanding with which she met her challenges on earth.… (mere)

Princess Ai's quest for knowledge of her past continues, even though her employers at HTA keep her on a tight schedule and don't let her leave the fancy condo they've put her up in. Thankfully Ai has Kent on her side and he manages to get a book of legends about Ai-land to her (go go super librarian!) as well as to talk with her during a radio broadcast to promote her music. These star-crossed lovers can't be kept apart for long though, and they are finally re-united during Ai's dramatic first concert when the Fury who has been chasing her catches up with her.

Even though the storyline is totally engaging - who can resist a story of a rebellious banished princess - what I like best about this series is the beautiful artwork. The costume design is especially gorgeous because it straddles the boundary between punk and angelic glam. Absolutely fabulous, if not actually wearable!… (mere)