J-Pop Idol

EDITOR'S INTRODUCTION
A #1 Hit Cellphone Manga in Japan!!

There’s only one dream you’ve been chasing after…
There’s only one love you’ve been longing for…
There’s only one true friendship you’ve gotten…
But what if you lose them all in just one day!?

Mika is an active, outgoing and attractive girl who works hard to make her dream come true. She loves singing and dancing since she was little and formed a Girls’ Dance & Vocal Group named “No Escape” with her best friends, Kay and Naomi. They win a singing contest “Asian Idol Audition,” launching them on their way to stardom. But only Mika is offered a recording contract!

Now Kay tells Mika to end their friendship if Mika decides to go professional alone…Mika has to make her own choice either their friendship or her own dream?
 
When Mika meets Ken who had been her ideal idol in the Rock Band called “The E.N.D” and now is a top music producer, he persuades her to take a once-in-a-life-time opportunity because he thinks it’s meant to be that way. Finally Mika decides to make a solo debut, but now, more challenges are waiting for her in her carrier and her life.

Being an Idol is actually mighty hard?! J-Pop Idol by Toko Yashiro & Millenni+M will surely give you great courage if you’re in love with somebody or dream about being somebody!

~Rie Shiramizu, Editor

Every girl’s and boy’s dream about winning the top award for new artists, the “Asian Idol Audition”. Mika, Kay, and Naomi became best friends during their three years in high school. They have been through many hardships together, chasing their one and only dream to someday debut on the stage together. They attend and win the “Asian Idol Audition” competition, but after everything, there’s a shock. Only Mika is offered a solo debut!

Kay says she will end her friendship with Mika and never forgive her if Mika debuts alone. Naomi promises to support Mika no matter what decision she makes. The master of an old Live Music Club “Hot Spot!” in Tokyo, where the three trained and practiced their performances, advise that if she is prepared for the harsh and lonely road of the professional, then she shouldn’t  hesitate to take this chance. And when Mika meets Ken who is a top music producer who’s been watching her through the auditions, he says she’s meant to be a singing diva!

One year later, Mika debuts backed by one of the top producers, Ken. Her debut single becomes the No.1 in the hit charts, and Mika’s respect for Ken develops into love. However, Ken secretly knows that he has T.B., which is curable, but side effects of the treatment may cause him to lose his hearing. Ken doesn't want to risk his music career, but he knows someday he will not be able to continue, so he becomes devoted to supporting Mika’s career. When Mika learns this, what will Mika do?


CREATOR PROFILES
Toko Yashiro (Script & Manga Artwork)

Birthday: June 4^th   Sign: Virgo   Blood type: AB
She worked as chief assistant for a famous shojo manga artist for over five years. Received an honorable mention for her first contest submission. Now she works with an editor and is studying manga art intensively.


Millenni+M (Original Story)

Wrote original stories for Manga adaptation of Star Wars with TOKYOPOP and one story is registered as officially in continuity with the Star Wars Saga Movies by LucasFilm. J-Pop Idol was the first original work for TOKYOPOP. Milleni+M is working on more manga for TOKYOPOP including The Kingdom Of Poseidon.


CHARACTER INFORMATION
Mika
5’3”, Birthday: February 14.
Mika has always dreamed of becoming a singer. She is the only one to be offered a solo debut among her fellow band members in “No Escape.” She has good looks, talent and luck, but she learns that the life as a professional is harsh after falling in love with her Music Producer, Ken. She builds her own life through hardship and tears.

“No matter what they say or whatever happens, I will trust myself and move forward.”


Kay
5’4”, Birthday: August 16.
Kay is not offered a debut and as a result, she holds a grudge against Mika. She ends her friendship with her and hopes to get revenge by pursing music alone.. She experiences more hardships than most people, such as having a bad family or unfruitful love, but learns that it is wrong to hate others.

“Anyone can fix their mistakes. They can live their life for the better.”


Naomi
5’6”, Birthday: June 1.
Naomi is like an older sister of the group. She gives support to Mika and Kay’s lives while making her life working at a Live Music Club in Tokyo.

“If you live everyday honestly for yourself and others, then life, chance is not only for once.”


Ken
5’10”, Birthday: October 27.
Ken used to be a member of a the legendary Rock Band, “The E.N.D”, and now works as one of the top producers in the music industry. He produces Mika’s music and falls in love with her. He is ill from T.B., but he values music above his health, refusing to take medication that has the side effect of interfering with his hearing.

“I learned pure love from Mika. I am thankful of that.”


REVIEWS

The 3-girl Hip-Hop/R&B Group “YA-KYIM” who won the the MTV Japan Award are featured in this story.
They also sing the original theme song titled 20 ~twenty~.
Moreover, they had a chat session with the manga artist that is posted on the Internet!

The scenes of their interview are on TOKYOPOP’s Japanese Web site.

Visit the YA-KYIM official site