A stranger in Tokyo, Ai struggles to come up with a solution for her homeland's troubles, to understand her own abilities, and to avoid assassins from Ai-Land.

In order to support herself, Ai uses her special talent for music ... which ends up turning her into a superstar. Fame makes hiding from her enemies sometimes more difficult and sometimes easier, but it also leads her to unexpected discoveries that could be the solution to all of her homeland's problems.

Princess Ai is a mind-bending trip co-created by alt-rock goddess Courtney Love and featuring some of the most cutting-edge manga art in Japan, including chara designs by famed manga-ka Yazawa Ai.

Controversial rock star Courtney Love reveals her passion for manga by co-creating a gothic shojo manga with TOKYOPOP and Japanese manga artists. While Courtney is best known as the charismatic - and ass-kicking! - front-woman for the alternative rock band Hole, and also as an accomplished actress, it is a little known fact that before her meteoric rise to fame she lived and performed in Japan and became a huge manga fan ... which of course has now led to the creation of her fantasy alter-ego, Princess Ai.


Princess Ai features stunning character designs by famed manga-ka Yazawa Ai (Paradise Kiss).


The Princess Ai manga is by Misaho Kujiradou, whose website can be visited at http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ci6r-tkhs/.

Favorite Foods: Natto (fermented soybeans), crab, miso ramen
Least Favorite Foods: Red beans, cherry lobster, cold noodles
Desk Motto: If I do it, things will work out. So I do it.
Personality: Do things at my own pace. Stubborn. Timid. High-tech but I hate the phone (laugh).

Current Obsessions:
1. Dolls (?) Especially 'Super Dolphy
2. Flower Patterns, especially roses and gorgeous double-blossom floral patterns
3. The color pink.

Other Works:
Debut Work was Time Trouble in Oct. 1997: an 8-page comic she first made for Comic Ecole that received good feedback for its artwork and cover!

First work that received substantial comments and feedback was in June of 1999, which was her 40-page manga story, You are My God of Fame (a slapstick love comedy). She also received her first fan-letter for it!

Co-creator D.J. Milky likes to eat ramen late at night and oatmeal for breakfast. Addicted to digital and analog fusion, Milky is in a constant state of flux and irk. Life's one reward comes in the form of creating stories, music, and lately shooting DV.

Milky has composed a few songs for TOKYOPOP including "School's in Session" (GTO), "Initialize" (Initial D), "Worthy of Your Soul" (Reign), "The Power of Destiny" (Rave Master) and "Rave-olution" (Rave Master).

Along with Princess Ai, Milky is currently developing some new manga: Juror 13 and Treasure Chess, as well as writing the novel Karma Club and the Stray Sheep books for children.

Milky often forgets which side of the road to drive on, overcompensating for this by staring intently into the vortex.

For more Milky musings or if you're simply bored out of your wits, stop by www.djmilky.com or e-mail milky@djmilky.com to say whaddup.

Editor Rob asked Milky about Princess Ai and what it has been like to work with Courtney, Kujiradou-san, and Yazawa-san:

"It's been inspiring for me to get a chance to work with some really talented people in various fields. Courtney is really a visionary who has gone through many trials and tribulations - Ai's character was really developed from Courtney and the fascinating breadth of her personality. Whenever there was a part of the story where I wasn't totally certain about how Ai would react, I would just think of Courtney and how I thought she would react - the two really began to blend together in my mind. I think if Courtney were to be reborn in a fantasy world, she would come out as Ai.

"Yazawa-san was so incredibly professional it blew me away. We were only able to afford a few hours of discussion together with Courtney and myself--mainly because of the schedule and geographical challenges. So, I wasn't sure if the imagery that Yazawa-san would deliver would truly embody the image of Ai that both Courtney and myself had in mind. When I first saw the initial pencils I couldn't believe it - I literally ran up and down the stairs with joy because Ai came out looking so beautiful, so sophisticated and yet the despair and loneliness inside her really resonated. Of course, the inks the followed and alternate poses were perfect. What an amazing talent!

"Last, but in no way least, it has really been a pleasure working with Kujiradou-san. Through our meetings, e-mails, faxes, and phone calls and with, of course, her talented editor, I really was impressed by her passion and intensity for the characters and their world. Kujiradou-san constantly challenged me with detailed and insightful questions about the characters, the scenes, their backgrounds and the plot. She encouraged me to think through the elements in a comprehensive and consistent manner. Her contribution has really been invaluable--and seeing her storyboards and pencils come through chapter by chapter has been magical. A co-production like this is very challenging, especially in the world of manga, but Kujiradou-san has been able to collaborate with patience and without compromise."

English Version By: D.J. Milky

Princess Ai
Daughter of King Sei, king of Ai-Land, Ai is also the keeper of a terrible secret that could tear her life -- and her kingdom -- apart. Though normal in appearance, other than small, budding wings which she hides, Ai is only half-Human. Ai is the product of her Human father (Sei) and her Dougen (specifically, Angel) mother (Zho.) At first, Ai doesn't understand the full extent of the abilities granted by her mixed parentage.

Kent
Shinjuku University student and part-time librarian. First to discover Ai in Tokyo and help care for her. With his long hair and quiet temperament, Kent is sexy and kind. As he falls for Ai, she also feels special towards him -- although he is very different from Nora. Kent has bisexual leanings and has always been attracted to his beautiful roommate Hikaru -- but has not yet succumbed to Hikaru's overtures.

Hikaru
Pretty boy with short, spiky hair and full lips, as well as a well-toned body (he spends lots of time in the gym). Hikaru is Kent's older roommate who also is homosexual and has a major crush on Kent. While he is not necessarily resistant, Kent is still grappling with his sexuality and has not yet given in to Hikaru's approaches. Once Kent takes Ai in, Hikaru quickly develops a striking hatred for her, stemming from jealousy.

Shinji
Ai's boss at Club Cupid, Shinji is funny and energetic. He is very polite to his customers and wears impeccable suits. His hair is medium length, but styled all back with gel. Shinji is kind to all the girls, even the mean ones like Mika. He is supportive of Ai and encourages her.

Jen
Ai's first female friend in Tokyo. Also works at Club Cupid. Jen has curly blonde hair, just shoulder length. As a fellow 'gaijin' in Tokyo (she's from England), Jen teachers Ai the various 'tricks' she needs to learn about Tokyo. Tough but gentle, Jen is very popular at Club Cupid.

Mika
Mika is Ai's bitchy nemesis at Club Cupid. Older than Ai and Jen, she has been at the club longer than any other girl and demands respect. As a newbie, Mika expects serious respect from Ai, but Ai has no tolerance for her impudence. Ai and Mika constantly bicker and Mika is determined to get Ai fired.

Takeshi
Takeshi is the hot, young A&R scout for Hayabusa Talent Agency. Takeshi doesn't take shit from anyone. Obviously connected to the yakuza (or even a member himself), Takeshi knows his way around the clubs of Kabukicho. As soon as he hears Ai sing, one of his main goals is to sign her up for HTA and make her a star. Even with his tough personality and appearance, he is really a sweet guy, especially towards his talent (and Ai).

Hayabusa
The big boss of Hayabusa Talent Agency and son of the most notorious yakuza gang in all of Japan. Hayabusa chose a career in entertainment instead of the gangster life, but in Hayabusa these two are intertwined and most people consider him to be part of the yakuza. Hayabusa is rarely seen in public, and when he is he wears large sunglasses and a beret, with a long leather coat. He is feared by everyone, but just like Takeshi, he is fiercely loyal and very sweet to his talent (unless they cross him). He believes that Takeshi is HTA's future and fully supports his efforts to sign up Ai.

Faan
A folksy street musician with whom Ai first sings. Faan gives Ai good advice, though his tips are often rather cryptic. Faan is rather mysterious and seems to have special knowledge and insight about Ai-Land that no regular human should have.