Princess Ai, Vol. 2: Lumination [Paperback]

Courtney Love (Author), DJ Milky (Author), Misaho Kujiradou (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 12, 2005

Ai's Tenketsu research goes from Academic to Energetic as her singing career leads Ai to startling discoveries about the power of the audience...and about her own burgeoning abilities. Chapter 6: Opening scene should start with Ai-Land briefly. Probably a scene between Kaz and Meggi, where Kaz complains about Tess and Meggi volunteers to go. But Kaz says he has faith in Tess to succeed. Ai in new home, taken to recording studio. Show Ai working with music producer, Takeshi, Manager and Personal Assistant. Ai in the studio doing final version of her first hit single. Kent learns about Ai-Land via research in library - possible flashback here but this time it is Kent that sees it...This convinces him to find Ai and help here more. I would like to tie this in to his distrust of HTA as well. Fa'an in library as well? HTA scene - Hayabusa and Manager talking about creating media hype before the album launches - this kind of strategy is needed to sell the most out of Ai. Chapter 7: Kent serenades Ai outside of top-security condo. Ai gives in to her emotions and lets him in. Romance ensues, although Ai is torn between her love for Kent and her concern for his safety. Perhaps somewhere in this scene Kent discovers something that hints more at HTA's malicious plot to use Ai in a destructive way to sell more records. This chapter will feature the first newspaper stories featuring the Princess Ai scandal. The paper mentions "hot new HTA artist Princess Ai" is seen with college lover - photos from the Ai-Kent romance from Chapter 6. I think we should also show Ai's wings in this chapter as well and the story can talk about Ai being some kind of "freak." Ai is very angry at this and there is a lot of commotion between the Manager, Personal Assistant, Takeshi and Ai. Ai is not yet suspicious of HTA, even though Kent has warned her. Kent is clued in to HTA's evil plot to destroy Ai in order to sell more records and make tons of money. He knows these photos were set up by HTA and the "scandal" is fake to get media attention. Thoroughly pissed off, Kent goes to confront Takeshi. (somewhere let's make the next song title something like "Angel Back in Heaven") Chapter 8: Scandal involving Kent, Ai, Hikaru released by HTA. This scandal reveals Ai's lover, Kent's secret homosexual relationship with Hikaru. It paints the three of them as a "sordid love triangle." More photos of Ai with her wings and also Ai being a "bitch" at the music video shoot. Ai doesn't know what to believe anymore - did HTA really do this to sell more records? She is a complete mess over this. Fight between Ai and Kent over the scandal (Ai accuses Kent of sleeping with Hikaru behind her back - she loves Kent and her jealousy and stress is coming out). Kent gets angry with Ai about losing his job at the library because of her - and her feelings jumping back and forth all the time. Scene with Fa'an (need to come up with concept) Ai confronts Hayabusa. She is depressed - she lost Kent once again and HTA hasn't "protected" her like they promised. Ai is tired of everything and gives up on herself - quitting HTA (during confrontation with Hayabusa - "I've had enough!"). Chapter 9: Takeshi witnesses Hayabusa meeting with Yakuza killer. Hayabusa is plotting on killing off Ai as part of a major scandal - and using that to sell even more records. He knows Kent was right. Perhaps Hayabusa sees Takeshi in the shadows - and now realizes that Takeshi knows too much. Scene between Kent and Hikaru? Tess is stalking in the shadows of the HTA top-security condo. We know she is waiting for her chance to pounce on Ai. Takeshi shows Ai that by quitting she not only runs away again but loses all she loves. Only by staying in the game can she win. While Takeshi is talking, Ai is flipping through the channels on TV, disgusted with the various scandals about her. "look at this crap - it's all bullshit...lies!" A special news bulletin comes on about a suicide girl who, after 24 hours, finally came down from the top of a building. (maybe we show this live) Her friend had played a CD/song of Princess Ai singing "you can't give up" which gave the Suicide Girl strength. Ai sees this and realizes how she gives strength to her fans - and decides with conviction that she herself cannot give up either. Ai "wins over" Tess during concert. Ai's beginning to feel the power of her own blood and how it mixes with emotion, love, and trust to form a bond. Chapter 10: Kaz sends Meggi after Ai next "that bitch...she did it again!" Scene between Ai and Tess - now Ai is learning about who she is, the Second Revolution and what it means. Takeshi comes onto the scene and warns Ai about HTA. Ai doesn't know who to turn to and doesn't know if she can trust Takeshi. Takeshi seems that Ai loves Kent and really isn't happy without him. (need to think about how to show that). HTA Personal Assistant steals Heart-Shaped Box from Ai's room and dies on the spot. Meggi warps onto scene and says "Vengeance is the ultimate weapon of fate." Hayabusa tells Yakuza Killer to take out Takeshi as revenge. (he thinks Takeshi did it). "It's not just about Ai anymore - not just about selling records. Now it's personal...now it's war!"

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–For anyone who missed the first volume, a synopsis prefaces this story. Angelic Princess Ai, budding rock star, acknowledges the grave danger facing her and her love interest, Kent, a librarian. She decides that the safest place to be is under the protection of a major record company. Signing on with Hayabusa Talent Agency, she is set up in a hotel with a few handlers who are more like prison guards and Ai strains against the restrictions placed upon her. Despite these problems, singing makes her feel peaceful and the songs seem to make her small wings grow. Her debut CD rockets up the charts and her strange winged look becomes all the rage with her fans. During a concert, she is attacked by a creature from her own world but with Kent's help she escapes again. The story moves quickly and the art is always interesting. Ai is very rock star princesslike in her demanding behavior but still manages to come off as likable, and her budding romance is sure to appeal to fans of the shojo genre.–Melissa T. Jenvey, New York Public Library
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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: TokyoPop (July 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591826705
• ISBN-13: 978-1591826705
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 4.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #708,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)