Tokyopop has announced that Princess Ai: Evolution, which ships to retailers next week will be the final volume in one of the most successful cross cultural manga projects ever.  Rocker Courtney Love was involved in the initial volumes of this Gothic fantasy trilogy along with writer D.J. Milky, artist Misaho Kujiradou and manga-ka Ai Yazawa (Paradise Kiss), who provided the striking character designs.  But the end of the manga series does not mark the end of the property -- writer-producer-composer D.J. Milky is putting the finishing touches on a 3-minute presentation reel showcasing the groundbreaking blend of live action and animation he has in store for an Ai-Land Chronicles feature film, which, according to Tokyopop, will debut in 2008 (see 'Princess Ai-Land Chronicles').

 

However fans won't have to wait until 2008 to get their Princess Ai fix, Tokyopop has an all-new line of Ai-Land Chronicles novels in the works along with a slew of new Princess Ai apparel items, and a series of episodic 'mangapods' (dramatic audio interpretations of the manga complete with music and sound effects). Quite a bit of Princess Ai merchandise is already available including Bleeding Edge Princess Ai dolls (see 'Princess Ai Dolls From Bleeding Edge'), journals, t-shirts, stickers and postcards.