Nana, Vol. 9 (v. 9)
Born in 1967, Ai Yazawa is the author of numerous best selling manga, includingTenshi Nankajanai(Im No Angel) andGokinjo Monogatari(Neighborhood Story). Her title,Kagen no Tsuki(Last Quarter), was so popular that it was even made into a live action film. It was not until 2002, however, that U.S. readers had a chance to enjoy Yazawas stylish and sexy oeuvre. That was the year Tokyopop began publishingParadise Kiss.Yazawa also contributed character designs for the Courtney Love inspired series,Princess Ai. The collaboration between the grunge rock queen and the wildly popular mangaka was an immediate hit.Yazawa continues to produce new Nana installments each month forCookie. Even after all these years, her series remains as popular and influential as ever. As proof, a live action Nana movie releaed in Japan in 2006.