Japan Ai: A Tall Girl’s Adventures in Japan
Once upon a time there was a very tall American girl named Aimee Major Steinberger, an artist and writer who loved ball-jointed dolls from Volks in Japan. She dreamed of one day visiting the “dreamlike, flower-filled store” to see all of the beautiful Super Dollfies, as they were called, and have one custom made especially for her. She loved the Super Dollfies so much that she began a website to share her passion. In time she became an expert, so when the day came that she found her courage to contact Volks and see if they might let her come for a visit, they recognized her name and even invited her to have dinner with the owner and his family. Overcome with joy, she called her friends Judy and A.J., and the three intrepid adventurers set off for Japan.
Aimee shares her excellent adventure with the rest of the world in a book called Japan Ai: A Tall Girl’s Adventure in Japan. It’s filled with adorable illustrations and funny stories about all the fun the three friends had…and of course about the fairy tale home of the beautiful Volks ball-jointed dolls. The three friends visit temples in Kyoto, where Aimee gets dressed up and photographed as a maiko (a geisha in training). They spend the night at an onsen (hot springs resort) and see a Takarazuka show in which all of the roles are played by women. They dress up in costumes and go shopping and people-watching in Tokyo where they eat a theme restaurant. Finally, the main event: Aimee’s tour of Volks, where her dream doll is made especially for her and “adopted” in a charming ceremony, then she and her friends have dinner with the founders of Volks.
Japan Ai is not manga in the traditional sense. It’s more a travelogue done in a comic style. The illustrations fit the narrative style, which is casual and fun, and well suited to the Japanese cultural love of all things cute. The conversational journal style made me feel like I was the fourth friend on Aimee’s trip. The book is filled with fun little anecdotes like the shop girl giving one of the girls an octopus toy for free because she thought it was so cute that the American called it Octopus-san. Or the girls getting on the wrong train and missing the dinner at Volks (they were able to reschedule. Whew!) Not to mention their culture shock when they were expected to soak naked in the onsen with total strangers and the Japanese amusement when the embarrassed Americans insisted on wearing swimming suits.
Ever since I got hooked on anime and manga I’ve been dying to visit to Japan. I have friends who have been, and I really envy them. One friend travels quite a bit and always sends me a detailed travelogue that makes me feel like I’ve been there. But it’s not as much fun as Aimee’s account with all of its cute illustrations and her fun friends. You can even access bonus drawings, stories and photos on the Go! Comi! site, including Aimee as a maiko, and the fashionistas of Tokyo.
For manga purists, this book might disappoint. Likewise for those who favor a strict narrative. But if what you’re looking for is the equivalent of having an artist friend who sends you her illustrated diary to show you what you missed when you couldn’t go with her on her awesome holiday in Japan, Japan Ai is the book for you. It’s full of laughs and cultural anecdotes, the perfect book to lighten your mood on a gloomy day when neither your bank account nor your work schedule will let you do anything but dream of escape.
Japan Ai: A Tall Girl’s Adventures in Japan
Paperback: 180 pages
Publisher: Go! Comi (December 5, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1933617837
ISBN-13: 978-1933617831
