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Disney Kilala Princess #1
Kilala Princess Volume 1
When Kilala awakens a sleeping prince named Rei, she magically gains the power of the princesses! But her friend Erica is kidnapped, so she and Rei must set off on a quest to rescue her! Filled with the most popular Disney princesses--Ariel, Cinderella, Jasmine, Snow White, Belle--TOKYOPOP's Kilala Princess is a truly enchanting new series!
96 pages, Paperback
First published December 31, 2006
45 people are currently reading
623 people want to read
About the author
Rika Tanaka
20 books18 followersRika Tanaka is best known as the author of 'Kilala Princess', a Disney oriented manga much like 'Kingdom Hearts'.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 116 reviews
September 15, 2017
At first, it's quite odd to read this manga with Disney characters included; in this particular volume, it is Snow White and the seven dwarfs/dwarves that Kilala and Rei met. I love this manga because I grew up watching the Disney Princesses and I'm looking forward on reading the succeeding volumes. Thank you to the publisher for sending me a free copy of this manga through e-mail.
December 14, 2016
Ok, this is absolutely adorable and I loved every minute. You honestly cannot go wrong with a Disney manga that lets you revisit all the princesses and their stories! I highly recommend this and I'm looking forward to volume two!
April 22, 2020
21/04/20 - Free atm at https://www.tokyopop.com/together
Bonus points because Kilala and Erica's friendship is #goals.
Lovely art.
Rushed plot.
Disney princesses & worlds. Adventure. Romance. Mystery. School uniforms. Charming guy. Likeable brave loyal shoujo mc. Adorable animal companion.
Bonus points because Kilala and Erica's friendship is #goals.
Lovely art.
Rushed plot.
Disney princesses & worlds. Adventure. Romance. Mystery. School uniforms. Charming guy. Likeable brave loyal shoujo mc. Adorable animal companion.
May 30, 2022
This was so fun and has so much of what drew me to fantasy when I was younger which is the magical sense of wonder and that anything is possible if you believe and fight for what is right. I’m also not ashamed to say I love Disney Princesses and seeing a manga series based around them and an equally strong, smart, kind original character really piqued my interest enough to pick up this series from my library. And I wasn’t disappointed!
Kilala is a super fun character in that she’s a dreamer and a bit of an airhead at times but also smart and has a good head on her shoulders that comes in handy more than once. She also fiercely loves her friends and others around her and is strong without being emotionless or mean which is not as easy to find as you might think! Rei is also a really awesome character with a gentle, kind heart (which isn’t common in guy characters!) but who is also allowed to be brave and protect Kilala while also letting her do a lot of the saving too without sacrificing his character. I also loved how Snow White, as our first princess in the series, was allowed to shine as herself and not be twisted in any way.
The storyline is pretty basic, but I loved it for that—stories don’t have to have complicated plots to be good! And the art is super pretty and simple. I really loved looking at it as much as reading it.
This is a really fun, sweet first volume, and after that cliffhanger I want to know what’s going to happen next!
Content: magic and magical objects; “oh my gosh” and “darn” are uttered; a girl nearly kisses a sleeping boy; a girl is kidnapped; violence and fighting (nothing over PG); characters go through a scary forest; dogs attack a character (we don’t see the contact); a character has bloody bite wounds (nothing over PG); characters nearly eat a poisoned apple; a character is hypnotized; a gun is pointed at a girl’s head; characters are in a wild storm and nearly drown
Kilala is a super fun character in that she’s a dreamer and a bit of an airhead at times but also smart and has a good head on her shoulders that comes in handy more than once. She also fiercely loves her friends and others around her and is strong without being emotionless or mean which is not as easy to find as you might think! Rei is also a really awesome character with a gentle, kind heart (which isn’t common in guy characters!) but who is also allowed to be brave and protect Kilala while also letting her do a lot of the saving too without sacrificing his character. I also loved how Snow White, as our first princess in the series, was allowed to shine as herself and not be twisted in any way.
The storyline is pretty basic, but I loved it for that—stories don’t have to have complicated plots to be good! And the art is super pretty and simple. I really loved looking at it as much as reading it.
This is a really fun, sweet first volume, and after that cliffhanger I want to know what’s going to happen next!
Content: magic and magical objects; “oh my gosh” and “darn” are uttered; a girl nearly kisses a sleeping boy; a girl is kidnapped; violence and fighting (nothing over PG); characters go through a scary forest; dogs attack a character (we don’t see the contact); a character has bloody bite wounds (nothing over PG); characters nearly eat a poisoned apple; a character is hypnotized; a gun is pointed at a girl’s head; characters are in a wild storm and nearly drown
September 20, 2016
**I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
A story with Disney Princesses in it?
Yes, please!
So Kilala is a big Disney fan, and a crazy schoolgirl who loves causing trouble. There's a princess competition at her school, and her good friend Erica is the best candidate.
After Erica is kidnapped, Kilala and Rei, a boy who's looking for a princess, work together to find her, using the powers of the tiara of the seventh princess. Along the way, they encounter Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, who are very eager to help.
I enjoyed reading this manga, it was really cute and God knows how much I love the Disney Princesses! Also, Kilala is adorable, I liked how the author included Snow White and the dwarfs, it didn't feel forced or like they were out of place, it was done very nicely.
I can't wait to read the next volume, since the ending of this one was really good and left me wanting to know what would happen next :)
More reviews on my blog: Lipstick and Mocha
A story with Disney Princesses in it?
Yes, please!
So Kilala is a big Disney fan, and a crazy schoolgirl who loves causing trouble. There's a princess competition at her school, and her good friend Erica is the best candidate.
After Erica is kidnapped, Kilala and Rei, a boy who's looking for a princess, work together to find her, using the powers of the tiara of the seventh princess. Along the way, they encounter Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, who are very eager to help.
I enjoyed reading this manga, it was really cute and God knows how much I love the Disney Princesses! Also, Kilala is adorable, I liked how the author included Snow White and the dwarfs, it didn't feel forced or like they were out of place, it was done very nicely.
I can't wait to read the next volume, since the ending of this one was really good and left me wanting to know what would happen next :)
More reviews on my blog: Lipstick and Mocha
October 16, 2019
Wow, The first volume of this series is So good & So cute!! Kilala & the prince are so cute together too! Very interesting story, a little hard to follow in parts, but overall I enjoyed reading it & it's cool how it's a story with the Disney princesses, manga style too! So, definitely recommend if you love shoujo manga series or if you love Disney or the Disney princesses!
March 17, 2018
Ah the woes of reading this in high school! She looks so childish now!
July 30, 2025
3.5 Stars.
Review being submitted to School Library Journal for an upcoming SMS article.
Review being submitted to School Library Journal for an upcoming SMS article.
August 8, 2023
I think this held up really well from when I first read this to today! Great nostalgia kick.
February 8, 2017
Notes when I first read this manga in 2014:
I think I read this manga (or some part of it) years ago, but I can't remember clearly so I decided to re-read this one. Really a recommendation to all those who love Disney + Princesses + princes/princesses.
Review when I re-read this manga in 2016:
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
If only I had known this was Tokyopop. Yes, I know that publishers are mentioned in the information field, but I generally (just like on other sites) don't look at that. I just check if the book is available for my region, or if the book is a read now that I really like. Had I know this was Tokyopop I would have stuck up my middle finger and said F you. If there is one company that is on my NOPE list it is Tokyopop for a lot of reasons. I wouldn't trust them with anything any more. Good for them to get this manga back, though I will not be buying it. Nope.
Back to the manga. I read this manga few years ago, and enjoyed it, so when I saw it on NG I had to get it so I could read it again.
However, this manga as e-arc loses 1 whole star for the fact that it started the wrong way. It started at the last page of the manga. Yeah, nice. How to spoil stuff the easy way. So I had to flip/scroll through the entire file to get where I wanted to go. Which is a big no-no for 208 pages.
And in the end I decided to grab the manga from somewhere else. It was just unreadable in this format (which was just one big scrollable image. I had no idea where a new page began, nor where it ended. :| So -1 star for that as well.
But the story is gorgeous, the art is beautiful, and did I mention the bishies (Rei, Valdou), the princesses (so much fun to see them all again), the obvious things that happen (which happen in every shoujo it seems).
The first manga has as princess Snow White, I am really delighted they decided to pick her as the first princess. It was such a delight to see her again, and she is as sweet as she always is in all the other media as well. She really helps out Kilala, and she is really brave. Even with a crazy stepmother in the picture she seems to still keep her positivity and happiness. I loved what she did in this manga, what she did for Kilala, but also for Rei.
It was also great to see the dwarfs again, they sure kicked butt in this one!
Of course I knew instantly what had happened to Erica, I was kind of amazed that no one else had a clue until the later parts. :) But then again, that is shoujo for you. Sometimes obvious things, like who the seventh princess is, or what happened to Erica.
Yes, the seventh princess stuff, unless there is a big twist at the end, well, I could think of a big suspect for that role. Considering what happened when that person held the tiara, or what they did during x and y parts. But you never know, I am kind of hoping there would be a twist to it all. A mysterious x character popping up near the end.
I loved the boys in this one. Sometimes shoujo boys get a bit annoying/cocky, but not Rei, not Valdou. They were cute, lovely, sweet, friendly, and did I mention YUM? No, well they were. :D
Seems the next manga volume will be about Ariel, and potentially another princess. Considering they will want to do most of the princesses and there are only 5 volumes.
I just adore the art in this one, it is so pretty to see. There are details, the characters look gorgeous.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I would rate this one 4.5 stars in total, however with the errors it comes to a 2.5 stars in the end. I am sad that my e-copy wasn't that good. It is always a shame when that happens.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
I think I read this manga (or some part of it) years ago, but I can't remember clearly so I decided to re-read this one. Really a recommendation to all those who love Disney + Princesses + princes/princesses.
Review when I re-read this manga in 2016:
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review.
If only I had known this was Tokyopop. Yes, I know that publishers are mentioned in the information field, but I generally (just like on other sites) don't look at that. I just check if the book is available for my region, or if the book is a read now that I really like. Had I know this was Tokyopop I would have stuck up my middle finger and said F you. If there is one company that is on my NOPE list it is Tokyopop for a lot of reasons. I wouldn't trust them with anything any more. Good for them to get this manga back, though I will not be buying it. Nope.
Back to the manga. I read this manga few years ago, and enjoyed it, so when I saw it on NG I had to get it so I could read it again.
However, this manga as e-arc loses 1 whole star for the fact that it started the wrong way. It started at the last page of the manga. Yeah, nice. How to spoil stuff the easy way. So I had to flip/scroll through the entire file to get where I wanted to go. Which is a big no-no for 208 pages.
And in the end I decided to grab the manga from somewhere else. It was just unreadable in this format (which was just one big scrollable image. I had no idea where a new page began, nor where it ended. :| So -1 star for that as well.
But the story is gorgeous, the art is beautiful, and did I mention the bishies (Rei, Valdou), the princesses (so much fun to see them all again), the obvious things that happen (which happen in every shoujo it seems).
The first manga has as princess Snow White, I am really delighted they decided to pick her as the first princess. It was such a delight to see her again, and she is as sweet as she always is in all the other media as well. She really helps out Kilala, and she is really brave. Even with a crazy stepmother in the picture she seems to still keep her positivity and happiness. I loved what she did in this manga, what she did for Kilala, but also for Rei.
It was also great to see the dwarfs again, they sure kicked butt in this one!
Of course I knew instantly what had happened to Erica, I was kind of amazed that no one else had a clue until the later parts. :) But then again, that is shoujo for you. Sometimes obvious things, like who the seventh princess is, or what happened to Erica.
Yes, the seventh princess stuff, unless there is a big twist at the end, well, I could think of a big suspect for that role. Considering what happened when that person held the tiara, or what they did during x and y parts. But you never know, I am kind of hoping there would be a twist to it all. A mysterious x character popping up near the end.
I loved the boys in this one. Sometimes shoujo boys get a bit annoying/cocky, but not Rei, not Valdou. They were cute, lovely, sweet, friendly, and did I mention YUM? No, well they were. :D
Seems the next manga volume will be about Ariel, and potentially another princess. Considering they will want to do most of the princesses and there are only 5 volumes.
I just adore the art in this one, it is so pretty to see. There are details, the characters look gorgeous.
All in all, I really enjoyed this book. I would rate this one 4.5 stars in total, however with the errors it comes to a 2.5 stars in the end. I am sad that my e-copy wasn't that good. It is always a shame when that happens.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com
March 9, 2019
Once upon a time, there was a company. This company had a big success by working with another company to create a game in which a young boy with goofy hair and clothes teamed up with their own animated characters to save the worlds. Wanting to repeat this success, they decided to team up once more, this time with a mangaka to have a young girl with goofy hair team up with princesses in order to save the world...
Okay, I'm not sure if that's Kilala Princess came to be, but this manga feels very much like an attempt to create a Kingdom Hearts doppelganger for the female audience.
Kilala Princess stars the titular character, Kilala, as she travels through a doorway to different Disney-princess themed worlds, searching for the legendary Seventh Princess with cute boy Rei. She teams up with Disney characters (Snow White and friends in volume 1) to try and save her friends.
Not that I'm knocking the KH similarities. It's a great formula, having a new character interact with the different stories and characters we're familiar with. In fact, that formua, much like the Disney Princess Formula, is what makes this manga good.
The problem is really that, at least so far, that formula isn't as well-implemented as it was in KH.
The characters are just tropes without much else there to round them out. Volume one suffers from pacing problems galore. There's a bad case of instalove. There are details that are big deals in the book that are quickly dropped and forgotten. The seventh princess was obvious from the moment the phrase was uttered, and I will be shocked if I'm wrong. Kilala explains the relevant plot points of Snow White to Rei, who was apparently living under a rock before he appeared in this volume.
At least the art's nice. It's a mash up of Disney-style and anime style that actually fits together quite nicely. It's more shoujo-style than the Kingdom Hearts manga and less cartoony. Kilala and friends slip into the Disney stories and don't look at all out of place standing next to Snow White, who looks just like her updated "Disney Princess" artwork (Disney's more modern representations). You can tell Kodaka-sensei worked very hard to mimic Disney while still keeping Kilala and company her own.
That's not to say there's nothing good about the story itself. The general plot is pretty good but for the fact it's really rushed. The general plot of "Snow White World" is pretty good and doesn't just rehash the movie's plot, instead opting for a "the queen's not really dead and wants revenge" kind of subplot. Tanaka-sensei doesn't pull any punches either. Stakes are pretty high for an all-ages shoujo manga. Characters get hurt, people get shot at. I'm amazed that Disney let them get away with so much.
Sadly, though, I can't really say I'd recommend this to anyone based on the first volume alone. So far, this Shoujo attempt at the Kingdom Hearts formula is plagued with too many problems. The good parts are enough for me to give the second volume a try (especially since my library has a copy), so that opinion may change.
I would say stick with the original Kingdom Hearts for now for this Disney formula.
Okay, I'm not sure if that's Kilala Princess came to be, but this manga feels very much like an attempt to create a Kingdom Hearts doppelganger for the female audience.
Kilala Princess stars the titular character, Kilala, as she travels through a doorway to different Disney-princess themed worlds, searching for the legendary Seventh Princess with cute boy Rei. She teams up with Disney characters (Snow White and friends in volume 1) to try and save her friends.
Not that I'm knocking the KH similarities. It's a great formula, having a new character interact with the different stories and characters we're familiar with. In fact, that formua, much like the Disney Princess Formula, is what makes this manga good.
The problem is really that, at least so far, that formula isn't as well-implemented as it was in KH.
The characters are just tropes without much else there to round them out. Volume one suffers from pacing problems galore. There's a bad case of instalove. There are details that are big deals in the book that are quickly dropped and forgotten. The seventh princess was obvious from the moment the phrase was uttered, and I will be shocked if I'm wrong. Kilala explains the relevant plot points of Snow White to Rei, who was apparently living under a rock before he appeared in this volume.
At least the art's nice. It's a mash up of Disney-style and anime style that actually fits together quite nicely. It's more shoujo-style than the Kingdom Hearts manga and less cartoony. Kilala and friends slip into the Disney stories and don't look at all out of place standing next to Snow White, who looks just like her updated "Disney Princess" artwork (Disney's more modern representations). You can tell Kodaka-sensei worked very hard to mimic Disney while still keeping Kilala and company her own.
That's not to say there's nothing good about the story itself. The general plot is pretty good but for the fact it's really rushed. The general plot of "Snow White World" is pretty good and doesn't just rehash the movie's plot, instead opting for a "the queen's not really dead and wants revenge" kind of subplot. Tanaka-sensei doesn't pull any punches either. Stakes are pretty high for an all-ages shoujo manga. Characters get hurt, people get shot at. I'm amazed that Disney let them get away with so much.
Sadly, though, I can't really say I'd recommend this to anyone based on the first volume alone. So far, this Shoujo attempt at the Kingdom Hearts formula is plagued with too many problems. The good parts are enough for me to give the second volume a try (especially since my library has a copy), so that opinion may change.
I would say stick with the original Kingdom Hearts for now for this Disney formula.
May 8, 2019
This was a cute manga . A typical shojo manga. I liked the introduction of Kiala and how her story begins. Snow White is one of my favorite Disney Princess and now makes me wonder how her story ends for things changed. Overall it was entertaining and I can see this being something that children will enjoy reading. It’s a cute twist to how a fan would always want to meet a Disney Princess. I also like that it teaches you some Japanese words too at the end .
April 7, 2016
A whole new world of adventure and romance!
This book is basically my childhood dream in print form. Getting to go on an adventure filled with all of my favorite Disney characters not to mention getting the chance to become a real princess myself. This book will definitely appeal to the younger audience and to those of us who are still children at heart.
There was tons of whimsy and a bit of mystery, but what I loved the most was the spunky heroine and her banter with the kind and yet annoyingly charming Rei. These two really made the entire story.
Kilala is sweet, fun loving, quirky, a bit stubborn, but most of all loyal to the end. She would do anything for her friends and always tries to do the right thing even when it isn’t always the easiest way. She is a great character who would make a great friend.
Rei is a bit of a smart aleck, but he knows when to admit he is wrong and sticks up for his friends.
This is an exciting adventure that I recommend to anyone who enjoys fairytales and/or Disney.
This book is basically my childhood dream in print form. Getting to go on an adventure filled with all of my favorite Disney characters not to mention getting the chance to become a real princess myself. This book will definitely appeal to the younger audience and to those of us who are still children at heart.
There was tons of whimsy and a bit of mystery, but what I loved the most was the spunky heroine and her banter with the kind and yet annoyingly charming Rei. These two really made the entire story.
Kilala is sweet, fun loving, quirky, a bit stubborn, but most of all loyal to the end. She would do anything for her friends and always tries to do the right thing even when it isn’t always the easiest way. She is a great character who would make a great friend.
Rei is a bit of a smart aleck, but he knows when to admit he is wrong and sticks up for his friends.
This is an exciting adventure that I recommend to anyone who enjoys fairytales and/or Disney.
June 8, 2017
Kilala Princess is a Manga series about a girl who loves the Disney Princesses and dreams of one day becoming a princess herself. One day on her way home from school she stumbles upon a sleeping boy who won't wake up, so she kisses him, just like Prince Philip kisses Sleeping Beauty. As he awakens, a whole tale unfolds about how he's a Prince searching for the 7th Princess to save his country. It is rumored that the 7th Princess will be revealed when all 7 of the jewels on the Prince's tiara are returned.
In order to get them, they have to visit 6 of the original Disney Princesses and rescue them!
It was a quick, fun read. super cute!
In order to get them, they have to visit 6 of the original Disney Princesses and rescue them!
It was a quick, fun read. super cute!
May 18, 2009
Just... wow. The most stereotypical anime girl ever ... is also a raving Disney Princess fan. There is nothing besides completely predictable anime tropes here (getting in trouble at school, a pet talking/flying mouse, beautiful strangers you meet in the woods) until... she gets sucked into the world of Snow White. Yes. Bizarre anime characters get to hang out with Snow White & the seven Dwarves, and begin to gear up for a fight with the wicked Queen. 3 stars for novely alone, the rest is drek.
June 29, 2020
Kilala loves Disney princesses. Her biggest wish is to become a princess herself, but her friend is more princess-like than her.
Two mysterious guys show up and Kilala's friend is kidnapped! Kilala and one of the boys find themselves in the land of Snow White searching for her friend.
It looks like the whole series will go through all the Disney Princesses. I thought it was a cute manga, clean and appropriate for kids. If I see more available in Scholastic, I'll get them.
Two mysterious guys show up and Kilala's friend is kidnapped! Kilala and one of the boys find themselves in the land of Snow White searching for her friend.
It looks like the whole series will go through all the Disney Princesses. I thought it was a cute manga, clean and appropriate for kids. If I see more available in Scholastic, I'll get them.
March 8, 2013
I think you mean- Would you like to read Kingdom Hearts for Little Girls?
WOW. THAT WAS REALLY CUTE. AND REALLY SHORT.
I personally don't find it that odd because I've read plenty of manga where young girls have traveled to distant lands and saved the day, but I mean... it was super rushed. I guess that's because it's for LITTLE KIDS.
I couldn't help myself though. THAT ART.
WOW. THAT WAS REALLY CUTE. AND REALLY SHORT.
I personally don't find it that odd because I've read plenty of manga where young girls have traveled to distant lands and saved the day, but I mean... it was super rushed. I guess that's because it's for LITTLE KIDS.
I couldn't help myself though. THAT ART.
September 1, 2017
Disney characters are great here but I see a few plot holes. Also, the girl tries to kiss the main male character( who is sleeping) imagining the scene in some romantic movie. But when she gets caught, she hits him, telling him he embarrassed her. I think that pretty much summarizes the girl. She's loyal but she's so reckless that the main male character gets hurt for her most of the time.....
February 24, 2017
Typical Anime to a T again. I liked the characters but it was almost too short like it's trying to milk money out of you. Cute for maybe for little ones or disney fans like me. I liked that she went to the story of Snow White :)
November 26, 2021
Oh, what an amazing beginning of this series. I love the Disney princesses. I'm so excited about how the story will continue. Will Kilala and Rai find the seventh princess? Ok, I think everyone can imagine who the seventh princess is, but the way they found out... that's the question 😁
September 9, 2009
This book was super generic... I liked the idea of having Snow White as a character outside her story... but the main character Kilala gives me a headache.
March 13, 2012
While I read it a while back I do remember enjoying this manga quite a bit. I did always question how or rather if Disney gave the Author the right to use their princesses...
November 4, 2018
I saw this series on-line a while ago and was curious, but Tokyopop, the publisher, went out of business years ago. It wasn’t until I wrote this review that I learned that they’re back in business and seem to still have the rights to this series. Anyway, when I saw copies of the first three volumes in a used bookstore, I picked them up. Reviewing first two volumes here.
It’s exactly what you’d expect from a shojo manga/Disney Princess mash-up. The storyline is pretty typical manga, about a likable school girl named Kilala who loves Disney and dreams of meeting her Prince Charming. A couple of attractive guys from another world show up at her house carrying a tiara in search of a mystery princess destined to save their country. They don’t determine it’s her (why they came to her house and stay there is never explained, nor is why the hero was sleeping in her yard—this seems to just be so she could try to kiss him Sleeping Beauty-style). She puts on the tiara and is able to open a magic door that transports them to Snow White’s world, yet they still don’t think she’s the princess. Presumably, as the series continues, she’ll visit other princesses. She thinks her best friend, who wins a school contest to become princess, is the princess.
In volume two, she gets a missing gem for the tiara from Snow White, which makes it feel like this is based on a video game, even though it’s not, as far as I know. Presumably, she collects a different colored gem from each princess she meets and I assume when complete she’ll have the power to save the guys’ world. The illustration of the crown has seven spots for gems, and six Disney Princesses are featured in the front matter: Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Jasmine and Ariel. The missing princess is called the “seventh princess.” Who could it be...?
Storyline and the stock characters is probably a 2.5, but I’m bumping up my rating based on the art, which is well done. The manga style is good shojo art, and the Disney art is true to the original. It’s interesting to see the two styles combined.
The volumes are exceptionally short, maybe half the length of a typical manga. It really felt like the first two volumes should have been one, not just in length but in terms of the story. It looks like these were recently rereleased, and based on the page count, the original first two volumes are combined in the new volume 1.
It’s exactly what you’d expect from a shojo manga/Disney Princess mash-up. The storyline is pretty typical manga, about a likable school girl named Kilala who loves Disney and dreams of meeting her Prince Charming. A couple of attractive guys from another world show up at her house carrying a tiara in search of a mystery princess destined to save their country. They don’t determine it’s her (why they came to her house and stay there is never explained, nor is why the hero was sleeping in her yard—this seems to just be so she could try to kiss him Sleeping Beauty-style). She puts on the tiara and is able to open a magic door that transports them to Snow White’s world, yet they still don’t think she’s the princess. Presumably, as the series continues, she’ll visit other princesses. She thinks her best friend, who wins a school contest to become princess, is the princess.
In volume two, she gets a missing gem for the tiara from Snow White, which makes it feel like this is based on a video game, even though it’s not, as far as I know. Presumably, she collects a different colored gem from each princess she meets and I assume when complete she’ll have the power to save the guys’ world. The illustration of the crown has seven spots for gems, and six Disney Princesses are featured in the front matter: Snow White, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Jasmine and Ariel. The missing princess is called the “seventh princess.” Who could it be...?
Storyline and the stock characters is probably a 2.5, but I’m bumping up my rating based on the art, which is well done. The manga style is good shojo art, and the Disney art is true to the original. It’s interesting to see the two styles combined.
The volumes are exceptionally short, maybe half the length of a typical manga. It really felt like the first two volumes should have been one, not just in length but in terms of the story. It looks like these were recently rereleased, and based on the page count, the original first two volumes are combined in the new volume 1.
April 14, 2023
Yes, I am what Colleen Manga Rec's would call a hoe-jo. How could you tell? All (very poor) jokes aside I really enjoyed Kilala Princess Vol 1. It is definitely meant for a younger shojo crowd but I don't think that's bad. The story is alright in the first volume. It starts poorly with a boring school scenario. But it quickly ramps up in interest with the shojo Kingdom Hearts element as Kilala is whisked away to the story of Snow White with her (newfound) friend Rei. When it comes to the use of Snow White I think it could have been better. Albeit, much of the early and later bits of the volume are focused on setting up the larger story so I understand. But some more of the Snow White stuff would be appreciated. The ending really ramps up the storytelling chops with For some reason I just really fucking digged it. It did more with than I thought the story would do which was nice. It also hints that might be a larger story beat than I thought which I like.
If there is one part of the story that I didn't like by the end of the first volume it was the romance. I know this is meant for younger kids and what they want out of romance but I think even at that age some would want a more grounded romance. Rei is just a cute guy. They just jumped onto a Kingdom Hearts adventure and Kilala is all of a sudden head over heels for him. Like SUPER hed-over-heels. It feels too immediate and rushed.
The art is spectacular. You might think since it is a licensed manga the art was phoned in but no. Tanaka makes it clear she's gong all out with the extremely impressive amount of spreads. Seriously, the amount of spreads and level of energy / stuff going on in them is amazing. Tanaka also handles mixing artstyles quite well. Some characters are drawn in a traditional younger shojo style while others (namely Disney license stuff) is drawn in a traditional cartoon Western style. But they never look awkward next to each other. There is just a *teeny* touch of the anime in the Western designs which give the two styles cohesion next to each other. Tanaka notes that she struggled with this so her work paid off super well in the finished product :)
If there is one part of the story that I didn't like by the end of the first volume it was the romance. I know this is meant for younger kids and what they want out of romance but I think even at that age some would want a more grounded romance. Rei is just a cute guy. They just jumped onto a Kingdom Hearts adventure and Kilala is all of a sudden head over heels for him. Like SUPER hed-over-heels. It feels too immediate and rushed.
The art is spectacular. You might think since it is a licensed manga the art was phoned in but no. Tanaka makes it clear she's gong all out with the extremely impressive amount of spreads. Seriously, the amount of spreads and level of energy / stuff going on in them is amazing. Tanaka also handles mixing artstyles quite well. Some characters are drawn in a traditional younger shojo style while others (namely Disney license stuff) is drawn in a traditional cartoon Western style. But they never look awkward next to each other. There is just a *teeny* touch of the anime in the Western designs which give the two styles cohesion next to each other. Tanaka notes that she struggled with this so her work paid off super well in the finished product :)
June 11, 2023
I thought the concept of having a girl who is so obsessed with Disney and the princesses be part of their world in someway was such a cool concept. so she starts off helping her friend Erica be prepared for the Princess contest at school. Kilala finds this boy passed out and goes to wake him: his name is Rei; and he comes to. Long story short ericaIs kidnapped, Rei is trying to find the seventh princess to save his country, there's a magical tiara and on their journey to save Erica, Kilala and Rei enter the world of Snow White.
Snow White is so sweet to them right away and they journey to the castle and the Evil Queen ends up coming after them and locks them away because she wants the crown. Well Snow White and the seven dwarves comes to their aid and together they defeat the Evil Queen. They go back to the magic mirror for help.
They say goodbye to Snow White, she gives them a ruby and it goes into the tiara, they find Erica, she wins the princess contest at school, Rei says he has to go because obviously Erica isn't the princess he's looking for. Kilala loves Rei and doesn't want him to go. Erica is being controlled by someone to steal the crown. Kilala goes after her because she knows how important the crown is to Rei. Rei goes after Kilala because he likes her. They are on a ship and they go overboard.
It was a very cute story, and I actually like the main characters very much because she’s not naïve or scared. She is very brave and strong and she takes the wisdom that she learns from the princesses with her. She's adorable and I truly think the fact that she also has her own sidekick Tipee is so adorable too. All in all it was a cute read.
Onto the next one....
Snow White is so sweet to them right away and they journey to the castle and the Evil Queen ends up coming after them and locks them away because she wants the crown. Well Snow White and the seven dwarves comes to their aid and together they defeat the Evil Queen. They go back to the magic mirror for help.
They say goodbye to Snow White, she gives them a ruby and it goes into the tiara, they find Erica, she wins the princess contest at school, Rei says he has to go because obviously Erica isn't the princess he's looking for. Kilala loves Rei and doesn't want him to go. Erica is being controlled by someone to steal the crown. Kilala goes after her because she knows how important the crown is to Rei. Rei goes after Kilala because he likes her. They are on a ship and they go overboard.
It was a very cute story, and I actually like the main characters very much because she’s not naïve or scared. She is very brave and strong and she takes the wisdom that she learns from the princesses with her. She's adorable and I truly think the fact that she also has her own sidekick Tipee is so adorable too. All in all it was a cute read.
Onto the next one....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2017
'Kilala Princess: Volume 1' by Rika Tanaka and Nao Kodaka is a manga from TOKYOPOP from their Disney line. Other titles I've seen have been adaptations of Disney films. This was was different. Different isn't always a good thing.
Kilala is a girl who is obsessed with all things Disney. When she wakes up a handsome prince named Rei, she somehow becomes a princess. She and Rei decide to try to find her friend Erica who has disappeared. They set out on a quest that leads them to the world of Snow White and the seven dwarves. Along with the good characters, there are also the bad ones, so the evil queen can't be too far behind.
This volume only has Snow White, unless you count the random drawings of other Disney princesses that show up inline with the story. The art is fine, but the story is just strange. It also doesn't conclude here. There is a Disney princess in the volume for some of the story, but it hardly makes sense why she would be here. Maybe in a future volume, we'll find out Kilala has had a breakdown and all these fantasy creatures are only in her mind.
I received a review copy of this manga from Tokyopop, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
Kilala is a girl who is obsessed with all things Disney. When she wakes up a handsome prince named Rei, she somehow becomes a princess. She and Rei decide to try to find her friend Erica who has disappeared. They set out on a quest that leads them to the world of Snow White and the seven dwarves. Along with the good characters, there are also the bad ones, so the evil queen can't be too far behind.
This volume only has Snow White, unless you count the random drawings of other Disney princesses that show up inline with the story. The art is fine, but the story is just strange. It also doesn't conclude here. There is a Disney princess in the volume for some of the story, but it hardly makes sense why she would be here. Maybe in a future volume, we'll find out Kilala has had a breakdown and all these fantasy creatures are only in her mind.
I received a review copy of this manga from Tokyopop, Diamond Book Distributors, and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this manga.
February 15, 2018
This is a cute series and I adore that it brings in classic Disney Princesses and does have good messages for any girl or even boy growing up. It is important to believe in yourselves, make friends that are important to you, don't judge a book by it's cover or a person, and kindness will be rewarded.
However, there are also some down points to the series. The first being it is extremely rushed from volume 3-5. Only Snow White and Ariel get what feel like fully developed stories with good villain time that made it interesting. But then all the others are really short and fly by, i felt Belle and Aurora hardly had any face time. The evil stepmother and even Maleficent are hardly involved in their stories which is a shame, they really could cause good chaos. I also feel like there is a plot hole but its a spoiler so I wont get into it.
Would I recommend it? Yes, if you love Disney princesses and cute stories full of the "with the power of friendship" motto stories then you will like this.
However, there are also some down points to the series. The first being it is extremely rushed from volume 3-5. Only Snow White and Ariel get what feel like fully developed stories with good villain time that made it interesting. But then all the others are really short and fly by, i felt Belle and Aurora hardly had any face time. The evil stepmother and even Maleficent are hardly involved in their stories which is a shame, they really could cause good chaos. I also feel like there is a plot hole but its a spoiler so I wont get into it.
Would I recommend it? Yes, if you love Disney princesses and cute stories full of the "with the power of friendship" motto stories then you will like this.
April 22, 2022
I was bored and binge read the whole series in one day. So this will be focusing on the series as a whole instead of just this volume...
Good: The art's nice. It's a mash up of Disney-style and anime style that actually fits together quite nicely. Kilala's friendship with Erica was cute. It was fun seeing Kilala and co interact with the Disney Princesses.
Bad: Kilala was a little underdeveloped, seeming like a stock shoujo protagonist, and was pretty annoying at times. All of the story arcs felt pretty rushed at times. Kilala and Rei's relationship was instalove. It would've been nice to see more variety in the plots like what happened here.
Over all, this story is cute and okay for what it is. Die-hard disney fans and little kids will certainly enjoy this. But anyone else, especailly teens and adults, I recommend checking out Kingdom Hearts or Twisted Wonderland (only the fan subbed Japanese version by Shel_BB over on YouTube) to get your "Disney but anime" fix more.
Good: The art's nice. It's a mash up of Disney-style and anime style that actually fits together quite nicely. Kilala's friendship with Erica was cute. It was fun seeing Kilala and co interact with the Disney Princesses.
Bad: Kilala was a little underdeveloped, seeming like a stock shoujo protagonist, and was pretty annoying at times. All of the story arcs felt pretty rushed at times. Kilala and Rei's relationship was instalove. It would've been nice to see more variety in the plots like what happened here.
Over all, this story is cute and okay for what it is. Die-hard disney fans and little kids will certainly enjoy this. But anyone else, especailly teens and adults, I recommend checking out Kingdom Hearts or Twisted Wonderland (only the fan subbed Japanese version by Shel_BB over on YouTube) to get your "Disney but anime" fix more.
April 2, 2019
This was a very cute manga that I look forward to reading more of! Kilala loves the Disney Princesses and she really wants to become one someday. Her school crowns a princess every year, but because Kilala is not the most refined girl she knows she won't achieve it. But she supports her best friend Erika who is likely to have it. When Erika gets kidnapped (because she is possibly the 7th lost princess) Kilala teams up with Rei to save her and hopefully find the seventh princess. Kilala also gets to meet Snow White and the seven dwarves during her journey. Kilala and Rei start to have feelings for each other during the story, but unfortunately Rei has a duty to fulfill and Kilala knows this. Regardless they get sucked back into the journey when the crown goes missing. Together they will have to find the seventh princess and keep the crown safe until then.
July 28, 2025
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An adorable little adventure featuring some classic Disney princesses.
Kilala dreams of being a princess, finding her true love, and living happily ever after. But in the meantime, she's happy to support her friend Erica in the Princess Contest. That is until a strange boy appears and Erica is kidnapped. Now Kilala is thrown into a world of missing princesses, secret gates, and real-life Disney princesses.
A fun adventure. Fast-paced with a nice blend of action and cuteness.
The artwork is adorable. I absolutely adore Kilala's sidekick, Tippe. It was fun seeing the Disney princesses in a manga adventure.
I did find it weird how quickly Kilala fell in "love" with the love interest. But overall, it was a fun read. Looking forward to the next volume.
An adorable little adventure featuring some classic Disney princesses.
Kilala dreams of being a princess, finding her true love, and living happily ever after. But in the meantime, she's happy to support her friend Erica in the Princess Contest. That is until a strange boy appears and Erica is kidnapped. Now Kilala is thrown into a world of missing princesses, secret gates, and real-life Disney princesses.
A fun adventure. Fast-paced with a nice blend of action and cuteness.
The artwork is adorable. I absolutely adore Kilala's sidekick, Tippe. It was fun seeing the Disney princesses in a manga adventure.
I did find it weird how quickly Kilala fell in "love" with the love interest. But overall, it was a fun read. Looking forward to the next volume.
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