Point of View

Tokyo Ever After is told through first-person narration, from Izumi’s point of view. Jean includes text message abbreviations and slang to help create a distinct voice for her protagonist and narrator. Izumi narrates in a sarcastic, humorous, and lighthearted tone. When Izumi is displeased with someone, she has various sassy ways of rebuking them in her mind, like “Wow. Give it to me straight” (103), or “Wow, Reina. Tell me how you really feel” (181). These little interjections appear to be directed towards the reader. These asides build an intimate relationship between narrator and reader, as Izumi hold nothing back—not even her bitterest thoughts.

This narration style remains consistent throughout the novel, excluding the frequent inclusions of excerpts from Tokyo Tattler. The Tokyo Tattler articles highlight the various developments in Izumi’s career as a princess while foreshadowing future events. The first article, titled ““The...