Nana Komatsu is a naive and unmotivated girl who spends her high school years chasing one crush after another. Despite repeated failures in her quest for love, she remains undeterred. At the age of 20, she boards a train to Tokyo, hoping to reunite with her current boyfriend.
In contrast, Nana Osaki is feisty and proud. During her high school days, she joins a local band and falls deeply in love with both music and one of the band members. However, when faced with a choice between her relationship and her musical career, she chooses the latter and parts ways with her boyfriend. On her 20th birthday, she also boards the same train to Tokyo, aiming to become a top vocalist.
The two girls, sharing the same name but harboring very different dreams, find themselves seated together on their journey to the city. Fate brings them even closer as they end up sharing an apartment. A deep and unique bond forms between them, supporting each other through a saga of love, music, friendship, and heartbreak.
Nana won the 48th Shogakukan Manga Award in the Shoujo category in 2002, alongside Kaze Hikaru. The series was put on hiatus starting from the July 2009 issue of Cookie due to the mangaka's sudden illness.
The series has been published in English by VIZ Media under the Shojo Beat imprint since December 6, 2005. It has also been released in French by Delcourt since January 1, 2003; in Spanish by Planeta Cómic since June 2006; in Brazilian Portuguese by Editora JBC since July 2008; in Argentina by Editorial Ivrea since April 24, 2009; in Mexico by Panini Comics since May 25, 2022; and in Polish by Kotori since June 16, 2023.
10/10
One of the most beautiful fictional experiences I've had in my life. Do yourself a favor and read it.
The most unique trait in Nana is that every character feels completely real. It's as if the story was based on real-life events. Rarely will you be taken out of the story because something either wouldn't happen in real life or feels forced. This is one of my biggest issues with manga that tries to adapt the real world, but that doesn't happen here.
However, the author hasn't returned yet, so the story remains unfinished. If you have a problem with unfinished storylines, you might want to avoid it. But this manga is so incredibly good that I still recommend giving it a shot. You won't regret it.
The last volume is one of my favorite things ever.
Read Nana.
Much more than a manga, a lesson in life!
Nana, Nana, Nana—how can I describe in a few paragraphs all my feelings about this manga which, I think, will remain my favorite of all kinds.
Shōjo or Josei?
Many define Nana as a shōjo, but I would say that Nana is a josei because a shōjo targets a younger female audience, whereas a josei is intended for a more mature female audience. I started reading Nana at the age of 18 and have been reading it regularly ever since (currently over 80 times). Yes, 80 times! Each time, my analysis changes slightly. I believe we need to step back to appreciate all the subtleties of the characters. Ask 10 different people what they think of a particular character, and you'll get 10 different answers.
Shattered stereotypes
Despite a world out of the ordinary for most of us—fame, music, rock, punk—Ai Yazawa has brilliantly managed to show all the human complexity. All the clichés and stereotypes with which we constantly live, especially in France, are shaken. Some topics covered include:
Imperfect characters
Ai Yazawa shows us all facets of men, all their fragilities. If Nana Osaki with her punk look seemed strong, imperturbable, independent, she reveals her weaknesses, doubts, and struggles due to her past as the story progresses. On the other hand, Nana Komatsu seems unstable, fragile, or even superficial. However, as the manga progresses, she becomes the rock, the person on whom one relies.
Nana is a surprising manga because the characters themselves are constantly evolving. We tend to put each human being in boxes: he is kind, she is beautiful, he is strong, she is intelligent. However, Nana proves to us that human beings evolve, learn from their mistakes, continually seek to be happy, and strive to make others happy.
Is Nana depressing?
Nana, like her characters, cannot be placed in a category. The story is sad but only if viewed from a certain perspective because it is also very funny. Honestly, it was one of the mangas that made me laugh the most; Ai Yazawa's humor shines through.
A story that holds us in suspense
The manga is currently on break since 2009 and has a total of 84 chapters or 22 volumes. These 84 chapters are rich in emotions and twists. We quickly learn that the story is told by Nana Komatsu thanks to flashbacks. An unexpected event shakes the lives of the characters, and we must wait until volume 20 to understand what happened. Meanwhile, the manga keeps us in suspense, continually confronting the characters with their desires and uncertainties.
This manga is above all human; it makes us think about our dreams, our behavior. It invites us to ask ourselves what we would have done in this or that situation. This is the magic of Ai Yazawa, the magic of Nana.
I fell in love with NANA the moment I saw the cover of the first volume. It's so beautiful and atmospheric, much like the opening phrase Hachi says at the beginning of each episode. There are little parts of the story that will always stay with me, such as a newfound fondness for things like strawberry-printed glass cups, woodworking, and bathtubs. In my opinion, NANA is something truly memorable, though it can be frustrating to watch at times. When I mention watching, I'm referring to the anime because my local library doesn't carry the manga beyond a certain point, but I've seen most of the series, which informs my review.
I really adore NANA. It has one of my favorite atmospheres of any piece I've experienced. However, I found some of the characters quite frustrating at times. Hachi’s decisions often turned me off from the story, as they seemed so misguided. To be honest, I am someone who would love a Nana x Nana endgame where they support each other and become a cute couple without constantly betraying one another, but I highly doubt such an ending would have been feasible.
All in all, NANA is a work I highly recommend. It will evoke strong emotions when you reflect on it, and it stands as an iconic must-read for shojo fans.
NANA is undoubtedly one of the best mangas I've ever read. It has a unique quality that sets it apart from others, making it a must-read in my opinion. However, be warned that my review may contain some spoilers, though I'll try not to reveal too much.
Story - 10
The first thing that strikes me about NANA is its incredible realism compared to many other mangas. It begins like any typical shoujo/josei manga, introducing two main characters both named Nana. The story follows their lives as they meet on a train to Tokyo and later decide to share an apartment. While it might sound mundane, the narrative always manages to draw you in and keep you wondering what will happen next. What I love most about the story is its realistic nature, which I find refreshing after reading so many unrealistic plots. However, this realism can sometimes make you wish for a happier ending, as NANA isn't your typical fairy tale.
Art - 7
I hate to say it, but the art in NANA isn't the best. It's not that the mangaka is a bad artist, but the style just doesn't appeal to me. Some backgrounds seem out of place, almost like wallpaper instead of part of the scene, which bothers me. On the positive side, the mangaka does an excellent job with character details and clothing designs.
Character - 10
I'm giving this section a perfect score not because all the characters are perfect, but because each one has flaws that make them feel real and relatable. This adds to the overall realism of the story, making it easy to imagine these characters as real people. They are well-developed, and I appreciate how the mangaka isn't afraid to portray traits like selfishness and possessiveness, showing characters recognizing these traits in themselves.
Enjoyment - 9
I thoroughly enjoyed reading NANA. There's not much more to say; it was a delightful experience from start to finish.
Overall - 9
NANA is a manga that makes you think about life in general. The characters' dialogues often made me reflect on certain aspects of life, and I believe NANA has helped me understand people better.
Recommendation -
I recommend NANA to those who enjoy realistic plots with a touch of humor. If you prefer fairy tale endings, perfect princes or princesses, or couples without problems, then this manga might not be for you. Also, it's more suited for an older audience, so please avoid if you're very young.
I'm not just giving this story high ratings for no reason. I'm rating it highly because it's an exceptional tale that feels incredibly real and touches the heart. The characters are beautifully crafted, each with their own unique struggles, making the story even more compelling. What stands out most to me is the friendship that develops between Nana and Hachi within six months and how it profoundly affects them thereafter. In my opinion, the bond between the two main characters is the highlight of this manga.
The story grabs your attention right from the start (without spoiling anything), and the meeting between the two Nanas is casual yet instantly forms a deep connection. Throughout the series, the narrative alternates between the two main characters as well as supporting characters, giving everyone their moment in the spotlight. This interconnectedness enhances the story significantly.
I truly hope it updates again one day. ; v;
Nana introduces us to a diverse cast of complex characters that instantly captivate the reader with their painfully realistic psychological depth as they navigate beautifully described emotional conflicts. These conflicts develop in a way that feels natural and believable, making them all the more dramatic. At times, the introduction of these characters and their struggles happens too quickly, without a proper gradual buildup, which is the only notable flaw in this manga. However, the depiction of these characters is always done with an honest tenderness that ties the entire experience together, creating a masterfully crafted mosaic of people and their shared sorrows.
It is a poignant story told with great passion for melodrama, yet it never escalates into corny soapiness for the sake of sentimentality. Instead, it maintains a ruthless gentleness that equally portrays both the comforting warmth and the freezing pain of falling deeply in love and accepting both as truths of life. Nana is an excellent exploration of love and its wonderful, tragic consequences on our lives.
NANA is an exceptional romantic and dramatic manga that also has its fair share of humorous moments. The story revolves around two girls named Nana who meet by fate and eventually become best friends. Despite their strong bond, their lives take unexpected turns, separating them due to fame, relationships, and career choices. This manga delves into the world of the entertainment industry, focusing on bands, music, and later, a bit on adult movies.
The narrative begins with characters striving to achieve their dreams. It raises the question: What's more important for a singer, band member, or model—following their dreams or staying with their loved ones? This decision weighs heavily on the characters, leading each of them down different paths. The story explores themes of friendship and love being tested by these choices.
The characters in this manga are incredibly diverse, each with unique styles, backgrounds, and struggles related to love, passion, work, and romance. Given its focus on the entertainment industry, the manga touches on various aspects, but I won't go into detail to avoid spoiling it.
This was my first shoujo manga, recommended by a friend, and I instantly fell in love with it. Interestingly, I started reading from the second volume and still managed to follow the story just fine. One of the things I adore about this manga is how each chapter begins with poignant lines like, "Do you remember Nana, the day... if it wasn't because you stayed by my side..."
I highly recommend this manga for its captivating storyline and deep emotional resonance.