Nana

I'm relatively new to shoujo mangas, but I believe that Nana is one of the best out there. It's the kind of manga that keeps you on your toes, constantly guessing what will happen next (though you'll be surprised at how different Ai Yazawa's twists are from what you expected).

Nana revolves around the unpredictability of life. Two girls, both named Nana, meet on a train to Tokyo. They are completely different but end up meeting again and renting an apartment together, becoming roommates and friends. The mangaka then takes us on a journey with these girls—one dreams of becoming a famous singer, while the other seeks love. Their choices significantly impact their lives, friendships, and relationships, echoing the Chaos Theory.

The character development throughout the available chapters is exceptional. Characters struggle to change and grow, try to forget the past, and sometimes repeat the same mistakes. I find the characters in Nana to be awesome and incredibly realistic.

Nana made me laugh, cry, think, and even drop my jaw. If you read Nana, you'll encounter themes such as friendship, love, life, dreams, the celebrity world, drama, realism, and many more. I just wish Ai Yazawa would recover and finish the series; it's frustrating not being able to see how it ends!

I highly recommend it to everyone because I am confident you will find something that appeals to you :)

The tag column is insufficient to express my feelings, so I need to vent somewhere. Here goes:

Nana isn't a work filled with sunshine and rainbows. If you're having a bad day, reading this will likely make it worse, so stay away until you feel strong enough to face reality (what's worse is that the story isn't even over...).

It's the kind of work that hits you without you realizing it, seeping over your whole body and leaving a lingering, aching impact—just like reality. And just like reality, you might feel angry, frustrated, and want to yell at some of the characters at first, but eventually, it gets so tiring that you just stop struggling and resign to whatever comes your way. In that sense, it's a truly great portrayal of reality. Objectively, it's a great piece of work. But subjectively, it's such a tiring and depressing read. Watching most of the characters stumble into pitfalls made me feel so helpless, knowing I couldn't scream at them about their wrong decisions. But that's life. We are all bystanders to others living their lives, and most of us make mistakes repeatedly, often knowingly. That's just how life is. Few of us experience the glamour in this story, but it's the raw emotions we all share with each character. The writing is quite stunning, really. Stunning enough to make it feel so much like reality that I'm not sure if I like it because it hits too close to home.

I won't lie; the "Love Polygon" tag on MAL was very off-putting—I've learned not to trust MAL tags, but still, I wasn't sure if I wanted to get into this. But it's really not as simple or clear-cut as a love polygon, ironic as that sounds. Every character is heartbreakingly human, and the story perfectly captures how selfish, demanding, and suffocating humans can be. But we are also capable of bringing warmth, love, and comfort to each other. All the characters have such conflicting natures, making them more endearing, and I appreciate the fine writing skill put into this.

The art is fine; I think Kagen no Tsuki was the peak for Yazawa Ai's art, but I've always enjoyed how she draws her characters.

Overall, it's objectively great, so I'm rating it an 8.5, but I'm not sure how to rate it subjectively. I don't think I'll want to reread this unless I'm in a great mood and having wonderful, nothing-but-happiness days because I do not enjoy emotional torture.

But is it good, is it worth a read, does it live up to the hype? The answer is yes. And I don't regret reading it while it's still on hiatus.

I found Nana to be an exceptionally amazing anime. While the art may not always be highly detailed, it is stunning when it is. The character development is perhaps the best I've ever encountered. The characters are unique, humorous, and attractive all at once. The storyline blends clichés with real-life scenarios, leaning more towards the latter, which I greatly appreciate as I've spent a lot of time searching for a good slice-of-life story. Fun fact: Nana is the only anime that has ever made me cry, which is significant since I have watched and read Shingeki no Kyojin without shedding a tear. I consider the soundtrack one of the best aspects of Nana. Although I've never been a fan of punk rock, the Nana soundtrack truly captivated me. Overall, Nana offers a funny, musical, romantic, somewhat clichéd, and heart-wrenching journey through Tokyo. I give it a 10.

This is one of the most beautiful mangas I have ever read. The storyline truly amused me.

Initially, I watched the anime up to episode 47 and then continued with the manga. The anime stays true to the manga, with very few differences.

All the characters in the manga are well-developed; they each have deep and consistent characteristics throughout the story.

One thing that annoyed me was how crumpled up the pages felt in the manga. There was so much text on each page that it was hard to focus.

It is a sad story, touching on themes like drugs and sex. However, I believe it teaches valuable lessons about life and how to truly enjoy it.

This is a great story about friendship, love, and dreams. I think everyone who can handle intense themes should give it a read.

I believe NANA is one of the finest manga currently available. The characters' emotions are deeply felt, and the story is anything but predictable. It doesn't take long to get to know the characters and understand their personalities. Nana is a manga filled with drama, laughter, and romance, along with a mysterious twist. Overall, this is my favorite manga, and I think Ai Yazawa did an outstanding job with it.

I've read and watched NaNa multiple times since its release many years ago, which speaks to why I am reviewing it even almost a decade after the unfortunate hiatus.

The story stands out from other shoujo/josei manga. While it contains some familiar tropes, they are presented with such sensitivity that you overlook them and enjoy every part of the narrative.

I personally love the art. As someone who has followed Ai Yazawa's work over time, NaNa showcases her at the peak of her talents. Admittedly, it is an acquired taste, but those single-panel shots of eyes, where so much emotion is conveyed, have moved me in ways few other manga have.

Her art exudes style and fashion sense, something often lacking in other manga. Think about it: how many manga feature characters changing outfits daily? This adds to the realism, as any real person would change clothes throughout the days.

The characters are all likable and unlikable in their own ways. None of them are perfect; each one has flaws. There is no hero devoid of depth, nor is there a character merely serving as a plot device to teach the hero a lesson. Even the most despicable characters are fully realized human beings, and their actions are explained through skillfully crafted backstories and character development arcs.

I can only give it an overall rating of 9 because the story remains incomplete. It is a masterpiece that should definitely be read, but be prepared for heartache and tragedy not just from the plot but also due to the story being cut off at a crucial moment, leaving you quite frustrated.

I hope one day Yazawa-sensei will be able to complete her work. Simply put, NaNa is a cult classic that cannot be missed.

Warning: NANA has been on hiatus since 2009. Though loyal fans continue to hope for the series' conclusion, there's no concrete indication that this wish will be fulfilled.

Despite this disheartening news, I still highly recommend this manga to anyone who appreciates a multilayered narrative with relatable characters and stunning artwork.

Last year, there was speculation that Ai Yazawa would return to complete the series or at least had the desire to do so. This prompted me to reread the entire manga from Volume 1. Even though new chapters are still nowhere in sight, I couldn't help but fall in love with the story all over again.

The art is breathtaking. Every character is beautifully designed, and their clothing and accessories add an aesthetic appeal. The attention to detail, including tributes to Vivienne Westwood, showcases many artistically appealing qualities. Visually, NANA is simply captivating.

The storyline is one of the most intricate I've encountered in manga or anime. Like real life, it presents many gray areas and multiple layers and perspectives to every situation. With such a multifaceted plot, it's nearly impossible to predict the ending. While fans have come up with interesting theories to fill in the gaps, only Ai Yazawa knows what she has planned for us. She’s just THAT good.

The characters must be outstanding for the story to succeed, and they truly are. It's hard to dislike any of them because they feel so human, complete with flaws and mistakes. I fell in love with each character, each with their unique backstory that helps readers understand their faults. Some actions might upset you, but everyone who reads this series will likely have their favorite characters. Regardless of your personal experiences, you'll find aspects of these characters that resonate with you. Personally, reading NANA again after almost a decade allowed me to empathize more deeply, having gone through similar experiences in my own young adulthood. Thus, I agree that this is best categorized as josei, offering deeper appreciation for a more mature audience.

I couldn't give this manga a perfect score because, despite its brilliance, it remains unfinished. While I trust Ai Yazawa not to ruin the story regardless of how she concludes it, an open-ended narrative with unanswered questions isn't ideal from an enjoyment and storytelling perspective.

Final Warning: This manga pulls hard at heartstrings. Avoid if you can't handle drama, angst, and heartache.

Nana is a manga with a premise that doesn't particularly appeal to me, but I decided to read it because of its extremely high praise. As it turns out, the reason for this acclaim is that it's one of the most brilliantly crafted manga out there. I wish something with a more intriguing premise was written this well, but more than that, I wish this manga was actually finished. It seems like a curse that my favorite stories are doomed to remain incomplete due to hiatuses, and Nana is no exception. Its author, Ai Yazawa, fell ill some time ago, leaving this masterpiece unfinished to this day (though she claims she may continue it at some point, it's unwise to hold out hope). The fact that an incomplete work receives such acclaim speaks volumes about its quality, but I adore this manga so much that I'm more than happy to sing its praises.

Most people will tell you that the story is the best part of this manga, and I somewhat agree, but there's so much more to it. What makes it incredible is how meticulously and intricately it's woven together by all its aspects: the characters, the symbolism, the themes, and the art. The way the characters are written can be described as "Hunter x Hunter cast," where every character serves as a foil to another, and parallels between dynamics can be spotted in almost every panel. This method knits the cast together through controlled use of themes and motifs, strengthening said themes each time they're employed. This isn't the end of the connective flow; it interweaves conversations and monologues with completely separate scenes, both as they occur and during transitions, giving the whole thing a beautiful flow.

Dramaturgically, it threw me for a loop. For the first few volumes, it builds slowly, introducing the tone and pace before quickly shifting gears and plunging the reader into intense drama. This plays out masterfully, but where you might expect an 'arc' to end, it hits a mildly conclusive wrap-up before flowing straight into the next section of the story. The tension never fully relieves; it ebbs and flows carefully yet unpredictably. At first, this threw me off, but it soon became clear that this method perfectly encapsulates the 'real life' type of story flow it aims to achieve. Instead of having synchronized arcs that open and close simultaneously, there are varied lengths of arcs for any character or group of characters, weaving around each other, rising and falling at different times, never reaching a plateau. It works beautifully, making you feel like you're truly living the lives of these characters.

The comedy is an interesting topic because I can see how someone might find it intrusive, taking away from the drama and breaking immersion. Oddly enough, I feel it not only meshes well with the work as a whole but somehow enhances the realistic tone. Humans aren't good with constant tension, and in real life, we don't all brood seriously like in a BBC drama, even during serious situations. The banter is funny, always in character, and characters who might otherwise be reserved purely for dramatic moments get a dose of humanization through the comedy.

The themes of Nana are thoroughly intertwined, forming one of the strongest cores of any story I've read. The concept of determinism not being dictated by fate but by our uncontrollable desires and urges from past and present is explored in depth. These desires stem from past traumas, neglect, or anything from our past that left us dissatisfied then or now, and dysfunctional catalysts are born again by the 'fate' controlled by our uncontrollable egos. It also delves into the nuances of responsibility and self-care, the struggle to balance keeping oneself safe and happy. More than anything, Nana is a story about learning to care for yourself through caring for others, resulting in a constant mess of projection and self-deceptive conflict as characters navigate their complex interpersonal relationships to find satisfaction in their lives.

The art is stunning and beautiful throughout. The style is simple yet fine-lined, with big eyes and skinny bodies, but normal enough proportions to avoid feeling cartoonish. The use of black and white is extraordinary, always perfectly evoking the emotions of scenes or the thoughts and feelings of characters. It employs a vast bank of symbolism, rich for analysis, but it's never mandatory to stop and analyze; Nana exists on the surface level as well as many layers below.

The dialogue is excellent, realistic when necessary, comedic when appropriate, and constantly evocative of subtle parts of the characters' psyche, whether the one talking or someone else through clever paralleling. Some may consider the manga too dialogue-heavy, but it never feels arduous to read while still having enough density and depth to remain engaging. Both protagonists take turns monologizing, and these soliloquies contain some of the most beautiful and poetic quotes I've encountered in manga. Out of context, some sound cheesy, but they always work brilliantly in context and often have multiple meanings, overlapping with seemingly unrelated scenes.

The only reason I can think of not to recommend this manga is its incompletion. However, there's so much utterly excellent fiction here that it would be a crime not to check it out. Besides, Volume 21 provides a decent conclusion (relative to not actually being the end), though there are a few extra chapters afterward continuing the conflict.

In conclusion, Nana is a masterpiece, and you should read it NOW.

Do you think including sex in a story makes it mature and suitable for a mature audience? If so, you might enjoy this manga, as it targets exactly that demographic with its smut content.

The only reason I kept reading this manga was to understand why everyone seems to like this series. Unfortunately, I failed in this task. For a manga that claims to be about romance and friendship, it lacks both significantly. Relationships exist, but genuine displays of romance or friendship are rare. Mostly, the story revolves around conflicts, promiscuity, and playboys—details about who slept with whom, who cheated on whom, breakups, and new relationships. Honestly, if that's enough content for you, just ask any teenage girl for the latest gossip, and you'll get exactly that. The problem with Nana is that all of it feels hollow. We're supposed to believe there are feelings between the characters, but the manga lacks actual affectionate moments. It’s as if these occur off-screen, leaving us with only the aftermath of unhealthy relationships. The constant youthful recklessness depicted in the story makes me want to shout, "Just grow up already!" at the pages.

The characters are unsympathetic and uninteresting. Their trendy designs are their only redeeming quality, and even that feels outdated. Just as I don't need a manga to tell me water is drinkable, I also don't need one to tell me teenagers often make poor life decisions. Especially not one that doesn’t seem to have any meaningful conclusion in mind yet spans so many volumes. Sure, some characters have sob stories and background information, but that doesn’t change how uninteresting they are in the present. Reading Nana feels like reading generic chick lit, which, upon reflection, it actually is, so perhaps it shouldn't have surprised me.

There is one good thing about this manga, though: the art. Even as someone who generally doesn't enjoy shoujo-style illustrations, I liked it. While it didn’t make the manga good overall, it certainly made reading it slightly more bearable.

I feel the target audience for Nana is mainly those around the protagonists' age, still clinging to the idea that indulging in sex and relationship drama while smoking cigarettes during their teens is cool and intriguing. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone seeking something beyond telenovela-tier content.

I've never seen the anime, so I won't be making any comparisons. Let's dive in.

Story: The story is great, really good. I gave it a 9. There are moments where things seem a bit slow, but as soon as you start feeling that way, the plot shifts and new challenges emerge.

Art: Initially, I didn't like the art. However, the style is very "cookie-cutter," and after getting used to it, I began to appreciate it. The art is good, and I actually enjoy how the style changes with the mood. Important scenes are drawn with great detail and beauty.

Character: The characters are excellent. At first, they seem quite two-dimensional, but as the story progresses, they develop and change in ways that make you appreciate their growth.

Overall: This series is very much like a soap opera—really, a lot like one. The scene transitions are reminiscent of TV soap operas. The reason I didn't score the overall higher is that the character development feels somewhat slow, and (I know I'll get some flak for this) the chapters are LONG and very wordy. It takes forever to get through a chapter. Seriously, 60 pages per chapter is intense. I need to dedicate my entire night to just one chapter! Anyway, it's a great series, and I think anyone who enjoys a good love story would enjoy this series.