What is Nana all about?
One gloomy evening, Nana Komatsu happens to sit next to Nana Osaki on the train bound for Tokyo. While sweet and easy-going Nana K. heads to the capital searching for the glitz and glamor life she's always wanted, the moody, rocker-girl Nana O. goes to fulfill her dream of becoming a famous musician. Strangely enough, they decide to share an apartment and gradually become close friends.
The story takes place in modern-day Tokyo, busy-looking during the day and drop-dead gorgeous at night. Those who have read or watched Paradise Kiss will easily recognize the artwork of famous manga artist Ai Yazawa, with her passion for the skinny, leggy characters and stylish outfits. The series is directed by Morio Asaka (Cardcaptor Sakura, Galaxy Angel, Chihayafuru) and animated by Madhouse, the studio that has a plethora of famous anime under its belt.
What makes Nana so unique?
Realistic Themes
In Japanese anime, it is common to have a definite set of character archetypes you will see again and again. In most cases, they are somewhat exaggerated, either for narrative purposes or to please the viewers. There are a few anime cartoons that contain only realistic portrayals of characters and thank God, Nana is one of them. It does not rely on any tricks to try and get a reaction out of audience. No outrageous stupidity, no slapstick, and no exaggerated facial expressions. All of the Nana characters are quite realistic and believable because they are tormented by the same problems most people experience in real life. Moreover, their personalities change based on the situation and events surrounding them. Even though some characters may seem stereotypical in their core design, they quickly grow and show many dimensions.
One of the deepest characters is the main female protagonist, Nana Osaki. Even though she is an up-and-coming rock star right on her way to becoming rich and famous, she faces many problems common among teenagers.
Music That Reflects Your Mood
Even if you are not into rock music, Nana’s soundtracks are sure to please your ears, featuring a variety of vocal pieces as well as instrumentals. Take some time to listen to them on their own and see how unique and incredibly amazing all the tracks are. Some diehard fans swear they have spent far more time listening to Nana’s music than actually watching the show. Well, I am not surprised at all, because these songs have an addictive rhythm highlighted by an awesome guitar line which is very different from the usual J-rock anime themes. What a welcome change! One of the most amazing things about Nana’s soundtracks is how tightly they are woven into the storyline. Music always influences the mood.
The vast majority of openings and endings are composed by famous Japanese singer and model Anna Tsuchiya who also provided Nana Osaki’s singing voice. Check out the best soundtracks titled ‘Rose’, Without You’, ‘Zero’ and ‘Scream’ that elevate Nana’s score to a level most musicians can only dream of.
Very Stylish Characters
If you ask me about the best dressed characters in Japanese anime, whether their outfit is cute, attractively bizarre, or rebellious, Nana’s characters are hands down the coolest. Boy, what do you expect from the musicians of the punk rock band bound to be famous? They have no choice but to look awesome with their fashionable punk rock garments, stylish accessories and badass attitudes.
The main protagonist Nana Osaki has a closet I would take great pleasure in raiding any day of the week. She can usually be seen wearing short skirts, biker boots, bracelets, leather gloves and sexy stockings. Her pale white skin and obvious fondness for dark attire help her smooth skin stand out even more. Every time I cast my eyes over Nana’s clothing, I feel that it is time to rock out - literally! This stylish lady can show all of us losers how to make the punk trend work fine with our vibe.
Nana’s fashion sense is greatly inspired by the well-known designer Vivienne Westwood. In the beginning, it is not difficult to notice a red Vivienne Westwood jacket given to Nana Osaki by a devoted fan. As the story goes on, clothing items or accessories bearing the brand logo, a Saturn and an iron cross mounted on the top, appear throughout the whole anime series, worn by both the main and side characters. For instance, Black Stones’ bassist Shin, a true rock star burdened with drug addiction and alcohol problems, can often be seen wearing a cool long chain with a lighter pendant bearing Westwood’s logo.
No More Childish Scenes
Many people accuse Japanese anime of being utterly childish. Well, watching 50 series full of childish slapstick humor may not always correspond with some viewers’ expectations. There are indeed a lot of cartoons aimed at kids, but the Nana series is aimed at a more mature audience. If you are looking for a serious anime, Nana is the best of the best. It is not intended for younger children to watch because not only does it contain some adult scenes, the theme of the series is also aimed towards more adult audiences. For instance, serious topics like male prostitution, drug addiction, mental illness, pregnancy and adultery. These all seem to be recurrent themes in the mind of Nana’s creator, Ai Yazawa, including her other manga titled Paradise Kiss. Unlike other romantic anime, Nana succeeds because it strives to tell a mature storyline that is definitely not for kids but is poignant and touching enough for adults.
Similar Anime Titles
BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad
Paradise Kiss
Both series have very trendy and stylish artistic style, wonderful characters and a great plot. If you appreciate series with a sense of realism and quirky charms, you will definitely find Paradise Kiss as interesting as Nana.
Skip Beat!
Both stories involve plenty of romance with lots of handsome boys everywhere. There are emotionally touching moments that will stir your heart as well as comedic scenes that will give you lots of laughter. If you like watching Nana, then Skip Beat is definitely worth a try.
Peach Girl
While Nana is more fit for the older audience, both cartoons emphasize various problems caused by jealousy and misunderstandings. If you are looking for a good realistic anime that is both provoking and infinitely stirring, I would recommend you to watch Peach Girl.
Who Should Watch It?
Nana is one of the most well-rounded romance stories produced by studio Madhouse. It provides an important glimpse into the way young girls are socialized into thinking about their futures. The story gives an accurate depiction of adult life with all its relationships trickling off, facing difficult problems and having to decide between love and security. As there many serious themes covered, this anime will be interesting to an adult audience. Therefore, it is a must-see for fans of shoujo.
The music composed by famous Japanese singers Anna Tsuchiya and Olivia is certainly one of the reasons why you should watch Nana. Even if you are not into the rock music, these soundtracks will make your heart tremble. Openings and endings are definitely not to be missed. Enjoy the powerful emotions embedded in each episode and each song of Nana!