WHERE CLIQUES,
OLD AND NEW,
COME TOGETHER IN HARMONY
Two Names, One Fate:
The Enduring Legacy of Ai Yazawa’s NANA
by Hella Cliques
September 24, 2026
When NANA premiered in the pages of Shueisha’s Cookie magazine in May 2000, few could have predicted how profoundly a story about two twenty-something women sharing an apartment would reshape modern josei and shōjo manga. Written and illustrated by legendary mangaka Ai Yazawa, NANA transcended standard romance tropes to deliver an unflinching, emotionally complex exploration of independence, ambition, heartbreak, and intimacy in modern Tokyo.
The Visionary: Ai Yazawa
Before NANA, Ai Yazawa had already established herself as a master of fashion-forward, emotionally grounded storytelling with hit series like Neighborhood Story and Paradise Kiss. Having attended fashion school before committing full-time to manga, Yazawa brought a distinct visual flair to her work. Her signature style—characterized by elongated, runway-proportioned silhouettes, meticulously detailed Vivienne Westwood clothing, safety pins, and leather—gave her characters an immediate visual identity that mirrored their internal lives.
In 2009, at the absolute height of NANA’s global run, Yazawa was forced to put the manga on indefinite hiatus due to a sudden, severe illness. Though the series remains unfinished at 21 volumes, Yazawa’s mastery of dialogue and character depth ensured that NANA remains a timeless masterpiece rather than a forgotten story.
NANA quickly became a massive cultural phenomenon in Japan and around the globe:
Record Sales:
The manga sold over 50 million collected volumes, making it one of the best-selling shōjo/josei manga properties in history. Volume 19 notably set records for the highest initial print run of any shōjo manga at the time.
Anime Adaptation:
In 2006, Madhouse produced an acclaimed 47-episode anime adaptation directed by Morio Asaka. The series was praised for faithfully preserving Yazawa’s artwork and mood, elevated by a powerhouse punk and rock soundtrack featuring vocals from Anna Tsuchiya (as Nana Osaki) and OLIVIA (as Reira Serizawa).
Live-Action & Fashion Trends:
The franchise also spawned two successful live-action feature films starring Mika Nakashima and Aoi Miyazaki. Beyond media sales, the series single-handedly fueled a resurgence in punk street fashion, classic Vivienne Westwood accessories (like the iconic Armor Ring and Orb lighter), and indie rock subculture across East Asia and the West throughout the 2000s.
The beating heart of NANA lies in its ensemble cast—flawed, fiercely human individuals navigating the messy transition into adulthood.
Nana "Hachi" Komatsu
Sweet, impulsive, and deeply romantic, Hachi moves to Tokyo chasing her boyfriend and a fresh start. Though often naive and overly reliant on others for validation, her emotional warmth serves as the anchor for the people around her. Her nicknames, inner monologues, and search for genuine autonomy form the narrative backbone of the series.
Nana Osaki
The fierce, charismatic lead vocalist of the punk rock band Black Stones (Blast). Shielded by an edgy exterior clad in leather jackets and heavy eyeliner, Nana harbors deep fears of abandonment stemming from a turbulent childhood. Her fiercely protective yet possessive connection with Hachi drives much of the emotional tension.
Black Stones (Blast)
Nana Osaki's Band
Ren Honjo
Blast’s former bassist and Nana Osaki’s tragic soulmate. Ren leaves Blast to join the mainstream megaband Trapnest, setting off a chain reaction of emotional separation. Bound to Nana by matching padlock necklaces and shared trauma, his struggle with fame, addiction, and devotion remains one of the story's most painful arcs.
Yasushi "Yasu" Takagi
Blast’s drummer, band leader, and a trained lawyer. Identifiable by his shaved head, dark sunglasses, and constant cigarette, Yasu is the calm, protective older-brother figure who holds both Blast and Trapnest together behind the scenes.
Nobuo "Nobu" Terashima
Blast’s guitarist and primary songwriter. Coming from a wealthy family that owns a traditional inn, Nobu chooses the precarious life of a Tokyo musician out of pure passion and loyalty to Nana. Warmhearted and sincere, he represents emotional safety, particularly in his deep romance with Hachi.
Shinichi "Shin" Okazaki
Blast’s prodigiously talented teenage bassist. Running away from an abusive, neglectful family background, Shin engages in high-class escort work to survive. Despite his cynicism and young age, he forms a tender, bittersweet bond with Reira.
Trapnest
Ren leaving Blast to join Trapnest in Tokyo is the event that breaks up the original Blast and sends Nana Osaki on her solo journey.
Takumi Ichinose
The ruthless, controlling bassist and producer of Trapnest. Workaholic and calculating, Takumi manages the band with an iron fist. His complicated, manipulative relationship with Hachi shifts the trajectory of the entire narrative, making him one of the most polarizing characters in modern manga.
Ren Honjo
Formerly the bassist for Blast and Nana Osaki's lover, Ren was recruited by Takumi to join Trapnest in Tokyo. His transition to Trapnest makes him a household name but creates a painful emotional divide with Nana.
Reira Serizawa
The lead vocalist of Trapnest, possessing a hauntingly beautiful voice that propels the band to stardom. Beneath her polished idol persona, Reira is deeply lonely, emotionally fragile, and caught in complex dynamics with both Takumi and Shin.
Naoki Fujieda
The upbeat, enthusiastic drummer who provides comic relief. Unlike the rest of the band, Naoki stays largely out of the personal drama and enjoys the perks of rock stardom.
