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'NANA': an Anime Review

Published:March 13, 2023 at 01:40 AM2 min read

By Sanskriti Dixit

A tale of two young women sharing a roof and a name: NANA. This is a story of love, loss, pain, grief, drama and growing up.

NANA, an anime based on the manga of the same name written by Ai Yazawa, is one of those anime that everyone knows the existence of but only a few have actually watched.

The series follows the main characters, Komatsu Nana and Osaki Nana, as they navigate through the ‘adult life’ and the challenges it brings, all the while trying to maintain their blossoming friendship. The two women are polar opposites. Osaki Nana wants fame as a member of her rock band: BLAST a.k.a. Black Stones while Komatsu Nana wants a romance she can lean on.

A wintery night and a delayed train set the scene for their meeting. Fate finds the two as they become roommates and slowly make their way into each other’s hearts and lives.

NANA is a very realistic anime that explores themes usually ignored in mainstream anime. The characters are realistic and instantly likeable & the storyline progresses as smooth as any young adult’s life does.

The drama, mixed together with the complex psych of each character keeps you hooked, urging you to know more about them. The art style is retro and mystic while the animation is smooth and gives justice to the manga. The soundtracks, though, are definitely the star of the series.

NANA may seem a little intimidating to new viewers of anime due to its bold and slightly dark themes, it is worth giving a shot.

The ending is a hit or miss and may even be termed ‘rushed’ by some viewers. Throughout the anime, the band’s music is not highlighted and is often overlooked because of the amazing openings and endings. The characters are most definitely train wrecks at times and usually give the viewers a clear idea of what not to do in life.

In conclusion, NANA is a must watch for fans of ‘drama meets comedy’ and teenagers transitioning to the next phase of their lives.