Well, I’ve finally watched half of the Nana TV series(25 out of 50 episodes), so I figured it was time to write a review about it ^^ I have to admit, I thought Nana was a bit boring at first. I’m sure those of you who’ve seen Nana know that it’s more like a Japanese drama than an anime. I’ve never watched any Japanese dramas(since I’m so busy watching anime, LOL) and I usually tend to stay away from major shoujo/drama series’ that don’t have any fantasy in them. But I heard good things about Nana and the story sounded interesting, so I decided to check it out and I ended up liking it a lot. I don’t think it will become a favorite, but I really respect it for being a well-made, unique, and deeply involved series.
Nana is one of the very few anime series’ I’ve watched that has absolutely no fantasy elements in it at all. I’m sure many fans will agree that it might as well be a live-action series. It’s just a straight out slice-of-life Japanese drama. This is probably the main reason why it won’t ever be licensed in the US…it’s just way too Japanese. Actually, I probably wouldn’t appreciate and understand the series as much as I do if I hadn’t actually lived in Japan for a while myself and hung out with many Japanese young people. Because of my experience in Japan, my meeting many Japanese teens, and learning about Japanese “生活-seikatsu”(life, way of living), I found that I’m able to”get into” the Nana series a lot more than if I hadn’t actually been to Japan. The setting, the way the characters act and speak, the things they do, their histories and situations, etc., all of this is done brilliantly and really reflects the general life of Japan’s young adults.
I think one reason Nana didn’t appeal to me too much at first was because the series had so many recap episodes(I don’t remember exactly, but I think episode 2 or 3 was already a recap episode!) I’ve never read the Nana manga, so I don’t know how different it is from the anime(I don’t think it’s that different), but the pacing of the show started off a little shaky. Also, it took a while for more characters to be introduced. Since pretty much everything interesting that happens in the story relies solely on the characters’ relationships with each other, the series wasn’t really able to shine until the episodes hit the mid-teens or so. And it’s just been getting better since. The unfolding relationships, interpersonal conflicts, and the feeling of intimacy with the story and characters, is all wonderfully executed and well-paced in the Nana series. The series also has its share of some well-timed humor, mostly poking fun at a character’s personality, which is a plus for the intimacy value of the show. All the shifting subplots and revelations fit perfectly in place, and nothing that happens in the series seems rushed or disjointed. In fact, besides too many recap episodes, the Nana series is put together beautifully. Each episode ends with a sense of wonder, and I think that helps set the mood and general message of the series very well.
As for the characters, they’re well developed. But as I said, since Nana is pretty much an animated Japanese drama, the characters reflect this. Though some aspects of their personalities seem like standard anime characters, their situations and actions are definitely far from your typical, mainstream, fantasy-bound anime series. To me, they seem more like anime characters acting the role of real Japanese people in true-to-life situations. In Nana, it’s really the characters’ relationships and the drama in their lives that create the story. The friendship that develops between the two main characters(Nana and Nana obviously ^^) is interesting because their personalities are so different, and yet before you realize it, they have a great, well-developed relationship with each other. Nana(Osaki) as well as the other members of Blast and Trapnest, though they seem a bit “offbeat” from your typical main characters in anime, and do things like smoke, drink, etc., are all very well defined individuals with their own unique personalities and backgrounds. Nana(“Hachi” Komatsu), though she can be a bit girly and annoying sometimes, is also a very sympathetic character. This is mostly due to the fact that she recognizes her own personality flaws and faults(such as choosing the right boyfriend), but in spite of this she still makes mistakes, like in her relationship with Takumi…I think this makes her seem a lot more realistic. The rest of the characters such as Junko, Yasu, Shin, Nobu, etc., are also clearly defined individuals, with a bit of the “wildness” of anime characters as well as the realism of Japanese drama characters. The actual character designs reflect this as well; they look like anime characters, though not quite as stylized.
One more thing I really like about Nana is the songs. The two opening and two ending songs are excellent. “Rose” is an awesome Engrish song, and what’s cool is that it’s actually a part of the show too(Nana’s signature song for Blast.) “A Little Pain” is a beautiful song, and like “Rose,” it’s also in the episodes as well(Reira’s song.) “Wish” and “Starless Night” are also great songs with a unique sound to them.
Well, that about sums up my thoughts on the Nana series so far. Fans of action, shounen, and/or fantasy anime probably won’t like it. But if you’re into shoujo anime or Japanese dramas, then Nana should definitely be a winner for you =)
That might be one reason why I love Nana. I would like to see more realistic relationships in anime, but Japanese drama with real actors hasn’t managed to hook me up as anime as a art form still looks better. So this combines the best parts from both worlds. =)
Although NANA does have a couple of recap episodes, it’s not quite like you describe it. The true recap episodes were dubbed episode 11.5 and 21.5, but there was also a retelling of the first episode of the anime. Basically, the first episode showed the first two meetings of both Nana’s, in the train and at the appartment. The following 4 episodes went back in time showing a bit of background on both girls leading up to their first meetings, dedicating 2 episodes on each girl. In episode 6 and 7 you basically see the meetings again rather than getting skipped over, but with some more details. I personally thought it was a good move to show their meetings in the first episode rather than starting off with the background stories leading up to it, it made the first episode a real attention catcher which wouldn’t have been the case if the story had started with the background bits.
Beforehand I never would have guessed that I’d like this series that much, being like a japanese drama as you put it. One thing that attracted my interest was the typical art style, which I liked, so I decided to give it a try. The first episode really got me into it and I’ve been watching ever since, can’t get enough of NANA.
Do you know were I can find episodes #38-50 with english subtitles if so
pleas E-mail me.
I only know of one fansub group that is still subbing Nana and that’s IY4Ever. So far they’ve subbed up to episode 36.5 (a recap ep). Unless there’s another fansub group subbing the series, we’ll just have to wait until they release eps 37 to 50 (unfortunately, they’re very slow with their releases).
This is the best romantic anime even been made. But it also reviels the limits, the chritical strikes of the romantic animes. After about the 23 episode the story lost it’s dimamics, and the character-development slowed down, soonafter even began to rost. And if you take a closer look, you’ll see, that they did this on purpase: the makers couldn’t see anything more in this series than a well-turned-out dramaidea.
And the ending episode: lifeless and moranicly simple-minded! Hachi became an empty-hearted pupetwoman with zero will-power, and the other one – I know it sounds silly, but – somehow just vanished.
As closing: Nana can be separated into two halfs. The first half is fantastic, but the second half was directionless and nonsense. The Junko bar episodes were totally made for the “reklama”, and the last episode was simply horrible.
First half: 9/10 Second half 3/10
“As closing: Nana can be separated into two halfs. The first half is fantastic, but the second half was directionless and nonsense. The Junko bar episodes were totally made for the “reklama”, and the last episode was simply horrible.”
It’s not a “horrible” ending necessarily, it’s just rather abrupt and not very cheerful. This was the first Anime that has compelled me to dig into the Manga, and unfortunately the ending THERE is even more open-ended and unfulfilling.
As far as directionless, as I mentioned in my comment below, for me it carried on well because of the introduction of new characters, and the music industry aspect.
I liked it and I’m a guy. Never thought I’d like something like this, but the bonus is it got my wife into Anime.
I think a reason it was able to stretch long was the timely introduction of various characters at different points. Also, I’ve not seen any review that has commented on the “music indsutry” aspect of the show. It’s a good take on showbiz and the psychology of record labels.