Morio Asaka NANA

Nana, Nana, Nana... So little time since I discovered that anime, but such a great addict I've already become to it. Since I found this anime, one of the best I've ever seen, I decided to share this with you. Nana has every trait of a superb anime… Great characters, Great plot, Great graphics, Great soundtrack, it has everything.

Classification

Nana is by Japan’s classification of anime, a shoujou anime, that is, an anime directed especially towards a female audience. Based on the manga of the same name, by Ai Yazawa, Nana is a very popular anime, not only in Japan, but in many other parts of the world.

The title "Nana" refers directly to the two main characters of the series, who are both called Nana. Nana Komatsu (more commonly called Hachi) and Nana Osaki, are both young women of very different characters whom meet by a strange twist of fate and from that, a strong and eventful friendship develops, one that will be the basis of the anime itself.

Plot

The anime starts off with the two Nana's on the train to Tokyo, Hachi going to meet her boyfriend Shoji and Nana going to the city to debut as a singer. Their first encounter was when Hachi fell on Nana and finally ended sitting beside her. Little did they know they will meet again soon after, when both wanted the same flat and ended up living together. That was just the start of their close relationship.

Issues Presented

Nana is a shojou anime, as i said above, and as such has a strong dose of romance, but not the idealistic side of love but one that is so realistic that you can truly see yourself in it sometimes. Also, aimed at a more mature audience, Nana also deals with sex and a more crude view of life. Though, on seeing the first few episodes, you may find Nana depressing, you’ll soon discover that it is in fact addictive, with its realistic and endearing characters. Dealing with the parallel (and sometimes intertwined) life of the members of the two bands Trapnest (Osaki Nana’s ex-boyfriend's band) and Blast (Nana’s punk band), the anime shows us the ups and downs of their love as well as everyday life. This makes the anime even more easier to relate to and hence in my opinion, an anime worth cherishing.

Sound

Apart from the plot and indeed very charming characters, Nana’s highlight is without doubt it’s amazing soundtrack, but most particularly, its opening and ending songs sung by Japanese singers Anna Tsuchiya and OLIVIA. These singers in fact are the singing voices of Nana and Reira (the vocalist of Trapnest) and as such the openings and endings have songs that fit like a glove to the anime, with powerful lyrics, punk or slow music and fabulous voice talent by the two singers.

Overall

Overall, Nana is a master piece of an anime, though it will surely not be liked by everyone. Indeed Nana may appear on the same level as the lame soap operas people are fond of these days, but, on diving deep into the story, we notice that Ai Yazawa’s work reveals the truth of life.

Nana is one of the best anime's around! Go and watch it, I strongly recommend it. But be prepared to shed a few tears.

Further reading at http://www.s-nana.com/.
This Review was initially created at http://nussaibah.wordpress.com/ with permission to place here at AO.