Nana Highly recommended

Publisher
Viz
Writer
Ai Yazawa
Artist
Ai Yazawa
Country of origin
Japan
Year
1999

Nana V. 2

By David Rasmussen
2nd Apr 06

Once again we return to the happy never predictable world of Nana, one of two series worth checking out from Shojo Beat! This, and Crimson Hero, is worth your time and effort to check out!
We checked out Nana V. 1 last time, now let’s see what’s going on with Volume 2!

Volume 2
At last the two Nanas meet!
Nana K, now heading to Tokyo to meet up with Shoji and company now that they’re settled in.
Nana O, moving to Tokyo to break into the big time music industry and bring about a rebirth of her dreams earning her money from her singing before Ren ran off from her.
So just meeting on the train, stuck in the snow, isn’t enough though. After being in Tokyo for awhile the two meet when they start looking for an apartment and end up seeing the same apartment!
Once they find out that rooming together to save the cost of renting was the best idea they move in, and thus the life of Nana K and Nana O together begins… a life that will involve work, parties, friends, music and relationships. But as the two Nanas begin to settle into their lives, furnishing their combined home, a few twists begin to form in their mutual road.
These twists appear in the form of the cameo appearance of Yasu (the old drummer of Nana O’s band and the closest thing she has to family), the arrival of Nobu, one of Nana O’s old bandmates (who she had a brief thing with in Volume 1) and knowledge that Nana K is a fan of Trapnest (the band Ren joined back in Volume 1) which brings back bad memories for Nana O.
But as the volume ends the chance to bring the band back to life rises, and Volume 3 looks promising for the rebirth of the Black Stones, aka BLAST. But that’s next volume (coming May/June 2006), this is now.
Breakdown.

Nana Breakdown the 2nd
What’s Hot?
The read that sold 22 million units in Japan is now available for your own hands, and it is something I can’t recommend enough. Twists and turns keep the story active and vibrant, with a fresh and hip humor and twinges of regret and reflection that keep it from being nothing more than a fluff ridden humor title.
The read also manages to keep you on your toes as you find out that you can’t rely on everything to remain status quo and stable in the lives of Nana K & O. Ai Yazawa works hard to keep you interested, kicking over the story over and over to keep you coming back for more and more, which works in my opinion and keeps the title a solid read volume after volume after volume.
With a large cast of intense and interesting characters, a fine story, and a setting that works well you’ll find yourself drawn into the series and their lives as the series captivates you just as it did it’s Japanese readers.
A solid read well worth checking out.

What’s Not?
Nothing. Nothing whatsoever.

Moments to Remember?
Everything. Everything here is just good.

What to Ignore?
Nothing whatsoever.

Overall?
Short, sweet, and straight to the point. Nana the manga series is one solid beautiful little read that hit’s the spot, does right by you, and is well worth your time and effort checking out.
And look how hot it is! Besides the manga there’s a Tribute CD which brings the music of Nana to life, a live action movie (with a sequel in development), and a Movie CD… and that’s just what I know of!
One of the best reads of Shojo Beat, this is well worth your time and effort to check out! So go, go out and get it! You’ll enjoy it, trust me!

-- David Rasmussen 2nd Apr 06