This review does not contain explicit spoilers but if you havent read it or seen the anime yet Id advise you to just go into it blind. I will make the plot summary as brief as possible as you probably know it already: two girls coincidental encounter on a train to Tokyo ends up in a number of new compelling and complicated relationships. 820https://i.pin.com/564x/e3/87/65/e387652f29a235f9afe7687c7f52d06c.jpg ALL THATS RIGHT WITH NANA The first thing most people point out when talking about NANAs strengths is the dimension of the characters and rightfully so. It is probably the biggest of Ai Yazawas fortes and she puts it to use exceptionally well in this manga. NANA is all about relationships: friendships romantic relationships mother and daughter relationships old friends and new acquaintances and all these entail. The characters have such depth they arent completely lovable or utterly hated but inspire a gray feeling that falls somewhere in the middle where you can list out their mistakes but you also cant seem to dislike them much like in real life. Some people you like and some not that much but everyone has their strengths and flaws and this intricate characterisation gives them detail and nuance and makes the story all the more realistic. The complex way in which the characters personalities clash and compliment each other is what makes the manga compelling angering heart breaking and heart warming and what sets it apart from other shoujos out there By the way because of its themes and portrayal NANA is closer to a Josei manga even though it is serialized in Cookie a shojo magazine. Ai Yazawa has a talent for storytelling which is apparent in the way the story is naturally moved along by its characters. Moreover NANAs narration especially in the tidbits at the beginning of most chapters is heart wrenching giving us a taste of whats to come from Nana in the future looking back on her youth. The dialogue can be witty or silly or it can be perceptive frank and fierce. To further prove Yazawas masterful writing NANA gives us a novels length worth of quotes. Have the following one as a little taste: Unable to distinguish between love and hate or sacrifice either one. Despite knowing wed end up hurting each other we willingly ensnared ourselves. Only when we lean on each other can I face reality. Such is a tragedy. Apart from relationships and all their leadinguptos and their aftermath and all the in between NANA touches on a surprising number of themes from careers and longterm goals and ambitions to artistic expression to drugs fashion money and the logistics of being an independent youth. It basically covers anything that could possibly be on your mind as a 20yearold and communicates all of this through contrastingly different personalities giving the reader a variety of points of view to reflect upon. Every volume brings a topic worth discussing to the table weaving it into the plot seamlessly. Additionally as if all these things werent enough the story is accompanied by a stunning and iconic art style. Stylish illustrations and atmospheric photographic backgrounds are the cherry on top of an already perfect cake. Furthermore NANA also features a long list of cultural references most remarkably to the English punk current from where it takes strong inspiration for both the plot and characters and the aesthetic namely Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols. 420https://i.pin.com/564x/38/01/8a/38018ad99f51b2e1f775f1d20ba0c6d6.jpg All in all NANA is an excellently rounded package and Im sure a lot of you readers cup of tea. If you want to read something thats so entertaining who doesnt want to read about the glamorous lives of punk bands members and will take your heart for a ride NANA should definitely be your pick. But if you are looking for a story that sparks questioning and discussion while also giving you unforgettable characters that will grow on you as if they were real people you will enjoy NANA profoundly. PD: I didnt give it a 100 just because Ai Yazawa hasnt got around to finishing it yet. Revised on: July 3rd 2023