Yazawa Ai | Nana

Japanese: NANA
English: Nana
Type: Manga
Volumes: 21
Chapters: 84
Status: Ongoing
Published: May 26, 2000 to May 26, 2009*
Genres: Drama, Music, Romance, Shoujo, Slice of Life
Mangaka: Yazawa Ai (Story & Art)
Serialization: Cookie

Synopsis: Nana Komatsu is a young woman who's endured an unending string of boyfriend problems. Moving to Tokyo, she's hoping to take control of her life and put all those messy misadventures behind her. She's looking for love and she's hoping to find it in the big city.

Nana Osaki, on the other hand, is cool, confident and focused. She swaggers into town and proceeds to kick down the doors to Tokyo's underground punk scene. She's got a dream and won't give up until she becomes Japan's No. 1 rock'n'roll superstar.

This is the story of two 20-year-old women who share the same name. Even though they come from completely different backgrounds, they somehow meet and become best friends. The world of Nana is a world exploding with sex, music, fashion, gossip and all-night parties.

Yazawa Ai, Baka updates
no better resolution available

Background

*In June 2009, it was revealed that Yazawa had contracted a sudden illness, and had to be sent to hospital for treatment, putting Nana on hiatus. She returned from the hospital in April 2010, although has yet to reveal when or if she will be continuing the Nana manga serialization.

In 2003, she was awarded the Shogakukan Manga Award for Nana. Nana was made into an anime (produced by Madhouse Studios) and a successful movie with a sequel in Japan.

Anime Start/End Chapter
Starts at Vol 2, Chap 1
Ends at Vol 12, Chap 42

Groups scanlating
Afternoon Illusions
AmieTofu
AmieTofu Production
Celestial Delinquent
Celestial-Delinquent
Eternal Darkness
Lavendar Tinted
Mangascreener
Sinuse Scans
Sugar Oasis
TAKOYAKIs
lovenana4ever

Nao

Licensed in English
Viz Media (21 volumes, hiatus)

Source: MAL Manga info, Baka updates, wikipedia


Side notes: This manga has been a long time on my plan to read list and I've got few of its volumes restored in my book shelf just waiting more to come out. As I've not read most of the series I'm not going to spoil here many truths, not today at least. But anyone waiting any news about this series it probably was a long waited thing to hear that Ai Yazawa made new illustrations for Nana 2016 calendar although more news about the continuation for the series was not given. After her illness was diagnosed and treated she's done no more than one chapter for "Junko's Room" 2013 (ANN).

P.S. Although it's not in the tag list I do feel that this manga should be tagged as Josei due of it contents. And I've also left out the spoilers from the chara descriptions.
P.P.S. It was also a surprise that "Nana Osaki" chapter was almost 30 pages shorter than "Nana Komatsu" chapter although I thought that they'd be something like equal status heroines.

Main characters

Nana Osaki (大崎 ナナ)
Born: March 5, 1981
Height: 162 cm (5'4")
Weight: 43 kg (95 lbs.)
Family: Misuzu Osaki (mother)
Miyuki Osaki (grandmother, also foster mother—deceased)
Misato Uehara (half-sister)


One of the titular characters of the series, Osaki Nana may look like a tough punk rocker, but she has a kind heart and is a devoted friend. Abandoned by her parents and raised by her grandmother, Nana was expelled from high school after she was falsely accused of prostitution. Despite these hardships, Nana "polishes the shards of her dreams" and is determined to be successful as the lead vocalist of Blast. She is now engaged to her first love, Ren, although she also has lingering, ambiguous feelings for Yasu. Nana's favourite things never change. Her favorite designer is Vivienne Westwood, and her favorite band is the Sex Pistols. She smokes Seven Stars and likes coffee with milk and strawberry cake. She also has the ability to cook, but prepares all her food with too much salt which only Ren seems to enjoy.

Nana Komatsu (小松 奈々)

Born: November 30, 1980 

Height: 158 cm 

Weight: 46 kg 

Family: Mother (Natsuko), Father, Older sister (Nao) and younger sister (Nami).

Komatsu came to Tokyo, looking to find her dream. Unlike Osaki, Komatsu came from a large and happy household, though her childish outlook prevented her from living on her own initially. She's the middle child of three sisters.

Her chance encounter with Osaki began a friendship which changes Komatsu's life forever. She is introduced to Osaki's band, Black Stones, and their members. She later even helps "Blast" to find their bassist, by drawing a poster to advertise the vacancy. Much to her surprise, she also discovers that the members of Blast were friends with the members of Trapnest, a popular rock band of which she's a very big fan.

Supporting

Adding characters tomorrow.^-^

Anime trailer (2013)