NANA
NANA
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NANA

8.5
Yr 2006
Rt 23m
Status Ended
Animation Drama
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Series Brief

Overview

Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu meet while traveling to Tokyo in pursuit of their respective dreams, and decide to be roommates. Although drastically different people, the two become very close and together they find out if their biggest dreams have room for their best friend.

Critical Reception

What critics are saying

Score 88 /100

Nana is widely praised for its departure from typical anime tropes, offering a mature, complex drama that functions more like a live-action character study than traditional animation. Critics highlight the show's ability to balance lighthearted moments with the harsh, melancholy realities of young adulthood, including themes of addiction, abuse, and the difficult transition to independence.

The series follows two women in Tokyo, and reviewers note that the narrative excels in portraying their evolving relationship and personal ambitions. While the pacing and heavy subject matter represent a departure from common anime conventions, the emotional depth of Ai Yazawa’s source material has earned the series significant respect for its grounded, character-driven storytelling.

“NANA still offers something different that manages to ride the line between a light-hearted affair and a mellow-dramatic descent into the acceptance of growing up.”

“If you are up for something deep, complex and want something different. Then yes, NANA is an anime series that achieves that.”

“It is a mature anime about young adults moving to Tokyo and navigating new relationships as they pursue their dreams.”

“It’s a story you could get caught up in. So, in a way, it doesn’t really feel like anime. It could just as successfully been a live action series.”

Transmission Paths

Where to Watch

HiDive
CA • US
Hulu
US
Why fans love it

Premiering in 2006, this animated drama stands out for its grounded mix of slice-of-life realism and coming-of-age angst. Based on the manga, the narrative tracks two distinct young women, Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu, who first meet on a train bound for Tokyo. After deciding to become flatmates, their shared apartment becomes an anchor as they chase their respective ambitions in the city.

Fans gravitate toward the sharp contrast between the series' punk rock aesthetic and its vulnerable emotional beats. Instead of leaning into simple tropes, the show highlights the messy side of growing up, balancing shoujo and josei themes with real dramatic weight. Elevated by voice performances from a cast that includes Romi Park, the story centers on a compelling question: finding out if massive personal dreams actually leave enough room for a best friend.

Signal Match

Similarity

Where NANA overlaps with other shows, and exactly what they have in common.

Keyword Cloud

Keywords

musician punk rock female friendship friendship slice of life tragedy coming of age female protagonist tokyo, japan train based on manga relationship rock band angst shoujo anime flatmates josei love polygon
Technical Sheet

Details

First Aired
April 05, 2006
Status
Ended
Episode Runtime
23 minutes
Origin
JP
TMDB Votes
265