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Reviewed by Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane Two volumes of NANA at a time seems to be my magic number--I don't mean to hoard them, but it isn't usually until I add a second volume to my unread manga stack that I start peeling off the shrink-wrap. (The Explicit Content warning isn't uncalled-for on this title, but I sometimes worry that it'll put some readers off.) I suppose it's because I already know what's going to happen, so opening each new volume is a chance to take a fresh look at something I already love, and to remind myself of details I'd missed or forgotten. Volume 13 has some of my favorite moments between Shin and Hachi, whose relationship I absolutely adore. Most of the other relationships in NANA are full of layers and complexity, but these two have such an uncomplicated, playful affection for each other, and accept each other so unquestioningly, that I smile just seeing them together on the page. This volume is largely about reaffirming old connections and forging new ones, as if Yazawa is reminding the characters and readers of what's at the heart of the series before she forges off in new directions. In volume 14 things are back to business, with Blast heading out to do a publicity tour while trying to keep their personal lives afloat. But the past is alive and kicking, too--instead of the series' increasingly-common flashforwards, vol. 14 shows glimpses of Reira, Takumi, Ren, and Yasu's past, deconstructing their current relationships with each other by revealing their foundations. Meanwhile, Blast has both old and new fans to deal with, and one of those new fans has a familiar name and a stranger's face. The addition of new characters around this point (starting a couple of volumes ago) changes the feel of the story somewhat; I find that the intensity of each individual character's arc is diffused a bit by the broader scope, since we have less time with each person, and it's a bit harder to keep track of what everyone is feeling at any given moment. I don't think that diminishes the story, however--the emotional moments still pack an impressive punch, and there are still plenty of them. The mystery about what happens between "now" and the future Yazawa shows us is deepening, although there are more hints all the time. Very highly recommended, as usual. Each volume of NANA is sold shrink-wrapped, and includes the bonus "Junko's Place" story as well as The Family Times, a "newspaper" devoted to upcoming (at the time of Japanese publication) books/CDs/movies based on Yazawa's work. Review copies provided by VIZ Media. Comment on this review of NANA v13-14 on the Manga Life Forums. |
6 October 2009
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