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Yazawa Ai - Nana, vol. 12-14 (orig. Jap.)
The beginning of vol. 12 killed me. Just. Oh. I thought at first that it was a flashback, maybe to a very, very young Punk Nana, but no.
And oh, Shin, all grown up! And Yasu, same as ever. And Cute Nana, more mature, but still herself. And Nobu! And the scene in the bathroom, where I swear Nobu is still in love with her, only he holds on to her hand with the wedding and engagement rings! And the voiceover, oh! I am so very, very worried now, and I cried at the scene with Nobu and the end of the chapter, with the folded yukata on Punk Nana's empty bed.
So presumably Cute Nana marries Takumi (as I expected) and has Satsuki. Satsuki looks like Takumi's kid, maybe? But we don't know if she and Takumi are still together. Presumably Nobu's still in love with ehr, or something strong and unrequited is still between them. And Shin! So cute! I want to hug him, and for once, I don't feel sketchy about it! Also, we know Ren's still ok and alive, but no idea about Reira. And Punk Nana! What happened? Where is she? I assume she's alive, because she has voiceovers as well, but... I don't know. I don't know why she wouldn't come back, and I don't know what the painful memory that they all share is, and oh, it is killing me!
All that in just one chapter!
At the present-day fireworks scene, I hurt so much for Nobu and both Nanas -- the apparent choice Punk Nana makes between Cute Nana and Nobu (that's how I read Nobu seeing it; I think Punk Nana sees it more as hatching a scheme to get them back together), Cute Nana's relief at not having to face Nobu, Nobu's hurt that Cute Nana doesn't want to see him, and it's all so messy. And the scene with Nobu on one side of the door and Cute Nana on the other hurt and hurt, especially when Nobu's courage failed him and that shot of him on the floor, back to the door, crying.
I mentally yelled at Takumi for warning Shin off Reira; Takumi's point is practical as always, but he so very much botches up the execution of everything. I think he's so focused on the practical and what makes sense business-wise that he forgets (or doesn't care) that most people don't think that way.
I loved Shin and Cute Nana hugging at his party. So much! I love all the friendships in this series, not just the Nana-Nana one, but Cute Nana-Shin, Shin-Nobu, Nobu-Punk Nana, Nobu-Yasu-Shin, Nobu-Yasu, Yasu-Ren, Yasu-Ren-Takumi, and all the myriad variations. I love that Yazawa understands how relationships change even if it's just A-B, A-C, and A-B-C, because each dynamic is not the same, and they're all there.
And oh, Nobu. I can't see hooking up with Yuri as a good thing, not because she's a porn star, but because it's so much a rebound relationship. And I'm glad that he seems to be intent on being nice to her and declaring that she's his girlfriend, despite the rebound-ness of it, but oh. These things just always lead to hurt.
And Miu! I am now completely over feeling slightly mean toward her because she isn't a Sachiko-esque figure for Nobu, and I very much love the Miu-Yasu relationship that's been developing. I never thought of it, but I like both of their silences, and she seems to be someone who listens to Yasu, not just someone who confides in Yasu like Ren and Punk Nana do. I want Yasu to have someone that is all his, attention-wise; with both Ren and Punk Nana, I get the feeling that Yasu is always holding back a little because he doesn't want to get between them both. And I love Yasu for it, but I want him to be more selfish!
I loved Nobu and Cute Nana finally talking. It feels over now -- I doubt it is fully over, given the timeskip, but there's some closure, finally, and I think both Nana and Nobu needed that.
And I love love love Punk Nana slipping her dress back on and hurrying to put on makeup again once she learns Cute Nana is at the party. I love their relationship so very much.
And, finally, we see a little more into the tie between the okonomiyaki place and Blast! Who is Uehara Misato? Why does Misato-we-know use that name? I keep thinking the waitress at the okonomiyaki place is Punk Nana's mom because of the comment about their voices, but would that make Uehara Misato her sister? Must read next volume!
Also, grrr to the Ren-Reira pictures. I doubt it'll go the normal Big Misunderstanding way though; Yazawa somehow manages to use the typical romance plotline and translate them to real life. But I'm sad because I think Punk Nana and Reira could be good friends, and this would get in the way of that, no matter how subconsciously. And I just like the Ren-Reira relationship as well.
Oh! And Takumi! Having an affair. *sigh* I want to hate him, but I don't quite -- I dislike him (I dislike Shouji too), but I understand him, and I can very much see him not feeling guilty about it at all. But just... it will hurt Cute Nana.
And oh, Shin, all grown up! And Yasu, same as ever. And Cute Nana, more mature, but still herself. And Nobu! And the scene in the bathroom, where I swear Nobu is still in love with her, only he holds on to her hand with the wedding and engagement rings! And the voiceover, oh! I am so very, very worried now, and I cried at the scene with Nobu and the end of the chapter, with the folded yukata on Punk Nana's empty bed.
So presumably Cute Nana marries Takumi (as I expected) and has Satsuki. Satsuki looks like Takumi's kid, maybe? But we don't know if she and Takumi are still together. Presumably Nobu's still in love with ehr, or something strong and unrequited is still between them. And Shin! So cute! I want to hug him, and for once, I don't feel sketchy about it! Also, we know Ren's still ok and alive, but no idea about Reira. And Punk Nana! What happened? Where is she? I assume she's alive, because she has voiceovers as well, but... I don't know. I don't know why she wouldn't come back, and I don't know what the painful memory that they all share is, and oh, it is killing me!
All that in just one chapter!
At the present-day fireworks scene, I hurt so much for Nobu and both Nanas -- the apparent choice Punk Nana makes between Cute Nana and Nobu (that's how I read Nobu seeing it; I think Punk Nana sees it more as hatching a scheme to get them back together), Cute Nana's relief at not having to face Nobu, Nobu's hurt that Cute Nana doesn't want to see him, and it's all so messy. And the scene with Nobu on one side of the door and Cute Nana on the other hurt and hurt, especially when Nobu's courage failed him and that shot of him on the floor, back to the door, crying.
I mentally yelled at Takumi for warning Shin off Reira; Takumi's point is practical as always, but he so very much botches up the execution of everything. I think he's so focused on the practical and what makes sense business-wise that he forgets (or doesn't care) that most people don't think that way.
I loved Shin and Cute Nana hugging at his party. So much! I love all the friendships in this series, not just the Nana-Nana one, but Cute Nana-Shin, Shin-Nobu, Nobu-Punk Nana, Nobu-Yasu-Shin, Nobu-Yasu, Yasu-Ren, Yasu-Ren-Takumi, and all the myriad variations. I love that Yazawa understands how relationships change even if it's just A-B, A-C, and A-B-C, because each dynamic is not the same, and they're all there.
And oh, Nobu. I can't see hooking up with Yuri as a good thing, not because she's a porn star, but because it's so much a rebound relationship. And I'm glad that he seems to be intent on being nice to her and declaring that she's his girlfriend, despite the rebound-ness of it, but oh. These things just always lead to hurt.
And Miu! I am now completely over feeling slightly mean toward her because she isn't a Sachiko-esque figure for Nobu, and I very much love the Miu-Yasu relationship that's been developing. I never thought of it, but I like both of their silences, and she seems to be someone who listens to Yasu, not just someone who confides in Yasu like Ren and Punk Nana do. I want Yasu to have someone that is all his, attention-wise; with both Ren and Punk Nana, I get the feeling that Yasu is always holding back a little because he doesn't want to get between them both. And I love Yasu for it, but I want him to be more selfish!
I loved Nobu and Cute Nana finally talking. It feels over now -- I doubt it is fully over, given the timeskip, but there's some closure, finally, and I think both Nana and Nobu needed that.
And I love love love Punk Nana slipping her dress back on and hurrying to put on makeup again once she learns Cute Nana is at the party. I love their relationship so very much.
And, finally, we see a little more into the tie between the okonomiyaki place and Blast! Who is Uehara Misato? Why does Misato-we-know use that name? I keep thinking the waitress at the okonomiyaki place is Punk Nana's mom because of the comment about their voices, but would that make Uehara Misato her sister? Must read next volume!
Also, grrr to the Ren-Reira pictures. I doubt it'll go the normal Big Misunderstanding way though; Yazawa somehow manages to use the typical romance plotline and translate them to real life. But I'm sad because I think Punk Nana and Reira could be good friends, and this would get in the way of that, no matter how subconsciously. And I just like the Ren-Reira relationship as well.
Oh! And Takumi! Having an affair. *sigh* I want to hate him, but I don't quite -- I dislike him (I dislike Shouji too), but I understand him, and I can very much see him not feeling guilty about it at all. But just... it will hurt Cute Nana.
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Yasu/Miu is one of the ships I really love, except I'm conflicted because I would also love, love, love for Yasu and Punk Nana to get together. But I like Miu! I don't want to see her get hurt...
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I really love Yasu/Miu as well. And Yasu/Reira. And Yasu/Punk Nana. This series makes it so hard for me to root for one person or couple because I like them all so much! Well, except Shouji/Sachiko (may they have much joy together! I just don't want to read about it all too much) and Takumi/Cute Nana. I think Takumi's interesting, but I am pretty sure this one ends in heartbreak.
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I adore Shin/Reira! So much! I would probably mind more if it were Takumi/Reira, but that is because I am grumpy at Takumi, no matter how practical he is.
I'm completely not sold on Nobu/Yuri ;). I don't have anything against them, but they feel so much like a rebound relationship for Nobu to me that I can't see it ending well!
OMG. I want it to end Nana/Nana as well, even if it's Nana-Nana friendship sans male significant others, and sometimes I think she'll go there (the kiss!) and sometimes I doubt it.
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Keep reading! There is some small resolution on the flash forward stuff within the next few vols. (I've read up through 17 (still haven't found 18 used and have not yet broken down and bought it new) and I think it was 16 or 17 that there was a lot more detail in the future stuff.)
I really am not sure there are any couples I don't have competing ships for. Even Shin/Layla, which is probably my strongest ship, still has some competition, as I wouldn't mind Takumi/Layla or even Ren/Layla...
And while in the beginning, I was a huge Ren/Nana shipper, I've since moved more and more towards Nana/Yasu...but I like him with Miu, too!
I think I would most like for Cute Nana to get back with Nobu, and while I do like Yuri, I'm not sold on Nobu/Yuri (though I'd feel bad for her if he broke it off...damn, I guess I am more conflicted than I thought).
I would love to see it end with Nana/Nana, and sometimes I almost wonder if Yazawa Ai would actually go there, but I have less hope for them than any of the het ships.
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*reads*
I need to reread. I don't quite remember all of that, and some of the names no longer conjure up which character they are. I *do* remember feeling dread for much of the series, even including the first few volumes.
I want more chapters to come out, but apparently the mangaka got really ill and thus had to take a break. From here on out, I hope she recovers quickly and completely!
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Not sure if these were the confusing characters, but Miu's the long-haired girl with the suicide scars, Yuri's the bouncy, somewhat spoiled porn star, Uehara Misato is the schoolgirl fan who waits in the rain but doesn't do the LoliGoth thing like the first Misato we meet, and now I am confusing myself with the names!
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I guess I'll have to start going back to these chapters & catch up, because I love your Nana posts!
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