It's Monday and time for Manga Mondays! Manga Mondays is a meme hosted
by Alison at Alison Can Read where
bloggers can share their passion for reading mangas. It's a great place
to get new manga titles to try and to meet new bloggers. I'm about half
way through Nana, the widely popular manga series, and am a bit sad to
see it end.
Description (from back of the volume): With the tabloids still
out for blood, Nana O. and her Blast bandmates move into a weird dorm
building run by their agency. But they've barely got enough time to
settle into their new digs because their crammed schedule has them
running from music studio to TV interview. The stress of band life and
dealing with a disintegrating Ren have started to take their toll on
Nana O. If she collapses now, will she ever get back up?
Review: Volume 11 starts a second story arc and kicks off with the characters plagued by self doubt including and not limited to relationship doubts. Nana K. is kept to the background while Nana O. is uncomfortably on stage. As Blast begins to kick off their promotion of their first single, Nana O.'s panic attacks start to become more alarming. She is beginning to feel insecure of her singing as her music producer tells her that he can fix her flaws using computers and mixers. Added to that pressure is the distance of both Ren and Nana K., both of whom Nana O. has developed strong attachments to.
Similarly, Ren seems to be tearing at the seams. He has lost his passion for Trapnest. I don't think he is starting to hate music, but rather he's getting burnt out from all the financial aspects of being in a band. He feels trapped by the band's responsiblity and yearns for the freedom to do what he really wants, which is to make music freely. He distance himself from Nana O. because he can't comfort her while he is also unsuccessfully dealing with his own band issues. He seems how musters up the courage to ask Nana O. to marry him, believing she is the only anchor that can hold him up. Like in typical manga fashion, we are still waiting for an answer from Nana O.
Meanwhile Blast seems to be rolling with the punches with their music label. They are now living in a dorm run provided by Gaia Records. Their dorm is in a shady area next to a place called a "lover's quarter" building. Is it a residental building for porn stars? Prostitutes? I'm not really sure, but we are introduced to two characters, a porn star and the other a supposed small actress (or is she? what is she up to?), both seem to be interested in Nobu. Nobu, however, is still heart broken over Nana K.
After a few "downers" of an ending, Volume 11 ends with a hopefully note as Blast plans on reuniting with Nana K. at a fireworks festival.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong sexual content, crude humor, some drug references, and some language. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.
If you like this book try: Nana Vol 12 by Ai Yazawa, Honey and Clover by Chica Umino, Tramps Like Us by Yayoi Ogawa
Description (from back of the volume): With the tabloids still
out for blood, Nana O. and her Blast bandmates move into a weird dorm
building run by their agency. But they've barely got enough time to
settle into their new digs because their crammed schedule has them
running from music studio to TV interview. The stress of band life and
dealing with a disintegrating Ren have started to take their toll on
Nana O. If she collapses now, will she ever get back up?Review: Volume 11 starts a second story arc and kicks off with the characters plagued by self doubt including and not limited to relationship doubts. Nana K. is kept to the background while Nana O. is uncomfortably on stage. As Blast begins to kick off their promotion of their first single, Nana O.'s panic attacks start to become more alarming. She is beginning to feel insecure of her singing as her music producer tells her that he can fix her flaws using computers and mixers. Added to that pressure is the distance of both Ren and Nana K., both of whom Nana O. has developed strong attachments to.
Similarly, Ren seems to be tearing at the seams. He has lost his passion for Trapnest. I don't think he is starting to hate music, but rather he's getting burnt out from all the financial aspects of being in a band. He feels trapped by the band's responsiblity and yearns for the freedom to do what he really wants, which is to make music freely. He distance himself from Nana O. because he can't comfort her while he is also unsuccessfully dealing with his own band issues. He seems how musters up the courage to ask Nana O. to marry him, believing she is the only anchor that can hold him up. Like in typical manga fashion, we are still waiting for an answer from Nana O.
Meanwhile Blast seems to be rolling with the punches with their music label. They are now living in a dorm run provided by Gaia Records. Their dorm is in a shady area next to a place called a "lover's quarter" building. Is it a residental building for porn stars? Prostitutes? I'm not really sure, but we are introduced to two characters, a porn star and the other a supposed small actress (or is she? what is she up to?), both seem to be interested in Nobu. Nobu, however, is still heart broken over Nana K.
After a few "downers" of an ending, Volume 11 ends with a hopefully note as Blast plans on reuniting with Nana K. at a fireworks festival.
Rating: 4 stars
Words of Caution: There is strong sexual content, crude humor, some drug references, and some language. Recommended for mature teens and adults only.
If you like this book try: Nana Vol 12 by Ai Yazawa, Honey and Clover by Chica Umino, Tramps Like Us by Yayoi Ogawa
Labels:
2012 100+ Reading Challenge,
4 stars,
Adult,
Friendship,
Manga,
Manga Monday,
Music,
Nana,
Romance
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Posts
Well yay for this one not ending quite as heavily as the previous installments! I can't tell you how much stress this series causes me and I haven't even actually read it myself:) And how could Nana O. not give Ren and answer? I'm dying here!
Wow, this brings me back! I think I tried reading NANA when I was in my early years of high school. I loved the story (although it seemed to go on forever!). Glad volume 11 was enjoyable! :)
- Lauren
I'm totally lost and can I say, I hate the band name Trap Nest, but does it have a deeper meaning?
I think Nana is taking a turn for the worse with the introduction of porn stars. Where the bleep are they headed??
Heather
i'll try to check out this book,sounds interesting..i can have get some insights of some cool clothes fashion on this book so i can have it paired with a bow sandals..