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REVIEW: Nana DVD Box Set 1

Yes, it is not shoujo exactly I would say it is Josei. Either way anyone who is a fan of realistic dramas will like it, same with Honey and Clover.

Oh but the dub is exellent.

While the reviewer encapsulated the appeal of the show, and I'm sure it deserves the praise it gets by fans, I don't really like it. As I felt with Paradise Kiss, Nana is depressing in a bad way (that is, I usually like melancholic shows) and has characters I can't relate to, nor feel sympathy for, at all. That edgy, "ooh, young adults being in relationships, having sex, breaking up, and living their lives while striving for their dreams" vibe doesn't do it for me. That facet of modernity being explored is something I've shunned in my own life.

And someone please strangle Mario for me. I know of no other person who actively seeks to give moe anime a bad name more than him (while paradoxically being a fan of the genre himself). I love moe anime, especially Clannad, but for chrissakes, it doesn't need to be brought up here where it's just going to be ridiculed! Use common sense!

NANA Has Nothing on Clannad.

While the reviewer encapsulated the appeal of the show, and I'm sure it deserves the praise it gets by fans, I don't really like it. As I felt with Paradise Kiss, Nana is depressing in a bad way (that is, I usually like melancholic shows) and has characters I can't relate to, nor feel sympathy for, at all. That edgy, "ooh, young adults being in relationships, having sex, breaking up, and living their lives while striving for their dreams" vibe doesn't do it for me. That facet of modernity being explored is something I've shunned in my own life.

JairStout wrote:

While the reviewer encapsulated the appeal of the show, and I'm sure it deserves the praise it gets by fans, I don't really like it. As I felt with Paradise Kiss, Nana is depressing in a bad way (that is, I usually like melancholic shows) and has characters I can't relate to, nor feel sympathy for, at all. That edgy, "ooh, young adults being in relationships, having sex, breaking up, and living their lives while striving for their dreams" vibe doesn't do it for me. That facet of modernity being explored is something I've shunned in my own life. And someone please strangle Mario for me. I know of no other person who actively seeks to give moe anime a bad name more than him (while paradoxically being a fan of the genre himself). I love moe anime, especially Clannad, but for chrissakes, it doesn't need to be brought up here where it's just going to be ridiculed! Use common sense!

You know, I agree with everything you said(except for the part about strangleing the moe otaku user). I actually was JUST about to buy this, when I visited ANN on my Iphone to read a review--right there in Best Buy--and saw that they were up for stream. I'm on episode 5, and, after everytime I watch an episode, I always have this bad taste in my mouth. It's a wee bit too depressing. But, I'll try and continue. When Carl said "can be difficult to watch", I wasn't sure what his reasons' were, but, that was mine.

JairStout wrote:

While the reviewer encapsulated the appeal of the show, and I'm sure it deserves the praise it gets by fans, I don't really like it. As I felt with Paradise Kiss, Nana is depressing in a bad way (that is, I usually like melancholic shows) and has characters I can't relate to, nor feel sympathy for, at all. That edgy, "ooh, young adults being in relationships, having sex, breaking up, and living their lives while striving for their dreams" vibe doesn't do it for me. That facet of modernity being explored is something I've shunned in my own life.

This about sums up my thoughts of the show. I couldn't really relate nor attempt to care for either of the two Nanas. I can see why it is appealing to the audience that relishes such content though. It's a well constructed series, just not one I particularly like.

Great review! I expected NANA to get no less.

I'm surprised to see no mention of the fact that the amazing, original first ending theme "a little pain" has been replaced by the slightly less affecting second ending "starless night", something which enraged me when I first heard it (and still does). I think that warrants a mention...

I swear to God I was all set to buy this boxset until I read on the AoDVD boards that "A Little Pain" is missing from the soundtrack. If there's one song in the entire OST they couldn't leave out of the American release, it's that one. Many of the show's most poignant moments work especially because of that theme playing in the background, and I just can't imagine Nana without it.

What really baffles me is the fact that, even though Viz couldn't license "A Little Pain", they still managed to license "Starless Night", which was recorded by the same artist. What's up with that?

What really baffles me is the fact that, even though Viz couldn't license "A Little Pain", they still managed to license "Starless Night", which was recorded by the same artist. What's up with that?

Apparently the European versions of Nana are also missing "A Little Pain", which points to some sort of problem with the licensing end in Japan. The rest of the songs are apparently intact though, so the later episodes should be just fine.

I actually didn't care too much for the dub. I found Nana O. to lack the strength of the original version, and while the other roles were mostly good, I couldn't quite get over that. Another issue has to do with the translation, in particular, the fact that the dub seems to be avoiding references to Vivienne Westwood. Aside from the fact that a British fashion designer would actually be more familiar to western audiences, it actually has some important thematic value to it. It might seem small, but the punk rock angle is an important part of the series and the grander statement it's trying to make.

JGonspy wrote:

Apparently the European versions of Nana are also missing "A Little Pain", which points to some sort of problem with the licensing end in Japan. The rest of the songs are apparently intact though, so the later episodes should be just fine. I actually didn't care too much for the dub. I found Nana O. to lack the strength of the original version, and while the other roles were mostly good, I couldn't quite get over that. Another issue has to do with the translation, in particular, the fact that the dub seems to be avoiding references to Vivienne Westwood. Aside from the fact that a British fashion designer would actually be more familiar to western audiences, it actually has some important thematic value to it. It might seem small, but the punk rock angle is an important part of the series and the grander statement it's trying to make.

Ok so I actually just purchased this first NANA series on amazon and as I'm writing this I am canceling the order. Are you 'F'ing me? They went ahead and released this series without "A Little Pain". Even throughout the series in the background music? I'm a little shocked but I'm gonna stick with an Import with subs then. It's cheaper anyways. I really loved this series, can't believe how hard it is to get information from point 'A' to 'B' legitimately intact. Am I being to harsh? Is it worth rediscovering the series through the new dub? Or should a fan of the original version with subs just stay away?

Ok so I actually just purchased this first NANA series on amazon and as I'm writing this I am canceling the order. Are you 'F'ing me? They went ahead and released this series without "A Little Pain". Even throughout the series in the background music? I'm a little shocked but I'm gonna stick with an Import with subs then. It's cheaper anyways. I really loved this series, can't believe how hard it is to get information from point 'A' to 'B' legitimately intact. Am I being to harsh? Is it worth rediscovering the series through the new dub? Or should a fan of the original version with subs just stay away?