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Nana Osaki

Nana Osaki (大崎 ナナ, Ōsaki Nana) is one of the titular characters in NANA, a popular manga and anime series by Ai Yazawa. She is the lead vocalist of the punk rock bandBlack Stones (also known asBlast), which starts off as an underground band before gaining more recognition. Driven by her ambition to become a famous singer, Nana moves to Tokyo to pursue her dreams, leaving behind her past and a painful love story.

Nana is a determined, strong-willed, and sometimes rebellious character, embodying the spirit of punk rock in both her music and personal life. She has a distinctive, edgy style, often characterized by her dark clothing, tattoos, and dramatic makeup. Despite her tough exterior, she harbors deep emotional struggles, especially regarding her past relationships and her aspirations as a musician. Throughout the series, Nana’s journey is closely tied to her complex relationship with her bandmates, her romantic entanglements, and her personal growth as an artist and individual.

Her bond with the other Nana, Nana Komatsu, is central to the story, as the two women form an unlikely but deep friendship that plays a significant role in their respective emotional journeys.

Appearance

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Nana’s full apperance.

Nana Osaki exudes an effortless, almost ethereal beauty with a lithe, slender figure that stands out in any crowd. Her face is sculpted with sharp, angular lines— a broad, triangular forehead, high cheekbones, and a jawline that tapers delicately to a narrow point. Her raven-black hair, once worn in a chic pixie bob, falls in pin-straight, chin-length strands, parting perfectly down the middle to frame her face in a bold, dramatic way. Her almond-shaped eyes, dark brown in color (though green in the PS2 game), are the focal point of her expression, often described as having a mesmerizing, feline quality, enhanced by long, spiked lashes that seem to cast a spell over anyone who meets her gaze.

Her nose is straight and sharp, with a tall bridge that leads to a refined, slightly pointy tip, and her lips are full and naturally bottom-heavy, curving into an ever-present, enigmatic smile. On her left arm, she wears a striking medium-sized tattoo of a lotus flower (which she insists is a “ren” flower), with vibrant amaranth shades on the narrow petals and soft pastel red at the tips, a symbol of her unique blend of strength and beauty.

Her nails, long and elegant, are often painted in deep shades of red— a contrast to her past penchant for black polish— and she keeps her toenails the same hue, a nod to her bold, yet meticulous sense of style. Her makeup is always on point: red lipstick, purple eyeshadow, and thick black mascara that accentuates her already striking features. Piercings adorn her ears, with five on the left and three on the right, along with a navel piercing that completes her edgy look.

Nana’s beauty is frequently remarked upon by others, including Kyosuke Takakura, who finds himself captivated by her at first sight, and Nobuo Terashima, who admits to having fallen for her initially, only to realize that their connection was rooted in a deep friendship rather than romance. In every glance, Nana Osaki embodies both fierce independence and undeniable allure, making her a magnetic force that draws people in, whether they want to be or not.

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Personality

Nana Osaki may project the tough, rebellious image of a Goth-punk rocker, but beneath the hard exterior lies a deeply compassionate and loyal friend. Raised by her grandmother after being abandoned by her mother, Nana’s early life was marked by hardship, including being wrongfully expelled from high school on accusations of prostitution. Yet, rather than being broken by these struggles, Nana learned to “polish the shards of her dreams,” using her pain as fuel for her ambition. Her resolve to succeed as the lead vocalist of Blast remains unwavering, a testament to her determination to carve out a place for herself in the harsh world of the music industry.

Though she presents herself as fiercely independent, often likened to a “stray cat full of pride” by Nana Komatsu, Nana’s vulnerability is evident in her complex relationships. Engaged to Ren Honjo, her first love, Nana’s heart is also tangled with lingering, ambiguous feelings for Yasushi Takagi, showing that, despite her tough exterior, she is not immune to emotional conflict. Though Nana insists on her independence, she often turns to Yasu for support, revealing her softer side and need for connection.

Nana’s tastes reflect her punk spirit, with unwavering devotion to her favorite things. She’s an ardent fan of Vivienne Westwood and the Sex Pistols, with a penchant for smoking Seven Stars and sipping on Asahi Super Dry beer. She enjoys coffee with milk and strawberry cake, though her culinary skills could use a little work— her love for salt in cooking is notorious, with only Ren willing to endure her over-seasoned dishes. Nana’s sarcastic, blunt sense of humor further cements her reputation as a woman who says exactly what’s on her mind, often with a touch of self-deprecating wit, even calling herself a sadist in jest.

Despite her bold demeanor, Nana approaches relationships with caution and wisdom, particularly when it comes to sex. She’s deliberate and careful, insisting that she would never consider being intimate with Ren unless she was on birth control, underscoring her responsible and pragmatic approach to intimacy. In all aspects of her life, Nana Osaki is a woman who balances vulnerability with strength, independence with interdependence, and tenderness with a fierce desire to protect her dreams.

Biography

Nana Osaki was born in Meguro City, Tokyo, as the illegitimate daughter of Misuzu Osaki (later Uehara), who abandoned her when she was only four years old. Nana was left in the care of her strict grandmother, Miyuki Osaki, who imposed harsh rules on her, forbidding her from wearing certain colors like red and pink, fearing they would “tempt” men and lead Nana down the same path as her mother. This early abandonment would have a lasting impact on Nana, as she never saw her mother again and even forgot what she looked like.

Growing up with a rebellious streak, Nana was a loner in high school, known for her intimidating demeanor and cold indifference to others. This changed when she met Nobuo Terashima, a fellow student who introduced her to punk music and bands like The Sex Pistols. Nobu was able to break through Nana’s frosty exterior, discovering that beneath her tough exterior, she was deeply caring.

Nana’s life took a difficult turn when she was falsely accused of prostitution and expelled from high school. Instead of fighting the charges, she resigned herself to the situation, later regretting not standing up for herself. She believed that this incident contributed to her grandmother’s fatal illness, a burden she carried with guilt. As a gift to herself, Nana bought a red dress, which symbolized her newfound sense of freedom. She wore it to a punk concert with Nobu, where she first met Ren Honjo, a charismatic young man who instantly captivated her. Ren offered Nana the opportunity to join the band he was forming with Nobu and Yasushi Takagi, a chance she eagerly accepted.

As the lead singer ofBlack Stones(later renamedBLAST), Nana quickly became a rising star, amassing a dedicated following in her hometown. She embraced a “cool” image, wearing a Vivienne Westwood silver armor ring and sporting a lotus tattoo on her arm. Nana’s relationship with Ren deepened, and they became romantically involved, living together and sharing an intense bond. However, when Ren was offered an opportunity to play guitar for the popular bandTrapnestin Tokyo, their relationship was tested. Although they still loved each other, Nana refused to give up her own career to follow Ren, and they agreed to part ways. Despite her insistence that she would be fine on her own, Ren continued to support Nana, paying for their shared apartment even after they separated.

Determined to pursue her dreams, Nana moved to Tokyo, reformed BLAST with Nobu, Yasu, and a new bassist, Shinichi Okazaki, and began to establish herself as a serious musician. It was during this time that she met Nana Komatsu, a sweet but naive young woman who had moved to Tokyo with dreams of her own. The two Nanas bonded quickly and decided to share an apartment, with Nana giving Komatsu the nickname “Hachi” (meaning “eight”). Despite their contrasting personalities, the two women became inseparable, with Nana taking on a protective role over Hachi. This protective nature was evident when she physically confronted Hachi’s boyfriend, Shoji, whom she felt was mistreating Hachi. Though fiercely protective, Nana also became possessive of Hachi, feeling a growing jealousy whenever anyone, particularly Takumi (Hachi’s eventual husband), seemed to come between them.

Nana’s relationship with Ren remained a significant part of her life, and the two eventually reunited when Hachi invited Nana to aTrapnestconcert in their hometown. Nana was initially hesitant, but once she saw Ren again, their old connection flared up, leading to a brief rekindling of their romance. However, it was clear that time had changed their relationship, and the distance between them had grown. Nana often turned to Yasu for emotional support, while Ren seemed more distant, consumed by his own career. It became evident that Nana was never fully able to forgive Ren for leaving her to pursue his own dreams.

As BLAST gained popularity and secured a record deal with Gaia Records, Nana found herself thrust into the public eye. The constant scrutiny from the paparazzi, as well as tabloid stories about Ren’s possible infidelities and probes into her own absent mother, took a toll on Nana. Her volatile relationship with Ren grew more strained, and Nana began to feel the weight of their unresolved issues. Meanwhile, her bond with Hachi began to fray, as Hachi’s marriage to the controlling Takumi drew her further away from Nana.

Nana’s world was further shaken when her mother was revealed to be alive, and it was discovered that she had lived a relatively normal life, even having another child, Misato. The revelation about her mother’s abandonment sent Nana into an emotional spiral, deepening her feelings of betrayal and loneliness.

The final blow came when Shin, BLAST’s bassist, was arrested for drug possession, forcing the band to cancel their first tour. Nana, feeling betrayed by Ren’s refusal to step in for Shin due to his own drug problems, was offered a solo contract by Gaia Records. Although conflicted about leaving her bandmates behind, Yasu encouraged Nana to pursue her own dreams, leading her to begin her solo career. However, Ren’s personal struggles continued, and after a disastrous accident, it was revealed that Ren had died in a car crash on March 5, 2002, Nana’s 21st birthday.

In the aftermath of Ren’s death, Nana struggled to cope with the loss. Her panic attacks worsened, and she withdrew from her friends, retreating into isolation. Hachi, ever loyal, rushed to her side and tried to support her, but Nana’s grief was overwhelming. She continued to wear Ren’s engagement ring as a way to hold on to the love they once shared. Eventually, Nana cut contact with everyone and moved to England, where she pursued her solo career and attempted to heal in solitude, though her emotional scars remained. Despite the distance and the passage of time, she continued to sing, carrying the memory of Ren with her.

Relationships

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Ren Honjo and Nana Osaki

Ren Honjo
Nana’s relationship with Ren Honjo is one of the most significant and complex aspects of her life. The two first meet when Nana joins Black Stones (later BLAST), and their connection is immediate and powerful. Despite their differing personalities—Nana’s rebellious, fiery nature and Ren’s more laid-back, enigmatic charm—their bond quickly deepens into a passionate and unwavering love.

Their relationship is built on mutual respect and loyalty, and they support each other both personally and professionally. They share dreams of success in the music industry, and their love is marked by moments of tenderness and intimacy. At one point, they even discuss the possibility of starting a family together, although Nana insists on using birth control, illustrating her cautious nature and desire for independence, even within the context of their deep emotional connection.

However, their relationship is not without its challenges. As Trapnest (the band Ren joins after leaving Black Stones) rises to fame, the distance between them grows, both physically and emotionally. Despite their love for one another, Nana is unwilling to give up her career and follow Ren to Tokyo. They both agree that a long-distance relationship wouldn’t work, and their separation becomes a defining moment in their lives. Yet, even after parting ways, Ren continues to support Nana financially, paying for their shared apartment, although Nana insists on paying for it herself, showing her pride and desire for independence.

When they reunite briefly, their chemistry is undeniable, but the emotional distance that has grown between them over the years becomes more apparent. Ren’s focus on his career and his struggles with his own demons leave Nana feeling abandoned, while she, in turn, becomes more reliant on Yasu, her longtime friend, for emotional support. Ultimately, Ren’s tragic death in a car accident leaves Nana devastated and unable to fully cope with the loss. The relationship that once seemed filled with promise now leaves her grappling with heartbreak, guilt, and a deep sense of abandonment.

Even after Ren’s death, Nana continues to carry the memory of their love with her, symbolized by the engagement ring she continues to wear, despite her emotional turmoil. Ren’s influence on Nana’s life remains profound, and she struggles to reconcile the idealized love they once shared with the reality of their separation and his untimely death.

Trivia

    • The name Nana (七) literally means “seven,” a significant number that resonates with her character’s journey and symbolic ties in various aspects of her life.
    • Nana’s surname, Osaki (大崎), has a layered meaning. O (大) translates to “big,” and saki (崎) refers to “cape” or “peninsula,” evoking imagery of strong, prominent features in nature. Another interpretation could be saki (咲), meaning “blossom,” giving her name a delicate, blooming quality when paired with the meaning of o (緒), or “thread.”
    • Nana stands at 162 cm (5’3″) tall and weighs 43 kg (94.8 lbs), embodying a slender, somewhat delicate frame, which contrasts with her fierce personality.
    • Nana Osaki is widely regarded as one of the most iconic and influential female characters in shoujo manga. Her character has inspired numerous other characters in manga, light novels, and video games, especially those created by female authors.
    • Nana’s distinctive look and personality have left a lasting impact on pop culture, influencing designs in games such as Azur Lane, where the character Ulrich von Hutten was notably inspired by Nana’s appearance and attitude.
    • In the anime Golden Time, one of the characters bears such a striking resemblance to Nana both in personality and physical features that fans often joke about Nana’s cameo in the show, further cementing her iconic status in the medium.