Title: NANA Vol 15
Author: Ai Yazawa
Publisher: VIZ
ISBN: 9781421523743
May Contain Spoilers
The feeling that Ai Yazawa is setting Nana up for a huge and emotionally painful fall won’t go away. She has to confront her jumble of feelings because of the compromising photos of Ren and Reira, and she’s not handling it well. Ren already left her once to go off and be in a band with Reira, barely giving Nana a backwards glance in his haste to chase after his dreams. It hurts her to think that Ren is writing songs for another woman, and she just can’t shake off her jealousy. Instead of empowering her, their relationship makes her weak and vulnerable. They are separated for long stretches of time when they’re off touring or recording, and that time apart isn’t doing any favors for either of them. When they are together, Nana is tense and worried.
After the scandal with Ren, Reira thinks very seriously about her responsibilities to the band and to all of the people who are counting on Trapnest. Secretly meeting with Shin is a just a time bomb waiting to explode. If the press finds out about them, and that Shin is underage, it will probably be the downfall of both bands. Realizing that if she keeps seeing him it will only be a matter of time before they get caught, she suggests that they break it off for the time being. It’s no consolation to him that she just wants to wait until he’s older and they don’t have to lie to everybody anymore. Shin takes the rejection hard and tells her to just forget about what’s happened between them.
I haven’t really liked Reira in past volumes, but she moved up a few notches here. Even though it’s going to tear her apart, she has decided to put the band first so that she doesn’t fail the people depending on her. She’s willing to put their welfare before her happiness, and that had to be a hard decision to make. Shin, on the other hand, needs her and the comfort that she provided him. He has his own self-destructive tendencies – what will happen to him now that he’s been rejected again? I don’t think that even Hachi, with her mother hen attentions, is going to be much of a lifeline for him.
Grade: B
March 4, 2009 at 3:50 am
[...] Here is the original post: Manga Maniac Cafe » NANA Vol 15 by Ai Yazawa Manga Review [...]
March 4, 2009 at 8:11 am
[...] Manga Blog) Erica Friedman on Hello Goodbye, a Maria-sama ga Miteru light novel (Okazu) Julie on vol. 15 of Nana (Manga Maniac Cafe) Emily on NG Boy x Paradise (Emily’s Random Shoujo Manga Blog) Connie on [...]
March 4, 2009 at 10:48 am
I seemed that last volume’s heartbreaking one-page visual of Ren’s downfall was neglected in this volume. The destructive personality towards Nana wasn’t shown along with his illegal habits. But this volume’s heartbreaking page was the last page of this volume (before the heartbreaking/heartwarming flash-forward) that is once again foreshadowing what’s going to happen to Nana in the next few volumes. The "Misato Uehara" persona continues to build up in anticipation of Nana meeting her family. But I have a feeling it’s going to contribute to Nana’s deconstruction. However, on a lighter note, a few characters reached new levels of maturity as well. I agree with you about Reira. Many people are employed by the label and the Trapnest band and are depending on their success. Bravo to Reira for realizing her responsibility to everyone and their fans. Also, I was struck by the blooming relationship with Yasu and Miu and how open, honest, and mature they are with each other before moving on to the next level. Overall, this volume wasn’t as exciting as other ones, but there’s definitely tension building up. And any flash-forwards are always appreciated.
I can’t wait for volume 16 in May.
March 5, 2009 at 3:15 am
[...] Manga Blog) Erica Friedman on Hello Goodbye, a Maria-sama ga Miteru light novel (Okazu) Julie on vol. 15 of Nana (Manga Maniac Cafe) Emily on NG Boy x Paradise (Emily’s Random Shoujo Manga Blog) Connie on [...]