Ai Yazawa’s `NANA` Boom Returns! Revival Screenings, New Merchandise… Why Are Girls Born in the 2000s So Hooked? 【Heisei/Shouwa Retro Anime Guide】

Ai Yazawa’s manga `NANA` is currently experiencing a resurgence in popularity. This beloved comic, which began its serialization in “Cookie” in 2000, has sold over 5,000 copies and has seen numerous media mix adaptations, including an anime series, video games, and even live-action films.

The captivating story kicks off when Komatsu Nana, who has moved to Tokyo to follow her boyfriend, crosses paths with Oosaki Nana, who has also come to the big city with dreams of becoming a musician, on a Shinkansen. Sharing the same name and both being 20 years old, the two immediately hit it off. A series of coincidences leads them to become roommates, settling into apartment “Room 707.” From there, the narrative deeply explores their lives, focusing on their bond and interactions with Nana’s band members and other companions.

The manga itself has been on hiatus since 2009, and the live-action films and anime series were released between 2005 and 2007. However, `NANA` has recently become a hot topic again in the Reiwa era. In July 2025, a special revival screening of the live-action film `NANA` was held to celebrate its 20th anniversary.

While one might have expected this revival to primarily target women in their 30s to 50s—the original readership—the theaters surprisingly saw a good number of younger fans. Many were spotted sporting adorable, 2010s-inspired outfits or punkish check-patterned clothing, clearly reminiscent of Hachi and Nana. It was also heartwarming to see them engaging in “oshi-katsu” (fandom activities), taking commemorative photos with posters and merchandise.

So, why are younger generations, who were only children during `NANA`’s original serialization, discovering this work now? And what exactly is it about the series that’s getting them so deeply hooked? We decided to find out by speaking with a 20-something editor who recently went to see the film in theaters.

Not Yet Born When the Original Serialization Began… But It Pierces the Heart Nonetheless! “The Business Card Holder I Bought After Becoming a Working Adult Was a Vivienne Westwood One, Influenced by `NANA`.”

――Could you tell us about your first encounter with `NANA`?

I actually stumbled upon a blonde boy character on the internet who turned out to be Shin-chan, and after a quick search, I found `NANA`! So, for me, born in 2001, `NANA` isn’t a nostalgic work or a generational symbol. It’s a series I got completely hooked on after coincidentally discovering a character. I first read it when I was 13, so that would have been around 2014.

――How was it seeing the live-action film `NANA` in theaters?

Although I regularly re-read the original manga, watching the live-action film during its revival screening gave me a whole new perspective. Seeing it on the big screen, the band’s music resonated throughout my entire body, and the energy of the live performances and the atmosphere of each scene felt incredibly real and immersive. I was also deeply moved by the realistic recreation of “Room 707,” where Nana and Hachi live! It was wonderful to see the space I’d always admired in the manga brought to life in live-action, so much so that it genuinely made me want to visit it myself.

What particularly surprised me was the sheer star power of the cast. Of course, Mika Nakashima-san and Aoi Miyazaki-san’s captivating presence was remarkable, but I was also a little surprised to realize, “Wait, Kenichi Matsuyama-san was in this too!” Seeing these now highly acclaimed veteran actors in their younger days, all at once, is surely a unique pleasure offered by a revival screening.

The collaboration drinks sold at the concession stand were also adorable, and I really wanted to take the cup home with me. Its design, inspired by the “strawberry glasses” that the two roommates bought together in the story, was absolutely irresistible for fans, and almost all audience members purchased one.

――Were most of the audience members around your age?

There were mostly women in their early 20s, like myself, or slightly older. I also recall that everyone’s outfits were incredibly cute and stylish. Some women were even wearing the large Vivienne Westwood necklace (the one Shin-chan wears that’s also a lighter)! Everyone was enthusiastically taking photos with the posters and commemorative items, which really showed just how much they loved the series. The two women next to me were crying near the end of the film, reaffirming that it’s a story that can move you no matter how many times you watch it.

After the screening, I felt compelled to visit the Vivienne Westwood store in Parco, and to my delight, I found quite a few people there who had also just seen the movie, making me feel that we all shared the same sentiment and excitement.

――Do you have many `NANA` fans among your peers?

Quite a few, actually! When I was in junior high, I mostly read it alone, but after entering university, more girls my age who loved `NANA` started appearing around me. We even held anime viewing parties at home. Many also became interested in other Ai Yazawa works through `NANA`, starting to read `Paradise Kiss` (often called Parakiss) and `Gokinjo Monogatari`, so we often had lively discussions about manga. And at karaoke, we absolutely always sing “GLAMOROUS SKY” together!

――Please tell us about the charm of `NANA`.

I believe `NANA`’s greatest charm lies in the raw, authentic humanity of its characters. Neither Nana nor Hachi are perfect; they’re constantly making mistakes, fueled by intense jealousy, codependency, and often making the wrong choices. While reading, there are moments where you want to exasperatedly exclaim, “That’s wrong, you shouldn’t do that!” yet at the same time, there are scenes you strongly empathize with. The story portrays truly relatable struggles, making you wonder if you’d end up feeling the same complicated way if you were in their shoes.

There are many scenes, like codependency and misunderstandings between lovers, that you wouldn’t typically find in ordinary romance manga, and as a junior high student, I was quite shocked by them. Although there are many painful scenes that tug at your heartstrings, I was deeply drawn to the story because its theme goes beyond simple romance and youthful drama.

And of course, the clothes are absolutely adorable! Each character’s outfit is unique and cute, also serving as a powerful motif that expresses their personality and mood. That might also be a key point that makes the characters feel so incredibly real and relatable.

After seeing it in the cinema, I felt that many fans would surely want to imitate Nana and Hachi’s iconic fashion coordination once again. After all, the business card holder I bought after becoming a working adult was a Vivienne Westwood one, completely influenced by `NANA`!

`NANA`, a masterpiece loved by a wide range of generations across time, still holds a profound charm that is far from being fully articulated. For those who have never experienced this captivating work, or even those who read it for a while but drifted away, why not take this opportunity to delve into its world? We eagerly anticipate future revival screenings, new merchandise releases, and exciting event announcements that will continue to celebrate the enduring legacy of `NANA`.

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