Nana

[iamtetsuo]

Is anyone reading the official English release by Viz?
I read the first volume a couple of weeks ago and I just recieved volumes 2-5 from Amazon, and I am ripping through Vol. 2. Can anyone tell me if the translation quality improves any in the later volumes? Currently pretty much every other bubble contains "dude" or ends in "man" or contains "hip" lingo that just sounds like some old person trying to be cool. It's ridiculus and results in me often groaning out load at how corny certain speech bubbles sound.
Wonderfull story and even though I already know whats going to happen thanks to the anime and movie it's interesting to see how the manga differs from the other two mediums.

[Tatsumiko]

I saw scans of the manga...its fantasticly drawn...it looks so real..and I really didnt knew it was from a live action serie..^_^

but sad enough...I found the the cover scans very frightning...(especailly sweetie-nana's smile)...and on other scans I saw most of them smoking and the girls being all boy-crazy...I didnt get a good feeling looking at them......for the love of manga WHY!!!!!...but I do see its all very close to reality..amazing...so maybe ill watch it when im older...gao ^^''

[iamtetsuo]

Well I eventually answered my own question: Yes the translation quality does improve in later volumes (Vol. 4 is where it starts to improve) of Viz's English version of the manga. However they still occasionally drop a "man" or "dude" or other "hip" lingo. Can't wait for Volume 6!

[AnimeFangirl]

Originally Posted by .:Mastermind:.

I like Nana, but it's getting pretty (too..) long. >.<

I completely agree. I've been enjoying the ups and downs so far, but now I'm just getting tired. A & B, or is it B & C, or maybe C likes D, who likes A, who might have had a crush on C in the past but is in love with B now. Geez, enough already. I've made it up to cha 65, now I think I'm going to just wait for this manga to end and then marathon the rest.

[midori93suiseseki]

*The Takumi story manga special was already released last Feb... I wanna read it! Chapter 66 must be released too. NEED NANA desu~!!!*

[Nervous Venus]

I don't know where I can get COOKIE FRESH from. Amazon.co.jp never listed it. So I won't be seeing Takumi's story until it shows up as a bonus extra in the tankoubon ;_;

I'm waiting for issue 6 of COOKIE to come out at the end of the month, so whenever it arrives, if anybody wants, I can scan in sneak previews : ) Of course, it'll be in Japanese, though.

I have a feeling NANA is winding up soon. I'm not following the English, but it's already on V17, and they seem like they are getting closer and closer

Spoiler:

to finding Nana. The last chapter, the guys from Black Stones and Hachi were discussing the photo they saw of a woman that looked very similar to Nana, with the same tatoo on her arm. And Nana was speaking during the end in the last panels. She says that she came all the way there to die, but in the end, she couldn't do it. I guess it's a confirmation that she really is still alive.

. There was a Hachi/Nobu "moment", which gave me a flicker of momentary happiness. Nobu was

Spoiler:

playing his guitar, and Hachi rested her head on his shoulders. She's still married to Takumi, though.

But I can still keep my hopes up.

[AnimeFangirl]

Hmph, read chapter 66. Talk about revealing too much too soon. If this manga is winding down, then the sooner it ends the better. Those flashes of the future are bloody annoying. Get to the point already, why don't you?

[Cassi90]

Oh Nana is a great Graphic novel! It's really original I say. For once the main charachter doesn't get all the guys fawning over her like in others, which makes it more realistic. I want to see the drama real bad. Nana O. is da bomb! ;D

[sinnie]

After watching the live action movie, anime and manga all in a week (even though I'm having my papers soon), I need to get this out of my system!

I'm sorry guys, I don't know whether this is even going to be related to this thread, but...

Spoiler for I NEED TO TALK ABOUT TAKUMIXHACHIXNOBU!:

There is one question that I desperately want to know the answer: DOES TAKUMI LOVE HACHI?!

From the start, it was purely lust (takumi) and loneliness (hachi), so I thought takumi is going to be a downright jerk, like most mangakas would portray this type of guys to be, so that our heroine could eventually go to her (frog) prince (nobu).

But no, our ever-so-cunning mangaka yazawa shows us that her characters are not so stereotypical and one-sided, and takumi turns out to be the prince, after all.

I have so many reasons to believe that he likes hachi (and so many reasons to contradict myself):

1. When takumi continued to look for hachi, even after knowing that he would come face-to-face into conflict with nobu, which to him, would have been troublesome. Ren told nana that, right? That takumi, the one who hates trouble, actually goes looking for it, when he chose to fulfill his promise of visiting hachi after the concert.

BUT it might just be his arrogant nature. Like what he told ren, after shin splashed him at the party, nobu would never have a chance against him in love (though nobu snatched yuri from him! ha!). Perhaps, he just wanted to show that he's better than nobu? And hachi becomes the prized possession?

2. He called to make sure hachi's housemate for the summer vacation was a girl (chuckles). And he actually made the effort to meet hachi when she was feeling so lonely and said she wanted to see him (because she needed some loving).

BUT again, the first part might just be his possessive nature and the second part, to satisfy his own lustful desires.

3. He got irritated when hachi refused to answer his phonecall (because it was private number).

BUT again, might just be possessiveness.

4. I was so happy at the part when he ate the commoner's curry rice and admitted to actually missing hachi (or the curry rice?). I think ren made him a little clearer abt his feelings by telling him that no matter what he says/denies, he actually likes her (the curry rice?).

Finally there is no denying that he liked her, but to the point of love, yet?

5. Okay, my jaws dropped to the floor when he first raped hachi. I couldn't believe where he got the nerve to do that, but it was because he couldn't stand hachi sleeping with another guy other than himself, no? When I saw his expression the moment hachi said the baby might be her "boyfriend's", I thought this was it. He likes hachi!

BUT he asked whether it was nobu. Does this mean that he doesn't want to LOSE to nobu?

6. Takumi agreeing to be the father, no matter whose child it was, and even wanting to marry hachi. I was surprised at how magnanimous he was, especially when he's a guy who hates troublesome stuff.

BUT wasn't he challenging nobu?! His willingness to marry hachi, wasn't it so that they wouldn't need to hide, which would be more troublesome for him?

7. In the almost-married life they are leading, I notice something about takumi and I wonder whether he does it to all the girls. Is he unusually gentle towards hachi? I'm seeing it the way Naoki sees it too. Like he became much gentler back at home with hachi and is more relaxed. Sometimes, I melt at the way he looks at hachi with that loving eyes, when hachi was ever-so-understanding towards him and his work (and I wonder why she never did that towards any of her previous lovers, except nobu).

But he still screams at her to shut up (during nana and ren's rumors). So, he's not exactly always so gentle. And if you love someone enough, you couldn't possible bring yourself to scream at her, even though we are talking about takumi, the workaholic.

8. The party when takumi raped her again! Okay, I could say that he's jealous because hachi's eyes were always on nobu.

BUT I could also say that it was because of hachi's defiance for not going back when told to do so that got him annoyed. Besides, I didn't SEE takumi watching hachi at all! Though shin mentioned that if he could see hachi's eyes on nobu all these while, could takumi not see it too? Is there any chance that he was annoyed for reira's affair with shin? Besides, I felt that his eyes were on reira, especially when he played the guitar while she sang. Okay, more about reira later.

9. I melted into a puddle of goo AGAIN when he said 'I love you' to hachi in the bathtub, when again, hachi was being ever-so-understanding and supportive.

BUT it could just be frivolous talk. Besides, he has got something going on with other people later on, didn't he? Even though I do think hachi knew it was ongoing, but as long as takumi comes back to her, it'd be fine.

10. There was this scene when takumi tells hachi that he wont be able to forget about the incident of her getting together with nobu, and the awkwardness that might arise when the kid grows up to be nobu's kid, instead of his. He says that to prevent the awkwardness, hachi has to smile more and be happier? Does this mean that he wants hachi to smile at him, the way she smiles at nobu?

BUT it might just be his practical self. To prevent awkwardness, hachi must at least PRETEND that she's happy. Maybe he doesn't REALLY care if she's really happy?

11. When takumi exchanged info on his own marriage with ren and reira's rumors, I'd choose to think that instead of using the affair with the lead actress, which is after all, a one-night stand, takumi chose to talk about his own marriage, because in this way, he can finally marry hachi, and also, not hurt her, because of his affair with other women.

BUT this might just be one of his business tactics. Because this is more newsworthy, and he doesn't need to hide anymore, so it's actually more convenient for him.

I'm sorry for such a long entry, but simply put, I'm confused. I'm really growing to like the takumiXhachi pair, but it's so frustrating sometimes. Does he really love her or is it for convenience sake, or is it just pure possessiveness? It really doesn't help that REIRA is in the picture.

The thing is, does possessiveness not equate to love? Isn't it funny how he gets so irritated that hachi slept with nobu, when he didn't even go to such extent towards reira? But he wouldn't hurt reira like he did to hachi. So what is it?!

I'd want to think of reira as something like a pure little sister to takumi, and to lay his hands on her, is somewhat like incest?!

And also the present time nobu and hachi. Okay, so there is like something going on, when nobu holds her hand and when she lays her head on his shoulder. But nobu talks about takumi as per normal, but he is in england? For work? Or are they separated and takumi now lives in england?

To talk about hachi and nobu, I really like this pair too. They were so sweet together and it was probably this time that hachi finally knows how to love (because it was the first time she thinks about the other party in the relationship, like she wants to pamper him and stuff). But nobu is too weak and insecure, while hachi, if she were strong enough to explain everything to nobu, nobu wouldn't have misunderstood. But I understand where hachi is coming from. She was so hurt when nobu questioned her about whether she really broke off with takumi. If she were to explain that takumi barged in and snatched her phone and stuff, it'd sound so much like an excuse. Besides, I was beginning to question if nobu really liked hachi or did he just wanna play hero. But when he kept thinking abt hachi, I'm convinced by his love.

So, now, I really don't know what to think. I don't exactly agree with hachi's actions and decisions most of the time, but I always find myself pitying her and hoping for her happiness. I'd still wish takumi would express his NEED for hachi (maybe hachi could really get pissed for once and leave him only to find him begging for her return or SOMETHING), but everytime I see him look at reira, I get irritated. So, if takumi were to abandon hachi (I'd really be disappointed), I hope nobu will be there to catch her and satsuki!

Sorry for the LONG entry again! :S

[AnimeFangirl]

I think he likes her well enough and is fairly fond of her, but doesn't love her. All excuses aside, you don't

Spoiler:

yell at women you love, cheat on them, neglect and force them to have sex when they don't want to

if you really love them. At least, I hope you don't.

Apart from the nastier aspect, though, I think Takumi's perfect for her. Nana K really needs a tougher, more rational kind of guy rather than one that will pander to her every whim and baby her constantly. She needs to be brought down to earth from time to time. It's a bit like her friendship with Jun, really.

[Chavenz]

Spoiler for wondering about ch66:

i'm currently confused about ch66. are they showing two different scenes, one from the past where BLAST is going to hold a concert and Hachi isn't officially married and still pregnant, and one from the future where Hachi is officially married to Takumi and gave birth to a daughter?

if so, then are they looking for Nana? i can't recall if she fled the country or not.

[mytrivo]

Since you used spoilers I will to:

Spoiler for ch66:

Originally Posted by Chavenz

"wondering about ch66"
i'm currently confused about ch66. are they showing two different scenes, one from the past where BLAST is going to hold a concert and Hachi isn't officially married and still pregnant, and one from the future where Hachi is officially married to Takumi and gave birth to a daughter?

if so, then are they looking for Nana? i can't recall if she fled the country or not.

Yes, Ch 66 starts out in the "future" and Nana O. has been missing. We don't know the details on why yet. This future flash gives us the most info of any yet, but it's basically talking about where Nana might be. We still aren't given specific details on who's still married or who's together with who or why things are the way they are. But we do get some insight on what Nobu's currently doing. Then starting with the plane flyover scene, they're back to the current story (which actually takes place in 2002). Hachi's still pregnant, Trapnest is coming back from their stay in England and Blast is preparing for a concert.

BTW, Hachi and Takumi were legally married in ch54. We aren't shown that they had an actual wedding ceremony just the secret nighttime trip to registrar's office before their magazine shoot. But I believe they are legally married at that point.

[AvatarAlpha]

With Viz ending Nana in August does this mean the Japanese run is coming to an end as well?

[mytrivo]

Originally Posted by AvatarAlpha

With Viz ending Nana in August does this mean the Japanese run is coming to an end as well?

Viz isn't ending Nana completely. They're only ending it's monthly run in Shojo Beat magazine. The last line of the news article says that they're still going to publish the graphic novels.

I'm hoping since we won't have to wait for each chapter to appear in Shojo Beat first that we'll get graphic novel releases a bit more frequently.

[AvatarAlpha]

Originally Posted by mytrivo

The last line of the news article says that they're still going to publish the graphic novels.

My bad. Missed that line. What chapter is the Japanese run on now?

I don't mind reading the spoilers here, but I'm not reading the chapters themselves because I don't want to truly spoil the anime like I did Naruto .

[mytrivo]

Originally Posted by AvatarAlpha

My bad. Missed that line. What chapter is the Japanese run on now?

I don't mind reading the spoilers here, but I'm not reading the chapters themselves because I don't want to truly spoil the anime like I did Naruto .

I'm pretty sure chapter 68 is the latest one published in Japan. I think that should be in volume 18 when the tankoubon comes out later.

[TenshiHime]

Originally Posted by Dorfl

I think he likes her well enough and is fairly fond of her, but doesn't love her. All excuses aside, you don't

Spoiler:

yell at women you love, cheat on them, neglect and force them to have sex when they don't want to

if you really love them. At least, I hope you don't.

Apart from the nastier aspect, though, I think Takumi's perfect for her. Nana K really needs a tougher, more rational kind of guy rather than one that will pander to her every whim and baby her constantly. She needs to be brought down to earth from time to time. It's a bit like her friendship with Jun, really.

I agree with you...Nobu treats her too much like a princess and though they make a cute couple, I dont think it would have lasted because then Hachi would have never matured due to the constant spoiling treatment from Nobu. Takumi is very cute with her sometimes, but his anger problems balances it out perfectly so that shes not constantly on cloud nine.

Originally Posted by sinnie

After watching the live action movie, anime and manga all in a week (even though I'm having my papers soon), I need to get this out of my system!

I'm sorry guys, I don't know whether this is even going to be related to this thread, but...

Spoiler for I NEED TO TALK ABOUT TAKUMIXHACHIXNOBU!:

There is one question that I desperately want to know the answer: DOES TAKUMI LOVE HACHI?!

From the start, it was purely lust (takumi) and loneliness (hachi), so I thought takumi is going to be a downright jerk, like most mangakas would portray this type of guys to be, so that our heroine could eventually go to her (frog) prince (nobu).

But no, our ever-so-cunning mangaka yazawa shows us that her characters are not so stereotypical and one-sided, and takumi turns out to be the prince, after all.

I have so many reasons to believe that he likes hachi (and so many reasons to contradict myself):

1. When takumi continued to look for hachi, even after knowing that he would come face-to-face into conflict with nobu, which to him, would have been troublesome. Ren told nana that, right? That takumi, the one who hates trouble, actually goes looking for it, when he chose to fulfill his promise of visiting hachi after the concert.

BUT it might just be his arrogant nature. Like what he told ren, after shin splashed him at the party, nobu would never have a chance against him in love (though nobu snatched yuri from him! ha!). Perhaps, he just wanted to show that he's better than nobu? And hachi becomes the prized possession?

2. He called to make sure hachi's housemate for the summer vacation was a girl (chuckles). And he actually made the effort to meet hachi when she was feeling so lonely and said she wanted to see him (because she needed some loving).

BUT again, the first part might just be his possessive nature and the second part, to satisfy his own lustful desires.

3. He got irritated when hachi refused to answer his phonecall (because it was private number).

BUT again, might just be possessiveness.

4. I was so happy at the part when he ate the commoner's curry rice and admitted to actually missing hachi (or the curry rice?). I think ren made him a little clearer abt his feelings by telling him that no matter what he says/denies, he actually likes her (the curry rice?).

Finally there is no denying that he liked her, but to the point of love, yet?

5. Okay, my jaws dropped to the floor when he first raped hachi. I couldn't believe where he got the nerve to do that, but it was because he couldn't stand hachi sleeping with another guy other than himself, no? When I saw his expression the moment hachi said the baby might be her "boyfriend's", I thought this was it. He likes hachi!

BUT he asked whether it was nobu. Does this mean that he doesn't want to LOSE to nobu?

6. Takumi agreeing to be the father, no matter whose child it was, and even wanting to marry hachi. I was surprised at how magnanimous he was, especially when he's a guy who hates troublesome stuff.

BUT wasn't he challenging nobu?! His willingness to marry hachi, wasn't it so that they wouldn't need to hide, which would be more troublesome for him?

7. In the almost-married life they are leading, I notice something about takumi and I wonder whether he does it to all the girls. Is he unusually gentle towards hachi? I'm seeing it the way Naoki sees it too. Like he became much gentler back at home with hachi and is more relaxed. Sometimes, I melt at the way he looks at hachi with that loving eyes, when hachi was ever-so-understanding towards him and his work (and I wonder why she never did that towards any of her previous lovers, except nobu).

But he still screams at her to shut up (during nana and ren's rumors). So, he's not exactly always so gentle. And if you love someone enough, you couldn't possible bring yourself to scream at her, even though we are talking about takumi, the workaholic.

8. The party when takumi raped her again! Okay, I could say that he's jealous because hachi's eyes were always on nobu.

BUT I could also say that it was because of hachi's defiance for not going back when told to do so that got him annoyed. Besides, I didn't SEE takumi watching hachi at all! Though shin mentioned that if he could see hachi's eyes on nobu all these while, could takumi not see it too? Is there any chance that he was annoyed for reira's affair with shin? Besides, I felt that his eyes were on reira, especially when he played the guitar while she sang. Okay, more about reira later.

9. I melted into a puddle of goo AGAIN when he said 'I love you' to hachi in the bathtub, when again, hachi was being ever-so-understanding and supportive.

BUT it could just be frivolous talk. Besides, he has got something going on with other people later on, didn't he? Even though I do think hachi knew it was ongoing, but as long as takumi comes back to her, it'd be fine.

10. There was this scene when takumi tells hachi that he wont be able to forget about the incident of her getting together with nobu, and the awkwardness that might arise when the kid grows up to be nobu's kid, instead of his. He says that to prevent the awkwardness, hachi has to smile more and be happier? Does this mean that he wants hachi to smile at him, the way she smiles at nobu?

BUT it might just be his practical self. To prevent awkwardness, hachi must at least PRETEND that she's happy. Maybe he doesn't REALLY care if she's really happy?

11. When takumi exchanged info on his own marriage with ren and reira's rumors, I'd choose to think that instead of using the affair with the lead actress, which is after all, a one-night stand, takumi chose to talk about his own marriage, because in this way, he can finally marry hachi, and also, not hurt her, because of his affair with other women.

BUT this might just be one of his business tactics. Because this is more newsworthy, and he doesn't need to hide anymore, so it's actually more convenient for him.

I'm sorry for such a long entry, but simply put, I'm confused. I'm really growing to like the takumiXhachi pair, but it's so frustrating sometimes. Does he really love her or is it for convenience sake, or is it just pure possessiveness? It really doesn't help that REIRA is in the picture.

The thing is, does possessiveness not equate to love? Isn't it funny how he gets so irritated that hachi slept with nobu, when he didn't even go to such extent towards reira? But he wouldn't hurt reira like he did to hachi. So what is it?!

I'd want to think of reira as something like a pure little sister to takumi, and to lay his hands on her, is somewhat like incest?!

And also the present time nobu and hachi. Okay, so there is like something going on, when nobu holds her hand and when she lays her head on his shoulder. But nobu talks about takumi as per normal, but he is in england? For work? Or are they separated and takumi now lives in england?

To talk about hachi and nobu, I really like this pair too. They were so sweet together and it was probably this time that hachi finally knows how to love (because it was the first time she thinks about the other party in the relationship, like she wants to pamper him and stuff). But nobu is too weak and insecure, while hachi, if she were strong enough to explain everything to nobu, nobu wouldn't have misunderstood. But I understand where hachi is coming from. She was so hurt when nobu questioned her about whether she really broke off with takumi. If she were to explain that takumi barged in and snatched her phone and stuff, it'd sound so much like an excuse. Besides, I was beginning to question if nobu really liked hachi or did he just wanna play hero. But when he kept thinking abt hachi, I'm convinced by his love.

So, now, I really don't know what to think. I don't exactly agree with hachi's actions and decisions most of the time, but I always find myself pitying her and hoping for her happiness. I'd still wish takumi would express his NEED for hachi (maybe hachi could really get pissed for once and leave him only to find him begging for her return or SOMETHING), but everytime I see him look at reira, I get irritated. So, if takumi were to abandon hachi (I'd really be disappointed), I hope nobu will be there to catch her and satsuki!

Sorry for the LONG entry again! :S

OMG!!!!! good to know that someone else is debating over this as I have.... heres my theory ......

Spoiler for :

i think that takumi and hachi do love each other, but they are not doing things properly to establish a proper, stable relationship... partly because they are still very young and selfish (Takumi wants the best of both worlds and Hachi with her materialistic and emotional needs).

First off, this whole love and marriage thing is still pretty new to the both of them, and with him being constantly on the road, that doesnt really help much.... but with that aside, i think that what needs to be done is for Hachi to pretend being this altruistic and selfless female who will accept her man any way she can "as long as shes #1 in his heart"...... thats a bunch of bull-ish and she needs to put her foot down and make him stay true or else he'll always be cheating on her..... why wouldnt he if theres nothing stopping him! So instead of just threatening to move out and leave him, she should just do it to make him realize what he has lost....... that would confirm whether he truly loves her or not.

As for Takumi and what he needs to do? well, obviously to stop sleeping around and cheating on hachi, but when that lifestyle has become a sort of habit, it's kind of tough to break it when theres nothing stopping you from doing so right?

To reiterate, Takumi does love Hachi in his own way, and shows it wierdly (<-- is that even a word? cuz it is now!), but he isnt familiar to this lifestyle and hachi has to put her foot down to make him adjust. Therefore, a lot more should be done on Hachi's part (like grow up!)

[mdauben]

Just some random thoughts of my own regarding your questions.

Originally Posted by sinnie

Spoiler for After the Party:

1. When takumi continued to look for hachi, even after knowing that he would come face-to-face into conflict with nobu, which to him, would have been troublesome.

Spoiler for My Impression:

You are talking about after the party where Takumi ran into the guys from BLAST? My impression was that he didn't even remember Hachiko until Ren reminded him with his request for an autograph. I thought that Takumi going to see Hachiko that night was done more out of spite than because he had any special desire to see her or that he had ever intended to fulfill any sort of promise he made to her.

Spoiler for Second Meeting:

2. He called to make sure hachi's housemate for the summer vacation was a girl (chuckles). And he actually made the effort to meet hachi when she was feeling so lonely and said she wanted to see him

Spoiler for My Impression:

Here, I thought that he was just concerned that the "housemate" was not Nobu (again, just him "competing" against Nobu, and Hachiko just happened to be the "bone" they were fighting over) , and he just showed up when she called to prevent her from turning to Nobu instead.

Spoiler for That Fateful Night:

5. Okay, my jaws dropped to the floor when he first raped hachi. I couldn't believe where he got the nerve to do that, but it was because he couldn't stand hachi sleeping with another guy other than himself, no?

Spoiler for My Impression:

That was the point where my dislike of Takumi turned into out-right hate. It seemed to me that he just forced the confrontation between Hachiko and Nobu that night in order to break them up, with no regard for Hachiko's feelings, and that he raped her just to "mark his turf" like a dog pissing on a bush. Sorry if that sounds crude, but that was just what it looked like to me.

Spoiler for The Offer:

6. Takumi agreeing to be the father, no matter whose child it was, and even wanting to marry hachi. I was surprised at how magnanimous he was, especially when he's a guy who hates troublesome stuff.

Spoiler for My Impression:

Here, I though that it was mostly to prevent any sort of scandal about his bastard child and unwed mother that would have created negative publicity for TRAPNEST. He has talked more than once about avoiding that sort of negative publicity in their private lives, and that he has said that TRAPNEST is by far the most important consideration in everything he does. There might have also been a hint of possessiveness or unwillingness to "lose" to Nobu, but like someone else said, you don't do the things he has done to Hachiko to someone you love.

Spoiler for The second time:

8. The party when takumi raped her again! Okay, I could say that he's jealous because hachi's eyes were always on nobu.

Spoiler for My Impression:

I have not read this part yet, but is sounds like a repeat of the first rape, he was again doing it to mark his territory and confirm his "possession" of Hachiko.

Spoiler for Those Thee Words:

9. I melted into a puddle of goo AGAIN when he said 'I love you' to hachi in the bathtub, when again, hachi was being ever-so-understanding and supportive.

Spoiler for My Impression:

Sorry, to my mind no amount of "I love you" makes up for rape and emotional abuse.

I'm sorry for such a long entry, but simply put, I'm confused. I'm really growing to like the takumiXhachi pair, but it's so frustrating sometimes.

I'm just the opposite. I hate Takumi and his relationship with Hachiko makes me sick. This may cause me to interpret everything he does in the worst possible light, but I have really seen nothing to make me think I might be wrong about him yet.

The thing is, does possessiveness not equate to love?

To my mind, the answer is an unequivocal NO! Possessiveness is all about your own wants and desires. To me, true love is when the other person's wants and desire become more important that your own. For example:

Spoiler for An Example:

I think Yasu loves Nana, because he places her need for Ren above his own desire for her.

I have never seen Takumi put Hachiko's needs first, except when it did not conflict with his own desires or was done for ulterior motives of his own.

To talk about hachi and nobu, I really like this pair too. They were so sweet together and it was probably this time that hachi finally knows how to love (because it was the first time she thinks about the other party in the relationship, like she wants to pamper him and stuff).

I agree that the both of them were somewhat immature when they started their relationship. However, I think they (especially Hachiko) were showing signs of maturing and if circumstances had been different I think they might have been able to grow up in their relationship together.

Spoiler:

I actually thought that one of the reasons Hachiko chose Takumi was not just because he could support her and Nobu couldn’t, but because forcing Nobu to do so would have ruined his life. He would probably have had to give up music and gone back to his parent's business to be able to do it, which would have killed him. In other words, she loved him too much to do that to him.

I'd still wish takumi would express his NEED for hachi (maybe hachi could really get pissed for once and leave him only to find him begging for her return or SOMETHING),

My "dream ending" for the series would be for Hachiko to finally leave him for Nobu, and for him only then to realize that he did love her and that he lost her entirely becuase of his own actions. Perhaps I'm just vindictive, but I would love to see him end up alone and suffering after all the rotten things he has done to Hachiko.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Hachiko is totally the victim in the story. She often seems to take ethe easy way out, she has a habit of taking advantage of others rather than taking responsibility for her own actions, and she seems to enjoy the material benefits of being married to a rich celebrity too much for me to feel unqualified sympathy for her. Still, I don't think she deserves half of the physical and emotional greif Takumi causes her.

[Miku]

I love Nana!

I've only read the first two volumes, but I think it's great. One of the reasons I decided to read it was because I'm reading ParaKiss, and their both by Ai Yazawa, so I figured I'd read it. Sometimes the way they talk gets on my nerves a little, but the art is great and the story is equally awesome.

[ShikaShika]

Could anyone tell me how the manga compares to the anime? I finished the anime, but wasn't too thrilled about the direction it took for the last half. Does the manga differ in any way, and if so, in what way (I don't mind mild spoilers, but please hold the major ones unless important).