How Old is Nana in Nana? Exploring the Ages of Beloved Characters
The question of age in the popular manga and anime series Nana is more complex than it might first appear. While the story focuses on the lives of two young women named Nana, their ages are crucial to understanding their motivations, relationships, and personal growth. Let’s delve into the details of their ages and the implications they hold within the narrative.
The Initial Age of Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu
At the start of the series, both Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu (nicknamed Hachi) are 20 years old. This is a pivotal point in their lives as they both embark on new journeys. They meet on a train to Tokyo, each moving to the city for different but equally important reasons: Nana Osaki to pursue her dream of becoming a professional musician with her band Black Stones, and Nana Komatsu to join her friends and boyfriend. This shared age, coinciding with a time of transition and self-discovery, is a key element in their bond and individual journeys.
Nana’s Coming-of-Age
While both Nanas are 20 at the start of the story, the narrative highlights their coming-of-age journeys. For Nana Osaki, this involves establishing her independence, focusing on her music, and navigating her complex relationship with Ren. For Nana Komatsu, nicknamed Hachi, her coming-of-age arc is focused on shedding her teen naivete about romantic relationships, and learning to be independent. These journeys, while different, are both rooted in the experiences and challenges of being in their early twenties.
The Timeframe of the Series
The story begins specifically on March 5, 2001, the day both Nanas turn 20 and cross paths. The series then progresses through the early 2000s, following the development of their personal lives and careers. While the exact timeline is not always linear, it’s important to remember the series is anchored in this initial timeframe. Knowing that the two Nanas are both 20 at the beginning is vital to understanding their struggles, decisions, and the dramatic events of the story.
Age of Other Key Characters
Understanding the ages of the other important characters is crucial as well. Yasu, a close confidant to Nana O. and a member of Black Stones, is 24 years old in the beginning. The age differences create dynamic relationships within the narrative. For instance, the age gap between Yasu and Nana O. positions him as an older brother figure to her, providing support and guidance, while characters like Ren, Takumi, and Nobu are close to the same age as Nana, leading to romantic and rivalrous encounters.
FAQs About Ages in Nana
To further clarify the ages and timelines in Nana, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. When was Nana Osaki born?
Nana Osaki was born on March 5, 1981. This means that when the story begins on March 5, 2001, she is exactly 20 years old.
2. How old is Yasu in Nana?
Yasu is 24 years old at the beginning of the series. His age is often used to convey his role as a more mature and grounded figure in the lives of the younger characters.
3. How old is Nana Komatsu (Hachi) when she meets Nana Osaki?
Nana Komatsu, nicknamed Hachi, is also 20 years old when she meets Nana Osaki on the train to Tokyo. This shared age is critical to the start of their friendship.
4. Does Nana Osaki’s age change throughout the series?
Yes, while we start with Nana Osaki at 20, the story progresses, and she ages throughout the narrative. However, the hiatus of the series makes pinpointing her current age impossible without further chapters.
5. How old was Hachi when she had her first serious relationship?
Hachi was in her third year of high school when she had an extramarital relationship with Asano. This demonstrates her initial naivety about love and commitment.
6. What is the setting year for the initial part of the Nana series?
The initial setting year is 2001, when both Nanas are 20 and move to Tokyo. The story’s timeline moves through the early 2000s.
7. Why is Nana called Hachi?
Nana Osaki affectionately calls Nana Komatsu, “Hachi,” because she feels Nana Komatsu behaves like a dog – faithful, but sometimes annoying. “Hachi” means “eight” in Japanese.
8. Did Takumi and Hachi get married in their 20’s?
Yes, Takumi and Hachi do get married, and Hachi also becomes pregnant, during the time they are in their early to mid-20s within the narrative.
9. Does age significantly impact Nana and Hachi’s relationship?
Their shared age at the beginning of the series forms the initial bond, but their individual growth through young adulthood significantly shapes their relationship. The experiences and challenges of their early 20s are central to their interactions.
10. Is age a big theme in Nana?
Yes, the series explores themes related to coming-of-age, transitioning from teenagers into young adults, and navigating life in their early 20s. Age and experience greatly affect their decisions and the evolution of their relationships.
11. How old are Nana and Hachi by the end of the available manga?
Because the manga has been on hiatus, their exact ages at the end are not precisely determined. However, it’s clear they are in their mid-20s when the story pauses, as several years have passed since they first met.
12. Is Ren significantly older or younger than Nana Osaki?
Ren and Nana Osaki are presented as being of a similar age, and were implied to be childhood friends. There isn’t an age gap that is emphasized as significant within the story.
13. Does the age of Takumi affect his character’s actions?
Takumi’s actions, though often portrayed as callous and manipulative, are presented as a manifestation of a young adult struggling with responsibility and love. Though a bit older than Hachi, he is still relatively young at the start of the series.
14. Why is age of the characters important in the context of the story?
The age of the characters is important because it highlights the challenges of early adulthood, including the transition from adolescence, the exploration of romantic and platonic relationships, the pursuit of dreams, and the struggle with self-discovery. It’s a pivotal stage of their lives.
15. Is there a significant age difference between Yasu and the two Nanas?
Yes, Yasu, at 24, is somewhat older than Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu, who are both 20. This age difference is important because it often positions him in a more mature and protective role towards the two young women and other younger characters.
Conclusion
The ages of Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu are fundamental to the narrative of Nana. They meet as 20-year-olds at a crucial point in their lives, embarking on separate but parallel journeys of self-discovery and growth. Understanding their ages, alongside the ages of other central characters like Yasu, Ren and Takumi, helps readers to comprehend their motivations, relationships, and the complexities of young adulthood that the series explores so beautifully. While the series has been on hiatus, the themes of youth, ambition, and love make this exploration of age in Nana a timeless and captivating one.