11. Ai Yazawa: Nana and Paradise Kiss
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Nana
‘Nana’, so far, is a 15 issue, manga digest series. Originally published in Japan in 2000, it is considered the ‘All time, best selling, Shojo title in Japan!‘ It’s Yazawa’s 7th series, so it comes across exciting, complete and polished. Of course I’m a little biast, I grew up obsessed with ‘Jem and The Holograms‘. ‘Nana‘ definitely has “Glamour and glitter, fashion and fame.” in spades.
The basic plot is; two very different girls named Nana meet and become roommates and friends. GothPunk Nana is trying to make it as a singer in a punk/goth/rock band. Hatchi Nana on the other hand is just trying to survive, taking one job after another and obsessing over every boy that crosses her path. It’s true soap but it’s gripping.
The art to me, is sublime. Skinny legs and all, meringue dresses and perfect hair. Yazawa draws it and then uses computer for patterns of clothes and backgrounds. I also adore the typically Japanese super deformed moments. It’s really a marvel to read.
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