NANA - Characters & Cast

Her primary motivation is to surpass the band Trapnest and prove that she can succeed as a musician on her own terms, without relying on her famous ex-boyfriend, Ren. This ambition is deeply intertwined with her desire for self-worth and her need to overcome the feeling of abandonment that has haunted her entire life.

Nana begins as a fiercely independent and proud punk singer, defined by her ambition and her traumatic past, which includes being abandoned by her mother. Her tough exterior is a shield for deep-seated vulnerability and a fear of being alone. Her arc is about learning to open up and rely on others, primarily through her friendship with Hachi, which she describes as feeling 'like a teenage boy falling in love for the first time.' However, as her band gains success and her tumultuous relationship with Ren reignites, she is crushed by media pressure, jealousy, and eventually, profound grief, causing her to retreat and isolate herself once more, showing that her journey to trust and stability is far from over.

Hachi is motivated by an overwhelming desire to be loved and to build a stable, happy home. She constantly seeks validation and a sense of belonging through a romantic partner, which often leads her to make impulsive and self-destructive decisions.

Nana Komatsu, nicknamed Hachi for her puppy-like loyalty, starts as a naive, boy-crazy, and highly dependent young woman who defines her happiness by her romantic relationships. Her journey is a harsh coming-of-age story. After being cheated on by her boyfriend Shoji, she becomes entangled in a love triangle with the kind Nobu and the manipulative Takumi. An unexpected pregnancy forces her into a difficult marriage with Takumi, shattering her idealized notions of love. Her arc is about gradually moving from complete dependence to finding a semblance of maturity and resilience, learning to make difficult choices and live with their consequences, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of her child.

Takumi is motivated by control and a desire to maintain the success of his band, Trapnest. He views people and relationships as pieces to be managed for his own benefit and the stability of his world. His decisions are almost always rooted in logic and pragmatism rather than emotion.

Takumi is the brilliant but cold and manipulative leader of Trapnest. He is introduced as a womanizer who sees relationships as transactional. His character arc is largely static, but the series provides glimpses into the reasons for his behavior, suggesting a cynical worldview born from his own dysfunctional family. When Hachi becomes pregnant with his child, he steps up to marry her, not out of love, but out of a sense of responsibility and control. He remains a possessive and often cruel partner, but his actions show a complex, albeit twisted, form of commitment, challenging the audience's perception of him as a pure villain.

Nobu is motivated by his passion for music and his unwavering belief in true love. He wants to make a living with his friends in BLAST and build a happy, honest life with someone he genuinely loves, specifically Hachi.

Nobu, the guitarist for BLAST, is the heart of the band and a loyal friend to Nana Osaki. He represents a pure, idealized form of love. His arc centers on his deep and genuine feelings for Hachi. He offers her a chance at a truly happy, supportive relationship, which stands in stark contrast to her toxic involvement with Takumi. The central tragedy of his arc is seeing his dream of a life with Hachi destroyed by her pregnancy and subsequent marriage. He is left heartbroken but ultimately remains a kind and supportive figure, forced to mature through his pain and accept a harsh reality.

Ren is motivated by his love for music and his all-consuming, possessive love for Nana Osaki. He feels a desperate need to provide for her and protect her, but this desire is often at odds with the demands of his career and his personal demons.

Ren is the gifted guitarist of Trapnest and Nana Osaki's first love. His arc is tragic and defined by the conflict between his love for Nana and the pressures of fame. He leaves his hometown and Nana to pursue his career in Tokyo, a decision that haunts both of them. Though they eventually reunite and get engaged, their relationship is plagued by jealousy, possessiveness, and the destructive influence of the media. Ren's arc takes a dark turn as he becomes increasingly reliant on drugs to cope with the pressure, leading to a downward spiral that foreshadows tragedy.