NANA - Episode Highlights
Episode Highlights
Prologue: Nana and NANA
The two protagonists, Nana Komatsu and Nana Osaki, meet by chance on a snowbound train to Tokyo. Despite their polar opposite personalities, they bond over their shared name and age, setting in motion the fated encounter that will define their lives.
This episode is the cornerstone of the entire series. It establishes the central relationship, introduces the core themes of fate and connection, and perfectly contrasts the two main characters' personalities and aspirations.
Family Restaurant of Shambles
Hachi discovers that her boyfriend Shoji has been cheating on her with a coworker, Sachiko. The confrontation is emotionally raw and devastating, leading to their breakup. Nana Osaki provides fierce, unwavering support for the heartbroken Hachi.
A major turning point for Hachi's character. It marks the end of her innocent, idealized view of love and deepens her reliance on Nana Osaki, solidifying their bond as Hachi's primary emotional anchor.
Trapnest, Live
Hachi gets tickets to a Trapnest concert. In a pivotal moment, Nana Osaki comes face to face with her ex-boyfriend Ren for the first time since he left for Tokyo, forcing them both to confront their unresolved feelings.
This episode reignites the central romance between Nana and Ren, a relationship that drives much of the series' drama. It also marks the beginning of Hachi's entanglement with the members of Trapnest, setting up future conflicts.
Hachi's Child, Pregnancy
After breaking up with Takumi and starting a promising relationship with Nobu, Hachi discovers she is pregnant. The episode is filled with tension and uncertainty as she realizes the baby could be Takumi's, threatening her chance at happiness with Nobu.
This is arguably the most significant plot twist in the series. The pregnancy forces Hachi into an impossible choice and sets her on a path that will irrevocably change her life and her relationship with everyone around her.
The Broken Strawberry Glass
Takumi arrives and declares he will take responsibility and marry Hachi. Devastated by the news and feeling betrayed, Nana Osaki accidentally drops and shatters one of the matching strawberry glasses, a symbol of their friendship and shared home.
A powerful, symbolic moment that represents the shattering of the two Nanas' idyllic life together. It marks a major fracture in their friendship and the end of an era for the residents of apartment 707.
Fireworks Display, Hachi and NANA
The season finale shows Hachi, now married to Takumi and living separately, watching fireworks from the window of apartment 707, waiting for Nana. The episode is a montage of past moments and flash-forwards, ending on a bittersweet and unresolved note about their friendship enduring despite the distance.
The anime's conclusion is open-ended, providing emotional closure but leaving the plot unresolved as it only covers up to Volume 12 of the manga. It emphasizes the enduring bond between the two Nanas while acknowledging the painful reality of their separate lives.