NANA - Symbolism & Philosophy
Symbols & Motifs
Apartment 707
Symbolizes the shared world and sanctuary of the two Nanas. The number 7, "nana" in Japanese, represents their fated connection and destiny. It is the physical and emotional space where their lives and dreams intersect, a refuge from the outside world.
The apartment is the central setting where the two protagonists decide to become roommates. It is the backdrop for many of their most important conversations, celebrations, and moments of crisis. The number is repeated on the door, symbolizing the two Nanas. Even after they move on, they plan to meet there again, signifying its importance as the origin of their bond.
Strawberry Glasses
The matching strawberry-patterned glasses represent Nana Komatsu's dream of a happy, domestic life and the simple, sweet beginnings of her friendship with Nana Osaki.
Hachi buys two matching glasses for their apartment, envisioning a shared, happy life with Nana. When Nana Osaki, in a fit of rage and despair over Hachi's decision to marry Takumi, smashes one of the glasses, it symbolizes the shattering of that innocent dream and the deep fracture in their relationship.
Lotus Flowers (Ren's Tattoo)
The lotus flower, or 'ren' in Japanese, symbolizes Ren Honjo himself. It represents resilience, rebirth, and the ability to find beauty in hardship, as the flower blooms from mud. It also signifies Nana Osaki's deep, enduring, and painful love for him.
Ren has a prominent lotus tattoo on his arm. Nana Osaki frequently references it, and the image is a constant reminder of their shared past and seemingly unbreakable bond. It's a symbol of the love that she can't escape, no matter how much pain it causes her.
Sid Vicious Padlock
The padlock necklace that Ren gives Nana, identical to the one worn by Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, symbolizes their punk rock ethos and a desire to be bound together. It represents a promise and a deep, possessive connection that is both protective and confining.
Nana Osaki wears the padlock necklace throughout the series as a symbol of her bond with Ren. It's a physical manifestation of their intense, all-consuming relationship that she feels she can't, or won't, unlock herself from.
Philosophical Questions
Are fate and free will mutually exclusive?
The series constantly plays with the idea of fate (the 'Demon Lord' Hachi often blames for her misfortunes) bringing people together, exemplified by the chance meeting of the two Nanas. However, it meticulously shows how the characters' own choices, mistakes, and personal flaws are what truly shape their lives and relationships. The story explores whether fated connections can survive the consequences of individual free will, questioning whether destiny is a starting point or an unchangeable destination.
Can true happiness coexist with the successful pursuit of ambitious dreams?
This question is at the heart of the conflict between the two Nanas' life goals. Nana Osaki relentlessly pursues musical stardom, but this path is filled with personal sacrifice, heartbreak, and immense pressure that jeopardizes her mental health and relationships. Hachi seeks happiness in domesticity, but achieves it through a compromising marriage that leaves her feeling unfulfilled and lonely. The series suggests that both paths are fraught with pain and that the idealized versions of success and happiness are often illusions.
What is the true nature of love and dependency?
"NANA" deconstructs idealized notions of romance, presenting a spectrum of relationships from passionate and toxic to gentle and pragmatic. It forces viewers to question what constitutes love. Is it the all-consuming, destructive passion of Nana and Ren? The stable but controlling pragmatism of Hachi and Takumi? Or the sweet, unfulfilled potential of Hachi and Nobu? The series deeply explores emotional dependency, especially in Hachi's character, asking whether relying on others for happiness is a fatal flaw or an inescapable part of the human condition.
Core Meaning
The core meaning of "NANA" is a raw and unflinching exploration of the complexities of female friendship, the pursuit of dreams versus the compromises of reality, and the often-painful journey of self-discovery in young adulthood. It conveys the message that life, love, and happiness are rarely the fairytales we imagine. The series poignantly illustrates that the dreams we chase and the reality that chases us are often on parallel paths that never meet. It emphasizes that true connection and identity are forged not in perfect moments, but through shared struggles, heartbreak, and the enduring, complicated bonds of friendship that become a fragile refuge against the loneliness of the world.