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NANA has become the all-time best-selling shojo title from Japanese publishing giant Shueisha and is still serialized in Japan -- just think how many chapters you have to look forward to! In 2005, a NANA tribute CD, Playstation 2 game, live-action film, and movie soundtrack were all released in Japan -- not surprisng for a title that boasts 22 million dollars in cumulative manga volume sales. Behind this hip, stylish, and exciting story stands creator Ai Yazawa, the author of many best-selling manga, including Tenshi Nanaka Janai and Gokinjo Monogatari. As someone who can effectively capture "cool" within frames of manga, we had no doubt that she'd be pretty cool herself. Here's a look in on what she thinks of haute couture, Sid Vicious, and a few of her gazillion fans -- including you! "Many readers view Nana O. with admiration." Shojo Beat: What manga did you read and enjoy while growing up? Ai Yazawa: When I was little, I loved reading the monthly manga magazine Ribon and liked all of the titles in it. SB: Who influenced or inspired you the most during your career? AY: I am influenced by not only manga creators, but also other talented people in different fields, such as musicians. SB: NANA is considered a shojo title, but it doesn't look like the average shojo comic. What reaction have readers and fellow artists had to the unique style of NANA? AY: It depends. There are people who just accept it and people who are greatly surprised by it. I do not think it is that unique myself. I get surprised when someone shows surprise. SB: What was the initial inspiration for NANA? AY: When I received a request to create "a title that could be accepted by a wider audience," I was at a loss, but then I came up with a story about two girls with the same name but totally different characterics, and that was the start. I thought people would empathize with one of them. SB: What do you ultimately want to achieve with this series -- do you simply want to entertain your readers, or is there a deeper meaning you want to convey? AY: In my work, making stories readers enjoy is the first thing I want to achieve. Of course, there is a basic message underlying the story, but I'm happy if at least some people understand that message. SB: Do you identify most with Nana Komatsu or Nana Osaki? Which of them is most popular with your fans and why? AY: I have different values from both characters, so I do not identify with either of them. As for fans, many readers view Nana O. with admiration and Hachi as someone they can empathize with. SB: When you think about the Black Stones' music, what do you hear? How about Trapnest's music? AY: I'd like to leave it to the reader's imagination. SB: What types of music do you listen to? Do you have a favorite band? AY: I like rock 'n' roll. I like the sound of Muse, a UK band, the most. SB: Much of the appeal of NANA is in the way your characters dress. Do you have a strong interest in haute couture? Where does that interest originate? How do you dress? AY: I am interested in both haute couture and pret-a-porter. I have loved clothes -- wearing them, looking at them, and making them -- since I was a child. Now it feels like I've explored Western clothes enough, so I have shifted my interest into kimono. As it is a part of Japanese traditional culture, kimono is profound and interesting. SB: The character of Ren looks like Sid Vicious, the deceased Sex Pistols bass player. Is this likeness intentional? AY: In Japan, there are young people whose fashion is influenced by Sid Vicious. I modeled the character after those people, rather than Sid Vicious himself. SB: NANA is a wildly successful shojo series. What kind of reaction have you received from your male fans? AY: The reaction varies. I am surprised that there are so many guys who say, "Nana K. is just like my girlfriend." Also, probably because so many shonen manga that guys read are stories where the characters win each battle and evolve, some people say, "I have never read a manga in which so many things don't happen the way you want them to." SB: What was your response when you found out that the studio wanted to create a second NANA film? AY: I heard that the studio would make a sequel if the first movie were successful, so when it decided to make a second NANA film, I felt like the hard work of the production people paid off and I wanted to say "Congratulations!" SB: Do you have a message for your American fans? AY: Because NANA contains lots of Japanese word play, I am sorry that you can't read the original. This is a long serialization, but once you start reading, please be patient and read until the end. A title is complete only when it concludes. I will do my best to complete NANA, so please keep reading! |
Creating Cool