“In glimpses of the future scattered throughout the series, one noticeable change is Nana Osaki’s complete absence. Nana O. is later revealed to have abruptly left with only one, cryptic remark as to where she was gong: “I want to go to the sea…” (or, “I want to see Ren…” depending on the translation). She is later declared dead; implying suicide as the cause. Several years later, she is found alive in London, and making a living by singing in a pub. She sports significantly longer locks, and is identified by her engagement ring, as well as her signature lotus tattoo. Fans are left to speculate on the catalyst(s) that led to her departure.”
Here are my very scattered thoughts on this particular question:
In our latest chapter of NANA, Asami (Yuri) is frustrated because she seems to be the only one in the building who works: BLAST is on a weird hiatus after Shin’s scandal and Ren’s passing & Miu barely gets gigs. Her frustration is kind of understandable…. I mean, why haven’t they worked for a month? And more importantly, if NANA can sing karaoke, why the heck is Hachi still there?
Asami clearly has ulterior motives when she observes Nana’s spirits are are up and brashly asks, “Then maybe you don’t need Takumi’s wife by your side anymore?” and we’re left with this last panel:
And, really, it’s a heartbreaking scene.
From this scene alone I thought that Nana Osaki left because she didn’t feel needed anymore, or rather– that she felt she was truly alone in the world. How could she be #1 in Hachi’s life when she has a husband and child on the way? You also have to wonder… why would she up and leave Nobu and Yasu?
But she already did it once when she bought that one way ticket to Tokyo and decided she was going to go solo way back in Vol 1&2. It’s not too late for Nobu to take over the family inn (which he actually does) and for Yasu to complete his law school obligations etc. And honestly, I don’t think she cares too much about Shin’s future… but Yasu clearly does, so why worry too much about Shinchi?
It was only after Nobu moving up and encouragement from Hachiko that she put faith in making it big with a band again. Take away Hachiko… take away that rivalry with Ren/Trapnest… and then add in BLAST’s troubles - she can be on her own again. In fact, Yasu set into motion her whole solo career. But what could make her want to disappear completely? Why not take up that deal?
Ren’s passing is definitely a huge factor… And that quote about wanting to go to Ren? Go to sea? It sounds suicidal. Before it was clear that Ren would be the one gone, I actually thought Nana died based on the narration. Obviously this isn’t true. Until we started hearing, “Hey Hachi…” I thought Nana was going to die. Not necessarily suicide… but that she was gone. I’m relieved she goes missing instead. But I digress…
Anyway, as I was perusing the Valentine’s Day chapter (~Ch.70), I began to think that Asami’s comment couldn’t have been the final kick before she made this decision to leave, even though it clearly put some thoughts into motion…
Hachi begins her narration:
“Because I have a child to care for, Because I have work to do Because I have plenty of reasons for not immediately setting out to look for Nana… I guess it is because I’m still afraid. Afraid that she will spurn my outstretched hand.”
She continues to say, in the future scene, that she will wait until Spring Break and go out to find her and pleads that she “doesn’t run away” before then.
Hachi continues later in the chapter:
“I will look for Nana Not to seek her understanding But because I love Nana. It’s that simple.”
This isn’t the official VIZ translation, but if she thinks Nana will, “spurn her outstretched hand” or she thinks “understanding” is needed… what the heck happened? From here, we can only think it was some words or actions from Nana Komatsu that directly leads to Nana Osaki’s disappearance.
There is nothing Nana wanted more in life than to live off her voice and to see her dreams realized. It’s hard to imagine her leaving it all behind on purpose. I think that Ai Yazawa spent chapters upon chapters developing Nana’s concern for her mental health, black outs, and panic attacks to prepare for the moment she leaves. Nana has lost hours upon hours before in situations that related to Hachi. Any misunderstanding with Hachiko in those last few chapters could absolutely trigger another black out.
Now, my guess is that she loses time and when she gets it back she realizes she’s happier to be distant from her life back in Tokyo. There’s too much heartache, too much rejection, too many eyes… Or, worse, that everyone is better off without her.
Next, imagine she opens up that present Ren left for her birthday.
I always figured he left her a bit of knowledge, something sentimental, or something that gives her a way out. Perhaps a key or an idea.
She may want to be with Ren, but she’s also smart enough to know that the Nana he loved should always do what is best for herself. Ren’s story is a lesson she could learn from… was he truly happy? Did he find peace? They never got a chance to reconcile properly, so it’s possible her departing is one of the ways she makes peace with Ren’s passing.
Of course, I’m just spouting nonsense now. I’d love to hear anyone else’s thoughts as to why Nana O. leaves.
yes! though i dont think hachi actively did anything to cause nana to leave. i think hachi is loveably meek and hates conflict and defaults to being more self-involved so her “outstretched hand” comment probably just is her projecting a fear and sense of shame for not being more there for nana when she could have been, i.e. not prioritizing nana over herself. which makes sense since she keeps making excuses to not find nana at first (it’s easier to stay on the sidelines and hope things work themselves out and stay in a bubble of shock–something we’ve seen hachi do time and time again.)
as for nana? i think you are right. she had an intense panic attack, didn’t feel valuable to anyone, didn’t know how to ask for the support she desired, was upset people couldn’t see past her strong cool exterior, and just ran away. sometimes it is far easier to love people from a distance. when our lives are spiraling out of control, often we want to regain stability and we do so but controlling what we have: our sense of personhood. so, running away was the only thing she felt she could do to save herself from more pain (and probably to save others from pain she felt she indirectly inflicted… do you ever wonder if nana feels that she is to blame for ren’s death? that would be a strong motivation to hating oneself and trying to save others then from enduring further sadness.)
just my two cents.
ps: i like your thoughts on ren’s gift. i bet it relates to the scene where he says he is going to tokyo and wants her to come. maybe this time his gift is a note. if so, maybe he said, “let’s run away together. to the sea. where we can have a quiet life together. and start a family. and leave all of this behind.”
Yeah! I definitely don’t think it would be anything deliberate on Hachi’s end, especially since she leaves a lot of her selfish behavior in the first half of the series.
That’s a hard question - I think that maybe Nana could have felt that if they maybe reconciled beforehand, maybe they would be together for her birthday and maybe the accident would have never happened. Although, that’s a stretch… and she’s definitely not responsible. But she could twist it that way, for sure.
However, I do think Reira feels very guilty.
As for your take on the gift/note, that would be truly heartbreaking - yet it feels like the appropriate push for her to disappear.
Summary: Mia Wolf longs for true freedom from the monsters lurking beyond the walls that protect the remnants of humanity. For years she has suffered, watching her fellow Scouts fall to these demons. She struggles to find someone who understands her pain - in the form of the silver-eyed Scout from the Underground City.
Fandom: Attack on Titan Pairing: Levi x Mia (OC) Rated: M (mature) Content Warning: strong profanity, graphic violence, major character death, attempted rape/non-con, past sexual assault, mutual pining, eventual smut, eventual lemons/limes, slow burn romance, sexual tension, masturbation, explicit material all around
NSFW / smut chapters so far (will be updated): Ch. 26
Straight men who always joke about hating their girlfriend are so fucking weird like imagine having a girlfriend and not treasuring and loving her every day smh grow up
“treasuring” and “loving” your girlfriend will result in her quickly leave you. Girls HATE guys who treat them like goddesses. They view it as pathetic and weak.
I hate it when people say shit like this like we get it you’re an
Isn’t it weird how you can actually feel the pain in your chest and stomach when something really hurts your feelings
This is actually because it activates your vagus nerve! Basically your body goes “we are so upset! We must be injured! Where???? On the inside guts! Those are confusing and hard to differentiate!!! Confusing guts are hurt!”
in a healthy, close relationship of any kind, when something upsets you, you need to bring it up. as soon as possible, even. cultivate an environment in which you both can talk about things that upset you, with the utmost attention to everyone’s feelings. it’s a really simple thing to do but it’s a thing i’ve been working on for a while and i’m getting actual nice things happening as a result
