Nana Osaki & Ren’s Toxic Love Explained

This anime or manga straddles the shojo and josei audience, offering richly developed characters seldom seen in shojo works. It delves into profound relationships that emerge during a pivotal period in life – the transition from adolescence to adulthood, when some of our most significant connections are forged. NANA primarily concentrates on the relationships and bonds that mold a person’s life, with one of the most intriguing relationships being the complex romance between the mysterious Nana Osaki and Ren Honjo.

In the world of anime and manga, Ren and Nana’s love story is often seen as intense and emotional. However, there are moments when their connection veers towards toxicity and co-dependence. Their feelings for each other, a blend of deep devotion and strong desire, seem to stem from a shared history of abandonment in childhood. This shared past gives them a sense of longing and belonging, but as their relationship becomes more turbulent, it’s evident that finding solace in each other is merely a temporary solution that hinders their relationship from evolving healthily.

In its exploration of complex emotions like heartache, loneliness, love, and friendship, the captivating ensemble of characters in the series NANA continues to be one of the most moving and thought-provoking shojo anime and manga even after twenty-five years. The deep bond between the two main characters serves as the heart of the story, but the intricate romantic relationships and defining aspects of life continue to spark lively debates among fans.

Understanding the Appeal In Ren & Nana Osaki’s Love Is Imperative to Understanding Its Flaws

Nana & Ren Were Both Abandoned By Their Families

Romantic connections can be complicated regardless of their backstory, but it’s important to note that Ren Honjo and Nana Osaki began their romantic journey burdened by decades of emotional hardship. Growing up in an orphanage, Ren was left outside a warehouse at the port as a newborn, with no knowledge of his origins or identity except for the evident fact: he wasn’t desired.

In their shared orphanage, Ren developed a strong connection with Yasushi who later got adopted by the Takagis. Despite this change, they managed to keep in contact. As teenagers, they both belonged to two different bands – Brute and Black Stones (BLAST). Through a mutual friend named Nobuo, it was ultimately through these connections that Ren encountered Nana Osaki.

Although Nana wasn’t raised in an orphanage, considering the harshness of her early life, it could be argued she would have fared better there. At just four years old, Nana was abandoned by her mother and left with a grandmother who harbored resentment towards her daughter. This resentment was frequently directed at Nana. The most difficult aspect of her abandonment was that her mother chose to leave her in pursuit of a new relationship rather than fulfilling the role of a mother.

Due to her mother’s departure, Nana’s grandmother tended to be overbearing, stern, and occasionally harsh. She held strong convictions about how women should act and dress, emphasizing modesty. Particularly notable was her view on pink and red garments, which she considered indicators of immodesty or promiscuity. Her rigidity extended to this belief so much that after her grandmother’s passing, Nana immediately purchased a red dress. Coincidentally, she wore it on the evening when she first encountered Ren Honjo.

Ren and Nana Met Through A Mutual Friend

They Formed BLAST Together Before Falling In Love

At a punk show that her friend introduced her to, Nana met Ren for the first time. His appearance and performance on stage left her spellbound, making her desire him and aspire to be like him. Initially, Ren found Nana off-putting because she seemed unaffected by the concert, as he later revealed. Their initial encounter took place when Nana visited Nobuo’s house to return some CDs and unexpectedly encountered Ren in his room.

Nobu, along with Yasu, were contemplating forming their own band and searching for a female lead vocalist. As Nana entered the room, everyone in the vicinity felt that Nana would become the lead singer of Blast. Approximately one and a half years after Ren first crossed paths with Nana, they finally became a couple on Christmas Eve. After wrapping up their performance, they were on their way home, playfully opening fan-gifts when, amidst falling snow, Ren unexpectedly kissed Nana. In response, Nana mentioned that the moment was so swift she neglected to shut her eyes.

At first, Ren was hesitant about any band members getting romantically involved with Nana, considering the band’s objectives. However, he disregarded his own rule because he felt their relationship wouldn’t interfere, given that he had developed feelings for her. Not much time passed before they started cohabiting, and Nana got a tattoo symbolizing the ‘ren flower’, which she had designed. Additionally, she placed a padlock around Ren’s neck as a sign of possession, mimicking Sid Vicious’ style, but uniquely holding the only key to it.

Nana & Ren Broke Up When He Moved to Tokyo To Join Another Band

Ren Left to Follow Nana’s Dream

A year after Nana and Ren cohabited, Ren shared his intention to relocate to Tokyo with Nana. He’d been given the chance to play guitar for a well-known band called Trapnest, which would eventually turn into Blast’s toughest competitor. Despite knowing she could migrate to Tokyo alongside Ren, Nana held onto her dignity and chose not to follow him. Moving to Tokyo with him would imply giving up on Blast and transforming into a homemaker, roles that didn’t appeal to her in the least.

While Ren was away living out his fantasy, she found it unbearable to wait around for him, so she decided to stick back and follow her own aspirations. They were deeply in love, but their relationship ended since they both recognized that being apart would ultimately lead to their unhappiness. Although they could have called or written to each other, as Nana muses, the connection wouldn’t be the same without being able to embrace one another.

Following Ren’s relocation to Tokyo, Blast expanded their team and carried on producing music. Meanwhile, Nana frequently felt lost and disoriented, as if in a dream. Unlike the other members of Blast who had clear future goals, Nobuo planning to take over his family business, staying in her hometown and making music was not fulfilling for the ambitious Nana. Two years after Ren departed, Nana purchased a non-refundable ticket to Tokyo with no intention of searching for him or reviving their relationship. Instead, she yearned to establish herself as a professional musician, desiring to achieve this independently.

Chance Brings Nana and Ren Back Together In Tokyo

But Even Then, Things Can Never Be The Same

When Nana Komatsu (Hachiko) extended an invitation to Nana Osaki to watch her favorite band together, it was instantly clear to Nana O. that this band was Trapnest. Despite yearning for Ren’s happiness, the realization that he was pursuing his dream and finding joy without her left a heavy blow. She grappled with the idea of facing him once more, but ultimately chose to accompany Hachiko to the concert at home. Reuniting with Ren was both a romantic and competitive encounter, and as the narrative unfolded, it became evident that there were many underlying problems simmering beneath the surface.

Nana explicitly informed him that she and Trapnest would become adversaries, aiming to surpass them in the long run. Conversely, Ren harbored apprehension towards their mutual acquaintance, Yasu, who had consistently supported Nana over time. Upon discovering that Yasu was instrumental in persuading Ren to join Trapnest, it becomes clear that from Ren’s perspective, Yasu may have been attempting to win Nana’s affections. With Reira, the lead vocalist of Trapnest who evidently harbored feelings for Ren, thrown into the mix, the emotional and potentially traumatic scenario seems like a complex web waiting to explode.

In a twist of events, it was when the gossip magazines intervened that Ren proposed to Nana, despite his initial plan to address his drug issue before making such a move. Nana agreed to the proposal, yet both were troubled about their impending future. Regrettably, after Ren diligently worked towards recovery and rebuilding his life, he met an unfortunate end in a car accident. In an attempt to escape the relentless tabloids and photographers on his way to Nana’s 21st birthday party, he lost control of his vehicle while swerving to avoid what he thought was Nana, striking instead his old apartment building.

The Problem With Nana and Ren’s Relationship

The bond between Nana and Ren is arguably one of the most intricate and complex relationships seen in anime history. Despite their profound love for each other, their relationship presents some challenging aspects. They appear to be inseparable, with mutual feelings that they are each other’s only ones, providing solace from their ongoing struggles with darkness. Ren played a pivotal role in inspiring Nana and nurturing her dream of singing, making him instrumental in shaping her aspirations. However, the notion of wanting to perish together and embracing the idea that no one else could take the place of the other if they were apart can be problematic, as it promotes a dangerous romantic ideal.

Despite the fact that their love was rare and profound, numerous obstacles arose in their relationship – Nana’s drive for success and pride, Ren’s persistent push to get married and start a family, and their shared intense passion were just some of the major hurdles they faced. Over the course of two years apart, they grew further away from each other. During their cohabitation, they confided in one another about their secrets and aspirations; however, upon reuniting, they both recognized that the bond of trust between them had weakened.

The growing divide between them became more pronounced when the media unveiled their romance, which in turn fueled Nana’s band’s triumph. The publicity surrounding her relationship with Trapnest’s guitarist significantly contributed to her group’s rise. Despite BLAST experiencing thrilling advancements, Nana harbored resentment because she felt her achievements weren’t entirely earned, and had Ren lived, this issue might have escalated into a significant problem in their relationship.

Since Ren and Nana started their romantic journey while still quite young, their relationship sometimes lacked maturity and tended towards immaturity and selfishness, bordering on toxic at times. Yet, due to the youthful purity of their love, their bond was equally enchanting and unwavering. In moments when they had no one else to rely on, they found solace in each other. Even after Ren departed, Nana continued to cherish her feelings for him.

Regardless of Nana choosing to remain at home when he embarked on his journey to Tokyo, Ren found it impossible to depart from her emotionally. She remained an integral part of him, and right up until his last breath, he wore the padlock necklace she had gifted him as a constant reminder. In a bizarre turn of events, upon his car accident, the padlock became one with his skin, underscoring that even in death, their bond would persist forever.

2025-04-28 03:13