Latest news with #AiYazawa
Express Tribune
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
'Nana' creator Ai Yazawa confirms series will continue after 15-year hiatus
Ai Yazawa, creator of the acclaimed manga Nana, has confirmed that the series will eventually continue after being on hiatus since 2009. The update marks the first significant news in over 15 years, giving long-time fans renewed hope for a conclusion. The announcement surfaced through a Q&A featured in a Nana fanzine, shared online by X user Shae. While Yazawa did not provide a specific timeframe for the manga's continuation, she assured fans that the story is not over. 'The story of Nana is already in the final stages, so it's pretty much decided. But it's my manga that doesn't necessarily mean that… (laughs). No matter how the story goes, I will do my best to make sure everyone reads it again.' Nana began publication in 2000 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon within the shojo manga genre. The series follows two women, both named Nana, as they navigate personal relationships, ambition, and careers in the music industry. Its themes of love, loss, and adulthood resonated with readers, while Yazawa's distinctive art style and complex characters earned widespread acclaim. The manga's success led to adaptations including two live-action films, an anime series, and three video games published by Konami. Although it never reached the global prominence of series such as Sailor Moon or Fruits Basket, Nana built a devoted fanbase that has endured through its long hiatus. Yazawa's health issues led to the series being placed on indefinite hold in 2009. Fans have long compared its absence to other high-profile manga hiatuses, such as Hunter x Hunter by Yoshihiro Togashi. With Yazawa's recent comments, readers now have confirmation that she intends to complete the story when possible, offering hope that the long-awaited ending will eventually be realised.
Tokyo Weekender
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
From Nana to Paradise Kiss: Ai Yazawa's Iconic Manga Are Coming to Uniqlo
Iconic manga artist Ai Yazawa is joining forces with Uniqlo's UT brand for a special t-shirt collection set to release in early July 2025. The collaboration celebrates Yazawa's 40th anniversary in the industry and features designs from her most beloved works, including Nana , Paradise Kiss, Gokinjo Monogatari (Neighborhood Story), and Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I'm Not an Angel). List of Contents: A Milestone Collaboration Collection Highlights Collection Details Yazawa's Cultural Impact Related Posts A Milestone Collaboration Four Decades of Manga Brilliance This Uniqlo UT collection marks a significant milestone in Ai Yazawa's illustrious career. Since her debut 40 years ago, Yazawa has captivated readers with her distinctive art style and compelling storytelling, particularly focusing on fashion, music, and the complexities of relationships. Her works have not only defined generations of manga fans but have also influenced Japanese fashion and pop culture at large. Exclusive Designs for Devoted Fans What makes this Nana Uniqlo collab particularly special is a brand-new illustration created exclusively for the collection. The design features Nana Osaki (one of the two protagonists from Nana ) wearing her signature leather jacket over a t-shirt bearing an image of Nana 'Hachi' Komatsu, the series' other protagonist. This meta design symbolizes the enduring connection between the two characters, offering fans a unique piece of Yazawa artistry unavailable anywhere else. Collection Highlights Nana: A Cult Classic Reimagined The Nana t-shirt designs include a dark gray option featuring a collage of the members of Nana's band 'Black Stones' (BLAST), designed to resemble a vintage band t-shirt. This piece perfectly encapsulates the rock-and-roll aesthetic that made 'Nana' a cultural phenomenon when it debuted in 2000. Paradise Kiss: Fashion-Forward Tribute The Paradise Kiss design comes in blue, drawing inspiration from the fashion show that serves as a pivotal plot point in the story. It features butterfly motifs and the brand logo embroidered on the chest—a fitting tribute to a manga that revolves around fashion design students creating their own clothing line. the back text reads, "gokinjo monogatari, ai yazawa" Gokinjo Monogatari: Iconic Streetwear For Gokinjo Monogatari (Neighborhood Story) fans, Uniqlo offers a white t-shirt featuring iconic motifs inspired by the fictional fashion brand that appears in the series. The back of the shirt showcases a design quoted from page 8 of the first volume of the manga's paperback edition, making it a collector's item for devoted fans. Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai: Vintage Aesthetic The Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai (I'm Not an Angel) design comes in natural color and features an illustration from the inside cover of the sixth volume of the Cobalt Bunko edition. Uniqlo has carefully reproduced the hand-drawn quality of Yazawa's original artwork, preserving her distinctive style in the print. Collection Details Pricing, Sizing and Availability All t-shirts in the Ai Yazawa UT collection will be priced at ¥1,500 each and will be available in sizes ranging from XS to 3XL, with XS and XXL-3XL sizes exclusive to Uniqlo's online store. The collection will launch in early July 2025 at all Uniqlo stores across Japan and on the Uniqlo online store. Yazawa's Cultural Impact Revolutionary Manga Storytelling Ai Yazawa's work stands out in the manga landscape for its nuanced exploration of youth culture, relationships, and artistic pursuits. Nana in particular has achieved cult status for its raw portrayal of friendship, ambition, and the music scene in early 2000s Japan. Similarly, Paradise Kiss revolutionized the way fashion was depicted in manga, with meticulous attention to clothing design and the fashion industry. Fashion Meets Manga What makes this collaboration particularly fitting is that Yazawa's manga has always had a strong focus on fashion. Her characters are consistently well-dressed in carefully designed outfits that often reflect real fashion trends or create new ones. The intersection of manga and fashion that Yazawa pioneered makes this Uniqlo partnership feel like a natural extension of her artistic vision. The Ai Yazawa x Uniqlo UT collection will be available in early July 2025. For more information and updates, visit the official collection page . Related Posts Say Yes to This Nana Wedding Dress Collection New Senate Bill Could Criminalize Anime, Manga and Games Featuring Underage Characters Berserk, Parasyte and Uzumaki Manga Collections Are Coming to Uniqlo
