NANA ep.5

May 3, 2006 | 5 Comments

I was hoping that I'll get to hear Endless Story again but unfortunately that song doesn't seem to be a part of the anime soundtrack. It's a shame really because I've associated that song so much with Nana and Ren's farewell scene. In this version, the scene is simply accompanied by a background music. It works effectively but not as dramatic as the live action version. I supposed since the anime doesn't feature Trapnest concert while going through Nana and Ren's flashback makes it impossible to feature any Trapnest-related music. In the end, however, the scene works as effectively as the one in the live action version. Moreover, Nobu is a lot interesting in this version than in the live action version so that is a plus.

Continuing from last week's episode, Yasu is seen in the middle of giving explanation to Nobu about Ren's departure. Apparently a band that used to be their friend, Trapnest, has just got a contract in Tokyo. Unfortunately, when they were about to release a single, they had irreconcilable differences with their guitarist so the guitarist quit. Because of this, they end up asking Ren if he wants to join their band. Ren has apparently left to meet with their producer in Tokyo but they already know about his ability so this is pretty much just a formality. Nobu is pretty upset to hear this because Blast has just made their own name and now Ren wants to leave them. Yasu, however, reminds Nobu that it'll be stupid for Ren to stay in this town when he has a chance like this. Nobu get an idea to folllow Ren's footstep but Yasu tells him that he doesn't want to gamble his life like that since many bands never make it out there.

Moreover, Ren has to make Trapnest his priority. Yasu tells Nobu that he can go to Tokyo but asks the boy not to stand in Ren's way especially since Nobu is going to inherit his family's inn soon. He thinks Nobu can't possibly make it in both music and family business at the same time. He suggests that Nobu does his band as a side project. The conversation then quickly turn into Nana. Nobu wonders what will happen to her and believes that Ren should take Nana. Yasu, however, reminds Nobu that Nana is an independent woman who is successful in her own right. At the end of the day, it's up to her whether or not she'll follow Ren. He also tells Nobu if Nana leaves Blast will have to break up and Yasu will quit for good as well. Then, it'll be up to Nobu to find new members. The story then cut to a flashback when Ren asked Nobu to join his band because he had problem with his previous band, who never come for practice.

Nobu gladly joined the new band that Ren and Yasu set up but the problem was, they need a singer. Ren wanted a girl singer and asked Nobu to find him one. As if coming at the right moment, Nana arrived to return Nobu's CD and got to see Ren for the second time. After finding out from Nobu that Nana can sing well, Ren decided to chase Nana and asked her to join their band. Ever since then, Nana realises that she's been singing not for Ren but for herself. After his graduation, Nobu comes to gloat to Nana as well as to ask her if she's going to move to Tokyo with Ren. He tells Nana that if she moves to Tokyo, he will move as well. In fact, he tells her that they should move the band to Tokyo to see how far they can make it. He realises that it won't be easy but they should at least try since he believes Nana has a unique voice. Moreover, Nobu doesn't want to play guitar with other singer. In addition to this, he points out that Yasu will quit if Nana leaves.

Nana is touched to hear this but asks Nobu not to say anything anymore because she wishes that Ren was the one who said what Nobu had said. She, however, ends up telling Nobu that she's not going anywhere much to Nobu's surprise. He tells Nana that even if she's not in a band with Ren, they can still live together. Nana, however, can't do such a thing. Nobu assures her that Ren won't think that she's in a way because he never once cheat on her when he was with her. That suggests that he does love her. Nana knows that but her life doesn't revolve around Ren. Nana wants to be a real singer and she's not going to make that happen by being around Ren like a fangirl. She decides to stay behind, take singing lesson, and then go to Tokyo. Even if it means that she'll have to do this on her own. Nana then remembers how Ren and herself got together. That started on a christmas night after they finished one of their shows.

Back then Ren received a cake from one of his fans but made a joke that it may be poisoned so that Nana will die upon eating it. Upon hearing this, Nana orders Ren to taste it. Ren refused and instead chose to kiss Nana. Nana was surprised back then because she did have a crush on Ren. The two quickly moved together and Ren's presence in Nana's life encouraged her to sing her best, learn guitar, and live her life to the fullest. However, Nana always felt that she has nothing to offer Ren. Back to the present time, Nana was close to consider moving to Tokyo with Ren and doing household work for him since that may provide enough happiness for her. Eventually, however, Nana decides to remain in the city and that means seperation with Ren. Prior to the departure, Nobu is surprised that Ren has no luggage. Ren boasts that he needs nothing but his guitar and cigarretes but Nana tells Nobu that Ren had sent his stuff through a delivery service since he doesn't want to carry stuff on his own.

Before the train that will take Ren to Tokyo departs, he takes Nana into the carriage and the two share one last kiss. Nana then runs out of the carriage and broke down in tears outside while Ren tries to remain inside and not chase after Nana. Nana says that it's been a year and three months since she and Ren got together and now it's over. The two never said it but they knew that living apart would be the end of their relationship. They decide not to call or write to each other since they feel it's meaningless when they can't be with each other. Nana feels lonely without Ren but manages to forged a career of her own in her hometown. One night, however, she notices a poster of Trapnest with Ren included in it. A cake and letter from one of Nana's fans encourages her to move forward with her life. She decides that one her 20th birthday, she's going to reward herself with a one way ticket to Tokyo. She believes all she needs is her guitar and cigarettes.

Impression:

I can understand why Nana chose the path that she ended up taking. Sooner or later, a person will have to live his/her own life so it was a good decision that Nana chose to remain independent and away from Ren. As painful as it may seem now, it would have been worse if she stays with Ren and has no purpose of her own. When that happens, her own individuality and sense of achievement will be greatly diminished and she may end up feeling discontent with Ren and vice versa. This is a point that sets Nana and Hachi apart. Nana can make a decision on her own while Hachi had to have someone telling her what is the best thing for her to do. In the end, both girls did end up on the same path in the sense that they are trying to re-educate themselves before moving on to the next step in their life. However, the purpose for that next movement is different. Nana moves to Tokyo in the hope of establishing herself while Hachi simply wants to be with Shuuji.

The train station was still painful to see regardless which version I watch. I doubt Nana and Ren was the only one who felt sad. Nobu and Yasu probably felt the same way since they essentially lost their friend and band member. I don't know about others but when I experienced a similar thing, it took almost a couple of months to get over the sadness. Time seems to heal but at the same time also numbs everything. It's probably why Nana decided not to communicate with Ren again because doing so will simply open up whatever emotion that she managed to stabilise after Ren left. True enough, the minute Nana saw the Trapnest poster with Ren in it, she starts missing him again. This is why her decision to move to Tokyo seems rather harsh. On the one hand, it will allow her to expand her career. On the other hand, she will get an instant reminder of whatever past she shared with Ren while realising that he may have a whole new life that does not include her in it.

© memento 2003