NANA ep.7

May 17, 2006 | 10 Comments

I never noticed it until this episode but the characters in this series sure wear all sorts of nicely designed clothes. Some of them are the casual kind like the ones that Shouji wears but others are quite lavish and eclectic like Kyousuke's cowboy hat and his and Junko's matching pyjamas. A lot of details have certainly gone to the design of the clothes in this series. It makes me wonder if they actually work with several clothes retailer in order to promote each other's product. I think it's nice to see a series where the characters don't wear the same thing over the course of 26 episodes. I'm sure it adds up to the cost of the production though but I'm glad because it means that this series has a high production value attached to it.

The episode begins with Hachi and her real estate agent, Andou-san, arriving at apartment 707. However, the quickly realise that there's already a real estate agent and a potential renter interested in it. Having said that, the renter has not made her decision yet. Upon seeing the renter, Hachi realises that the potential renter is none other than Nana. At first it seems as if Nana does not recognise Hachi but after a while, she reveals that she's just joking around with the other girl. Hachi, however, quickly becomes disappointed again when Nana tells her real estate agents, Yokoi, that they're not friends. Since Nana hasn't made up her mind, Andou-san asks them if he can show the place to Hachi. Before he can do this, however, Hachi already goes and inspect every single part of the apartment and tells the agent that she'll take the apartment. Nana and Yokoi immediately protest, claiming that they've found this place first.

Nana then proceeds to grab the contract and about to put down her stamp to seal the deal but Hachi tries to stop her. Nana tells Hachi that she's sick of sleeping at hotels so she doesn't care where she lives as long as she gets her own place. In reply, Hachi tells her that if Nana doesn't care, maybe she should look at another place instead. Nana tells Hachi that she can simply sleep at her boyfriend's place, causing Hachi almost burst into tears. Upon seeing this, Nana asks the other girl if they broke up. Hachi claims that they haven't but at this rate they probably will and starts to tell her story. This causes the younger real estate agent to be impatient and tells the two to talk about this kind of thing later on. Much to his surprise, however, the girls are united when it comes to girl talk. Because both girls seem interested in the apartment, Ando-san tells the two that maybe they should share the house.

He believes that the place is big enough that it will allow them to have some privacy as well as allowing them to talk to each other if they feel like it. Moreover, by sharing the place, the girls can split the rent between the two of them. That means each will only have to pay 35,000 Yen. He also tells Nana that if she's concerned about privacy, he can arrange to have locks installed on both bedrooms. Both Nana and Hachi are happy to hear this but Yokoi is unhappy because it means he'll have to split the agent fee with Andou-san. Because of this he tries to influence Nana to not share the place with Hachi. Nana, however, shows that she's a good judge of character when she decides to trust Hachi more than this slimy real estate agent. Nana then tells Hachi that she'll start moving her stuff tomorrow, prompting Hachi to tell her that she'll do the same. The two then seal the deal by shaking each other's hand.

Unfortunately for Hachi, this latest development is not taken so well by Junko. Her friend thinks that Hachi trusts stranger too easily. Hachi tries to argue that Nana is not a stranger anymore since they talked in the train. In fact, she believes that their meeting was fated by the demon lord. Junko is annoyed to hear this, prompting Hachi to wonder if Junko is sad she's going to live with another girl. She tells her friend that she'd have stayed with Junko but she now has Kyousuke with her. Frustrated by Hachi's mindset, Junko decides to scare off the other girl by saying that maybe this other girl thinks that she can 'do' Hachi or maybe she's a serial killer. Junko also tells Hachi that the truth is, it's not really her business but she thinks Shouji is going to oppose the idea and wonders if Hachi already talks to him. Hachi tells Junko that he hasn't told Shouji yet because he's working at the moment so she doesn't want to disturb him.

Junko becomes annoyed to hear this since she's also in the middle of working and yet Hachi disturb her anyway. Because of this she refuses to sell a dress to Hachi and ends up kicking her friend out of the store. Because of this Hachi decides to go back to Shouji's apartment. Upon getting there, however, she realises that Shouji is not back yet. Hachi starts to wonder if Shouji is cheating behind her back especially since they've been away from each other for a year. Her rational mind tries to convince her that he could not possibly be able to do this since they emailed each other everyday and he was busy studying as well. Despite this, Nana can't help but worrying and end up creating a fictional temptress called 'Sachiko', whom she believes are having an affair with Shouji. Because of this, when Shouji comes home, she confronts him for being late. Shouji claims that he's sent a text message to inform Hachi that he has to work until late.

Hachi, however, claims that she never receives any message on her mobile. Upon checking his mobile, Shouji realises that he actually sent the message to Junko's mobile instead. True enough, back at Junko's and Kyousuke's place, Junko is annoyed with the fact that Shouji sent the message to her mobile instead. She is also worried with the fact that Shouji never asked Hachi to move in with him. Kyousuke thinks that this is because Shouji wants Hachi to become independent. Kyousuke also tells Junko that Shouji has been worried since last year. Much to Junko's surprise, however, it's actually not because he's bored with Hachi but because he wants to marry her. Kyousuke tells Junko that Shouji is afraid that if he goes to college, it'll take longer before he can support Hachi. Because of this, the other guy has been thinking of working full time instead of going to college. Junko thinks it's silly to throw one's own life for a girl.

Back at Hachi and Shouji, Shouji is shocked when Hachi tells him that she's moving to another place. Shouji basically says the same argument that Junko said to Hachi so she asks him to give her a new argument. Because of this Shouji suggests that they move in together although he admits that his one room flat is a bit cramped. Hachi, however, is more concerned with the possibility of Shouji being annoyed by her if she moves in with him. Shouji, however, tells her not to worry about it. Upon hearing this, Hachi thanks her but she rejects his idea. She's glad that Shouji chooses her over Sachiko but she also wants to try making it on her own. Shouji finally agrees to allow Hachi to live on her own but he's still uncomfortable about letting her staying with a stranger. Hachi tries to tell him that Nana is cool and all and wants him to meet Nana as well. Hachi, however, becomes worried that Shouji maybe attracted to Nana instead of her.

Shouji, however, assures Hachi that he won't be attracted to Nana because he's all tied up between Hachi and 'Sachiko'. Upon hearing this Hachi agrees to take Shouji to meet Nana the next day. Because of this, Hachi, Shouji, Junko, and Kyousuke decide to help Hachi moving in to her new place the next day. Junko is surprised to see the building looking good but she and Shouji are immediately freaked out when Hachi informs them that her new apartment is number 707. In Japan, 7 can either be referred to as either Nana or Shichi. Because 'Shichi' (Seven) and 'Shinu' (Death) shares the same 'Shi' when spoken, people tends to connote the word 'Shi' as a bad omen. This is why number 4 (Shi) and 7 (Shichi) are often considered as bad numbers in Japan despite the contrary in other countries. In this case, that means Hachi is renting an apartment that has double the bad luck (707). Junko even associates the number with Demon Lord.

Despite this, they decide to ring the doorbell. They, however, are surprised when a bald young man ends up being the one who opens the door. Hachi immediately assumes that they've gone to the wrong room. But before they can go away, Nana appears out of the shower, complaining about the lack of hot water. Her voice makes Hachi realises that she wasn't wrong after all. So Hachi then introduces her friends to Nana. The bald guy then introduces himself as Takagi Yasushi, Nana's friend and budding lawyer. He tells the others to give him a call if they ever encounter any problem. Upon hearing this, Nana orders Yasu to resolve her no hot water problem. Despite Yasu's protestation, he ends up making a phone call to the hot water company. Nana and Hachi then offer to make their guest some drinks but Yasu reminds the two that without gas, the stove won't work. It quickly becomes apparent that neither Nana knew anything about living on their own.

Because of this, Yasu ends up teaching them how to fill various form to activate their electricity and gas connection. Seeing Yasu taking care both girls rather well, Junko feels relieved. She thinks now they can leave Hachi without worrying about her. Shouji, however, is still worried about Hachi until Nana orders her to go to work like a real man. Because of this, poor Shouji has no choice but to leave the place. After Hachi's friend left, Yasu lets Nana know that the gas won't be available until tomorrow. Nana complains about this because it means she'll feel cold tonight especially since she doesn't have any warm clothes apart from her leather jacket. Hachi, however, offers to lend Nana some of her warm clothes much to Nana's surprise. Hachi then says how when she first came to Tokyo, she was unsure if she can work there or if things are going to be fine with Shouji. However, she felt that she has no worries whatsoever when she first moved in with Nana.

Impression:

First of all, I'm rather amused that the 'Sachiko' jokes actually made it into the anime. I always consider that joke to be rather weird on a meta level because it feels as if Hachi was creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. And where did she get the name from anyway? Story-wise, this part kind of strike a bit too close to home a bit for me. I happen to have a friend who shares the same name with me and looking at Nana meeeting Nana (Hachi) makes the time that I spent with him felt surreal because we now live far away from each other. Anyway, I'm always a bit confused with this part of the story because Shouji suddenly goes from not wanting Hachi to stay with him to thinking that maybe they should live together. But I guess this shows that Shouji is not a complete jerk. Comedy-wise, I love the bit where Yasu and Junko asks each other to forgive the inexperienced 'daughters'. The part where Nana orders Shouji to go to work and make money was also comedy gold.

© memento 2003