"Ai Yazawa's 'NANA' World" Mook Sees Major Reprint One Month After Release, Sparks Enthusiastic Response at Bookstores Nationwide

Released on August 7, "Ai Yazawa's 'NANA' World" (Separate volume Taiyo, "Taiyo no Chizucho" series / Heibonsha) has received an overwhelming response at bookstores across Japan, prompting a significant reprint just one month after its initial release.

This book was produced with the complete cooperation of author Ai Yazawa and Shueisha, and it is packed with must-see content for fans. In addition to specially drawn illustrations and rare author interviews, it features a wealth of never-before-seen rough sketches and drawing materials.

The foreword is contributed by novelist Mizuki Tsujimura, who passionately discusses Yazawa's tremendous influence, declaring, "There is no one of our generation or younger who has not been influenced by Ai Yazawa's works."

The special opening color section, "'NANA' Illustration Gallery," includes drawing comments from Ai Yazawa herself, sharing her thoughts and the production background of the series. Furthermore, features such as "Traveling 'NANA' through Characters" and "'NANA' Character Encyclopedia" also showcase commentary directly from the author.

In the character introduction pages for main characters like Hachi (Nana), the book unveils rare and previously unreleased rough sketches selected personally by Yazawa, offering readers a glimpse into the moment when these characters were first born.

Additionally, the book is rich with critiques that delve into the fashion and music culture that color the series. For example, it examines British punk culture through the protagonist Nana's style, explores the connection between Ren and the legendary punk icon Sid Vicious, and, from an expert perspective, provides detailed analysis of the inseparable relationship between Vivienne Westwood—who features prominently in the manga—and the world of "NANA."