The difference between the first volume and the rest of the series intrigues me a bit, even though I don’t think the series really gets going until volume 2; I seem to recall hearing that Yazawa-sensei initially intended to tell the stories of their lives in parallel rather than intertwining them, and I wish I could remember where I read that so I could find out if it’s true. (I certainly don’t want to swear to it.) It would be such a profoundly different story, and while I’m infinitely glad we got the story we did, I always wonder a little what it would have been like.

May be back later with a more specific comment. But again, yay!

And, I agree that Nana understands Hachi much better because they’re both searching for that — they want to be someone else’s most important person. While Nana doesn’t seem that way on the surface, I think her rejection issues are a direct result of her past and, subconsciously, that influences her need to be loved. And I think Hachi is just so easily capable of loving that it draws Nana in, like a gravitational pull that she has no control over. And that’s the crux of their relationship — they’ve somehow become the other’s most important person despite all their differences.

I think I’m getting way off point, but talking about this stuff is just TOO MUCH FUN.

@Melinda: Well, it *is* hard being the voice of reason, but I think it’s a good counter-balance to Hachi, who’s just so happy-go-lucky and follows wherever “love” leads her. I don’t think it does any good for Hachi, except in a “I told you so” sense. The problem is, Hachi doesn’t often learn from her mistakes, especially when it comes to men.

@Michelle: Well, Ren always struck me as a Sid Vicious type, only Nana wasn’t willing to be his Nancy. He’s self-destructive and weak and, yet, always expected to be there for Trapnest. It’s the request for his strength as a musician that becomes his undoing, in my opinion. It’s simply an overwhelming, Herculian task for him, especially when he’s lost his source of strength — Nana. Of course, I’ve gotten ahead of myself (and the part of the series we’re looking at). But, maybe that’s all just an impression from people I’ve known in the punk scene and the music I listen to?

I know I’m too hard on Jun. She *is* the voice of reason, but I think to a fault? Just as it’s not helpful in life to approach everything in life from an emotional viewpoint, I think the same applies to a purely rational one. Obviously Hachi errs towards the former, and Jun tries hard to balance that in a “it’s for your own good” kind of way. I just think sometimes it is too harsh and rigid to actually do any good.

Mostly, though, I’m just thrilled you’ve joined in here.

I’m pretty tough on Ren I’ll admit, but I do agree he is much more difficult to figure out (likewise, Yasu remains a complete mystery to me most of the time), while Shoji is a pretty transparent kind of guy. This would be a good thing unless you are Nana K. and can’t seem to figure out the simple relationship-type things right away (but then who can?)