#honjo icons

[asterotica]

nana ♥️ ren

take this as a late valentine’s day post 💌

like/reblog if you use !!

[heartagram-vv]

Ren Honjo moodboard

[anestefi]

[it-came-autumnally]

Been rereading Paranormasight recently and I’m glad the characters are just as delightful as I remember them being

[amarakys]

🧸 I LOVE NANA

who doesnt 

[fattymadiy]

“oh no! do I really look that depressed?”

[anunsweetenedpeachtea]

icon

[gurenkinnie]

Ren Honjo from "Nana" anime

[elmaxlys]

babe wake up new pride flag dropped

(votez front populaire)

[rudy-icons]

[warishahmed]

A Thorough Analysis of Ai Yazawa's NANA

"The dreams we are chasing and the reality that is chasing us are always parallel; they never meet."

Nana is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ai Yazawa. The story set in Tokyo, revolves around two 20 year-old women with the same given name - "Nana".

Nana Komatsu Nana Osaki

Nana Osaki, an independent, ambitious, and outspoken woman, meets a naive, dependent, and talkative Nana Komatsu (often referred to as Hachi) when she moves to Tokyo after turning twenty. Although they are completely opposite in terms of character and personality, they share a common goal: to discover themselves and the true meaning of love and happiness. 

Storytelling and Compelling Characters

At its core, "Nana" encompasses dynamics of human relationships, exploring themes such as identity, sacrifice, and aspirations or dreams. What sets it apart from other shoujo manga or anime is the complexity of each character in the story. As a 13-year-old, I was surprised by the depth of humanity portrayed in the characters. Yazawa presented the audience with a set of characters navigating difficult situations with utmost honesty, avoiding any romanticized portrayal which makes it relatable for young adults going through their own transformations.

Art Style

Aside from the story itself, Ai Yazawa skillfully renders emotions through subtle facial expressions and body language allowing readers to connect with the characters on an emotional basis, adding narrative depth. Her precise linework, expressive character designs, and intricate attention to details makes her work standout and enough reason to be a source of inspiration for others (including myself).

Yazawa seeks inspiration through a variety of sources, including fashion, music and pop culture. She adorns her characters with outfits and hairstyles, reflecting the trends and subcultures of contemporary Japanese society. She draws inspiration from her own life experiences and observations, reflecting her love for music, through depictions of concerts, recording studios and backstage interactions.

Fashion in Nana: Vivienne Westwood

The distinct personalities of Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu shine through their contrasting clothing styles: one punk and edgy, the other casual and feminine. It is evident that fashion plays an important secondary role in the stylistic choices. Despite dropping out of fashion school, Yazawa draws on her industry knowledge to skillfully convey her characters' emotions through clothing in her work.

Nana Osaki wearing Vivienne Westwood's "Armour Ring"

Nana is heavily influenced by Vivienne Westwood. The logo, also known as The Orb of Vivienne Westwood, is a combination of Saturn's rings and the sovereign orb of the English monarchy, and is one of the brand's most memorable elements. The symbol of Nana Osaki's rebellious nature is evident throughout "Nana," notably in the first episode where she wears the "Armour Ring." This accessory reflects her desire for protection from the challenges of the external world, setting the tone for her character's personality.

Nana Osaki wearing Vivienne Westwood Fall 1994 

Nana Osaki wearing Vivienne Westwood's 'Super Elevated Gillie'

Nana Osaki's wardrobe is predominantly filled with pieces from Vivienne Westwood, showcasing her strong connection to the punk community. She often reuses and styles these pieces in various iconic ways, serving as an inspiration for self-expression through fashion choices.

Ren Honjo: An Imitation of Sid from Sex Pistol

Ren Honjo and Nana Osaki

Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen

Nana Osaki and Ren Honjo are often compared to the infamous couple Sid Vicious from Sex Pistols and Nancy Spungen. Ren's intense love for Nana mirrors Sid's obsession with Nancy. Additionally, Ren's fashion choices, such as his leather jacket and padlock necklaces, are reminiscent of Sid's style, as Vivienne Westwood designed pieces with Sid in mind. Malcolm McLaren, Westwood's partner and Sex Pistols manager, emphasizes this connection even more.

Ren Honjo Sid Vicious

Despite the intensity of Nana Osaki and Ren Honjo's relationship, Yazawa carefully avoids romanticizing their obsession through portraying their love as an unhealthy codependency.

Nana Komatsu: Personality and Style always changing

Nana Komatsu dressed in outfits reflecting the dream/ career she is chasing

Nana Komatsu, known by the nickname Hachi, is a typical Shoujo female character who lives a conventional life and is always looking for validation from her romantic partners. She often wears pastel-tones housewife-inspired dresses, reflecting her femininity and desire for male approval. She lacks ambitions and often changes jobs and wardrobe to become independent. Hachi's fashion sense evolves, reflecting her changing personality. She initially embraces a 70s bohemian art style in art school, then adopts Vivienne Westwood jewelry to fit in with Osaki and her bandmates. Hachi's style draws from Mori and Gyaru subcultures.

Final Thoughts

Whether exploring themes of love, friendship, or personal growth, Ai Yazawa's art serves as a powerful medium for storytelling, capturing the nuances of human emotions and relationships with honesty and authenticity. Yazawa inspires others to create something new and special from their own experiences. She does this with precision and patience.

[heartagram-vv]

Shin Okazaki moodboard

[anestefi]

[basedkikuenjoyer]

The Red Thread of Fate

This one’s been a long time coming. It was honestly a pretty early thing I noticed, before starting this little journey at least. The first part of Wano leans on bits of Romance Dawn to stir the association. Incidentally I love the anime slipping the alternate pilot special in the perfect spot of Bakura for an AU. One of those big core threads I was waiting to see a little more before pondering; Luffy was so impressed because Kiku sorta reminded him of Makino and Shanks. Don’t even get me started on Uta if you want to go into that grey area not to mention some of the little ways Tama parallels Luffy’s childhood role.

Remember, this first chapter came out in 1997. Eiichiro Oda is coming fresh off of his time on Rurouni Kenshin, which is still a juggernaut for WSJ in serialization. There’s not a huge gap here. One Piece is rolling out right as Honjo’s story is woven into the contemporary RK volume releases. It’d be smack dab around the time Oda and Watsuki both were learning that ended up being a very well-received side story. But first, the iconic protagonist. Shanks here in Chapter 1 is one of many nice homages, I coulda told you that when I first saw it almost 20 years ago. The iconic red-haired samurai, one of the main motifs was the humility for one of his rank to “debase” themselves with domestic chores. Who else does this concept remind you of? 

It’s not just “Teehee there’s a little window of time these two could have met and I have a headcanon about how it could be cute.” Kiku’s a cutie supremo and funny as hell and happens to be really well done trans rep...but this is the kind of stuff that makes me obsessed with her. The thing is, Kiku never quite stops being a step ahead of the Shanks Luffy knew. Worth noting too, don’t forget this big Future Sight element. Luffy doesn’t just have to be impressed by what we see Kiku do or guess at say, a crewmate saying something offensive. He could be responding to what she would have done otherwise.

Shanks doesn’t mind cleaning up, Kiku was Okobore’s Makino. Shanks takes and brushes off ridicule, Kiku threads the needle of a way to put her foot down without escalating. Shanks doesn’t balk at a gang laughing at him when his crew’s there, Kiku the same standing alone with a jeering town at her back. Shanks stands up for a friend, Kiku the town & common folk who were insulting her. All tied up in getting one over on the dude without hurting anything but his reputation and still doing her part to save the child. Remember that’s Shanks at 27 and Kiku at 22, and then think about how Kiku ends up paralleling with 28yo Yamato in a very similar fashion. My whole point for over a year has been Wano constantly but subtly nudging you with the idea this girl’s a prodigy stifled by cultural baggage. “How high can your ceiling go?” 

Now that context is in the hopper, let’s talk plot. This isn’t just happenstance. We know Raizo & Kin know Roger’s crew well enough to recognize the cabin boy. We know Kiku and Kawamatsu are there for the scene. We know Oden follows that up immediately by saying he was only in Wano for mere hours. Hours is a big enough window for a significant interaction. Landing on Wano through fighting Urashima was hours. The main story of Dressrosa or Thriller Bark weren’t much longer. We know now it’d be the travel time for someone to get to the Flower Capital and back plus the palace excursion. 

So Shanks was a teen here. What might catch his rambunctious eye? He was real buddy-buddy with Neko & Inu, we know at some point Neko told Kiku about Izo’s decision. Why not right away when Redtaro could presumably still be there? Don’t forget Buggyjiro as well. Stands to reason the Minks might have considered the need the few days before arrival, fretted about it even. Maybe Shanks did something like make a reckless promise to reunite them and it’s always eaten at him he could never fulfill it. It doesn’t have to be complex, even a simple faux pas could be very on brand for how this plays with the ongoing story. Be a really bad time for some tactless clod to stroll in and blurt out “Hey...I thought you said Izo had a little brother” or Buggy/Shanks having a classic argument about her gender a little too loudly.

Always thought it was cool how the one proper YamaKiku panel is the former declining an invite the latter picks up. Remember how they trade places through the mask in 984-985? Oh hey...Luffy did reunite the siblings! Almost like that could be the first time he surpassed Shanks or something if we wanna do that. Kiku recognized the Nidai Kitetsu, Sukiyaki, & Big Mom without saying anything. What about the hat? Think both using -taro for their Wanoified nickname helped? Not like she’d be the only one. And it can be anything. Maybe Kiku was Shanks’s Kuina, a silly spat saw Redtaro get knocked tf out. Or she was just some girl he liked. Maybe had her in mind for when he broke off and started his own crew. The cool thing about something like that is how it could give Luffy the perfect leg up against a guy like Shanks...something like Mother Caramel’s portrait. A bit of unresolved personal baggage.

Time to talk later, it’s best not to get emotional before battle...you have all this sitting on a girl who we set up the perfect gap for the perfect timing. Egghead’s already doing the Rashomon thing of filling in the gaps. Law teases about looking at who’s missing right when you’d wonder about Kin/Kiku, by the end of it all we get our answer for Yamato and leave only one pair unaccounted for in that final turning point of the “play.” Marco & Kiku, who easily could have finally found that promised time to talk later. Luffy & Kiku crossing paths after everything including Yama is resolved. Luffy’s got Shanks and Fuushia on the brain and Kiku’s just had a nice long chance to let Marco tell her about Izo, Marineford, Ace, or whatever.

That’s what’s cool to me. You have this girl who unquestionably caught Luffy’s eye arguably because of traits she shares with Shanks and Makino. That girl has the right timing to have been a similar influence on Shanks himself...which means you gotta ask what attracted him to Fuushia and Party’s Bar in the first place. He used it as his base for a year, after all. Even if it’s nothing more than a fun story the two share one day, you gotta admit it’s a cool connection sitting on the table.

[ciaossu-imagines]

So, as mentioned, I'm doing both the personalized prompts from the reader appreciation day of the event! Still continuing on with the second prompt, this time for the lovely Nix, who has been exceptionally supportive of this blog for a long time now and who I appreciate so much!

BLACK: what face claim from an anime, comic book, or cartoon do I associate with you?

Okay, I’m not going to lie. For the longest time, whenever I thought of you, I automatically pictured you as your icon picture. But given that it’s a very fancy cat, when I started pairing you with Shoichi in my head, I had to actually think of sort of an anime (or at least human) face to put with you, and the one that automatically came to mind and made sense to me was Sawako Kuronuma – it just fit the vibes you give off in my head!

WHITE: what flame type and box weapon do I think you’d have in the khr!verse?

No hesitation, pure out, you’re a Rain Flame to me. You have been since shortly after I got to know you through your constant support of the blog; again, it’s just something about the vibes you give off and after reading your full match-up description, that was just something that really solidified the flame type for me. As for your box weapon, it might disappoint because we do have a cat box weapon already, but I really do think it would be a Rain attribute feline for a box weapon, particularly an Abyssinian because of their reputation as being the most intelligent of the different cat breeds.

RED: what aesthetics do I associate with you?

Hot cups of tea in hand while rain pours down. Oversized cardigans. Fingers against instrument strings. Lo-fi. Studying. Bullet journals. Pretty stationery and fancy pens. Holding hands under the stars, walking home together. Close friends. Shared laughter in empty streets. Family, always having a place to come home to, no matter how old you get.

BLUE: what are three songs I’d put on a playlist for you?

ASTURIAS - issac albeniz guitar version

PIANO SONATA NO. 5 IN F-SHARP MINOR, OP. 81: III. FINALE. VIVACE - antonio pompa-baldi

THE PEOPLE WHO RAISED ME - gregory and the hawk

YELLOW: what fictional world out of all my fandoms would I picture you in?

The answer is pretty obvious, but of course it's Katekyo Hitman Reborn given that is the fandom we share, the one you request for and such! So it's the one I've thought of the most for you and the one where I have the most developed headcanons for you!

GREEN: who would I pair you with out of all my fandoms?

So, of course, the obvious KHR answer is Shoichi! Though I also self-ship with him, the ship of Nix/Shoichi lives so firmly in my mind that if I find myself self-shipping too much with him, I’m like ‘nope, veer off into one of your other self-ships because ya gotta leave Sho enough time to spend with Nix as well’, hahaha! In K, it’s Fujishima! In Nanbaka, it’s Musashi! In Iruma-kun, it’s Balam! In Bungou Stray Dogs, it’s Poe! In Servamp, it’s Syuhei Tsyuki! In Saiyuki, it’s Hakkai! In Eyeshield 21, it’s Taka Honjo! In Ronin Warriors, it's Rowen! In GetBackers, it’s Juubei! In Black Cat, it’s Train! In Gangsta., it’s Theo! In Bleach, it’s Hisagi! In Mystic Messenger, it’s Saeyoung! In Ikemen Revolution, it’s Sirius!

PURPLE: what gif reminds me of you?

PINK: if you were an AU, what type of AU would you be?

It would have to be a musical AU, haha! Either everyone's cursed to have to sing like they were in a musical until something solves the curse, everyone's in a theatre troop or club and are doing a musical, or it's just plain out a high-school musical/disney film situation where nobody seems to realize they're actively in a musical but musical numbers and dance routines just happen and everyone reacts like they're perfectly normal, haha.

RAINBOW: if i were to write a khr sequel, following Tsuna’s demise, and could only use my reader’s as characters, who would you be?

I see you making good use of all that medical learning by being part of the Vongola's medical staff!! Either you're a medical doctor who helps everyone out with their physical injuries or you're serving as a therapist, helping everyone with their mental health and finding family, friends, and love along your journey!

[rcckergojo]

𓄹  ꉂ ╭╯𝘺𝘶𝘳𝘪 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘫𝘰 」?  𓏰𓏰  ベリー  🥢

★ 𓂃 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩-𝘙𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘐𝘯𝘷𝘢𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 / 𝘛𝘦𝘯𝘬𝘶 𝘚𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘱𝘢𝘯

• 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘨 𝘪𝘧 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘴𝘢𝘷𝘦/𝘶𝘴𝘦 ‹𝟹