Fans of the beloved shojo manga “Nana” have experienced both delight and sorrow. The reason? The series has been on hiatus since 2009, leaving readers longing for new chapters.
Originally debuting in May 2000 in Shueisha’s monthly magazine, Cookie, Nana serialized for nine years, amassing 84 chapters before author Ai Yazawa fell ill suddenly and needed hospitalization.
Despite returning briefly in April 2010, Yazawa’s health struggles kept Nana on indefinite hiatus. Since then, Yazawa has worked on smaller projects and provided artwork sporadically in 2013, 2016, 2017, and 2020. There’s been no new series or update on Nana’s fate.
Yazawa’s illness, never publicly disclosed, is rumored to have been due to the stress of serializing Nana and its heavy workload. Adding to the disappointment, Nana’s last chapter ended on a cliffhanger, leaving fans waiting over a decade for closure on various storylines.
Despite the silence, fans still adore Nana, evidenced by beautiful cosplays and an art exhibit in 2020. In an interview for the exhibit, Yazawa apologized for the long wait, hinting at Nana’s potential return someday. However, since then, Yazawa has remained silent on Nana’s future.
At 57 years old, Yazawa’s health issues continue, making it unlikely she can handle the stress of being a mangaka again. Fans are left with a tough decision: move on or hold onto hope for Nana’s return. Either way, satisfaction isn’t guaranteed.
