Length: 23min
MPA Rating: TV-MA
Episode Pungency: Level 3 (Low)
Director: Morio Asaka, Ryôsuke Nakamura, Norimitsu Suzuki
Writer: Norimitsu Suzuki, Tomoko Konparu
Analysis (in a nutshell)
Writing
+Excellent job of creating that full circle moment
+The introductions to both Nana K. and Nana O. were superb
=Episode is written through Nana K’s POV
Story Concept
=Nana K’s story is the primary focus of this episode
>>>>>>>If the runtime was longer, maybe there would’ve been room for Nana O’s story, but it’s still fine this way
=It’s actually fitting that Nana K gets primary focus first given how the two Nana’s contrast personality-wise
+A story about two individuals with the same name who contrast each other is always endearing imo
Aesthetic Vision
+Cool drawings and settings
Technicals
+Solid editing
+Cool voice actors
-(Minor gripe, but) there was some weird “skippiness” to some of the animations
*SPOILERS WARNING*
Observations (from a TV student)
=Opens with a little narration and a “zoom in” on a common room of an apartment
=Here we go, intro with an up-tempo punk track
==The grain-y feel of the intro with Nana O. compared to the “clean” feel of Nana K. is an interesting contrast
=Nana K. got INCREDIBLY excited in the middle of her job, it seems
+Narration is cool for exposition when narration is usually frowned upon
+The drawings already are looking excellent
+I like how the narration puts us inside of Nana’s thought process
=Interesting choice of animation when Nana K. picked up her things after the train had a sudden halt
=Nana K.’s admiration of Nana O. is very interesting
+The little convo between both Nana’s is very endearing (and fitting since the train is stopped because of the snow storm)
=Lol, Nana K. can’t help herself
+That was cool how Nana O. revealed her name to Nana K.
=The narration is interesting because some of it is Nana K.’s thought process while some of it is also seeming to indicate this whole scene being a flashback
=It’s very interesting how we’re getting Nana K.’s story so far
==It makes sense for pacing
=Nana is already having to switch plans since her friend and her friend’s boyfriend had a surprise move-in together
=Nana being a housewife for Shoji and the minor-ish conflict between Nana and Shoji because of that is interesting
-Idk how I feel about some of the “skippy” animations
=Back to narration from Nana
=Woah…Nana O. is at the place Nana K. was looking
=The little spat between Nana O. and Nana K. is interesting with showing their contrast even more
=Nana O. sticking up for Nana K. when her agent (or broker) started being rude to Nana K. was a tad unexpected, but also fitting and such a nice moment
Summary (in summation)
An absolutely great way to introduce us to both Nanas. This episode gives us more context around Nana K., but that’s fitting given the mystique of Nana O. compared to Nana K.’s open book nature. The drawings are nice and solid, but some of the animations have weird “skippiness" to them, if you understand what I’m getting at (like, it didn’t feel smooth). Regardless, it’s still a cool aesthetic and the dialogue is great. Using narration is usually frowned upon, but here…it adds to the story as if Nana K.’s journaling or something.
Rating: Legendary
Grade: 9/10
if you enjoyed this piece…
(and have the means)
Consider donating to my tip jar down below—doing these analysis pieces take a good amount of time and it’s the best way to support my writing so that all my pieces remain accessible to everyone 🙌