One of the most iconic elements of Nana is its music — not just as a background aesthetic, but as a central heartbeat of the entire story. Whether it’s the raw punk energy of Blast or the polished emotional pop-rock of Trapnest, the soundtrack of Nana is not only unforgettable — it’s a character in its own right.
Unlike many anime or manga series where music is just part of the ambiance, Nana revolves around music — it drives the characters’ motivations, shapes their identities, and reflects their emotional journeys. So, why does the Nana soundtrack hit so hard? Let’s dive into the reasons this series’ music continues to resonate so deeply with fans.
🎤 1. Music Reflects the Characters’ Souls
Ai Yazawa didn’t just create fictional bands. She created fully fleshed-out musical personas.
Blast (Black Stones) represents rebellion, raw emotion, and the struggle for authenticity. Their sound is aggressive, passionate, and unfiltered — much like Nana Osaki herself.
Trapnest, in contrast, is polished, glamorous, and emotionally intense — mirroring the complexity of characters like Ren and Takumi.
The duality of these two bands reflects the dual narrative of the two Nanas. When you listen to a Blast track, you feel Nana O.’s pain, ambition, and punk spirit. When you hear Trapnest, you’re pulled into a world of bittersweet longing and emotional entanglement.
The music isn’t just good — it’s character-driven.
🎸 2. Real Musicians, Real Emotion
One of the standout elements of the Nana anime adaptation was the decision to bring in real-life singers to voice the music:
Anna Tsuchiya as Nana Osaki (Blast)
Olivia Lufkin as Reira (Trapnest)
These weren’t just voice actors; they were actual musicians, and it made a massive difference. Their vocal performances captured raw, unfiltered emotion in a way that made the songs feel lived in. When Anna Tsuchiya screams into the mic in “Rose” or “Lucy,” it’s not just a performance — it feels like a diary entry, or a breakdown turned into sound.
Olivia’s haunting ballads like “Wish” and “A Little Pain” are fragile, ethereal, and heartbreakingly beautiful. Her voice becomes Reira’s — delicate yet powerful, carrying years of emotional burden in every note.
These aren’t just anime songs — they’re full-fledged tracks that still hold up today in any music library.
🎧 3. Lyrics That Hit Where It Hurts
The Nana soundtrack doesn’t just sound good — it says something.
Take a look at the lyrics of some of the songs:
“A Little Pain” talks about hiding sadness behind a smile, trying to move forward while carrying emotional scars.
“Zero” is about losing yourself, the chaos of love and identity, and feeling like you’re disappearing.
These lyrics mirror the emotional arcs of the characters. Whether it’s Nana Osaki’s internal struggle with loneliness or Hachi’s conflict between desire and responsibility, the lyrics act as inner monologues, giving us insight into what the characters can’t always say out loud.
As a fan, hearing those lyrics while watching the story unfold makes everything hit ten times harder.
🎼 4. Music as Connection and Conflict
In Nana, music isn’t just about performance — it’s about relationships.
Nana Osaki and Ren bonded through their shared love for punk rock — their guitars were extensions of their hearts.
Reira and Takumi’s complicated emotional history is written in the quiet yearning of Trapnest’s songs.
Even Hachi, who isn’t a musician, connects to the band’s music in a way that influences her choices, dreams, and identity.
Music acts as both a bridge and a barrier between characters. It brings people together, but also drives them apart — especially when fame, creative control, or personal trauma gets in the way.
This dynamic shows us that music is more than entertainment — it’s life, love, pain, and power.
📝 Final Thoughts: Why We Still Listen
Years after its release, the Nana soundtrack still holds a special place in fans’ hearts. It’s more than nostalgia — it’s an emotional anchor.
These songs captured the spirit of Nana in a way no other anime soundtrack has quite matched. The raw vulnerability, the edge, the romantic despair — it all lives on in the music. Whether you’re blasting “Rose” to feel fierce or quietly crying to “A Little Pain,” the Nana soundtrack offers comfort, catharsis, and connection.
It’s proof that Nana isn’t just a story — it’s a sound. And for many of us, that sound never fades.