Nana to Kaoru

A butchery of the source material, really.

The premise is badly explained, as well as the motivations of both Nana and Kaoru.

The initial breather depicted was done fairly faithfully, though Nana's warring inner dialogues left a lot to be desired, and the pinnacle of the scene with Kaoru damaging the prop to get Nana out of it was omitted.

The second S&M scene was also poorly adapted, in the manga it was supposed to detail Kaoru's one lapse in control as a benevolent dom, but since they once again omitted the end of the scene, it just portrayed him as an asshole.

If the ... intention was to adapt a romance story with S&M ecchi into a softcore S&M flick with no plot, I guess the studio can be commended. Personally I was hoping for something a bit more faithful.

So I've been waiting for a Nana to Kaoru anime adaptation for some time now. And when it's here I couldn't help but feel, mislead.

The thing that was so great about Nana to Kaoru Manga was because of the storyline and how the charactors develop though time. And also giving a view into the world of S&M. It taught us that it's not all about the sex, but that it can and is in this original work alot about REAL LOVE and stress relief. The ecchi was a bonus to say the least.

Story:
And the story is practically none! This falls flat is basicly because they ... were focusing sooooooo much on the ecchi it was hard to appreciate. And frankly I feel fooled for hoping for a good anime adaptation... I think they thought that people liked the manga because of the Ecchi, WRONG!

Sound:
Nothing good nothing bad. It was fair to say so.

Art:
When I started watching the first episode I noticed first was the style, I liked it. It's more drawn than animated if you know what I mean. And I liked that.

I can't really say more then this.
If you haven't read Nana to Kaoru Manga yet, I suggest you stay away from this one and read the manga, unless you have a thing for S&M and you don't know what to do about your boner, then this OVA is for you.

Ok, I know I'm not suppose to make a review on the 1st ep of an anime (OVA doesn't count), but after viewing this kind of horror(that's just me) i suddenly realize that this thing is not my cuppa tea.So how do I rate this OVA? Here's how:


Story - Dreadful number 2.

Frist of all the story of this OVA is very simple.................there's isn't any, it's all about the masochistic Nana who feels arouse by Kauro's sadistic and perverted psychological maneuvers.

Art - Very Good number 8.

I like the way Nana was drawn and how the people were drawn too.
...
Sound - Fair number 6.

Nothing much to say here.

Character - Poor number 3.

Ok, thought Nana's erotic deed maybe titillating, I really hate her masochistic role, as for the diablo (Karou), I would really want to do what Sanzo does to Goku from "Saiyuki," when he's pissed, and that is to hit him on the head with a big and hard paper fan, co'z I not only hate his role ( kauro) I also hate his smirk when he does his perverted fantasy to Nana.

Enjoyment- Dreadful number 2.

For those of you who's gonna hate me for writing this kind of review, let me remind you " that this is just me," if any of you guys like this OVA, then you like it and that's that, so let's keep it like that.

Overall - Dreadful number 2.

I'm ain't commenting anymore, by the way, I really don't suggest that this be viewed by teens 17 and below, also I don't recommend to anybody to try what you see at home unless you're really sick. View it with according to your own discretion.

This doesn't do the manga justice at all. This OVA left out so many crucial parts that keep the plot from getting creepy and sadly dull, like this was. It's very much a simplified version of the manga with only the S&M scenes and none of the cute, essential moments between the two protagonists Kaoru and Nana like; (spoilers) when Kaoru apologized for taking it too far in the bondage seen, making the flowers for Nana's cutlture festival banner when she couldn't finish it herself (and being to short to place them on the top of the banner ^_^), or when Kaoru saved Nana from ... two strangers who saw her bound in public (end of spoilers). In fact, it felt as though the entire plot had been forgotten about in the OVA.

As for characters, Kaoru, the male protagonist, is depicted as a very crude, creepy person with no remorse in the OVA which is actually the opposite in the manga. The OVA neglected to show what he is really like and that this crude personality (which he picked up from a book on S&M) is actually not his true personality. The manga presents the story in a much more comedic way and is actually very endearing. As for Nana, the female protagonist, I really have no quarrels with her depiction in the OVA. Her personality was essentially the same as she was in the manga.

I did however enjoy the voice acting and seeing the characters in action and color. The art style remained the same as the manga which I also enjoyed.
Overall, this OVA, unlike the manga, is purely for fan service reasons. The OVA wasn't particularly what I was hoping for, so I will always prefer the manga. :)

I do not want to be too judgmental of others sexuality, but I have a very strong sense of duty to protect women and children. Nothing enrages me more than abuse, especially sexual abuse of women and children. So I had a very hard time getting the bad taste out of my mouth from the S&M theme of this show. I gave it a try because the description talks about the relationship being mutual and that the girl enjoys it, so I thought what the heck? I'll never watch 50 shades of gray so maybe this will be like a small taste of that culture. ... I regretted it from the moment I saw the male character. They did a great job making him look disgusting, and I just wanted to punch him in the face every time I saw it. The art took some getting used to, the shading on the characters necks was really annoying, but other than that Nana was beautifully drawn which is really the only reason I finished the show. I do enjoy Ecchi, but I was more upset than turned on by this OVA.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DO NOT BOTHER WATCHING THIS!!

The anime is like the manga but minus all the good things, do not judge this brilliant manga by this weak anime adaptation.

Manga is full of lots of emotions, comedy, romance & actual S&M play and much more, and anime is ecchi, the entire anime story is.. well, scratch that, the anime has NO story at all and does not represent the manga in any way, shape or form.
Just to put things in perspective here is the scores :

Nana to Kaoru manga overall rating : 9.8/10
Nana to Kaoru anime overall rating : 2/10

I usually tend not to add hentai-related content to my list, but this one in particular didn't have the genre listed on it. I wouldn't say that it should though, as Nana to Kaoru isn't exactly your typical hentai-related OVA. Infact, upon completing it, I may even continue to the manga to see how the rest goes. From that type of reaction it's understandable that maybe it wasn't all bad, or generic, and it might even come to mind that maybe this OVA doesn't feel whole or contains much closure. Both of those would be correct, but experiencing the OVA all on its own isn't ... something those who are experience-seekers should pass up. Nana to Kaoru could definitely just be some masturbating material, but it could also be a very odd experience for those who enjoy them.

On the technical side of things, Nana to Kaoru looks good and carries some great animation. A lot of that animation is ecchi-related, but that should be something to expect anyways. The sound is pretty good with music that varies from typical hentai slow electronics to more classy-styled music. The sound effects are on the better side of things as, when considering sound, whatever's happening will have a consistent noise that sticks out as it goes on. The sound plays a large part in the intrigue as well as it tells you in a way what the characters are doing, at times, without presenting it to you. It's a more subtle way of doing things that becomes more effective in the atmosphere as a whole.

The characters and their psyche is where most of the entertainment is as they will act in odd ways or go into deep thought while doing erotic acts. The inner-monologues of the main female character explains situations down to the smallest detail in a way that manages to be particularly interesting. The other character, who does the actions more and lacks inner monologue, makes an interesting contrast as you have to read him through his acts instead. He will act in specific ways that make him seem very forceful at times while also seeming very shy, and nervous, at others. It's a great coupling of interaction that manages to make the whole OVA's run-time engaging with only the use of a few props, while only taking place in a single bedroom.

It sounds like the manga goes in a slightly different direction that makes you feel differently about the characters, but for what this OVA is on its own, how it carried out its characters isn't particularly bad. There's definitely a lack in the plot-department as there's basically no story, but Nana to Kaoru really feels more in tune with the experience than anything else. The characters are great in that they manage to pull off believably strange personalities that feel very conflicted, while also being contrasted by trying to tell the viewer or trying to hide it. The visuals are great and the sound is sufficient in carrying out its goal. Nana to Kaoru is definitely possible masturbation material for some, but that doesn't mean the OVA as a whole is meaningless and a waste of time. It can be watched in a different manner that allows for something rather interesting and different. It does lack a satisfactory ending, however, that would likely make one have to turn to the manga to feel fully that they had a complete experience. Even so, to an extent the situation that goes on in this OVA does feel that it carried out the purpose that the OVA intended and it didn't feel that it was incomplete in that aspect. Overall, watch Nana to Kaoru if you're looking into having a less than normal afternoon.

+ Recommended for a family viewing.

As a lover of the manga - my first and foremost thing to say with this review is that the manga is tons of times better than this OVA, and I can explain exactly why.

The OVA is Ecchi-focused, and also - it isn't about the daily struggle of life. I believe that in the manga many can sympathize with the characters for the reason that they never understand each other, although connecting through a thing both seem to enjoy a ton, and the OVA has none of that. You can really come to terms to begin calling Kaoru "Creepymura" in the OVA because there is ... nothing else to show that he isn't just a perverted stereotypical guy.

What the biggest problem for me was that the whole OVA showed only Nanas side of their strange partnership sort of thing, and leaving out Kaorus. Which means that the whole point of the manga - the struggle of understanding the other, kind of just isn't there. All that I enjoyed about the manga isn't implemented at all.

Although - for the good parts. Because there are a few of those. They stayed kind of true to Nana, her inner conflict that went through her head, and the artstyle was reminiscent to the manga which I'm grateful for. The voiceacting was fairly okay but. All in all it just didn't hold up.

My final rating is: No / 10, never watch again.

Review in Haiku: Nana to Kaoru

Nana's a cute girl
Kaoru likes S&M
This OVA sucks

STORY:

In the source manga
It tells quite the gripping tale
... Of BDSM.

This OVA don't!
It rips out the damn story
For ecchi bullshit.

Doesn't explain plot
Makes Kaoru look like dick
Two points out of ten.

ART:

It's mediocre
Could be better, could be worse
Nothing that special

There is nothing here
For me to Haiku about
So goddamn boring

They cut out some scenes
Necessary for context
Four points out of ten.

SOUND:

I guess they both speak
They appear to have a voice
Four points out of ten.

CHARACTER:

I am so upset
At what they have done to my
Favorite romance

Kaoru is not
An asshole in the slightest
In the damn manga

Nana's inner thoughts
Are important, yet cut out
Two points out of ten.

ENJOYMENT:

This made me so sad
Not like Bokurano did
I want to punch cats

Absolutely one
of the damn worst OVA's
Made from a manga

Now I want to puke
Just from thinking about this
One point out of ten.

OVERALL:

It's not worth your time
Please read the manga instead
Fuck this fucking shit

At lot of people seem to see this as complete representation of the mange or even the story of Nana and Kaoru.
And although this might have been the starting point it is not the end result.

What we have here are 2.5 moments out of the mange as anime instead of an adaptation.

If you - have not read - the mange this will make no sense as, like other people pointed out, there is no story and you don't see their relationship develop.
If you - have read - than this will be a nicely done representation of 2.5 moments out of the first part of the ... manga.

And if you see it as that it really shines.
(If you, you will not enjoy this)

Point Scale Rating: 4
.............................

I went into Nana to Kaoru looking for a Ecchi with S&M, and if that is what it is to be graded on, then it could get an easy 6 or 7. However, let me explain.

There is much more to an anime than simply following genre. If that is all there was too it, the complexity and very art of production could be lost. Rather, Animes need to have multiple traits to be considered good. These include-but are not limited to-character development, plot, art, effect/music, and presentation.

The area which Nana to Kaoru was able to complete the best is character development. Considering ... that there was only one twenty-four minute episode produced, the backstory given to Nana Chigusa genuinely serves to show her emotions and how she got to her current state of life. I'd give this area a medium 7 to low 8

The show's plot/story is probably one of hardest hitting area's of criticism. The fact is, there was either no plot constructed or it was made on the fly. The episode, though containing enough back story to explain Nana's motivation, follows no real progression other than her body being moved into different positions. Besides this, there are multiple time flashes what we assume are meant to show something into the plot, but do not contain enough detail to fulfill that. They also are confusing as they are placed poorly. I'd give this section a three

The last three places for judgment; art, music, and presentation, will be judged all together. The art though not in a style I particularly like, was still decent. The music was not good enough to impart any lasting impression. The presentation was-as far as shot angles and transitions go, was poor but not to an extreme extent.

So as a conclusion, the show is a decent Ecchi, but as an Anime is lacks the basic qualities necessary to make it worth a watch.

This was honestly really disappointing. Please do not let this deter you from reading the Manga. The Manga truly is great.

With that out of they way, this anime completely misses the mark on the characters relationship, motovation and even over sexualizes the scenario. You may say, well duh its sexualized, it's about S&M. But truly the Manga does not posses extreme sexual overtones. It's much more about her enduring stress, discovering things about herself, the relief after their "breathers" and the strange yet loving relationship developing between the two childhood friends. I felt that it was very misleading in almost every aspect of the source ... material.

Enjoyable manga series, please you must read the manga it s fucking awesome. Nana is a very good character and kaoru our lovely dumby protagonist.
Their manga are more especific about erotism and bondage and it can show as a fetichist relationship with romance and comedia at the same time.

Maybe this adaptation is not the best, but at leats it can puts the fetichist as a reason to star the reading. If I should say sometime to convice you I will say that this particular manga has a special feeling and it illustrate a firts bondage or BDSM relationship very well.
It 's starts ... describing kaoru and his parther as a shy couple introducing themselves at the fetichist.

P.D: I can't write inglish well, so sorry if you don't understand me....

Story [2]
There really wasn't much of a story, from what I can make of it, a guy gets the popular girl enthralled in his BDSM fantasies and takes pictures of her for half of the episode.

Art [7]
It was pretty good, Nana looked cute, the close-up lip-licking made me a bit uncomfortable but it was ignorable.

Sound [4]
The guy's voice didn't really match for some reason, it was a good voice for a pervert but not the right one. Not much to say here.

Character [2]
Not much to say in this department, you can't expect many feelings for a character to develop over the course of a 24-minute ... ecchi OVA. Although, Horny Bulbasaur or whatever his name was... pretty relatable.

Enjoyment [3]
Maybe this would have been a point higher if our male protagonist over here didn't look like a human cockroach. But yea, I found myself skipping through some parts because they were so boring. If I wanted to see an anime girl in bondage I'd go somewhere else.

Overall [4]
I'm a simple guy, I see an anime cover with a sexy girl on it, I go search for it. I didn't really come into this with many expectations, so I won't really sleep on it.

This manga, Nana to Kaoru and its sidestory, Nana to Kaoru Arashi, are the top two favorites out of all I have ever read. The mangaka, Amazume Ryuta-sensei, is an outstanding and prolific artist and author, one of my best mangaka IMHO, though in making a 24-minute long OVA was great mistake.

On a stand alone, one-shot OVA, it was fine work, I would guess, though leaving me wanting for more to follow. But to make such a short, one-shot episode based on the works published to date of release? Cruel and unusual punishment, there was nothing we, the audience and followers of Amazume-sensei and ... fans of the Nana to Kaoru series, did that deserved this form of punishment-game.

I do not know the minutia that went into the adaptation and manipulation of the storyline to this short episode, nor why it was a one-shot, though to make a stronger showing of the Nana to Kaoru universe, there is a crying out to make at least a 24-episode series.

The best way to describe this OVA is 'meh.'

There really is no story: it's just a few scenes of soft core bondage/S&M with bits of dialogue in between. It's about Kaoru, a boy with an S&M fetish, who dreams about an S&M relationship with his childhood friend, Nana. And that's it. The OVA has no continuing story, just tame S&M scenes.

The artwork is pretty decent (Kaoru's creeper face being a standout) and the opening song for this was pretty forgettable. The S&M scenes, despite being tame and a bit slow, are quite good.

The titular characters aren't that interesting: Nana is just a nice girl who ... happens to secretly enjoy S&M and Kaoru is just a boring pervert character and does not match up to the great perverts like Issei or Tomoki.

Overall, it's nothing special but the S&M scenes are pretty good.