Anyone who knows me knows that this is a series I wished was translated into English so I could feel more supportive of the industry, that and how much I have adored this series since I first read it.
Now I gave up with waiting. I decided to hell with it and get the Japanese editions of Nana and Kaoru (Nana to Kaoru), also grabbed Black Label and Last Year as well cause might as well get as much as this series as I possibly could.
There is no regrets here but I now feel a drive to actually better what little Japanese I know into an ability that would allow myself to fully immerse into my favourite series.
I do plan to buy other series that companies either won’t print or license into English cause why should I keep waiting for something when I can support the original publication? Also, there is something about owning the original form of a manga in it’s original language.
It doesn’t help that these are absolutely gorgeous and I am in love with them. It's a pity that you can't get these in English but you can basically get them in German, French and I think Spanish, so quite a few European countries. Heck, I noticed it gets asked for quite a bit and I wish it got noticed cause despite the S&M themes, it's a rather cute series that focuses on relationships and personal growth and development as well as giving a much better view of how S&M and BDSM works, unlike the other series that got printed which didn't start off with consent, looking at you Pleasure and Corruption. Don't get me wrong, Pleasure and Corruption is not a bad series but it's not a great representation of Bondage either.
So, Nana to Kaoru (Nana and Kaoru) is an 18 volume series by Ryuta Amazume where it's about a 17yo Kaoru who has a love for S&M and Bondage, who is in love with his childhood friend Nana, not only that but he imagines doing such things with her. Until one day his mother hid his gear with Nana to try and get him to study. Nana, who is having a rut with her studies, decided to peek into the bag, she pulls out the leather one-piece and tries it on, pondering why it seems to fit her, without realising she accidentally locks herself into it, of course, she doesn't have the key! Embarrassed, she goes to the one person who can get her out of it, Kaoru. This starts a S&M comedy about a boy and a girl who uses these themes as a way to develop themselves and their relationships, not just around them, but between themselves.
It has a lot of ecchi and fan service in it but the one aspect I love the most is the romantic and slice of life themes that the story embodies. It's just a pity people see it and go "ewww" without reading it. Sure, it has some strong themes (urinating in public, bondage, pet play) but it also focuses and shows the development of relationships and characters within the story. It starts off like a cliche but it becomes something so sweet and sensual that it's an utter shame that this doesn't have an English print.
Though, now I don't care if it does get one (if it does, I'd get it just to sit with the Japanese) but I am super thrilled to have this series thanks to my partners help, he knew how long I wanted these and we finally found two sellers that had the lot. I am eternally grateful for having a series I love. It's the year of dreams coming true~!
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