Coloring Practice

coloring practice

farnese de vandimion coloring

redraw of my fav blue period panel

Let’s talk about Shin

Nana has many complex characters and I think Shin is sometimes misunderstood.

When we are first introduced to Shin he’s only 15 years old (lying about being 18, even though no one really believed that to be the case). He comes from an emotionally abusive household, his father admits to not being able to care for him and the only interaction we see him have with his brother is just terrible. One can only imagine the level of neglect and pain he had to experience throughout his childhood.

It’s mentioned that he wasn’t raised in Japan, having sometimes issues with the language and culture (his lack of knowledge about Japanese culture is an ongoing gag amongst the group). He escapes his home and ends up being taken advantage of by a predatory woman (that flight attendant), who not only abuses him, but introduces him to pr*stitution. Whenever he mentions this in the manga, especially in the beginning, he seems to be very nonchalant about this fact, distancing himself from how serious the issue is, by simply describing it as work. He is many times portrayed as being mature and “wise beyond his years”, even going as far as to give advice to Nobu and Reira about their emotional problems. There are times where we can forget how young he actually is.

I think Ai Yazawa does this on purpose.

At the beginning, we see Shin as a very mature young person: the way he acts, the people he surrounds himself with, his way of expressing himself… He seems very secure in this persona he puts forward, and for a big part of the manga he almost manages to fool us. 

But Shin is still a child, and a very hurt one at that. Hachi is one of the few people who recognizes this, she gives Shin something he has never experienced: unconditional love. Shin admits this himself, the bond he has with Hachi is so special because for the first time in his life someone loves him for him, selflessly, without expecting anything in return.

One of the most frustrating parts of the way his character is treated is people’s reaction to his relationship with Reira. Throughout the manga people expect this teenager to be Reira’s saving grace (I could write an entire analysis on how the people around her have enabled her to be the way she is). Not a single adult steps forward to comment on how inappropriate this relationship is. Only Takumi, and just to protect Reira’s image from a possible scandal. He even asks him to wait for her until he turns 18. It’s honestly sickening. Not once did anyone think of removing him from that relationship for his own good. Shin is left confused without understanding his feelings, wanting to “save” Reira and do good by her and his band. It’s honestly heartbreaking to read, the amount of pressure he has to deal with.

It’s not surprising he ends up giving into self-destructive tendencies after Reira (a whole adult who has no business being involved with a teenager), breaks up with him. His first reaction is going back to the woman who took advantage of him the first time, and then the chaos with his arrest ensues.

Honestly, Shin just need to be protected at all costs, so many people seem to forget how young he actually is.