Josei similar to NANA

15 years ago
Posts: 7
I've been more emotionally connected to Nana manga by Yazawa Ai, than any other manga or anime ever. Now that it's been on hiatus for so long, I've been trying to find something similar to it to read. I read Cat Street and loved it, as well as Pieta and, well, anything by Mitsukazu Mihara (haven't read even close to all of her works though, so feel free to recommend them).
I know Nana doesn't necessarily qualify as josei, but I'd like to find something that's at least mature-shojo. That's why josei is kind of my main target. I'm in my 20s myself, so characters that are teenagers and go to high school etc don't really interest me anymore.
I like it serious, maybe a little angsty, mature (not as much as in sexual mature but grown up, you know?), but comedy and happy things are always welcome. Slice of life is one of my favourite genres, but it doesn't have to be that.
Not afraid of yuri, smut, ecchi, gore, horror or anything like that. I like fantasy very much. Gender-bender and Harem are pretty much the only genres that I dislike (and, well, pure hentai I guess). Romance is not necessary.
Oh and if you're going to recommend Paradise Kiss, I've got this weird thing that I don't want to read it before Nana ends(/is announced discontinued). I'm kind of afraid it's too close to Nana or something... eh, hope you understand. 😐
Thank you very much in advance!
Tara and Willow kissing avatar by cinderella29kiss

15 years ago
Posts: 167
Well I was going to say Paradise Kiss, I've never read Nana but I don't think there the same at all.
But if your looking for a good josei a good one would be Kimi wa Pet aka Tramps Like Us. It's not the same as Yazawa Ai works, but it's very good.

15 years ago
Posts: 82
I'm not sure if these manga are really similar to Nana but they have similar maturity.
Real Clothes
Free Soul
Kimi wa pet - more matura than it appears at first
Youth gone wild
The One - more cheerful than others
Solanin - totally different but really good

15 years ago
Posts: 501
You never said anything about art but if you can read a good manga without being too bothered by the art then try Usagi drops and Glass Mask.
Oh, and the authors Kagen no Tsuki which was nice too. She did Princess Ai too but....it's totally not like NaNa...about Paradise Kiss, it's a lot like NaNa with the focus on fashion area instead of music area.
Can't remember more titles atm but there's a lot....loves angsty titles that ends happily too 😉
I hope it helps a little.....and will keep you busy for a lil while, lol.

15 years ago
Posts: 1353
Try (though not all of them similar to Nana):
Kabocha to Mayonnaise
Running Through the City in the Sunset
Cappuccino
Zig Zag Don
Baby Leaf
Honeymoon Salad
Taiyou no Ichiwaru
Undercurrent
Yume no Atosaki
Swweeet
Girlfriend
Bitter Virgin
Octave

15 years ago
Posts: 7
Than you so much, everyone! 😁
Yeah, I'm definitely going to keep busy checking out all of these. Started reading Solanin and really like it. I'm reconsidering reading Paradise Kiss. And I guess I'm going to read Kimi Wa Pet after all, as you tell me it's good and mature. 🙂
And, though I understand that it isn't really relevant anymore, about the art. While the plot and the characters are most important to me, art really matters too. I can read good manga with so-so drawings, but it most likely will bother me. On the other way around, I've read some with great art but terrible story. My taste is pretty selective, I guess.
Thanks again.
Tara and Willow kissing avatar by cinderella29kiss