Nana Komatsu

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Lore & Background

Komatsu was born on February 16, 1996 in Tokyo and grew up in Yamanashi Prefecture. Her father is from Saga Prefecture while her mother is from Okinawa. She has two older brothers. Komatsu began dancing in third grade of elementary school and continued until her third year of junior high school, and also learned to play the flute during junior high. She made her film debut in The World of Kanako and won numerous Best New Actress awards including the Newcomer of The Year award at the 38th Japan Academy Film Prize. She has been a House Ambassador for Chanel since 2015. She had a contract with Stardust Promotion. In 2016, she played a minor role in Martin Scorsese's film Silence.

In Their Own Story

Komatsu was nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role award at the 43rd Japan Academy Film Prize for her role in the film Family of Strangers. She starred in the sixth highest grossing Japanese film of 2020, Threads: Our Tapestry of Love. She was nominated in the Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role category at the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize for her role in the film Threads: Our Tapestry of Love. In 2021, Komatsu starred in the films Moonlight Shadow and Parasite in Love. In 2022, she starred with Kentaro Sakaguchi in the film The Last 10 Years, which had grossed over 3 billion yen and it was ranked at #8 for the highest grossing Japanese film in 2022. In 2023, Komatsu became the face of Chanel Fall/Winter 2023/24 Ready to Wear collection, becoming the first Japanese national to be featured as a face of collection for a luxury brand.

Reader's Guide

In 2024, Komatsu starred in the mystery film Who Were We?, directed by Tetsuya Tomina. The film, which had its world premiere at the Tokyo International Film Festival in October 2023, featured Komatsu as Midori, a woman who awakens on Sado Island with amnesia. She co-starred with Ryuhei Matsuda, who also played a character suffering from memory loss. Komatsu returned to acting in 2025 with a supporting role in the psychological horror film Exit 8, directed by Genki Kawamura and based on the popular 2023 video game of the same name. Komatsu, who co-stars with Kazunari Ninomiya, played an unnamed character referred to as 'The Woman.' The film had its world premiere in the Midnight Screenings section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival on May 19, marking Komatsu's first time attending the festival. In July 2025, Komatsu was featured in the online exhibition 'LA MUSEUM NANA KOMATSU,' hosted by the online fashion museum, LA MUSEUM. The exhibition showcased 54 historical garments from the 1960s to the 2010s, with Komatsu acting as a 'living mannequin.' Komatsu further cemented her influence in the global fashion industry by being named to The Business of Fashion's BoF 500 Class of 2025. On November 28, 2025, Komatsu was officially appointed as the newest Chanel Beauty Ambassador. This role marks an expansion of her long-standing relationship with the French luxury house, for which she has served as a House Ambassador for fashion and other lines since 2015.

Did You Know?

• Komatsu began dancing in third grade of elementary school and continued until her third year of junior high school.
• She learned to play the flute during junior high.
• Komatsu has two older brothers; her father is from Saga Prefecture and her mother is from Okinawa.
• She was the first Japanese national to be featured as the face of a Chanel Ready to Wear collection (Fall/Winter 2023/24).
• Komatsu's first time attending the Cannes Film Festival was in 2025 for the premiere of Exit 8.

Origins and Global Reach

Komatsu married actor Masaki Suda on November 15, 2021. They have starred in a number of films together including Threads: Our Tapestry of Love (2020). On March 9, 2024, Komatsu and Suda jointly announced through their respective agencies that they had welcomed the birth of their first child.

Critical Acclaim and Commercial Success

The cultural impact of Nana is underscored by its prestigious accolades and staggering sales figures. In 2003, the manga secured the 48th Shogakukan Manga Award in the shōjo category, a testament to its storytelling quality and artistic merit. By 2019, circulation numbers had surpassed 50 million copies globally, cementing its status as one of the best-selling manga series of all time. This commercial triumph facilitated diverse media adaptations that expanded the franchise's reach beyond the printed page. A live-action film adaptation premiered in 2005, followed by a sequel in 2006, bringing the characters to life on the big screen. Simultaneously, Madhouse produced a 47-episode anime television series directed by Morio Asaka, which aired on Nippon TV from April 2006 to March 2007. These adaptations not only introduced the story to broader audiences but also contributed significantly to the franchise's massive financial and cultural footprint in Japan and internationally.

Narrative Arcs of Ambition and Heartbreak

The story delves deep into the complexities of adult life, beginning with the meeting of Nana Osaki and her roommate, nicknamed Hachi. While Nana O. strives to elevate her punk rock band, Black Stones, to professional status, Hachi navigates a tumultuous romantic landscape involving her unfaithful boyfriend Shoji and later, Takumi from the rival band Trapnest. Their friendship is tested by love triangles, particularly when Hachi becomes involved with Takumi while Nana O. rekindles a relationship with his bandmate, Ren. The plot intensifies as Black Stones gains fame following tabloid exposure of Nana O.'s engagement to Ren, yet their bond fractures under the weight of jealousy and substance abuse. Tragedy strikes when Ren dies in a car accident shortly after Shin's arrest forces Nana O. into a solo career. Years later, rumors of Nana O.'s death circulate, prompting Hachi and friends to discover she has fled to England, leaving her to grapple with profound grief.

Character Dynamics and Band Structures

The narrative is driven by the distinct personalities within two central bands: Black Stones and Trapnest. In Black Stones, lead vocalist Nana Osaki is supported by Nobu Terashima, a guitarist from a wealthy family who was disowned for his musical pursuits, and Yasushi Takagi, a drummer and trainee lawyer who acts as the group's mature leader. They also include Shin'ichi Okazaki, a 15-year-old bassist raised in Sweden who views Nana K. as a maternal figure. In contrast, Trapnest features Ren Honjō, a guitarist formerly of Black Stones and Nana O.'s ex-boyfriend, whose deep love for her complicates the dynamic between the two women. The story explores how these characters' backgrounds influence their interactions; Hachi's kindness earns her the nickname from Nana O., while her imaginative nature leads her to blame misfortunes on a 'demon lord.' These intricate relationships form the emotional core of the series, highlighting themes of loyalty, betrayal, and personal growth.