Euphoria’srise in popularity was rapid, and challenged what mainstream television could be. The show’s descent intoaddiction, identity, and adolescent turmoil carved out its own unique place among countless other series. Critics described it as raw and unflinching, and audiences couldn’t look away. It explored vulnerability and was provocative, bold, messy, and cinematic. For a time, it felt like one of the few shows willing to dive headfirst into the chaos of coming-of-age in a world that seems to be collapsing.
However, before HBO’s hit series,Nanahad already explored the trials of finding your own place in the world with greater emotional depth and restraint. Ai Yazawa’s manga and its adaptations created a worldwhere messy relationships, ambition, and mistakes were all part of the characters' soul-searching.Nanaresonated powerfully with audiences while remaining authentic and raw, and now is the perfect time for it to make a striking comeback.
Euphoria Was a Major Hollywood Success
Euphoria Earned 25 Primetime Emmy Nominations and 9 Wins
WhenEuphoriapremiered in 2019, it quickly caught fire and became one of the most successful series on HBO,ranking as the second most-watched series in 18 years, just behindGame of Thrones.Created by Sam Levinson and featuring Zendaya in one of her most notable roles, the HBO series has an unflinching portrayal of addiction, sexuality, trauma, and identity in the contemporary social media age. It was visually stunning, emotionally raw, and pushed boundaries unapologetically. The nonlinear storytelling, dreamlike scenes, and exceptional editing provided the show with a distinctive rhythm, leading to critical acclaim and a dedicated fan base.
What setEuphoriaapartfrom other series was its willingness to portray the pain and confusion of youth without moralizing or offering easy resolutions. The characters spiraled, recovered, relapsed, andunraveled in ways that felt both theatrical and painfully authentic. The show was especially praised for Zendaya’s portrayal of Rue, a teenage addict who narrates the story with brutal honesty and vulnerability. Paired with the iconic makeup, wardrobes, and soundtrack, the series successfully became a touchstone for a generation searching for meaning amid the chaos.
Nana Is the Timeless Classic Fans Are Craving
Fans of Euphoria Would Fall in Love Nana Osaki and Nana Komatsu’s Stories
Long beforeEuphoriamade a name for itself,Nanahad established itself as a powerful, raw, and unforgettable story. Ai Yazawa’s manga and its adaptations into an anime and live-action film follow the story of two women who share the same name and meet on the same train bound for Tokyo. One is an independent punk rock singer striving to make a name for herself, while the other is a naïve, hopeless romantic chasing love. Their journeys intertwine asthe narrative delves into themes of friendship, ambition, heartbreak, and identity with unmatched complexity, featuring characters who feel raw and authentic.
What makesNanaa timeless classic and so deeply missedby fans is its ability to balance gritty realism with moments of beauty. It explores messy relationships and emotional dependency, as well as thewillpower needed to make a name and carve out a place in the universe without losing yourself in the process.Unlike many teen dramas,Nanaoffers viewers slow-burn character development that is surrounded by art, music, and fashion. For both longtime fans and newcomers, it stands as one of the best and most vulnerable stories created, and it’s time forNanato return to screens.
Nana Was Majorly Successful Across Several Mediums
Nana Deserves To Make a Live-Action Comeback
Nanabegan as a groundbreaking manga that touched the hearts of readers worldwide. The manga ran from June 18, 2025, to June 2009 and became a cultural touchstone for young adults navigating the complexities of life. Its art style, combined with carefully developed characters and raw storytelling, sets it apart from many other titles and has created a large, dedicated fan base supported by critical acclaim. Its influence extended beyond the pages,shaping trends in fashion and music both within Japan and internationally, speaking to how deeply the story affected fans. It received an anime adaptation on July 20, 2025.
Nana’sanime adaptationfound new life in a medium that amplified its emotional intensity and unique, eye-catching style. The anime’s soundtrack, which featured rock and punk influences, paired perfectly with the storyline’s tone and setting, effectively creating an immersive experience that drew millions more viewers in. Beyond its anime adaptation, it also received two live-action films,NanaandNana 2, which successfully translated its emotional weight into a cinematic masterpiece. The first filmachieved notable commercial success, grossing over $33 million at the Japanese box officeand maintaining a top-10 position for several weeks.
Despite its early success across various mediums,Nanahas since quickly faded from mainstream attention, despite the fact thatits core themes remain strikingly relevant in today’s cultural climate.The demand for authentic, character-driven narratives has never been stronger, and audiences crave stories that explore identity and emotional vulnerability with honesty. WithNana’sloyal following, reviving the josei seriesin a new live-action format would be a successful rebirth of the beloved show while increasing accessibility and awareness for new viewers.
Nana Stands Out in Comparison to Euphoria
Euphoria Has Its Merits, but It Has Nothing on What Nana Can Achieve
While the HBO series is undeniably a groundbreaking story with stunning visuals and bold portrayals of teenage hardship,Euphoriaoften wears its intensity on its sleeve, sometimes sacrificing subtlety for spectacle. The characters, while compelling and well-developed, are confined within heightened emotional extremes that may serve the narrative and style of the story, but can limit deeper explorations.Nana, on the other hand, thrives on complexity, with each character’s flaws, dreams, and heartbreaks carefully crafted with precision. By treating it this way, the storyallows fans to fully experience the weight of their struggles without relying on overt sensationalism.
As conversations about mental health, identity, and ambition continue to evolve,Nana’sgrounded storyline could occupy a significant space in modern pop culture.
A live-action revival ofNanawouldn’t just revisit a beloved classic, but could potentially reshape how drama is crafted for modern audiences. Its return could challenge shows likeEuphoriaby presenting another rich narrative of growth thatdoesn’t shy away from harsh reality and the messiness of life and relationships.As conversations about mental health, identity, and ambition continue to evolve,Nana’sgrounded storyline could occupy a significant space in modern pop culture. It would win hearts with its honesty, avoiding an overreliance on shock value and sensationalism.
Nana’stimeless appeal lies in its ability tocapture the beautiful chaos that comes with discovering one’s identity with authenticity and heart. WhileEuphoriais a visual, cinematic spectacle with powerful, unyielding intensity,Nanaoffers a deeper, more intimate look at the hardships people can face on a more universal level. BringingNanaback to the spotlight in a live-action format would reinvigorate longtime fans while also raising the bar for emotional storytelling in contemporary drama.
Nana
Cast
Nana is a Japanese anime television series based on the manga of the same name by Ai Yazawa. The show follows the lives of two women named Nana who meet on a train to Tokyo and end up living together. While they share the same name, their personalities, ambitions, and backgrounds are vastly different, unfolding a narrative of friendship, love, and the pursuit of their dreams in the bustling city.
Euphoria
Euphoria is a teen drama created by Sam Levinson and starring Zendaya, Maude Apatow, and Angus Cloud. The series deals with the dark reality of a drug-addicted teen on her road to recovery as she faces a multitude of challenges and issues.
