I join in agreement that the Kazuki/Futami story was the highlight of the series. Futami’s character drew me in the beginning and held my interest all the way through. I agree that both she and Kazuki really matured and developed throughout the course of the series. Kazuki grew more confident in himself and willing to give his all in life. Futami learned that being alone is not the logical and inevitable end for all people. Seeing her slowly grow to love Kazuki and thus experience things she didn’t realize or understand was beyond charming to watch. Even at the end when she went a bit emo, it served to further show the growth of her character. She is unfamiliar with love and loving someone and was afraid that Kazuki would choose Sakino, someone who logically made a better fit for him than her, and ran away to avoid this new sense of pain. It was endearing and totally in-line with her character. I just loved this story and I think Sakino also proved to be a good character. Even though she lost, and came into it too late to ever have a chance, she proved to be a strong and upstanding girl who proudly admitted her feelings, had no regrets, and will move on well.

The Mao/Kouichi story wasn’t as good as Kazuki/Futami, but it was still nice. I really liked how they let things develop slowly. It made Mao’s realization of her feelings for Kouichi seem more realistic, and it also made Kouichi’s growing realization also believable. Most importantly, it made Hoshino’s acceptance of it without bitterness possible, which is what I loved about it all. Even though I feel bad for Hoshino, how was a totally lovable character, it get the sense she will be alright. She truly loved Kouichi, and thus was able to let him go and be happy where she knew he truly belonged, with Mao. She’s a better person for having known Kouichi, and can move on with no regrets.

The same goes for Kai. Honestly, the slow pace of development and the way the creators worked out the ending really allowed for a great finish where even the losers weren’t quite so bad off. In a lot of series the rejected party either fades into an oblivion of despair or is artificially paired off with some other character just so no one has to feel bad. In this series, the losers in the love triangles really did lose, but like in real life, you feel they’ll grow from it, and after a little pain, move on to something new and better. That’s definitely how I feel Sakino, Hoshino, and Kai will end up. They’re all good people and will get what they deserve.

In the end, just loved this series. It did it all right.

What really impressed me was with Kazuki’s story. In the first episode he found the girl he wanted to be with. Kiss was definitely a pretty shocking conclusion to that episode. But the whole series he stuck with going after her. Through experiements and simply stepping up to show that he loved her. Guy really developed through this series more than anyone else I think. Started out as being pretty half-hearted, nervous about even talking to Eriko, but a good guy.

Through the show he really dedicated himself more to soccer and got on the starting team. Applied his determination to his love life and really pursued Eriko. Going up to her house and saying how he felt was just impressive. He wasn’t distracted with other relationships, didn’t see Asuka in that light and handled her confession as well as a person can in that situation. Even in the last episode just said he would find her no matter what. She could get scared, run, but he would always come and find her.

Kouichi’s really felt like the secondary story for me, though it seemed to get more screen time. Just felt they took so much time with certain things. You’d see episodes where Mao was depressed then episodes where Kouichi was depressed. But I was honestly surprised that Kouichi was the one who broke things off with Yuumi. Didn’t think the guy had the ability to actually make that kind of move. Though it did take Kai giving him a push before he was able to act.

Overall really enjoyed the series. The first ED will always be my favourite. Some really likable characters. Feel for Asuka since she was such a good person, but sadly in these things someone misses out. Hopefully she finds the right person down the line and has a great soccer career. Just a solid series.

I would love to have a few – after specials, maybe 3-4 OVA ” What happend after? “. Though, there is the manga but it doesn’t seem as good as the anime to me.

And, knowing the internet, I’m sure there’re Nana x Naru doujins out there in its vast and shadowy darkness.