Books
Ai Yazawa Books: Every Manga and Its English Edition
Ai Yazawa's best-known books, in publication order, are I'm No Angel (8 volumes), Neighborhood Story (7), Last Quarter (3), Paradise Kiss (5) and NANA (21, on hiatus since 2009). All five have English editions. Early series such as Marine Blue no Kaze ni Dakarete have no official English release. VIZ's next dated releases are NANA 25th Anniversary Edition Vol. 6 and I'm No Angel Vol. 3, both December 1, 2026. Full list, reading order and English dates below.
All Ai Yazawa manga series (publication order)
| Series | Japanese run | Volumes (Japan) | English edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| I'm No Angel (Tenshi Nanka Ja Nai) | 1991–1994, Ribon | 8 | VIZ Media, 3 omnibus volumes (2026) |
| Neighborhood Story (Gokinjo Monogatari) | 1995–1997, Ribon | 7 | VIZ Media, 4 volumes (2023–2024) |
| Last Quarter (Kagen no Tsuki) | 1998–1999, Ribon | 3 | VIZ Media, 2 volumes (2024–2025) |
| Paradise Kiss | 1999–2003, Zipper | 5 | Tokyopop (2002–2004); Vertical (3 volumes, 2012–2013; 20th anniversary edition, 2019) |
| NANA | 2000–2009, Cookie (on hiatus) | 21 | VIZ Media: 21 volumes (2005–2010); 25th Anniversary Edition (2025–2026) |
| Princess Ai (character designs only) | 2004–2005 | 3 | Tokyopop |
Her earliest series, Love Letter (1986), Ballad Made Soba ni Ite (1988) and Marine Blue no Kaze ni Dakarete (1989), haven't been published in English.
English release dates (VIZ Media)
NANA 25th Anniversary Edition (2-in-1, $24.99)
| Volume | Release date |
|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | October 21, 2025 |
| Vol. 2 | December 2, 2025 |
| Vol. 3 | March 3, 2026 |
| Vol. 4 | June 2, 2026 |
| Vol. 5 | September 1, 2026 |
| Vol. 6 | December 1, 2026 |
I'm No Angel (omnibus, $24.99)
| Volume | Release date |
|---|---|
| Vol. 1 | June 2, 2026 |
| Vol. 2 | September 1, 2026 |
| Vol. 3 | December 1, 2026 |
Neighborhood Story and Last Quarter
| Book | Release date |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood Story Vol. 1 | December 5, 2023 |
| Neighborhood Story Vol. 2 | April 2, 2024 |
| Neighborhood Story Vol. 3 | August 6, 2024 |
| Neighborhood Story Vol. 4 | December 3, 2024 |
| Last Quarter Vol. 1 | September 3, 2024 |
| Last Quarter Vol. 2 | January 7, 2025 |
VIZ's Neighborhood Story won an American Manga Award in 2024.
Ai Yazawa books in order: where to start
Reading in publication order shows how her style changed from shōjo romance to adult drama: I'm No Angel → Neighborhood Story → Last Quarter → Paradise Kiss → NANA. The series aren't connected, so you can start anywhere, but two things are worth knowing:
- Paradise Kiss shares characters with Neighborhood Story: Miwako, the younger sister of Neighborhood Story's heroine Mikako, is one of its main characters.
- NANA is the longest and best known, but it is unfinished. If you want a complete story, start with Paradise Kiss (5 volumes) or Last Quarter (3).
Short stories
Yazawa debuted in 1985 with the one-shot Ano Natsu. Her other short works include 15-nenme (1986), Kaze ni Nare! (1988), Escape (1988) and Usubeni no Arashi (1992).
Anime and films based on her books
| Book | Adaptation |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood Story | TV anime, 50 episodes (1995–1996) |
| Last Quarter | Live-action film (2004) |
| Paradise Kiss | TV anime, 12 episodes (2005); live-action film (2011) |
| NANA | Live-action films (2005, 2006); TV anime, 47 episodes (2006–2007) |
Is NANA finished?
No. NANA has been on hiatus since 2009, when Yazawa fell ill. The story stops at volume 21, and no new chapters have been announced.
Changelog
- October 27, 2026 (midday ~12:24 UTC+8): VIZ still lists NANA 25th Anniversary Edition Vol. 6 and I'm No Angel Vol. 3 for December 1, 2026. No official NANA resumption news. release_at kept 2026-12-01.
Frequently asked questions
What books has Ai Yazawa written?
Her main series are I'm No Angel (8 volumes), Neighborhood Story (7), Last Quarter (3), Paradise Kiss (5) and NANA (21), plus early series and short stories. She also did the character designs for Princess Ai.
What order should I read Ai Yazawa's books in?
Publication order is I'm No Angel, Neighborhood Story, Last Quarter, Paradise Kiss, then NANA. The stories are separate, but Paradise Kiss shares a character with Neighborhood Story.
When does NANA 25th Anniversary Edition Vol. 6 come out?
December 1, 2026, from VIZ Media. Each 25th Anniversary volume collects two original volumes and costs $24.99.
Is I'm No Angel available in English?
Yes. VIZ Media is publishing it in three omnibus volumes: Vol. 1 on June 2, 2026, Vol. 2 on September 1, 2026 and Vol. 3 on December 1, 2026.
Is NANA finished?
No. NANA has been on hiatus since 2009 at volume 21, when Ai Yazawa fell ill. No new chapters have been announced.
How many volumes does Paradise Kiss have?
Five in Japan. In English it was published by Tokyopop and later by Vertical, in three larger volumes and a 20th anniversary edition.
Which Ai Yazawa books have anime?
Neighborhood Story (1995–1996), Paradise Kiss (2005) and NANA (2006–2007). NANA, Paradise Kiss and Last Quarter also have live-action films.
Is Paradise Kiss connected to Neighborhood Story?
Yes, loosely. Miwako, the younger sister of Neighborhood Story's heroine Mikako, is one of the main characters in Paradise Kiss. You can read either one on its own.
Is Marine Blue by Ai Yazawa in English?
No official English edition. *Marine Blue no Kaze ni Dakarete* (1989) has French and Spanish releases; English readers usually rely on incomplete fan translations. VIZ's English catalogue for Yazawa starts with I'm No Angel, Neighborhood Story, Last Quarter, Paradise Kiss and NANA.