VIZ Pictures, an affiliate of VIZ Media, announced the release of NANA 2, the feature film sequel to the popular rock and roll drama by the same name. Like the original movie, the Nana 2 follows the lives of girls sharing the same name, but with very different lifestyles. Here’s a synopsis of the movie (via press release):

After meeting randomly on a commuter train, becoming close friends, and moving in together in the first film, NANA 2 focuses greatly on Nana “Hachi” Komatsu (played this time by Yui Ichikawa), who has become trapped in a love triangle with Takumi Ichinose, the bass player of her favorite band TRAPNEST, and Nobu, the handsome guitarist of The Black Stones. Things become really sticky because The Black Stones are fronted by the other Nana Nana Osaki (Mika Nakashima), who continues to struggle to find musical success while she continues to harbor a secret relationship with TRAPNEST’s guitarist Ren, who was The Black Stones’ original bass player.

The press release also went on to talk about the change in the cast:

J-pop icon Mika Nakashima reprises her role as the punk rock beauty Nana Osaki and continues to develop that character’s conflicted emotions and hard exterior but sensitive inner self. Actress and model Yui Ichikawa is freshly cast as Nana Komatsu and adds a new dimension to the characters from the extremely popular shojo manga, which has become a social phenomenon in Japan. The film was directed by Kentaro Otani, who also directed the original NANA, with the original theme song produced by Takuro from the popular J-rock band GLAY.

VIZ pictures will also be having a special promotion to support the release. Fans are encouraged to go to the official website http://www.nanathemovies.com to enter a contest until August 20th for a chance to win a full-color poster featuring the cast of the film. Ten random winners will be selected.

Based on Ai Yazawa’s best-selling manga series, the DVD is due to be released on July 29, and the estimated MSRP is set at $24.98. For more information about the movie or to check out their other titles go to http://VIZ-Pictures.com.

Source: VIZ Pictures