Honjo Ren

Former BLACK STONES bassist, TRAPNEST guitarist and composer

Former BLACK STONES bassist, currently TRAPNEST guitarist and composer. A rock musician who lived a dramatic, orphaned life.

Quotes

  • “I love you.”
  • “Music is everything to me.”
  • “I chose this path by my own will.”
  • “Now I have something I want to protect.”
  • “I want to be free, but being alone scares me.”

Trivia

  • Has a shocking backstory of being abandoned in a harbor warehouse shortly after birth.
  • Owns multiple favored black leather rider's jackets.
  • Rare character who switched instruments from bass to guitar after joining Trapnest.
  • Realistic depiction of drug addiction serves as one of the story's key themes.
  • Traffic accident death scene occurs just before Nana's 21st birthday.

Alternate names

Ren Honjo Ren

Tags

NANA Honjo Ren BLACK-STONES TRAPNEST Bassist Guitarist Composer Rock band Drug addiction Traffic accident

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Profile

Species
Human
Gender
Male

Appearance

Overall appearance
Tall stature of 182cm with distinctive black spiked hair. Favors black leather rider's jackets and sometimes exposes his muscular upper body. Handsome with an approachable, irresistible charm.
Height
Approximately 182cm
Weight
64kg
Eye color
Brown
Hair color
Black
Distinguishing features
  • Black spiked hair
  • Padlock pendant around the neck
  • Multiple black leather rider's jackets owned
Iconic items
  • Black leather rider's jacket
  • Padlock pendant
  • Seven Stars cigarettes
  • 1965 Shelby Mustang

Personality and abilities

Core personality
Calm
Detailed personality
Contrary to appearances, very calm and gentle personality. Has a unique timing, occasionally delivering straight-faced jokes. Tolerates Takumi's reckless actions but can offer sharp insights during conflicts as a level-headed presence. Wavers between complex affection and rationality toward Nana.
Keywords
  • Calm
  • Gentle
  • Rational
  • Affectionate
  • Strongly possessive
  • Sense of responsibility
  • Comic reliever
  • Drug addiction
Talents
  • Musical talent
  • Composition
  • Bass performance
  • Guitar performance
  • Multi-instrument performance
Skills
  • High composition ability
  • Guitar performance (TRAPNEST)
  • Bass performance (BLACK STONES)
  • Band leader assistant
  • Live performance
Motivation
Balancing relationship with Nana and music career. Overcoming personal drug addiction.
Habits
Heavy smoker of Seven Stars cigarettes, always wears padlock pendant around neck. Owns multiple identical black leather rider's jackets.
Hobbies
Reading Weekly Shonen Jump, The Adventures of Hutch the Honeybee (anime)
Favorite places
London (later life residence), Harbor warehouse (birthplace)
Favorite colors
Black

History

Backstory
Abandoned in a harbor warehouse shortly after birth and raised in an orphanage. Grew up in the same facility as Yas but not adopted, remaining an orphan. Captivated by music, began band activities from middle school. Formed Blast with middle school junior Nob, Yas, and Nana, playing bass. Cohabited with lover Nana, but after leaving Blast, joined TRAPNEST as guitarist and composer. Struggled with drug addiction and complex relationship with Nana, dying young in a traffic accident.
Debut date
2001-00-00
Work title
NANA
Media type
Manga

Blast formation and activities

Significant event
Blast formation and activities
Description
Formed Blast with Yas, Nob, and Nana, serving as bassist.

Leaving Blast and joining TRAPNEST

Significant event
Leaving Blast and joining TRAPNEST
Description
Recruited to TRAPNEST before major debut, handling guitar and composition.

Drug addiction onset

Significant event
Drug addiction onset
Description
Turned to drugs (cocaine) due to hectic music activities and mental anguish, developing addiction.

Breakup and reconciliation with Nana

Significant event
Breakup and reconciliation with Nana
Description
Broke up with Nana once due to work priorities but later reconciled. Struggled with crossed signals amid busyness.

Death by traffic accident

Significant event
Death by traffic accident
Description
Died in accident en route to pick up Leila, due to paparazzi chase and drug influence.

Relationships

Osaki Nana

Lover

Began dating after Blast formation, cohabited but broke up due to Tokyo move and TRAPNEST joining, later reconciled.

Takagi Yasushi

Best friend

Childhood orphanage companion and musical comrade.

Ichinose Takumi

Rival

TRAPNEST leader and ex-lover of partner Nana. Harbors complex emotions.

BLACK STONES

BLACK STONES: former-member

TRAPNEST

TRAPNEST: guitarist

Media appearances

NANA (TV Anime Series)

Anime / Protagonist

2006 TV anime

NANA Live-action Movie

Movie / Protagonist

Released 2005 and 2006

NANA

Manga / Protagonist

Serialization began 2000

NANA PS2 Game

Game / Protagonist

Released 2006

Voice cast and creators

Hidenobu Kiuchi

Voice actor
Hidenobu Kiuchi
Language
Japanese
Version or series
TV Anime version

Takahiro Sakurai

Voice actor
Takahiro Sakurai
Language
Japanese
Version or series
PS2 Game version

Ryuhei Matsuda

Voice actor
Ryuhei Matsuda
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Movie version 1

Chang-hyeong Kang

Voice actor
Chang-hyeong Kang
Language
Japanese
Version or series
Movie version 2

Ai Yazawa

Creator name
Ai Yazawa
Role
Original author

Madhouse

Creator name
Madhouse
Role
Animation studio

Related goods

Honjo Ren Figure

Item name
Honjo Ren Figure
Category
Figure
Availability
Regular

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