Why Ren Honjo Is the Manga Best Boyfriend Material

When fans debate who deserves the title of manga best boyfriend material, names from countless romance, shōjo, or josei series are on top of your mind. Yet one character in the Josei sphere deserves this title: the awesome, romantic musician Ren Honjo from NANA.

Ren isn’t perfect, though, and any NANA fan can’t disagree with what I’m saying.

Despite his lovely personality, Ren struggles with fame, standing alongside iconic names like Takumi or Reira from Trapnest. In addition, our beloved guitarist fights his personal demons, which make him a kind of perfect fit for Nana Osaki, who also struggled with personal issues. However, what sets Ren Jonjo apart is his unconditional love for his partner. He repeatedly shows that Nana Osaki is his priority, whether through difficult decisions or emotional vulnerability.

 

If boyfriend material is measured by love and genuine care: Ren deserves to be part of the conversation, girls!

 

Ai Yazawa’s illustration of Ren Honjo and Nana Osaki

 

Why Ren Honjo Is the Manga Best Boyfriend Material

As a true boyfriend would behave, Ren expresses his love to Nana through actions rather than empty promises… that he never fulfilled. No! Ren Honjo is better than that! And given Miss Osaki’s strong, independent personality, it makes quite a bit of sense that Ren shows his girlfriend how much he appreciates her through his actions.

Ren and Nana’s relationship is built on mutual respect, emotional support, and sacrifices that demonstrate Ren’s deep commitment to her.

 

Ren and Nana’s Relationship: Built on Mutual Dreams

One aspect of their relationship that deserves more recognition is how they support each other’s ambitions.

 

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Ren never expects Nana to give up her dream for him.

 

Likewise, Nana encourages Ren to seize the opportunity to join Trapnest despite how painful their separation will be. Their love isn’t about holding each other back. It’s about wanting each other to succeed, even when success requires difficult sacrifices. That balance between romance and personal growth makes their relationship one of the most memorable in manga.

 

Ren Didn’t Want to Leave Blast Until Nana Asked Him To

One of the clearest examples of Ren’s devotion occurs when he is allowed to join Trapnest. For most musicians, joining a nationally successful band would be an easy decision. For Ren, it wasn’t. He hesitated because accepting the offer meant leaving Blast and, more importantly, leaving Nana behind. His greatest concern wasn’t fame or money—it was the distance it would create between them.

 

Ren ultimately accepted the opportunity only after Nana encouraged him to pursue his dream.

 

This moment perfectly illustrates Ren’s priorities. He wasn’t chasing success at any cost. Instead, he struggled because he loved Nana so much that leaving her felt like the hardest decision of his life.

Rather than choosing a career over love, Ren needed Nana’s reassurance before moving forward.

 

 

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After the Breakup, Ren’s Heart Still Beats Faster for Nana

 

Distance couldn’t erase Ren’s feelings. After their separation, seeing Nana again during one of Trapnest’s concerts (in which Hachinko forced her roommate to come along with her to attend it as she’s a big Takumi fan) was such a surprise for the now well-known musician, despite acting unbothered during the first half of the pop-rock group’s performance.

This is when his team members point out Remn’s mistake, which never happened before, and we feel how upset he is for seeing Nana again. His heartbeat quickening during the break speaks volumes about his emotions toward Miss Osaki.

Ren never stopped loving Nana. His emotional reaction proves that his feelings stayed exactly where they had always been—with her.

And remember one thing about Ren Honjo, as the perfect boyfriend material he is, he always puts Nana’s happiness FIRST. Throughout NANA, he consistently prioritises his (ex)-girlfriend’s emotional well-being.

• Ren listens to Nana.
• Ren supports Nana’s dreams.
• Ren worries about Nana when they’re apart.
• Ren wants Nana to be happy, even when achieving that happiness requires personal sacrifice.

 

 

Instead of trying to change Miss Osaki, Ren accepts her strengths and weaknesses, admiring Nana’s independence while remaining someone she can lean on whenever life becomes overwhelming.

 

That emotional maturity makes their relationship feel authentic.

 

Why Ren Honjo Deserves More Recognition as Boyfriend Material

When discussions about the manga best boyfriend material arise, fans often focus on characters who shower their partners with constant affection. Ren’s love is quieter. Instead of grand speeches, he expresses devotion through sacrifice, loyalty, emotional vulnerability, and unwavering commitment. He didn’t want to leave Blast until Nana asked him to.

His heart still raced when he saw her again after they had been apart. He consistently placed Nana’s happiness alongside his own dreams. Those actions reveal a genuine love rather than a performative one.

 

While Ren is far from a perfect person, his devotion to Nana makes him one of the most emotionally compelling romantic leads in manga.

 

For many readers, that’s exactly what makes him true boyfriend material.

 

 

 

Ren Honjo may not fit the stereotype of the perfect fictional boyfriend, but that’s precisely why he’s so compelling. His relationship with Nana is filled with difficult choices, heartfelt reunions, and quiet acts of devotion that make their love story unforgettable.

If you’re looking for the manga best boyfriend material, Ren Honjo deserves a place at the top of the list—not because he’s flawless, but because he loves Nana with a sincerity that’s rare in manga romance.