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FOR more than twoyears, she was Japanese rock babe Nana personified.

The popular manga character oozes attitude, adores gothic punk fashion, lines her eyes with kohl and belts out rock tunes with her band onstage.

She is also the star of two hit movies, Nana and Nana 2.

But J-pop singer Mika Nakashima has finally waved her alter ego goodbye, much to the joy of fans and music critics alike.

She has gone back to being just Mika - known for her husky vocals and signature power ballads.

The change was obvious in her fourth and latest album, Yes, released in Japan lastweek.

Mika flaunts hair extensions, wears a feminine white chiffon dress and has noticably less makeup on.

She told Oricon webzine late last year that she had not thought of doing rock before filming Nana and that she had not 'mastered the vocal techniques for rock music'.

More recently, she told Telepal F magazine that she had fun acting in movies, but has yet to 'enjoy' the whole process.

She prefers communicating with her fans through music.

For many, Mika's change is a welcome one.

Hong Kong's Ming Pao Daily said that without the 'burden' of being Nana, Mika can now advance in her music career.

Singaporean fan Jo Fang agreed.

The 21-year-old student told TheNew Paper that she found the Nana image too dark.

'It's time to say goodbye to Nana. That's just a movie role. She can't be Nana for another 10 years,' she said.

'I prefer Mika (as) she used to be. I saw her new pictures and it's like, 'Oh, Mika's back!'

'She looks prettier now. I love her ballads and her vocals are still so powerful.'

Listen Japan magazine added that Yes is Mika's most anticipated work in the past twoyears.

It boasts a strong, diverse track list and collaborations with accomplished musicians like Kaori Mochida of pop band Every Little Thing and veteran singer-songwriter Tamio Okuda.

The album, which will be released here on Thursday, has already entered Japan's Oricon chart at No3.

One of Mika's most talked-about singles is Mienai Hoshi (Star That Cannot Be Seen), a stirring tune reportedly as 'heartwarming' as her 2003 mega hit, Yuki No Hana (Snow Flower).

The new song, which is tied to the office drama Haken No Hinkaku starring Ryoko Shinohara, carries the message that 'even when crushed by a sense of helplessness, there is light of hope pouring out of the heart'.

For fans, it is also the best sign that their beloved ballad queen is finally back.

But for those who prefer her as Nana the rock babe, the good news is that the movie Nana 2 is slated to open in theatres here on 14 Jun.

http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/show/st...125309,00.html