Review Statistics

Times Read

818

Comments

2

Reviews

Tv

Plot Synopsis

Nodame Cantabile is a shoujo romance comedy set at a music university. When Chiaki was little, he traveled the great stages of Europe with his father, absorbing classical music. Although he learned to play piano and violin, his ambition was to one day become a world famous conductor like his mentor, Sebastien Viera. Now a piano student at Momogaoka University, Chiaki still harbors ambitions of returning to Europe to study conducting under Viera, except for his fear of flying (and traveling by ship.) He turns his frustration into his music. Every at the school is awful, he thinks, until he meets a strange girl named Noda Megumi (Nodame), who is incredibly skilled at piano - and who turns out to be his very messy neighbor. The two don't hit it off, but are forced to take a piano lesson together anyway. Meanwhile, the clandestine arrival of famous German conductor Franz Streselmann sends the school into disarray as Streselmann decides to create his own orchestra consisting of what the school assumes are its misfit students -- and Streselmann taps Chiaki to conduct. Through a series of lessons, mishaps, performances, and trials, Chiaki, Nodame, the students of Streselmann's orchestra and the rest of the school learn more about the classical music they're studying as well as themselves.

Story & Characters

The story, albeit somewhat cliche, is a breath of fresh air. Taking aside from the explosion of recent mecha and high school animes, Nodame Cantabile explores a not so every-day heroine, and sets focus to music. Nodame Cantabile, the anime about Nodame, or Megumi Noda, is not the anime encountered everyday, and while it doesn't stretch beyond the limits of an average school-based anime, the strange, if not absurd cast of characters brings comedy into the story, and makes you love them for it.

Distinguishing itself from highschool, Nodame Cantabile takes place in Momogaoka Music Academy, a Japanese college for the musical arts. Nodame, the eccentric, but likeable heroine is a greatly underappreciated [therein a genius pianist, although unknown to the majority] talent in the 'failure' piano class; this is most likely derived from the fact that Nodame cannot properly read sheet music. She learns by the ear. Nodame has no respect for hygiene. She hates taking baths, and can't clean to the point where her apartment is literally flooded with garbage, complete with molding mushrooms.

Enter Chiaki. He is at the top of the school, and excels in both the piano and violin. However, most the academy is left unknown to Chiaki's pining to become a great conductor. Then, there is Chiaki's fear of flying. He often berates himself due to his fear, and reminds himself he cannot pursue what he wants by staying in Japan; to return to his teacher, Sebastien Viera, who he respects a great deal, and to pursue his dream of conducting.

He, after being dumped by his girlfriend, or being a, what she calls "loser", stumbles into Nodame's life. After supposedly rescuing him, and bringing him into her apartment [as the two are neighbors], Chiaki awakens to find Nodame's filthy apartment. He thinks he is in a nightmare, and runs from her apartment, but recalls her piano playing from the piano he heard the day before - which, he noted as sloppy, but amazing.

Thus, after Chiaki is demoted to the 'failure' class, he again meets Nodame, and the two form an odd friendship [which seems more a parent and child: Nodame hanging off of Chiaki, and him constantly scolding her]. Nodame freeloads dinner from Chiaki as a daily routine, and in return, Nodame shows him, inavertantly, the joy he used to have in music.

Nodame calls it love, Chiaki has no words for Nodame's stupidity.

From the unknown arrival of a famous German conductor, Franz Stresselmann, and the events leading after, a weird, seemingly one-sided, but loveable 'romance' appears between the top student Chiaki, and the incredible pianist Nodame; not your average romance.

But, together, and with a few friends, Nodame helps Chiaki once again discover the joy of music.

Rating

8 (good)

Art

Overall, the artwork takes a step back. It resembles 'old school' animation to a point, which doesn't make it bad. It's a nice, clean, and simple style, which deviates little from the orignial manga; one of the better aspects, as many anime adaptions fail to do so. I found the artwork satisfying, and is best left as it is, because the animation 'fits' who Nodame, and the other characters personify, and to over complicate things wouldn't be needed.

As far as character animation, there is a nice flow between each character, and it's believable. While somewhat lucid, the character animation is nice, like the overall, and clean. However, it seems the focal points are both the instruments, and the landscaping/backdrops. The landscaping is very lovely, and puts the Nodame characters into a fitting background, while using beautiful, lively colors.

The opening and closing animation is very basic as well, but also very unique.

Rating

7 (above average)

Sound

Music is the soul of Nodame Cantabile.

Beginning, I wasn't positive how the anime adaption would handle all the classical pieces in the manga, and if Nodame would be heard playing full, or excerp songs very often. I was pleasantly surprised, though. A variety of classical songs were used, and they embraced Nodame's piano gift, and didn't restrain her playing time.

Overall, excellent.

I also enjoyed both the opening and closing songs, which were very light and typical of anime.

The voice acting was excellent. It features my favorite aspect of Nodame Cantabile. The Japanese seiyuu of Nodame was delightful, and truly made the perfect Nodame. She performed the comedic sounds Nodame often makes, as in the 'sound effects' Nodame has, like when Chiaki hits her, or when she punches 'Milch'. She made the anime, as Nodame, so wonderful.

Each respective seiyuu: Chiaki's, Mine's, Masumi's, etc. did equally wonderful jobs, and portrayed their characters very well.

Rating

10 (excellent)

Presentation

For Nodame Cantabile, I score it almost a ten.

It truly, and instantly became my favorite anime, and while this genre is not for everyone, laughs [and smiles] should even come from action fans, and even those who despise shoujo. What captures me the most of this anime is the characters; each character has unique personality traits, fears, and habits. Not only are the characters unlikely, but you get a bit of everything:

That bit of romance, humor, music, drama, and that little spice for everyone.

Nodame Cantabile is truly enjoyable - you can't not love Nodame [Noda Megumi].

[Noda Megumi is based off of a real person].

Rating

9 (very good)

Final Verdict

8.50 (very good)

Reviewed by xxKurumi, 40wk 5d ago