Nodame Cantabile

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Nodame Cantabile
のだめカンタービレ (Nodame Cantabile)
Genre	Comedy, Josei
Manga
Authored by	Tomoko Ninomiya
Publisher	Kodansha Del Rey Manga NED Comics Elex Media Komputindo Tongli
Serialized in	Kiss
Original run	July 10, 2001 –
No. of volumes	16 (as of October 2006)
TV drama
Directed by	Takeuchi Hideki, Kawamura Yasuhiro
Studio	Fuji TV
Network	Fuji TV
Original run	October 16, 2006 –
No. of episodes	11
TV anime
Directed by	Kenichi Kasai
Studio	J.C.STAFF
Network	Fuji TV (Noitamina)
Original run	January 11, 2007 –
No. of episodes	23

Nodame Cantabile (のだめカンタービレ) is a manga by Tomoko Ninomiya. It received the 2004 Kodansha Manga Award for shōjo and has been licenced in North America by Del Rey Manga.

1 Plot
2 Characters
3 Live action TV series
4 TV anime series
5 External links

[edit] Plot

Shinichi Chiaki is the top piano student at his university and an excellent violinist, but Chiaki doesn't care about playing these instruments as much as he dreams of someday being a conductor. Chiaki, however, has several deeply rooted fears about traveling, and so finds himself "trapped" in Japan. Because he's trapped, Chiaki starts to question exactly how far he can possibly go in music, especially when he's passed over again and again for others he thinks are less worthy of musical scholarship and fame.

Recently dumped by his girlfriend for a "sausage" looking fellow, passed over for a chance to go overseas, removed from his star spot in the piano competition because he walked out on his piano instructor, Chiaki is at his limit. This is when he meets Nodame, or Megumi Noda. Nodame is a free — if filthy — spirit who reminds Chiaki that music can be fun. She reminds him what drew him to be a conductor in the first place and, in learning how to deal with Nodame, Chiaki learns how to deal with others. Chiaki begins to realize what is possible for him, even within the country of Japan.

For Nodame, Chiaki is everything she isn't. Clean, neat, dedicated, studious and inherently arrogant about his accomplishments and capabilities, Chiaki constantly bullies her into being more serious about life. He sees potential in her and her abilities as a pianist that she doesn't care about. She loves Chiaki and wants to be with him, but, because she's not serious about her piano studies nor her personal hygiene, Chiaki denies her affections again and again.

But Chiaki and Nodame complete each other in ways no other can, a musical compliment that neither of them can completely escape entirely. Watching them grow as people and musicians, and even as a couple, is an interesting ride.

[edit] Characters

Shinichi Chiaki (千秋真一 Chiaki Shin'ichi)

The protagonist of the story, Chiaki is twenty-two years old and a 3rd-year piano student at Momogaoka Music Academy. He is an accomplished pianist and violinist, but is also known to be a perfectionist and highly critical of himself and others. While he dreams of studying abroad and becoming a famous conductor like his mentor, Sebastino Viera, his fear of flying and the sea prevents him.

Megumi Noda (野田恵 Noda Megumi)

Also known as Nodame (のだめ); she is sometimes called "No-dummy" when she is in trouble. Twenty-one year old Noda is a free-spirited 2nd-year music student and a complete slob. Although she cannot cook or clean, she is an incredibly talented pianist who primarily plays by ear. In love with Chiaki, she follows him around constantly and leans on him to help her get through sticky situations.

Ryutaro Mine (峰龍太郎 Mine Ryūtarō)

3rd-year Violin student. His father owns a Chinese restaurant "Uraken" right next to the university. He is something of a prima donna whose violin technique is seen by himself to be deeply personal but by others to be simply sloppy. He sees Chiaki as a rival for attention and tries hard to compete with his "Princely" image of Chiaki. He also likes Nodame for her free-spirited ways and the fact that she's often a worse student than he is.

Masumi Okuyama (奥山真澄 Okuyama Masumi)

A claustrophobic 4th-year timpanist (percussion), Masumi is often mistaken for a woman because of his hair and dressing style. Also in love with Chiaki, he considers Nodame his rival and often bullies her (and anyone else who dares to get close to Chiaki).

Maestro Franz von Strezeman (フランツ・フォン・シュトレーゼマン)

Strezeman is a highly-respected internationally famous conductor who comes to Momogaoka Music Academy as a guest instructor. In love with the Academy's Director, he comes as a favor and immediately is pegged as an oddball lech. Perverted, demanding, and not at all dignified, Strezeman seems to be opposite of what his reputation makes him. Strezeman, however, immediately takes to Nodame and Chiaki, and even accepts Chiaki as his (one and only) apprentice. His wild behavior constantly gets Chiaki in trouble, but he also teaches Chiaki how to feel and express music in a way that only Chiaki can.