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[Discussion] Nodame Cantabile Series

Jeaniessi

MDL Links:

http://www.mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/32/nodame-cantabile
http://www.mydramalist.com/japanese-drama/1774/nodame-cantabile
http://www.mydramalist.com/japanese-movie/127/nodame-cantabile-the-final-score-part-i
http://www.mydramalist.com/japanese-movie/214/nodame-cantabile-the-final-score-part-ii

Synopsis:

Based on the hit comic book by Tomoko Ninomiya, this is a fun-filled quirky romantic story of two very opposite people. Megumi Noda, or "Nodame" is a piano student at Momogaoka College of Music. An extremely talented pianist who wants to be a kindergarten teacher, she prefers playing by ear rather than reading the music score. She is messy and disorganized, takes baths several days apart and loves to eat, sometimes stealing her friend's lunchbox when it is filled with delicacies. Shinichi Chiaki, is Momogaoka's top student. Born into a musical family, he is talented in piano and violin and has secret ambitions to become a conductor. An arrogant multi-lingual perfectionist who once lived abroad in the music capitals of the world as a young boy, he feels mired in Japan because of a childhood phobia. They meet by accident. Nodame quickly falls in love, but it takes much longer for Chiaki to even begin to appreciate Nodame's unusual qualities. Their relationship causes them both to develop and grow. Because of Nodame, Chiaki got the opportunity to lead a student orchestra and begins to have a broader appreciation of people's musical abilities. Because of Chiaki, Nodame faces her fears and enters a piano competition. Opportunities open up as both begin taking risks, stretching themselves far more than they ever thought possible.

Cast:

Ueno Juri as Noda Megumi aka Nodame (Piano)
Morisako Ei as young Nodame
Tamaki Hiroshi as Chiaki Shinichi (Piano/Violin/Conducting)
Fujita Reo (藤田玲央) as young Chiaki
Eita as Mine Ryutaro (Violin)
Koide Keisuke as Okuyama Masumi (Timpani)
Mizukawa Asami as Miki Kiyora (Violin)
Saeko as Saku Sakura (Contrabass)
Uehara Misa as Tagaya Saiko (Vocal)
Takenaka Naoto as Franz Strezemann (Milch Holstein by Nodame)
Akiyoshi Kumiko as Momodaira Minako
Endo Yuya as Okochi Mamoru (Conducting)
Iwasa Mayuko as Ishikawa Reina (Piano)
Takase Yukina (高瀬友規奈) as Tanaka Makiko (Piano)
Kondo Koen as Tamaki Keiji (Clarinet)
Sakamoto Makoto as Hashimoto Yohei (Oboe)
Matsuoka Rinako as Suzuki Moe (Flute)
Matsuoka Emiko as Suzuki Kaoru (Clarinet)
Yamanaka Takashi as Iwai Kazushi (Contrabass)
Kobayashi Kinako as Kinjo Shizuka (Viola)
Fukada Aki as Inoue Yuki (Cello)
Kojima Tenten (小嶌天天) as Kanai Kento (Horn)
Inoue Yoshiko as Suganuma Saya (Vocal)
Ibu Masato as Mine Tatsumi
Nishimura Masahiko as Tanioka Hajime
Toyohara Kosuke as Eto Kozo
Shiraishi Miho as Eto Kaori

Title: のだめカンタービレ
Title (romaji): Nodame Cantabile
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Episodes: 11
Viewership ratings: 18.79(Kanto)
Broadcast network: Fuji TV
Broadcast period: 2006-Oct-16 to 2006-Dec-25
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Jeaniessi
I hope this isn't a duplicate as I scoured the Japanese drama and movies section before I created this... Here is why I felt compelled to make this thread: When I first started this drama I actually did NOT like it. A lot of the humor is very wacky, comic book, slapstick. Which makes sense since it is based off a manga. It is definitely a drama that, at first, doesn't veer far from a manga style, unlike other live adaptations of manga that do not follow a comic format. I felt while watching these early episodes the style just wasn't for me. But as the episodes progressed there was tangible character growth. Especially from Nodame whose crazy, childish personality grated on me. The main leads and secondary characters all have growth! With the different concerts, orchestras forming and school year progressing the plot moves a long and doesn't stay stagnant. I didn't expect to come to like this but I did. Also, in spite of the cartoonish beginnings which lowered my expectation of content and writing, this also proved untrue. There are some scenes, especially in the latter half that have real depth and unexpectedly smart and mature dialog. I wish I could expound on this but let me just say the characters say and do things that are atypical of how dramas normally handle standard scenes and the relationships contained within. I am finished now with the 1st season and moving onto the first special. A week ago I almost dropped this. Is there anyone who liked/loved this series?
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abs
wuuu - wait . . . we didn't already have a nodame thread?!
How'd that happen?!
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abs
Jeaniessi wrote: Is there anyone who liked/loved this series?


Nodame was my first ever foray into asian drama - I had no idea it even existed until I was enticed by a banner while watching the anime. Needless to say #1 I have never looked back, #2 it holds a very special place in my heart.

I could watch it again and again. I continue to read the manga (although it has been heading downhill for me for a while, but I'm a die-hard now)

:: ahhhh sigh ::
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sunflower63
I had the same feelings as Jeaniessie at first. I couldn't bring myself to like the Manga type of acting as it looked too innatural for me probably because I don't read Mangas. It actually spoiled the story at first and I was tempeted to give up watching it, however the plot gradually grew on me and I came to love this drama by the end after watching the specials and the films. I think the music in it is superb and Tamaki Hiroshi really brings the audience to love classical music by the end. It has become one of my top favourite dramas until now.
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Jeaniessi
sunflower63 wrote: I had the same feelings as Jeaniessie at first. I couldn't bring myself to like the Manga type of acting as it looked too innatural for me probably because I don't read Mangas. It actually spoiled the story at first and I was tempeted to give up watching it, however the plot gradually grew on me and I came to love this drama by the end after watching the specials and the films. I think the music in it is superb and Tamaki Hiroshi really brings the audience to love classical music by the end. It has become one of my top favourite dramas until now.


Yes, the music!!! I have always appreciated classical music. Sadly, I don't know enough about it to be able to name pieces and the composers except in very few cases where the pieces are historically and classically, wildly famous. (All of the composers, of course I know their names just by living on the planet) But..alas, I'm a rock and roll girl and I don't play an instrument so I am not well versed at all. having said that ~ I LOVED the music in this and the orchestra scenes, piano playing scenes. The loveliness of the music also helped hold my interest and elevated my fondness for this show.
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SayItAintSoJoe
I loved it all from beginning to end, slapstick and meaningfulness. It was on my favorites list forever, but it got replaced recently. Mostly because it's been so long since I seen it, and another drama was fighting for a favorite position. I'll probably watch it again one day. Uno Juri as Nodame = best acting ever. And Nodame is definitely one of the most lovable characters ever too. I remember thinking that even though Uno Juri isn't out of this world pretty, I would still marry the Nodame character in a heartbeat.
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cityhunter VIP
i love this drama. i do sort of wish there had been more actual romance though.
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Jeaniessi
SayItAintSoJoe wrote: I loved it all from beginning to end, slapstick and meaningfulness. It was on my favorites list forever, but it got replaced recently. Mostly because it's been so long since I seen it, and another drama was fighting for a favorite position. I'll probably watch it again one day.

Uno Juri as Nodame = best acting ever. And Nodame is definitely one of the most lovable characters ever too. I remember thinking that even though Uno Juri isn't out of this world pretty, I would still marry the Nodame character in a heartbeat.


I'm curious Joe! Why you would want to marry her. LOL I came to like her a lot and I actually think she is very pretty. Her eyes are really beautiful! But was it her messy apartment? Her single minded devotion? ;) Just teasing.

cityhunter83 wrote: i love this drama. i do sort of wish there had been more actual romance though.


I always like more romance but looking back on what I've watched (I'm going into the last movie), I liked the dynamic between Chiaki and Nodame and their brief kisses were nice enough. Ahh well...
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SayItAintSoJoe
Jeaniessi wrote: I'm curious Joe! Why you would want to marry her. LOL I came to like her a lot and I actually think she is very pretty. Her eyes are really beautiful! But was it her messy apartment? Her single minded devotion? ;) Just teasing.


because she is just so fun and lovable and crazy and cute. And I do think Ueno Juri is pretty, but there are a lot more actresses prettier IMO. I didn't think about the horrible messy apartment though... that would be bad...
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Jeaniessi
SayItAintSoJoe wrote: because she is just so fun and lovable and crazy and cute. And I do think Ueno Juri is pretty, but there are a lot more actresses prettier IMO. I didn't think about the horrible messy apartment though... that would be bad...


I know! Even Chiaki couldn't make her clean up her crap! I love the episodes where they show her basically invading his space and crapping it up. And I loved when Chiaki comes home from his tour and actually anticipates cleaning up her mess. Because he likes her and missed her! LMAO

I am sorry in advance for the comparison but there is an element to Nodame that is also there in Oh Ha Ni from Playful Kiss. (stalkerish/devotional tendencies) Where Playful Kiss was an epic fail and Nodame Cantabile is not: Nodame actually has a spine, growth, wishes and dreams for herself outside of Chiaki. She also isn't afraid to literally boot him in the ass when she's had enough! Win Win!

Playful Kiss ~ LOSE!
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Grumpy Witch VIP
Jeaniessi wrote:
I am sorry in advance for the comparison but there is an element to Nodame that is also there in Oh Ha Ni from Playful Kiss. (stalkerish/devotional tendencies) Where Playful Kiss was an epic fail and Nodame Cantabile is not: Nodame actually has a spine, growth, wishes and dreams for herself outside of Chiaki. She also isn't afraid to literally boot him in the ass when she's had enough! Win Win!

Playful Kiss ~ LOSE!


True, I loved Nodame Cantabile even if she was a stalkerish kind of character. I didn't love Oh Ha Ni...
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Becca256
I love Nodame Cantabile because she's a really good actress and can totally pull it off, it's funny but no embarrassing or tiring :)
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goldenseal50
Totally loved it. If I was going to own a drama it would be this one. It has high rewatch value for me.
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darkangel662008
Nodame Cantabile will be my ever all time favorite!!! I love how Chiaki and Nodame have very opposite personality... How Chiaki pretend that he was sleeping to give Nodame chance to kiss him... I love the music...I love their wacky and eccentric orchestra... I love everything about this drama...How it made me laugh, cry and enjoy classical music that i thought boring before...
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