You Somehow Feels You're Part of Them
Starts weird for me (idk maybe because of the comedy), but as the story progress it gets really good. This is what I call as the perfect drama. Still no longer than 11 episodes but it's rich and thick in its story. You can see the character development. You can see how the love evolves. You even starts to feel like you're part of the S'Okke, and feels sad when they part ways.It has so many good moments. Some part makes you grinning like an idiot, some parts makes you cry. And now I can't move on. I don't know where to find a good, heart warming drama about music like this. Brravvo!
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This review may contain spoilers
This is the best live-action musical series I have watched so far!
I always have a soft spot for musical films, especially films with classical music. I love classical music, and love the piano the most. So "Nodame Cantabile" is a perfect series for me. It makes me fall in love with classical music one more time and also gave me the motivation to start practicing the piano again. As a piano learner, I'm kind of like Nodame who does not read the music sheet very well. Of course I'm not as talented as Nodame. My level is quite basic. I just learnt it to play for fun, but paused for a long time because I don't have a piano with me, and the teacher forced me too much that made me stressed. So this time I'll buy a small piano and try to practice on my own while maybe looking for a more suitable piano teacher.Anyway, "Nodame Cantabile" is so special and precious to me. I love every music performance throughout the series. I can feel the love for music in every character in the series. I love most of the characters, except the foreign Maestro character. He's just a perverted old man to me. The way he treats women is horrible, and I don't like his fake foreign look and accent either. I felt annoyed every time he appeared. However, as this is an old Japanese drama and as I love everything else and the music just touched my soul every single time, "Nodame Cantabile" is still a 100/10 series for me. I will re-watch it from time to time.
Besides music, this series is also special because of other reasons. I love our girl Nodame so much and also love her beloved senpai Chiaki. Nodame is so adorable, innocent but definitely not a stupid girl. She's a talented piano genius in disguise because of childhood traumas. Chiaki is also a genius with childhood traumas. I enjoyed watching Nodame and Chiaki's character development through each episode, and I loved the way they helped and supported each other in overcoming their own fears to find their real selves and discover their talents. Their romance is so pure, beautiful, and supportive, and it starts out of the love for music. I specially love the scene in the last episode where Nodame was talking about her dream of performing on the same stage with her senpai as a golden pair with full of excitement. Nodame is just too sweet and adorable! No wonder Chiaki hugs her from the back!
Also, they are so hilarious together. I enjoyed watching Chiaki's reactions and his facial expressions every time he's with Nodame lol. I laughed so much while watching them together. Of course I don't take the violence seriously. I understand that's the slapstick comedy style, as this series is adapted from a comedy manga.
Besides the leads, other characters are also very loveable. My other favorite characters are Mine and Kiyora. I love them as an individual character and love them as a couple as well. Their romance is also pure, beautiful and supportive and starts out of the love for music. Not only a wild and sensitive artist, Mine is also the best boyfriend and also the best buddy! While Kiyora is a strong ambitious and brave woman who dares to dream big and work hard to chase after her dream. She’s also a kind and supportive friend. It’s always nice to see this type of female character in a Japanese series.
Another thing that makes "Nodame Cantabile" so special to me is that there is no drama, no villain, no toxic love triangle, and no misunderstanding throughout the series. I just feel the absolute love for music from every character, as well as their desire and dreams, and their struggles while chasing their dreams. I can see myself in every character's struggle, and they also encourage me to face my fears to find my real self and follow my dreams. As how much Chiaki is grateful to his orchestra at the end of the series, I'm also grateful to "Nodame Cantabile" in the same way. I also feel like it's time to end a part of my life, and feel like it's the start of something new. I will move forward to a new journey and discover myself more in that journey. Although there are still fears, but I will stop doubting myself and start to believe in myself more. :)
There are still many more things to talk about this series but I'll stop now. I'm not sure if anyone will ever read this review but I wrote it to myself as the main purpose. Maybe it's a bit lengthy and boring to others. :)
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As someone who is relatively new to Japanese dramas, it took me awhile to really get used to the exaggerated comedy in Nodame Cantabile that Japanese people seemed to enjoy. Such comedy is not for everyone and it may seem like a throw off to many who are used to more realistic shows, but an episode or two in may be able to warm you up for the rest of the series, so hang in there first!
I’m not a fan of classical music actually and just like Mine from the show, I actually prefer rock, but not once was I bored throughout the series (as well as the anime). In fact, it opened my world a little and I was able to actually appreciate classical pieces that I once found boring. I even have a Spotify playlist of all the pieces played in the show that I occasionally listen to!
This is a show from the 2000s and you can’t expect the best production quality. I’m quite a picky person when it comes to how well the show is produced but the thing is... Nodame Cantabile is so amazing that I totally didn’t care. Please give it a chance, before you decide to drop it.
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At first I did not like Nodame at all, the manga style, the graphic, the very over reaction of every cast. but because Nodame base on Manga adaptation so I try to continue.
After 3 episodes I feel hooked, the character growth and the story are better and better, especially Music! so I am glad I watch till the end.
If you love classical music this drama will not disappoint you, every song is beautiful and I love the relationship of the band mate too, it is absolutely beautiful.
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I have never read the manga-version, but you can literally see in each scene the angle and direction of comedy manga-drawins, it is SO MUCH over the top.
Naturally, this is a very light-hearted drama, although it touches here and there some serious intentions of the characters.
The female lead Nodame is this quirky, non-ambitious, a little bit crazy and childish girl, who in fact, is as good a musician as it gets - and this was plotwise the most interesting part for me, seeing her try (for some time at least). The protagonist Chiaki is the typical high-quality musician, who suffers from PTSD and dares not to board a plane or ship to go abroad for studying.
One day Franz Stresemann (oh my God, the Japanese version of this German or Austrian dude, is just....lol), a widely known conductor (and pervert), comes to the school and shakes everything a bit up and Chiaki never gets rid of Nodame again...
There is SOME sort of love story, but not really what you are used to, so don't expect too much in this aspect.
The best part for me was to see the ambitions of most of the orchestra members rise and them trying to reach their goals, whilst listening to some fine music.
If you're looking for some really goofy entertainment right straight out of a manga, then you should give this a try.
(If you want to see the more realistic and longer version, then go to Korea's version - Tomorrow's Cantabile, which I found to be just as entertaining in its own way.)
PS: The thing I loved most about this drama... was hands down the fart-song and how Harisen danced to it. It was DIVINE :D
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excellent in so many ways
It's not perfect, though its great... The weak part - if weak, i still havent made up my mind - its the comedic side, which is so exaggerated, obviously parody or whats called. Definitely not the realistic type of story, its a FAIRY TALE DONE RIGHT! and of course, music is divine...Cast is so good, it makes you lose a sense of reality!
I would rewatch it anytime, though i can see its flaws... But its so enjoyable!
A funny and emotional trip.
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i've been collecting all merch nodame cantabile, for sure to have borrowing energy, passion, spirit of noda megumi. Must watch if you love music and laughter.
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