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.

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• Apr 19, 2012 11 of 11 episodes seen

  prettykewe09
  5 of 5 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  10
  • Story  10
  • Acting/Cast  10
  • Music  10
  • Rewatch Value  10

  This was the first Japanese drama I've ever watched and I still find it difficult to find another that compares. Whether you are a musical person or not, this drama will definitely find some way to lure you into the musical world.
  First things first. The music: Absolutely amazing. I love the way they make the music the epicenter of everything in this drama. Sure, it has a cast of wacky characters, but when it comes to the music, everything else just goes to the background. You forget the silliness and instead get lost in the musical atmosphere.
  Secondly, character-wise I think Nodame is by far the cutest most silly and lovable female leads of all time. Chiaki, is just an absolute stud in this and I fell for this guy instantly. Some might complain about the romance between the two characters, calling them childish and what not. But I found it to be so entertaining and enjoyed ever minute! The rest of the characters are hard not to love and I found myself wishing a happy ending for each and every one of them.:))) (Especially disco guy! Hahaha.)
  
  It was because of this drama, that I started playing the piano again. I had given up on it in high school, but this drama brought me back to it and helped me appreciate the world of classical music once again. :) read more

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• Feb 23, 2012 11 of 11 episodes seen

  Jeaniessi
  5 of 5 people found this review helpful
  Other reviews by this user
  • Overall  9
  • Story  10
  • Acting/Cast  9
  • Music  10
  • Rewatch Value  7

  I am going to repeat and refine my comments from the Nodame Thread here in my review:
  
  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 graphic novel 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. As she grew and as I got to know the story and characters, that feeling diminished. The main leads and secondary characters all have growth! With the different concerts, orchestras forming and school year progressing, the plot moves along and doesn't stay stagnant. I didn't expect to come to like this but I did. Very Much!
  
  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.
  
  The music is what this show is all about. Beautiful classical pieces are played through out and in the background making Nodame Cantabile pretty unique in the drama world. I gave the music a well deserved 10.
  
  I am finished now with the 1st season and moving onto the first special. A week ago I almost dropped this. If you are like me and slapstick, comic style manga's aren't usually your thing, I recommend you stick with it and just maybe you will come to appreciate it like I did. If comic manga adapted dramas are your thing, Nodame Cantabile is Perfect for you! read more

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  It Started with a Kiss

  Both stories are about a ditzy girl falling head over heels for a tsundre guy, then following him around till he looks at them. Both have a comedic take on things, but i liked Nodame better ;)

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