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Nodame Cantabile
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Shinichi Chiaki is a first class musician whose dream is to play among the elites in Europe. Coming from a distinguished family, he is an infamous perfectionist; not only is he highly critical of himself, but of others as well. The only thing stopping Chiaki from leaving for Europe is his fear of flying. As a result, he's grounded in Japan.
During his 4th year at Japan's top music university, Chiaki happens to meet Noda Megumi—or as she refers to herself, Nodame. On the surface, she seems to be an unkempt girl with no direction in life. However, when Chiaki hears Nodame play the piano for the first time, he is in awe at the kind of music she plays. To Chiaki's dismay, Nodame moves into the apartment next to his and finds out that she is head-over-heels in love with him.
Highest-rated episodes all ranked
- 01
Lesson 1Shinichi Chiaki was almost giving up his dream of becoming a conductor, until he met Megumi Noda, also known as "Nodame". The pieces performed in the episode are Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns (brief), Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major "Emperor" by Ludwig van Beethoven (brief), Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 "Adagio Cantabile" by Ludwig van Beethoven (brief) and 2-Piano Sonata in D Major, K.448/375a by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. - 02
Lesson 2Ryutaro Mine is a violinist who needed a piano player for his violin jury. But when he chooses Nodame as his partner, little did he know his troubles were just beginning. The piece performed in the episode is Sonata No. 5 "Spring" for Violin and Piano, Op. 24 by Ludwig van Beethoven. - 03
Lesson 3: Queen of Percussion InstrumentsAn admirer of Chiaki, timpanist Masumi Okuyama becomes jealous of Nodame's relationship with him, and torments her with pranks. To sort out their rivalry, they compete to see who can snag a date with Chiaki on Christmas Eve. The piece performed in the episode is a jazz arrangement of Chiaki's composition arranged by Nodame, Mine, and Masumi.
Castfull cast & details
Episodes by season
Season01Best season
- S01E01
Season's bestLesson 1January 12, 2007Shinichi Chiaki was almost giving up his dream of becoming a conductor, until he met Megumi Noda, also known as "Nodame". The pieces perform - S01E02
Lesson 2January 19, 2007Ryutaro Mine is a violinist who needed a piano player for his violin jury. But when he chooses Nodame as his partner, little did he know his - S01E03
Lesson 3: Queen of Percussion InstrumentsJanuary 26, 2007An admirer of Chiaki, timpanist Masumi Okuyama becomes jealous of Nodame's relationship with him, and torments her with pranks. To sort out - S01E04
Lesson 4: Master Milch's AppearanceFebruary 2, 2007A foreigner visits Chiaki's school and becomes friends with Nodame. Chiaki refuses to let him into his house because of his perverted behavi - S01E05
Lesson 5: Many Years of S Orchestra's DirectionFebruary 9, 2007With Stresemann knocked out cold, Nodame "convinces" Chiaki to be substitute conductor for the special orchestra. Chiaki agrees and finds ou - S01E06
Lesson 6: SecessionFebruary 16, 2007The S orchestra is to perform before the A orchestra at the upcoming concert. However, Stresemann takes "business" leave and Chiaki is force - S01E07
Lesson 7: Kazuo's Many YearsFebruary 23, 2007Chiaki is still having trouble getting the orchestra into shape, and everyone's confidence shatters under his harsh criticisms. With help fr - S01E08
Lesson 8: Milch's RepatriationMarch 2, 2007Chiaki is asked to leave the S orchestra to play the piano solo of Piano Concerto No. 2 by Sergei Rachmaninoff as requested by Stresseman fo - S01E09
Lesson 9: Music FestivalMarch 9, 2007Stresseman sends Chiaki, Nodame, Mine, and Masumi to a musical festival where each takes lessons from famous musicians in order to better th - S01E10
Lesson 10: The Notion That Where It Can CharmMarch 16, 2007The school festival is here and the S Orchestra is to perform without the aid of Chiaki, who is busy practicing with the A Orchestra with th - S01E11
Lesson 11: PianoMarch 23, 2007It is finally Stresemann, Chiaki, and the A Orchestra's turn to perform for the school's fall festival. They manage to captivate the audienc - S01E12
Lesson 12: CourseApril 13, 2007Chiaki and Nodame perform Rachmaninoff on two pianos and cause quite a stir attracting an audience including Saiko and Etou-sensei. Later Ch - S01E13
Lesson 13: GraduationApril 20, 2007It's graduation time at the Momogaoka College of Music and its graduating students (including Chiaki and Masumi) put on a performance of var - S01E14
Lesson 14: PastApril 27, 2007Under rather bizarre circumstances, Nodame makes a visit to the home in which Chiaki grew up, meets his family, and even makes dinner for th - S01E15
Lesson 15: ChangeMay 4, 2007Chiaki's relatives are awaken by Chiaki and Nodame's playing. Both uncle and cousin agree that Chiaki should continue his music studies. Jus - S01E16
Lesson 16: StartingMay 11, 2007The R-S Orchestra starts rehearsing for their first concert, while Nodame and her new teacher finally come to an agreement. The piece played - S01E17
Lesson 17: WastefulnessMay 18, 2007Nodame finishes her last "Moja Moja" song and now must do her part in her deal with Etou sensei. Meanwhile, some members of the R-S Orchestr - S01E18
Lesson 18: AwakeningMay 25, 2007Finally the time comes for the R-S Orchestra's first concert. - S01E19
Lesson 19: FlightJune 1, 2007After the concert, Nodame uses hypnotism to cure Chiaki's fear of flying. The pieces performed in this episode are Symphony no.1 in c minor - S01E20
Lesson 20: WorldJune 8, 2007Nodame advances through the preliminaries of the Maradona piano competition, while the R-S Orcherstra's fame increases, drawing more and mor - S01E21
Lesson 21: AccidentJune 15, 2007Nodame makes it to the final round, but an untimely fever from practicing too much sets her back as it now becomes a race against time to fi - S01E22
Lesson 22: EndJune 22, 2007Nodame is in deep trouble as her train of thought is robbed at an unfortunate moment. She leaves the competition hall disappointed as well a - S01E23
Lesson 23: FutureJune 29, 2007Chiaki conducts his last piece with the Rising Star Orchestra and contemplates how he even got there in the first place. With Nodame still a
Season02
- S02E01
Season's bestLesson 1October 10, 2008Chiaki and Nodame arrive at Paris to hone their musical skills. While he who had lived in France before easily adapts himself to their new e - S02E02
Lesson 2October 17, 2008Chiaki takes part in his first competition as a conductor. But he ends up having to face strong contestants like Jean Donnadieu, one of Seba - S02E03
Lesson 3October 24, 2008Nodame and Chiaki meet Stresseman in Paris. Chiaki starts to travel the world attending concerts with Stresseman after being forced to sign - S02E04
Lesson 4October 31, 2008Chiaki rehearses for his debut concert in Paris, and finds that Nodame is troubled as she is not doing fine at the conservatoire. While he t - S02E05
Lesson 5November 7, 2008Kuroki was having trouble to adapt himself to life at Paris until he meets Nodame at the conservatoire. Meanwhile, Chiaki is feeling insecur - S02E06
Lesson 6November 14, 2008Chiaki is appointed as the official conductor of a famous orchestra which is facing serious dificulties, and Son Rui, a famous pianist who i - S02E07
Lesson 7November 21, 2008The Marlet Orchestra is short on staff, and Chiaki asks Nodame to take a part on it. However, Nodame's dreams of having her first performanc - S02E08
Lesson 8November 28, 2008Disappointed with his first performance, Chiaki starts scouting for new musicians and invites Kuroki for an audition. Meanwhile, Rui is forc - S02E09
Lesson 9December 5, 2008Nodame travels to Saint-Malo with Chiaki, Tanya and Kuroki for her very first recital. However, her companions are worried about her insecur - S02E10
Lesson 10December 12, 2008Nodame's first recital becomes a huge success, to the point of her receiving other proposals for job. - S02E11
Lesson 11December 19, 2008Auditions are held for the Marlet Orchestra, with Paul and Kuroki being among the new members. After intense rehearsal, the Orchestra has an
Season03
- S03E01
Season's bestLeçon 1January 15, 2010Chiaki's popularity ahead of the Martlet Orchestra keeps increasing while Nodame gets depressed as she feels the distance between them growi - S03E02
Leçon 2January 22, 2010Chiaki decides to move to another apartment much to Nodame's despair and Rui tries her best to convince Auclair to have lessons with her, bu - S03E03
Leçon 3January 29, 2010Thanks to Chiaki's encouragement, Rui decides to keep playing and a special concert featuring both is arranged. Stresseman is seriously depr - S03E04
Leçon 4February 5, 2010Tanya starts to feel jealousy when Kuroki is asked to take care of a young japanese girl who is trying to enter the conservatoire. While try - S03E05
Leçon 5February 12, 2010Tanya and Yu Long have poor performances at the competitions they took part, and thus they will be forced to return to their respective coun - S03E06
Leçon 6February 19, 2010Nodame finds that Chiaki has hidden from her the connection between the piece and his concert with Rui and she can't hide from him her dissa - S03E07
Leçon 7February 26, 2010Chiaki helps Rui for their concerto. When Nodame found out, she feels betrayed, and uses that feeling to help her master a piece. Pieces fea - S03E08
Leçon 8March 5, 2010After Chiaki and Rui's concerto, Nodame and Chiaki spend the night together and she proposes to him in the following morning, just to be rej - S03E09
Leçon 9March 12, 2010Nodame has been absent from school and Chiaki starts looking desperately for her, just to find that she was rehearsing for a concerto with S - S03E10
Leçon 10March 19, 2010Nodame's concerto with Stresseman becomes a huge success worldwide. However, she loses the will to keep playing and disappears for a while. - S03E11
La Dernière LeçonMarch 26, 2010Back in Paris, Nodame spends her days quietly playing for children while her friends wonder if she will ever resume her studies or her caree
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