Nodame Cantabile The Movie 1

It was in September 2009 when I get to know about the upcoming of this movie [read here]. Waited for so long that it felt like I'm waiting for my love one to return home from a VERY long journey far away from home. After my peaceful evening with Chiaki-sempai *heart*, not even the hot weather can spoil my springy feeling. Yes, I was in the pink Mozart moment. English sub however would have turn all the roses blooming. Reading the manga and watching the anime eventually became handy since it connected my way to the Weirdo Forest.


And so.. here I go sharing my beloved Chiaki's story with spoilers. By the way, just so you know... this is not a full recap (I watched it RAW). I will be explaining things based on the manga and the anime. Plus... a loving note to Redge, my brain worked in the most "weirdest way" especially when it involved Shinichi Chiaki so just laugh off and forget about my "own lines" that I made throughout this review when/if you're watching this with subs ya! *hugs* to Rin-chan, do you want to join me in the Weirdo Forest? huhuhu~~~

Anyway, previously from Nodame Cantabile SP (Europe Chapter), Chiaki and Nodame weird relationship had grown deeper. The movie started with Stresseman scene, riding on a horse somewhere in Germany. Suddenly I can't help but wonder if they already spilled the bean here regarding Streseman's condition so I will keep this to myself for a while just so that it will not spoil your mood. An owl that looked like it just came out from Harry Potter's world dropped a newspaper for Streseman, with Chiaki's news at the front page.

Meanwhile back in Paris, Nodame kept admiring the gift that Chiaki bought for her while she was on the bus with Tanya and Frank (friends from the conservatoire). While they were having their conversation, Frank spotted the advertisement for Deschamps Orchestra with Jean Donnadieu's face on it (Chiaki's strongest opponent in the Platini Concour - a Conductor Competition). The advertisements were everywhere including on the flying blimp on the air :). While Frank and Tanya arguing each other on the possibility why Chiaki was not the one hired by Deschamps Orchestra (since he was the one who won 1st place in the Concour and previously was the guest conductor of Deschamps Orchestra (in Nodame Cantabile SP), Nodame sat there in silence (**probably thinking is Chiaki will be okay?).

Then there was Elise's laughing... laughing happily because Jean (she's a BIG fan) secured his place at Deschamps Orchestra instead of Chiaki. She however got Chiaki another deal... as the resident conductor with Roux Marlet Orchestra. Least to Chiaki's known that Roux Marlet is a once-so-famous-but-falling-lately orchestra house. But knowing that it was where Stressman first began his music career with sparked him with interest.

Elise with her outrageous way of work as so-called-Chiaki's manager but teasing him for losing his Deschamps Orchestra to Jean Donnadieu. (Note: Notice Jean's face on the blimp way behind at the background?)

Later in the day, Chiaki and Nodame had a simple meal (as Chiaki called it). After dinner, just when Chiaki was about to ask Nodame to come with him to watch Roux Marlet Orchestra performance the next day, Chiaki found Nodame was already asleep. Chiaki looked at the sleeping Nodame and said, "Lately it's always been like this, even though she said nothing. More so, she must be tired with all the things that she studied in the conservatoire. Me too... there's still much for me to learn "

A dinner of celebration? How long had we missed these two? xoxo

The next day, while Nodame at the conservatoire and was talking with Kuroki, there was a sudden commotion. As Nodame ran to see what was it all about, Tanya told Nodame that everyone was excited because the number one pianist, Son Rui had come to the conservatoire. Just to refresh you memory on who Son Rui was, she did a concerto with Chiaki before while Chiaki was still training under Streseman and the concerto actually once broke Nodame heart and spirit.

Meanwhile, Chiaki was dragged by Frank to play as an extra in Roux Marlet Orchestra (Chiaki was also good playing violin). Chiaki tried to resist and told Frank that since he was going to be the orchestra permanent conductor, they will surely recognise him. But Frank had back-up plan for that. He made a disguise for Chiaki and man was Chiaki looked weirder (but Rae loves him anyway :P). Chiaki ended up following Frank's suggestion thinking this might be a good opportunity for him to actually have a sneak peek on the orchestra after all. Inside the hall, Chiaki looked at the pieces that they're going to rehearse for the day and thought, "It had been a long time since high school. I might enjoy myself," and started to play (or something like that :P *giggle*. oh my super confident Chiaki!!!). As he played tremendously well (since the other members stopped doing what they're doing), the concert master came in and told him not to expect to much. Of course Chiaki recognised him from before. Before Chiaki could actually listened (and rehearse) with the group, the orchestra manager rushed in and told them a bad news - The recent conductor who were supposed to conduct them in the next concert had canceled his participation and returned home.. and practise for the day was canceled. Chiaki later overheard the conversation between the oke's manager(oke = short form for orchestra) and the concert master regarding the conductor issue. But from what he heard, it did not sound like the oke was feeling so happy to have him as their new conductor. Worst of all, the oke manager said they decided on Chiaki because he's young and CHEAP!! LOL~~~



After hearing what the concert master commented on him, Chiaki decided to do a well preparation for the next practise. But in the midst of this, he was disrupted by a phone call. It was Son Rui.

Chiaki went out to meet Son Rui not knowing that Nodame had been following (stalking) Rui from the conservatoire.

After the "love attack" by Nodame (they tried very hard to make it look like from the manga *me love*), the three of them went to Chiaki's house. While Son Rui told Chiaki that she's going to stay/ study in Paris and all, Nodame left them after introduced herself as Chiaki's wife. As Rui was about to leave, she give a quick kiss on Chiaki's cheek (of course a gesture the European normally do). Nodame, shocked by Chiaki's "normal"acceptance argue about it and she was then "thrown out" from the Chiaki's apartment. (** Rae knew that Chiaki however felt bad about it.. sigh)

Son Rui, Nodame and Chiaki at Chiaki's house while Nodame was all-up-acting as Chiaki's wife.

Now, having seeing this scene (not included in the trailer from youtube), I was slightly disappointed just like when I watched the anime. This scene could have been funnier if it was presented like in the manga (where Son Rui and Chiaki had conversation in English and talking bad about Nodame - Nodame speaks French and know very little English while Son Rui was not supposed to be good in her French*sigh*).

The two of them eventually went out shopping together the next day while Chiaki had his first rehearsal with Roux Marlet Oke

Well okay, so I had not introduce this person well enough. Let's meet the person who was going to make Chiaki's life even more miserable; the Roux Marlet's manager. Personally, I think the live-action manager looked more comical than the manga's version. In the manga, his name was Theo.
By the way, did I already mentioned Son Rui was like getting in between Chiaki and Nodame? Owh... I did :P but nothing could be more "nan desu ka!" moment from me when Son Rui played the celesta instead of Nodame (yeah!! thanks to you Mr. Roux Marlet Manager!!- sarcastic mode). It broke my heart more when Nodame insisted Chiaki to let Son Rui played instead of her after seeing the change of the orchestra's atmosphere to more positively after they met the world-well-known Son Rui (and thought that she was the one Chiaki's suggested to play the celesta to replace the missing person).

Nodame was so happy when Chiaki called and asked her to fill in the celesta seat that she even had a celebration @ Weirdo Forest.

Only to ...

Chiaki: Don't hide! Come out!
Nodame: It's okay sempai
Chiaki: But you're the one I asked
Nodame: It's okay. I'm not going to play! It's fine if Rui does it. (Nodame changed her tune-->) You have to observe the mood here. This is what I'm good for... (Nodame's hand movement..)
silence..............
Chiaki: I'm sorry

Okay, I had been through this scene numerous time through the anime and the manga but it still breaks my heart!

At the end, the performance *with Rui on stage* ended with a BIG wohoo!!! (another sarcastic comment).

Matsuda-sama making faces while listening to the orchestra.
I think I missed Matsuda (the R*Star*oke conductor) from the previous season.

For those who have not yet watched the first season and SP, there was a flashback on what happened before (and how I missed those old days of Chiaki and Nodame) and it sure brought lots of memories *heart*.

Kuroki then made another appearance when he was practising with Tanya in order to join Chiaki's oke at Roux Marlet.

And while we're at it, you should not miss Nodame's killer stew that almost killed (literally speaking) Kuroki-kun earlier. Yes, that's why he excused himself from having dinner at Nodame's house leaving poor Frank and Tanya which, both of them later suffered from stomachache (and Tanya fainted at the end of Kuroki's audition to enter Chiaki's oke).

In the almost 3rd quarter of the movie, there's a short appearance of Jean and his Japanese girlfriend (forgot her name *sigh*) doing some advertisement activity (shouldn't this done by other people??) and met with a Nippon style of advertisement thanks to Nodame. I actually missed this another-weird-couple very much.

As the story went on, Chiaki finally improved his PR skill, getting along with the concert master and the rest of the orchestra, along with some more new additional team members (and Kuroki-kun of course since he made it into the oke). But while the movie closed with Chiaki's excellent performance (it really was!!) and managed to stand proud... Nodame sat there with her eyes staring on the floor.

and with that... the movie 1
~fin~

I knew what will be coming in the second movement, "thanks" to the spoiler at the end of the first part. Therefore it made my heart cried out for more. While I find Kuroki to appear more manlier, Chiaki had grown much older (comparing to the very first season of NC) but man he glow. Well okay, I could have biased here :P but Chiaki was like my ultimate sempai okay... so hush!!! Even though that this series were by far the best adaptation from manga to live screen yet (in Rae's opinion), there's of course flaws (which I think were hard to resist) in attempting to get the comical manga feeling. Yup, in case you have not notice... the double-body of Nodame by using a plush toy (it looked plushy to me) was epic <-- sarcastic comment.

After MONTHS of waiting for the first part of the movie... I can't help but wonder, "Can I wait until the end of the year for the second part?". Worst yet... I might had to wait for NEXT YEAR! *faint*.

Nodame Cantabile

There's moment when I cannot seemed to differentiate on "which in which" between the manga, anime and the live-action drama. The utmost supreme ability to quote every details from scene (including in which chapter of which volumes) belongs to my imooto. I normally get mixed up with everything and my "playful mind" usually told me that the manga had been released in anime (even though they're NOT). That's how I ended reading manga since those pages were just like film reels in my head *tsk tsk tsk*.

For months.... (not exaggerating here.. its the TRUTH), me and some other so called loyal followers of Nodame+Chiaki had been lurking, sniffing, searching.. everywhere (literally speaking) for the Nodame Cantabile the Movie. I was glad however to find the latest anime series and the side story (manga). Instead of checking where it actually ended in the previous season of anime (the reason why I need to explain myself earlier :-P), let's move on to where will the finale season (of anime) pick things up? ^^

NC the Anime: Finale

After watching the first two episodes, I believe this season covered (will covers) the remaining stories from the manga that the precious season-Paris Chapter, left. I have the feeling that the movie will cover the same thing as well. Although I do not really fancy Son Rui's more appearance, I am so looking forward for Nodame's performance with Stresseman.

To watch the anime streaming online:

Nodame Cantabile: Finale Episode 1

Nodame Cantabile Finale Episode 2

NC the manga: Nodame Cantabile Encore - Opera Hen Manga Chapters

After a disappointing ending of the NC manga, this one volume edition is a welcome sight! Nodame and Chiaki are back in Japan and had you noticed that I spoke about it as if they're real people in the real world? muahahha....

This one volume will tells the story of Chiaki's first Opera Concerto along with Nodame's first recital in Japan. The thing that made me excited about this volume (other than Tomoko's effort to make a heal therapy for the disappointing ending previously) was because it looked like the old troops of S-Oke from the earlier story will be "there with me". YEAY!!!

Now, this is another "something" that made the year 2010 starts wonderful!

Nodame Cantabile Extra??

I must had missed seeing this side note!

Did you see it?

An extra story's starting 10 Dec

I am so happy!

Let's hope Tomoko-san really WILL come out with the extra or the recent ending will put me in discontent-mode forever :(

Nodame Cantabile the manga @ chapter 136... ~fin~

"This is too sudden.

My brain is still processing what I had just seen.
Could it be?
There must be something wrong here, ne?
The ending??
How... could .. ?
What's with that ending???
Please tell me I was misinformed.. I must had misread the lines between, right!
Do.. please! someone!!
arghhh!!!!!
No!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! "

After many-many days (it's been weeks actually), Rae's back to sane and receive the news well. Or is she? *sigh*

Just like Rhino the hamster from the animation Bolt said, "Is my eyes deceiving me?". I had the same thought when I got to read what's written on the series profile.

Nodame Cantabile
OM Rank 184
Chapter: 136 completed


*****pause*****

&
repeat

completed

I need days to process that one single word.

More days to accept it.

and many-many days to get myself together again and re-click on the series to re-check the status. *pat-pat... brave Rae*

Yes, the draft of this post had been started written out last week but I only get to finish this now. Had I told you that Rae can get overboard with manga too? *tsk tsk tsk*.

The last time I rambled about this favourite Josei manga of mine was at chapter 133 when Chiaki had a concerto with Son Rui for the second time [read here]. Then later Nodame proposed to Chiaki in a most non-romantic way but we all knew she's serious about it because she looked into his eyes! Chiaki was shocked by the proposal, he instead told Nodame to quit playing around, be more serious with her music and requested some time off from Nodame.

Nodame later pulled a successful concerto with Stresseman/"Milch" after the Maestro found her in her poorest emotional state. Later when Elise decided (on her own of course) to make Nodame one of the company's "money maker", Nodame fled for a tour around the world. Feeling unsatisfied for her mission is likely to fail, Elise called Chiaki and report. Of course Chiaki felt that it could be part of his fault as well and rush back "home" to Paris to look after her and just to find that she's not there (Nodame was after all on a trip around the world) *wink*.

When Nodame's back in Paris (she took an extra time however for she over slept on the train and missed her stop), she acted like nothing's happened and encounter with a new friendship with another weird musician girl. She managed to replenish her excitement with music once again and Chiaki still kept his distance (owhh... I hate Chiaki for this!!). Chiaki thought that the reason for her behaviour was because she's pushed to her limit to play decent classical music (which of course she hated so much). As Chiaki stood behind the door listening to Nodame and told himself that it's ok to let her do her own way, the children (whose visiting Nodame) questioned if Nodame really can play piano that well. Of course that blew her up and she showed-off to the children how well she can play.


Thus she played Beethoven Piano Sonata which led to ...

(disclaimer: all photos credits to onemanga)



Chiaki was MOVED (totally love this) and he proposed to her in a unique way.

Yup, it's a love call from Chiaki to do a concerto with him.

But Nodame do what she do best! REJECTING CHIAKI.. (again *sigh*). It's cute how Nodame rejected it though saying she had done it with Milch and there could never be possibility to have a greater one than that.

"If it goes bad and sempai turns out to be a failure, I don't think I can continue loving sempai"
(Good excuse Nodame. Let Chiaki eats his own medicine!!)

Nodame told her sempai that anime nor food can ever bribed her anymore. She's a grown up lady (or is she?? hehehe). Chiaki however just know the right button to motivate Nodame. He brought her to Nina Lutz the pianist's house (remember her from the summer musical camp way back in the series?).

Chiaki said, "We can play Mozart's Piano Sonata for Two Pianos".
(Now, I seriously can hear they play this piece.. had you missed the line again? ehem...)

awww... It's like a call back to their first performance together. After a long time, this is one of my favourite part. Remember how after they performed it way back Nodame confessed that she's falling for Chiaki? Yup, it's back again! *smile*

Not just Chiaki managed to revived Nodame's love to him/ music, Nina had found who was the person playing the piano at the summer music camp years back.

So, what follows after that?

Nodame's decided to be a better pianist and went back to Professor Auclair only to find that she lagged a semester (for being on the concerto with Stresseman and tour around the world). She then was sent again to do a recital at the Bunoa House (the Mozart's fanatic fan who owned a castle) but now with more audience. Chiaki is still struggling with Marlet and even had to preformed on a non-musical event... read ONION FESTIVAL (tsk-tsk, poor Chiaki!!!).

Meanwhile, the side stories are pretty interesting. Tanya went along with Kuroki-kun (cute....) while Frank met his destiny with Son Rui (ahh.. the least expected).

So what drove Rae nuts?

The ending was unsatisfying. I was really.. really... really.. REALLY... looking forward for that concerto of Nodame & Chiaki for the closing.

Will the live-action version fulfills my dream? I wonder. At this moment, all spoilers are welcome. *wink*

"Nodame The Movie"'s Trailer

oh my! oh my! I'm so happy that I screamed when I saw them. *lol~~~* Gosh! gosh! I'm so freaking happy that I don't really know what to say!

Please excuse me first so that I can think in a clearler state mind... ehem!

KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA *scream*

okay, I'm so good now.

Now, those fellow regular readers of Love&Fever should know that I've been seriously following the manga, ne? ermm.. you had not? Well, now you knew *hehehe*. My devotion towards the manga is another reason why I'm so yipee-yaying about this upcoming movie. WHY? Because I can't wait to watch some memorising scene from the manga inside the movie *based on the very promising trailer*. So now, unless you don't mind with the PROBABLY spoilers, do continue with the reading.


video credits to DaEun7

@ 0:28 Nodame is screaming.. jump unto our ermm... my favourite sempai, Chiaki-kun (yes.. I have my fav sempai and my fav sunbae *hehee*) while Son Rui is standing there.

What am looking forward to? I hope this leads to the in the apartment scene where Nodame introduces herself as Chiaki's wife to Son Rui and Chiaki speaks badly about her to Son Rui while speaks in English (note: Nodame only speaks French and not so fluent in English). Hilarious scene but pitied so much on Nodame *giggle*.

@0:41 Nodame sneaked to preview Chiaki's practise hour with that cute hair-do
What am looking forward to? I hope this leads to Chiaki finding out about Nodame's sneaking, commenting about her weird style, arguing, talk about music and the entire universe.. yada-yada yada... hehehe

What am looking MORE forward to?
-Nodame proposes to Chiaki! oh yes! How will that turn out to be (I wonder and so excitedly cannot wait either).

What am SO NOT looking forward to?
-Son Rui "snatched" Nodame's opportunity to do a concerto with Chiaki at Roux Marlet when Chiaki basically wanted Nodame to be the pianist *grrrr*
-Another Chiaki's formal concerto with Son Rui (using the song that Nodame wanted the most to play along with Chiaki) *grrrr*

Hmmm... if the movie really catch up things with the manga, that means we'll be seeing more Son Rui in the first part. owh! Did I said the first part? Yup, just like Nodame Cantabile SP, Nodame Cantabile the movie will look like be released in two parts; first one around Dec 19 2009 while the second part somewhere in 2010 (and now we're still in the month of September!).

For the time being, all the NC's fans should meddle around the Weirdo Forrest, ne!

Nodame Cantabile the manga

I had heartache and tummy-ache reading Nodame Cantabile chapter 133. Well, I had the "sick" feeling towards Chiaki since chapter 120.

SICK since he's been so naively clueless on Nodame. ~Yes Chiaki, my heart "hurts" too when Son Rui played The Ravel, the piece Nodame had been dreamed on to do it with you, not just yours *sigh*.

Then the tense piled up on Nodame & Maestro Stresemann concert *wonder if they'll have those in the coming Movie ????*

Later the anxiety came when Nodame's proposing to CHiaki *damn that Chiaki!*.

Now, must I wait another month to see if Chiaki will accept Nodame's proposal? *sigh*. He's getting all the romantic groove but my favourite "mangoose" had turned less weirder.

p/s: I'm getting mood-swing. Will write better review next time... *sigh*

Fell in love with...

During every meeting between my siblings, we must had our regular talks/chats about the manga we read... and of course the chat led to the heroes in the mangas.

I do not know about you but as for me and my sisters, we fell in love with at least one character from a story... well, and most of the time.. more than 1 ^^.

Crazy? Blame the illustrators and the writers for this craziness. However, recently my sister, Joy did higlighted a few facts that I did not really concerned of before. It were the facts that, we actually did not feel in love because these heroes' look only but their character as well and how we usually fell for the weirdest, ecentric and coolest person. Now... let's do our little analysis regarding this matter.

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1. my latest craze... Nodame Cantabile (yes.. I finally read the manga till the latest ^^)

fell in love with... none other but Chiaki Shinichi along together with of course the ecentric and original Mine Ryutaro

white hair- Mine & dark hair-Shinichi

2. Naruto.. have been following this one since it started back in 2000.

9 years later

I had a numbers of favourites in this one. Let me list them down from the best to the least (of my favourites). *drum roll...*

Sasuke Uchiha (need to say more??)

Kakashi Hatake (the white fang.. love him)

Minato Namikaze (oh my... am more in love with the daddy than the son)

Naruto Uzumaki (how can we not love Naruto???)

Itachi Uchiha (I am so in love with the Uchiha Clan's...)

Shikamaru Nara (love him for his genius side)

Sai (the cutest ANBU ever and the latest member of team 7... love him though he's on Danjoh's side)

Gaara (yup.. someone from outside Konoha)

3. Gokusen
Sawada Shin aka Young Master Red Lion*drool*.. (Rin-chan, you're responsible for this fever *wink*)
4. Slamdunk

These guys not only have pretty faces.. Takehiko-sama made their movement so great as well... kyaaa~~~

Rokawa Kaede!!!! kawaiii...~~~~~
Mitsui Hisashi
Sendo Akira

5. Death Note
This one is very vice versa from the on-screen version. In the manga..

I originally fell for Yagami Raito! But on-screen's Raito was lame... LAME!!!!!

and of course the dear L

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Okay, five exibits are enough... I really should stop here! I can go forever with this *sigh*. yup.. those guys ermm.. characters made my heart goes.. somehow like Redge expressed as~~ doki-doki (??) *giggles*

The verdict.. I do have a variety of interest, ne???
p/s: do not bother to ask about my sisters' fav... you might see the same list.. almost