Nodame Cantabile Live Action ep.05

November 21, 2006 | 35 Comments

I didn't enjoy this episode as much as last week mostly because I was unprepared for the plot development that happened in this episode. I thought the series will actually shows the characters in college setting a little bit longer but as it turns out, they're all pretty close to graduating. Oh well, it can't be helped. I just hope it won't affect most of the main cast since I like their interaction with one another. Nodame driving Chiaki insane is nice but she's all too often overpowered by his sadistic chops and strangulation. It's when she combined forces with Ryuutarou and Masumi that Chiaki actually starts feeling overwhelm and that usually leads to some fun-tastic facial expression from every single actors involved in the scene. Actually, I'm wondering if Nodame, Ryuutarou, and Masumi have similar effect on other 'normal' people like Kiyori. I'd love to see her reaction to their behaviour when they stayed at Chiaki's house back in episode 4.

On one rainy day, Nodame is busy typing something on a laptop and looks very satisfied upon seeing the result. She immediately stops what she's doing when Chiaki tells her that they should go to school now. Chiaki is annoyed that Nodame is leeching his internet connection but Nodame claims that she has no choice since her phone has been disconnected. As the two are about to walk into the rain, Nodame realises that her umbrella is full of holes. Because of this, she asks Chiaki to share his umbrella with her. Chiaki promptly refuses so the two end up playing cat and mouse game where Chiaki tries to run away from Nodame so he doesn't have to share his umbrella with her. Chiaki explains how it's been a month since S Orchestra's debut and Nodame is still being parasitic towards him as usual. At the same time, the time for Momogaoka school festival has finally arrived so Ryuutarou suggests that S Orchestra performs at the festival.

All members of S Orchestra are excited about the idea when all of a sudden Strezemann appears and asks them to accompany him to Goukon. Ryuutarou refuses because Strezemann deserted S Orchestra not too long ago. The other agrees, especially the girls, who think he just want to sexually harass them again. Eventually everyone makes fun of Strezemann and ask the perverted old man to go away. Strezemann pretends to be sad about this but he then grabs Chiaki's arms and raised them up so the guy can't move. He then tells everyone that those who want to go to Goukon can grab Chiaki's chest. As a result, the girls immediately flocked to Chiaki. Ryuutarou can't help but wonder if this Strezemann is a real Strezemann. While helping Chiaki escaping his fangirls, Ryuutarou finds out that Chiaki believes this Strezemann is the real deal. Chiaki can tell by looking at the way the old man conducts the Orchestra that this one is Strezemann.

Later on that evening, the girls are upset that Chiaki is not coming to the Goukon. Strezemann tries to convince them that Chiaki will come later on but his lying is interrupted when his phone call rings again and the caller is the blonde gaijin who's been trying to contact him before: Elise. Meanwhile, Chiaki prefers to have a quiet night cooking some food for Nodame. Nodame wonders if it's okay that he doesn't go to Goukon with his teacher. Chiaki thinks that if Strezemann is his teacher, then the guy should have teach him something. This makes him wonder if there is overseas news about Strezemann being in Japan and proceeds to check this on his laptop. He, however, becomes shocked upon starting up his computer and finds Nodame screensaver installed on it. The screensaver basically features Nodame saying "Suki desu" while she puckered up her lips. Nodame then comes into the room and tells Chiaki that with this he can see her anytime.

Chiaki is not impressed and makes an attempt at Nodame's life by tying a scarf around her neck and pulling it tighter everytime she refuses to revert the computer to the way it was. His attempt at homicide, however, turns into horror when it looks as if Nodame gets some kind of pleasure out of the strangulation. In the end, Chiaki decides to punish her by wrapping her with his futon like a rolled carpet and sealed the item with sticky tape. He then uses the power of Goolegle search to find out information about Strezemann. Chiaki is surprised when the first article he finds informs him that Strezemann has gone missing after his concert in London. The next day, a police car and another car comes to the Momogaoka music school. At the same time, the old pervert Strezemann is trying to ask Chiaki which girls on his porn leaflet looks better. Before he can force Chiaki to come with him, a woman's voice can be heard calling him "Franz".

Strezemann is horrified when he realises that the woman is none other than Elise. He tries to run away from her but Elise orders her henchman, Olivier, to go after the old man. A few seconds later, Elise receives confirmation from the henchman that he manages to capture Strezemann so Elise orders the guy to tie up Strezemann and puts him in the car. Before Elise can go back to the car, Chiaki suddenly speaks in German language, asking about her identity. Elise suddenly speaks perfect Japanese and identifies herself as Strezemann's manager and gives Chiaki a card in case someone wants to sue Strezemann for sexual harassment. Chiaki, however, is more interested to know why Strezemann came to Japan in the first place. Elise thinks that it probably has to do with his friend from his university days, Minako Momodaira. She's actually this University's Director. This is why Elise believed she can find Strezemann here.

A few minutes later, Strezemann is gagged and tied inside a car which takes him away from the school. Chiaki is depressed about this because despite Strezemann's perverseness, there are many things that he wants to learn from the Maestro. But now, he lost a teacher once again. That night, Nodame, Ryuutarou, and Masami try to cheer Chiaki up by taking him to Uraken. Much to their surprise, Strezemann appears in the restaurant because he managed to escape from the plane. Strezemann then produces Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 and asks Chiaki to practice the music sheet on his own. When Chiaki asks him why he has to study this, Strezemann simply tells him it's because he's a Piano student and because in the upcoming school festival, he wants Chiaki to become the Piano player for the A Orchestra. Chiaki argues that he's the S Orchestra conductor but Strezemann insists that Chiaki obeys him.

S Orchestra is upset that they've lost their conductor but Ookouchi appears and suggests that they choose him as their new conductor. The next day, Chiaki comes to ask Strezemann the reason why he has to play the piano. Strezemann, however, ignores him when he sees a woman walking downstairs: Minako Momodaira, the Director of this School. After a little reunion, Strezemann tells Minako that on the next School festival, the elite Orchestra, Strezemann himself, and his student, will play Rachmaninoff for her. Meanwhile, S Orchestra is busy designing costumes for their next performance. Nodame is depressed because she can't participate so Ryuutarou suggests that joins them and plays Pianica instead. Sakura then runs to the room to bring the new music sheet for them to practice. At the same time, Chiaki is unhappy that he is forced to play Piano by his Strezemann. Elise then appears inside the auditorium, wanting to know why Chiaki is angry.

Meanwhile, Nodame is looking for Chiaki but she only sees Strezemann, who claims he doesn't know where Chiaki is right now. Back to Elise, she's explaining to Chiaki that Strezemann used to play Piano when he was at Uni but was never serious about it. It was then that he met a girl who suggested that maybe he should become a conductor instead. That girl was a "Madonna" at the college, Minako Momodaira. Strezemann fell in love with her but Minako was already a known Pianist back then and was on her way to become famous. In order to catch up with her, Franz began to study conducting. Unfortunately, Minako then injured her finger so she quit playing Piano and returned to Japan. Elise believes that if Minako didn't injure her finger and continued playing the Piano, she and Strezemann would have stayed connected. Chiaki wonders if Strezemann is still in love with Minako but Elise belives that's not the reason why Strezemann came here.

Elise believes that Strezemann has arrived because Minako asked him to come as an instructor. She believes that the person that he's come exclusively to teach is Chiaki. Apparently other people have begged Strezemann to take them as a pupil before but no one has succeeded. Because of this, she wants Chiaki to return Strezemann to her if he's not serious about studying. Inside the Director's room, Minako asks Strezemann what he thinks about her school. In reply he asks her if this is why she asked him to come. Minako admits that she didn't think he'd actually come but she's happy he did. Moreover, it seems Strezemann already found that student. Strezemann admits that he wasn't planning to stay long but now he can't leave yet. Minako understands that Chiaki is unable to leave Japan so she wonders if there is something that they can do for him. Strezemann, however, thinks that there is one more student that he must take care of.

Strezemann explains that this student reminds him of himself when he was young, of the pain that he used to feel. Cut to a shot of Nodame looking for Chiaki all over the School. Strezemann tells Minako that he'll be very happy if something interesting happens between Nodame and Chiaki. Meanwhile Chiaki is now practicing Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 while reminding himself that this piece starts out gloomily but as it goes on, the song overcomes that gloominess. By the time the song ends, it must demonstrates one's rapture at life. At the same time, Nodame is still looking for Chiaki and manages to find him in the Piano room. Before she can talk to him, however, her friends already dragged her away because the S Orchestra practice is about to start. Later on that night, Chiaki wonders if Nodame is waiting for her meal. In his mind, Nodame is waiting in front of his apartment, crying for food. Much to his surprise, Nodame is still at school.

Chiaki seems glad to see Nodame until she tells him that she has a sad news for him. She explains that she'll be busy with Ryuutarou and the others to prepare for the school festival so she'll be coming home late. Although she knows Chiaki will be lonely, she asks him to eat on his own. Chiaki is pissed off upon hearing this and whacks Nodame's head, asking her which part of that is sad news. He then bullies her by pinching and pulling her cheeks and tells her not to come to his house. The next day during rehearsal with the A Orchestra, Chiaki is scolded by Strezemann who is not happy with his performance. He orders his student to express the song more strongly with his whole body. In retaliation, Chiaki argues he's just not the type to do something like that. Strezemann is angry to hear this and tells Chiaki that he does not understand himself. Because of this, he tells Chiaki that the song needs to be more pretty and romantic.

Strezemann even demonstrates the kind of expression that Chiaki should show while playing the song. Chiaki becomes annoyed when he hears this, wondering why he has to wriggle his body just to play Rachmaninoff. Strezemann is equally angry now and warns Chiaki that he won't forgive an half-hearted performance. Chiaki eventually agrees to practice again from the start because he also doesn't want to do this half-heartedly. While he's busy with his practice, Nodame is also busy making her costume. Masumi wonders what kind of costume Ryuutarou will make but Ryuutarou claims that his fans are making it for him. Unfortunately for him, the fans' idea of costume is an electric pole, a tree, and a telephone. Masumi laughs upon seeing this but doesn't care since this is going to be the last one anyway. Ryuutarou is surprised to hear this so Masumi points out that Ryuutarou is repeating class but he is a fourth year student and will soon graduate.

Because of this, he believes that after this performance, the Orchestra will be retired. Another guy agrees because without Chiaki, there's not much they can do. Speaking of Chiaki, he is now in front of the practice room and is about to enter it when Kiyora spots him. She tells him that she knew it all along that he's worried about S Orchestra. Chiaki pretends that he doesn't care about them but can't help but feeling annoyed when he heard Ryuutarou saying that they won't lose to A Orchestra and Chiaki. Meanwhile, the girls in Saeko's class are impressed to see Chiaki featured in Classic Life. Saeko's rival, Ayako, uses the opportunity to make fun of Saeko, asking her if she regrets dumping Chiaki. Speaking of Classic Life, its journalist, Kawano, is trying to invite a Music Critic called Sakuma to come to the Festival. On the day of the festival, the S Orchestra appears wearing Hakama and Kimono, looking like they're about to go to a traditional wedding.

Masumi is shocked to see this since he's the only one wearing a dress. Everyone else starts to complain as well, accusing Ryuutarou of wanting the Orchestra to dress up this way because his own costume was bad. Ryuutarou disagrees and thinks that to defeat Chiaki, their costume should be cooler. He then starts imagining Chiaki dressing up well and surrounded by flowers. Eventually his Orchestra agrees that their current costume is cool and besides, they don't have to spend money on it since they borrow it from their parents. The only one who's not happy about this is Masumi but they too manage to convince him that he looks fine (not!) in that dress. They are more shocked after seeing Nodame's costume: Mongoose carrying a dead Habu. XD Meanwhile, Chiaki is in the middle of practicing Piano when he hears the door to the room being opened. Someone then drops a ticket to the S Orchestra concert into the room.

Chiaki tries to see the person but all he sees is a big Mongoose running towards the Hallway. Out of pure interest, he decides to check out how the S Orchestra is doing without Strezemann and him. The performance begins in the dark before a single spotlight is focused upon the big Mongoose holding the Pianica. Chiaki immediately suspects that the person inside is Nodame and his guess is confirmed when the Mongoose starts playing the Pianica. The song begins slowly before it erupts into rapture all of a sudden as the light is turned on. Chiaki immediately recognises the song as Rhapsody in Blue. Halfway through the performance, all the string players stand up and perform next to one another. Chiaki thinks that although the Orchestra looks a bit foolish, they have originality and ambition. Once the performance is over, the audience immediately stand up and give praise to the Orchestra. Chiaki himself has a proud look on his face.

That night, Kawano comes together with the music critic, Sakuma. Sakuma is not convinced about Chiaki's ability in Piano but Kawano reminds him that at least he can hear his favourite Rachmaninoff. At the same time, Nodame has taken off her Mongoose mask and wonders if Chiaki saw her performance. Strezemann then appears to congratulate her before turning serious and asks Nodame what she wants to do in the future. Much to Strezemann's surprise, Nodame reveals that she wants to become Kindergarten teacher. Lately, however, she also wants to become Chiaki's wife. Upon hearing this, Strezemann tells her that in her present state, she can't possibly be with Chiaki. Because the time for his performance is coming soon, he thanks Nodame for everything and gives her the watch that Minako gave to him. Backstage, Chiaki is shocked when Strezemann tells him that his time in Japan is up and therefore he wants this performance to be enjoyable.

Masumi, who doesn't see Nodame around concert hall decides to look for her. Nodame explains that she hasn't had the time to change but Masumi suggests that she should stand and watch the performance. Meanwhile, Chiaki is busy lamenting the fact that after this, everything will be over. The thing is, there's so much more he'd like to learn from the Maestro. Once the concert is over, Ryuutarou leads an applause for Chiaki and everyone follows suit. Nodame who's been standing while watching Chiaki's performance finally understands what Strezemann said before. Later on, Strezemann asks Chiaki to pass him the tobacco but Chiaki tells him that he should moderate his drinking/smoking/womanising because Chiaki wants him to live a long life. In return, Strezemann tells him that without those, he would have died. Outside, everyone wonders if S Orchestra will be over for good after this since everyone has to find a job soon.

Impression:

I really don't like seeing S Orchestra separated from Chiaki and vice versa. Without Chiaki's constraint, the S Orchestra becomes messy and looks silly. Without the S Orchestra, Chiaki's technique becomes boring. As a result, the two Orchestral performances in this episode are probably the most disappointing I've seen so far. I'm not by any means a classical music expert so I have no idea if these performances are supposed to be good or bad. All I know is that S Orchestra's performance looked silly and Chiaki/A Orchestra's performance was uninspiring to say the least. Thankfully the majority of the comedy is still as funny as usual. Chiaki's attempted murder on Nodame was both amusing and horrifying because it looks as if Nodame actually enjoys being strangled by him. Nodame's Mongoose costume was also a hoot. It must be really hot and stuffy inside that thing though. I have no idea how anyone could be in it and plays the Pianica well.

Last week I thought the actress who plays Elise is a gaijin but as it turns out, she's actually a Japanese actress, Kichise Michiko. I don't know what the make-up artists did to her but she sure looks the part....until she starts speaking German language. I really wished that they had cast real foreigners to play Strezemann and Elise but I supposed they can't find anyone who look the part and can act well. Anyway, I'm more concerned with how the story will unfold from here on. It's obvious now that the S Orchestra is over and done now since its members are about to graduate. Judging from the preview, the next episode will basically be a farewell episode for the Orchestra. I am mostly concerned about the dynamic between the 5 main characters: Nodame, Chiaki, Ryuutarou, Masumi, and Kiyora. Without S Orchestra, it'll be hard for them to meet each other again, except for Nodame since she'll continue to stalk Chiaki no matter where he moves. :)

© memento 2005