Nodame Cantabile ep.16

May 12, 2007 | 9 Comments

I am sorry to take a little bit of space to talk about it but I think it's necessary to inform everyone about this. A couple of hours ago, my laptop was hit by a strange-looking message, saying that I need to re-activate my Windows using my credit card. If I say 'no', Windows would quit on me and I can't do anything. The thing is, there's something about the message that seems suspicious. It actually asks for your PIN number. Deciding that only a fool will give out his/her credit card to unknown pop ups, I decided to use my desktop computer to find out more about it. As it turns out, the message is a new trojan called Trojan Kardphisher. This is a new Trojan which got unleashed around the 7th of this month so it's relatively new. I managed to over-ride the stupid trojan by giving it fake name and credit card number then flushing out the entire data that it created. Anyway, consider yourself warned and be careful if it happens to you. Well, back to the show.

The episode begins with students from Momogaoka Academy discussing about the various students who have gathered at their school. Fist, there was a Kikuchi, who turned out to be the upperclassman of one of the students. The students also mentioned how all of them have performed in the Nina Lutz music festival last year. Another is surprised that none of them are from their school and yet practicing here. The other, however, explain that this is because they're members of Chiaki's new orchestra. Inside the practice room, Kuroki is giving a few suggestion on how to play the note to Chiaki. Before the entire orchestra can play together, however, he asks Mine and his friend why they are in the orchestra. As it turns out, this Oboe concerto only needs 35 people. There are only 10 first violins and 8 second violins so Chiaki doesn't need Mine and his friend for now. Mine is unhappy about this, complaining why Chiaki chose this piece.

After Mine and his friend left the concerto, the group begins practicing Mozard's Concerto for Oboe. Chiaki seems very pleased with Kuroki's ability as an Oboe player. Mine likens Kuroki's spirit to that of a Bushido. As Chiaki directs his orchestra to play the music to his liking, he realises that these people are all great players and have good intuition. Later on that night, Nodame is laughing after she finds out that Chiaki is playing Mozart. She thinks it's funny because Mozart is associated with the color of Pink. Chiaki has no idea what Nodame talks about and ends up becoming grumpy. He orders her to go home after she finish eating because he has some studying to do. Much to his surprise, Nodame asks for her 4th helping of rice. This causes him to wonder about what he heard when he and the others went drinking. However, when Chiaki asks Nodame what she is studying at the moment, Nodame decides to deflect the question.

Instead, she tells Chiaki that she'll bring something to eat at his next rehearsal. Chiaki immediately refuses and orders Nodame never to come to his rehearsal. Later on Chiaki tells himself that he doesn't want to play around with this orchestra. Besides, he doesn't want to get too friendly with them. The next day at rehearsal, Chiaki feels that the music is more like smoky silver than pink. Having said that, he wish Kuroki would have played the song with more flair like Mozart would have played it. During lunch break, Chiaki is horrified when Nodame appars to bring him miso soup and rice balls. He immediately threatens bodily harm, reminding her that she's not allowed to come. Nodame claims that she's just going to drop this off before leaving. However, when she notices the other members, she wants to introduce herself to them. Chiaki stops her and asks the girl why she's not at her lesson today. Nodame stammers and lies that Tanioka is sick.

Chiaki, however, refuses to believe this and decides to give Tanioka a call. Nodame tries to stop him by saying that he's actually not sick but in Mexico with his family. Chiaki suddenly realises that Nodame is behaving strangely because she never skipped lesson before. While Chiaki tries to get some information from Nodame, however, Kuroki appears to interrupt them. Nodame uses the opportunity to get away from Chiaki and to give the miso soup and rice balls to Kuroki. She then runs away from Chiaki before the guy can ask her more question. Chiaki, however, is determined to tell him what's going on. Meanwhile, Kuroki is now fixated on Nodame and asks Chiaki if she's his girlfriend. Chiaki denies this and claims that Nodame is just his underclassman. When Kuroki asks for Nodame's name, however, Chiaki notices that the guy blushes as he spells out Noda Megumi. It is clear to a horrified Chiaki that Kuroki has a crush on Nodame.

Meanwhile inside the rehearsal room, Mine is admiring Kiyora's violin playing. Because of this, he comes over, grabs her hand, and begs her to take him as her pupil. In exchange, Mine promises to treat her to anything, or rather his father will. Kiyora refuses and tells Mine that he surely has his own instructor. In reply, Mine tells her that he loves her violin playing. Their conversation comes to a hal when Chiaki reminds them that the rehearsal is about to start again. Because of this, Kiyora punches Mine to the side. Before they can practice, however, Kikuchi has a phone call from his girlfriend. In the end, the entire orchestra looks as if they're in the mood for love. Even Kuroki starts playing his violin in different ways. Chiaki realises that the orchestra, which was formerly smoky silver has now turned into Pink Mozart. Meanwhile, outside the building, Harisen is busy looking for Nodame, who's hiding behind the bush.

Later on that day, Nodame can be seen inside the class writing children song. Her friends are surprised upon finding out that Nodame aspires to become a preschool teacher. Maki is especially horrified when she realises that Nodame actually has plan for her future while she doesn't have any. While Nodame drawing on a piece of paper, she realise that her drawing of her 'husband' turns fat like Harisen-sensei. Much to her horror, Harisen is now standing behind her. Meanwhile, Chiaki finds out from Tanioka-sensei that Nodame is now under Harisen's instruction. Cue in Nodame running away from Harisen outside the building. Upon seeing this, Chiaki tells Tanioka that he doesn't think Harisen and Nodame are going to work. Tanioka, however, claims that he's not a teacher who can pull energy from students who don't have them. However, students are important to him so that's why he helped Nodame composing those silly songs.

Elsewhere, Nodame manages to elude Harisen and finds herself talking to Kuroki, who wants to return the thermos and the wrapper. Nodame decides to use the opportunity to ask Kuroki if it's strange that someone who tries to be a pre-school teacher aims for a higher goal. Kuroki doesn't understand what Nodame meant by this but he tells her that he's happy if he can play Oboe well. Meanwhile, Harisen ends up telling Chiaki that his 'woman' is naturally odd. Despite her denial, Chiaki ends up giving Harisen an advice on how to deal with Nodame. That advice turns out to be for him to buy Nodame some PuriGorota figurines and place them in front of the class. Nodame ends up picking them and comes to the class. She, however, wants to run away again when she finds out it's Harisen who's behind it. Eventually, however, Nodame agrees to be his student if Harisen would help her compose her song and won't hit her again.

Impression:

I really like Kuroki and wish that he gets more role in the series but unfortunately I don't think we'll see that in the anime. Nodame seems to be back on her cheerful mood after last week's episode, which is kind of strange. On that note, I never understands what Nodame meant with her saying that Mozart is Pink. How can one associates a music with colour? Is it because Mozart's songs tend to be on the romantic side? Speaking of romance, I love the expression on Chiaki's face when he finds out that Kuroki has a crush on Nodame. I don't think it's a jealousy but more like puzzled as to why anyone will be attracted to Nodame. It's kind of rude but it's perfectly in character for Chiaki. The most surprising revelation in this episode, however, is the fact that Nodame actually has a detail plan for her future. For someone who seems to be laidback, she seems to know what she wants to do. Last but not least her chase scene with Harisen was hilarious.

Preview:

On next week's episode: Kuroki and his reed.

© memento 2003