Nodame Cantabile ep.19

June 5, 2007 | 14 Comments

I never really pay that much attention to the second ending theme but lately I'm starting to like it. I think it reminds me a little bit of Honey and Clover ending themes, Waltz and Split. I must be feeling nostalgic. It's been a year since that series ended and I have yet to find another anime series that can be the successor to that series. I was hoping Nodame would be the one but while I love the live-action, this anime adaptation has been quite underwhelming. The lack of details in the background, the static performance sequence, and lead voice actress which doesn't really mesh with Nodame's character really hurt this adaptation a little bit. Oh well, with only 4 more episodes left, I hope the animators will start using the budget to make the remaining episodes look good.

The episode begins with Chiaki and the orchestra performing Brahms Symphony No.1 in C minor. Throughout the performance, Sakuma can't help but noticing that Chiaki seems to be burdened with despair and wonders why this is the case. Despite this, Chiaki seems capable of leading his orchestra to deliver an excellent performance and is rewarded accordingly with loud applause from the audiences. After the performance ends, Saiko goes over to talk to a friend so Nodame uses the opportunity to approach to Chiaki's mother. That night, Chiaki stares at the dark Sky from his balcony and thinks how he used to dislike the humid weather of Japan but lately it doesn't seem so bad. Nodame then appears and disrupts his thought by saying that she has a present for him. She then produces Strezemann's watch and proceeds to hypnotise Chiaki again. Once Chiaki falls asleep, Nodame tells him that right now he's inside a plane that takes him from Vienna back to Japan.

A flashback reveals that during her conversation with Chiaki's mother, Nodame found out that Chiaki wasn't alone during his plane accident. In the present, Nodame reminds Chiaki that back then there was someone sitting his right side. Under the hypnosis, Chiaki remembers that the person is an old man who liked music. The man in question was telling his wife that they should go back to see Vierra's performance again next year. It was then that the plane was shaken by turbulence and the old man suffered from heart attack. His wife tried to find his medicine but the bottle fell onto the floor during the turbulence. Chiaki tried to reach for the bottle but failed to do so. In the present time, Nodame convinces Chiaki that the incident was not his fault so she tells him that he can board on airplane again now. Before leaving the room, she asks Chiaki to open his eyes when the alarm goes off and to forget everything that transpired during the hypnosis.

Back in Uraken, Kiyora is still basking from the limelight of the last concert when Mine tells her that they should be preparing for their next performance. At first Kiyora is not sure until Mine's father shows her the critical reviews and the amount of money that they get from their first concert. Kuroki agrees to do it right away while Kikuchi agrees but hopes that the next one will be Cello concert. They, however, can't find Chiaki at his house. As it turns out, Chiaki is at the airport, ready to board on a plane. Since Chiaki is afraid to go on his own, he decided to drag Toshihiko along with him. Toshihiko also doesn't understand why they're going to Hokkaido instead of to Europe right away. As it turns out, this is because Nodame asked Chiaki to go to Hokkaido and purchase some crabs and souvenirs for her. Despite his initial fear, Chiaki eventually able to relax inside the plane once he subconsciously remembers Nodame's words.

Eventually Chiaki makes his way back to Tokyo carrying the foods that Nodame ordered. However, he soon realises that Nodame is not around. She has left a letter and a potted plant in front of his apartment, asking him to take care of it while she's away. At the same time, Nodame is in the middle of practicing her piano with Etou-sensei. However, Nodame ends up falling asleep because she ate too much during breakfast. Etou is not impressed upon to see this and yells at her, asking her is she wants to play Schubert or Beethoven. He also wonders if she's serious about the competition but Nodame tells her with straight face that she's really going to do this and starts practicing the song again. Etou is surprised to know that Nodame has been practicing but he can't help wondering why she suddenly wants to enter the competition. Once Nodame finished playing, she asks Etou if she can win this but he points out that Nodame has only practiced briefly.

He thinks she'd be better off taking her chance next year but Nodame tells him that next year will be too late. One way or the other, she intends on winning the Maradona Piano Concours since the 1st prize will be 2 million yen as well as a scholarship to study overseas. Outside the house, Chiaki can't believe his eyes when he sees Nodame studying piano with Etou-sensei. His thought is interrupted when Etou's wife, Kaori, recognises him. Upon seeing Kaori, Chiaki decides to hand over the Crabs and the souvenirs, instructing her to make sure that everyone eats them during dinner. Chiaki is shocked when Kaori informs him that Nodame tells him that Nodame came here because she wants to practice for the Maradona Piano Concours. As the two listen to Nodame's performance, Kaori realises that Nodame's version of Schubert's Sonata sounds a bit different. Chiaki believes that it's impossible for Nodame to do this since her style is not appropriate for a musical performance.

Having said that, he admits that Nodame's technique is great and he understands what Etou feels. However, Chiaki wonders if Etou can fix Nodame's weakness. Meanwhile, Kaori thanks Chiaki because she thinks it's thanks to him that Etou doesn't have his Harisen (paper fan) anymore. Apparently after Chiaki left him as a teacher, Etou became really depressed and changed a little bit. Since he doesn't want to disturb Nodame's lesson, Chiaki decides to go home right away. He believes if Nodame is really serious about studying piano then he'd be better off leaving her in the hands of Harisen. During dinner time, Nodame and Etou are surprised to see large Crabs waiting for them on the dinner table. Upon finding out that the Crabs are from Chiaki, Nodame realises that he went to Hokkaido as requested. Etou tells Kaori that the Crabs are Chiaki's presents for his girlfriend. Meanwhile, Chiaki's family celebrates Chiaki's ability to leave Japan.

Impression:

For some reason, I prefer seeing Mine going with Chiaki to Hokkaido like in the live action version. I just don't think Chiaki is that close to his cousin, Toshihiko, to the point that he'll beg the guy to come with him. Apart from this, however, everything is quite similar. I think the most surprising part about the episode is the fact that Nodame actually gets along with Chiaki's mother quite well. In addition to this, Chiaki's mother seems appreciative of what Nodame has done for her son. It's rare to see a girlfriend and potential mother-in-law getting along with one another in a story. I find it refreshing that the author didn't go for the predictable mother-in-law disapproval route. Come to think of it, the majority of obstacles in Nodame and Chiaki's relationship actually come from the two characters themselves. They are quite different from one another in both upbringing and personalities. I think these differences are more than enough to provide the necessary conflict in their relationship.

Preview:

On next week's episode: Nodame practice and practice.

© memento 2003