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ファイト／ステイナイト 
In general, this is a satisfying finale for the anime adaptation. There's no surprises or extremely powerful scenes like the live-action's final episodes but the episode was solid. This brings my point to the live-action adaptation. I think it was unfortunate that the live-adaptation came first before the anime. I didn't think it would have been a big deal at first but I was wrong. If the anime had been given equal or better budget than the live-action adaptation, it might have had the chance to compete on equal level. However, it's obvious that this production was strained in terms of money and time. I also think it was a mistake for the animator to try to replicate Honey and Clover's visual look for this series. It's just not the right look for the series to use. With the exception of the static illustrations, the water-color effect don't have as much impact as it did when it was used in Honey and Clover.
The episode begins with Chiaki conducting the R☆S Orchestra to perform Beethoven Symphony No.7. Chiaki remembers how 2 years ago, he began his first conducting experience but was deemed as failure by Stresemann. As the scenes flash through the different scene throughout the series, Chiaki tells himself that he feels like starting all over again with this piece. As various members of the orchestra express their desire to be in this orchestra once again, Chiaki wonders what 'Rising Star Orchestra' actuall means. Because of this, he is determined to change the name. Later on, the orchestra celebrates their success by going to a drinking party. The twin sisters, Moe and Kaoru use the party to thank Chiaki for allowing them to join the orchestra. Chiaki, however, tells them that they got in because he received their sample CD and found out that they really are good. The girls are so happy to hear this that they decide to glomp him.
Not wanting to be outdone by the girls, Masumi also decide to express his 'happiness' by glomping the poor guy. Takahashi wants to join in the glomping orgy but Masumi is not so willing to include him and instead slam Takahashi's face against the floor while twisting the guy's hand. While Masumi is busy doing this, Kuroki asks Chiaki if he's going overseas. The rest then join in the conversation to let him know that Mine has told them that he's going to Europe soon. Mine, however, wants Chiaki to find a good conductor to replace him. In response Chiaki tells everyone that Matsuda Yukihisa will be his replacement. Everyone is happy to hear this, prompting Chiaki to realise that with this announcement, his job is finally over. The next day, Chiaki visits Nodame's apartment only to find an empty room. He becomes upset when he notices the pocket watch that Stresemann gave her, realising that he might never be able to hear her playing piano again.
At the same time, Etou tries to contact Nodame but she doesn't seem to answer both phone or email. Unfortunately, Etou seems to have an urgent news to pass on to her. Back to Chiaki, he decides to go through the package that Nodame's parents sent her, in the hope that it contains a phone number. Unfortunately the only thing listed in the packaging is just her home address in Fukuoka. Chiaki, however, remembers that Sakuma once said musicians become famous because they meet important people, prompting him to go to Kyuushuu to visit Nodame. Despite this, he declares that if Nodame rejects him again for the second time, he'll never forgive her. In fact, he is still annoyed with the rejection because he had to muster up some courage just to be able to say those words. He can't believe that he would bring someone as strange as her with him. At the same time, Nodame suddenly starts playing piano again, impressing everyone in her neighbourhood.
Nodame receives an applause from her grandmother upon finishing her piece. Her grandmother believes that the song in question must be something that Nodame learnt at the school. Upon hearing the applause, Nodame remembers how the audience cheered for her during the concours. Nodame tells her grandma that the piece in question is a Schubert which she played in the concours. Unfortunately she failed in the tournament. When her grandmother asked her if the tournament was enjoyable, however, Nodame admits it was enjoyable. Later on, Nodame turns her mobile on and is shocked to know that Etou has sent her not 1 but 23 messages. Despite this, Nodame ignores the messages and open s the one with "Purigorota News" heading instead. Unfortunately for her, that news heading is just something that Etou used to fool her into reading his message. He lets her know that she's been recommended by Professor Auclair to study in Paris.
The exam will be in February so if Nodame wants to go, she needs to contact Etou as soon as possible. Meanwhile, Chiaki panics when the cab driver takes him out of the town. The driver, however, tells him that Ookawa city resides within Saga prefecture. Upon hearing this, Chiaki realises that Okawa is not a big city. This makes him realise that Nodame had averted her eyes back then just like she did when she rejected his offer. All of a sudden, Chiaki gets a phone call from Nodame, informing him that she too will study abroad. Much to Chiaki's surprise, he sees Nodame passing his taxi so he asks the driver to stop. While Nodame goes on about wanting to play piano concerto with him, Chiaki hugs her from behind, telling her that she can say those after she passes the exam. Nodame is embarrassed with the hug but she wishes him Happy New Year. Much to Chiaki's horror, Nodame's father sees this act of affection from his boat in the river.
Epilogue:
Chiaki is given a 'warm' welcome by Nodame's family, assumed to be her boyfriend, has to endure some lame chili sauce joke, and gets molested by Nodame and her mother. Later on when he and Nodame returns to Tokyo, they bid farewell to their friends, including Mine, who promises to keep in touch with mail. Chiaki, however, insists that Mine uses e-mail instead. Etou is happy to see Nodame again but Nodame runs to the arms of Tanioka-sensei instead. Etou also doesn't get any appreciation from Chiaki so the only student he can run to is Tsuboi. A flashback then concludes the series, showing a brief conversation between Chiaki and Nodame's father. Back then Nodame's father told Chiaki about Nodame's incident with her strict teacher. Because of this, he wondered if Nodame would be okay overseas. Chiaki assured Nodame's father that she'll be okay and besides, he loves her piano playing. In response, Nodame's father called Chiaki his son-in-law.
Impression:
I have to admit that the urge to compare the final performance in the anime version with the one in the live-action version was very overwhelming. I still think the lack of movement hurts the performance a little bit but in the end, the effect was quite similar. While I'm not as attached to these characters as I was with their counterparts in the live-action version, I felt the R☆S Orchestra's final performance was handled very well and was emotionally satisfying. What is unresolved is Nodame and Chiaki's relationship. This is actually similar to the manga because their romance don't actually develop until the Europe arc. As much as I love the finality of the live-action version when it comes to Nodame and Chiaki's relationship, I think it's appropriate for the anime to end the series with their relationship still up in the air. I just wished they had animated the part where they bid goodbye to their friends. Unfortunately it seems they ran out of time and budget.
Nodame Cantabile: FIN
Dang...I really do want a second season but I'm not sure if they will make one anytime soon since manga doesn't seem like it'll end soon. Oh well, here's another ending.
I don't think there will be a second season either. The manga is far from complete and the series seem to suffer from lack of budget.
are the budget of anime series nodame cantabile not so good than live-action?
but i hope there will be second season
All comparisons with the Dorama aside, I think the ending was handled very well, including the epilogue.
The ending was too abrupt. They should have ended this on episode 24. There are too many scenes cut off and simply shown as colored manga graphics.
Do you know where I can find the OST of this series? I have the DVD of a Japanese series and cartoon books, but not the music.
Thanks.
I am in Thailand and would like to have the OST as well. I've found your blog coincidently. Good one!!! Do you have any info where can I find the OST here. The comics have been publishing now.
the anime just ended at vol 9, the manga is at vol 18, isn't that enuf material for season 2?
No second season? What a shame, I wanted to see Nodame and Chiaki's relationship in the near future in Paris. The scene where Chiaki hugged Nodame was so romantic. Overall, wonderful final episode.
erm.. can i ask a ques? does the cartoon version has more episodes? is it the same story as the real movie? hope someone will reply me..:)
can i know what's ost? where can i get all the songs and music in nodame cantabile?
and can i know are there are any other series related to music, like band or orchestra.. similar to Nodame Cantabile? Real movie or anime it's ok..
I hope there will be a second season. Especially if you read the manga after this, when they go to Paris. It's made of pure win.
I love this series, and I have much appreciation for your blogging Garten.
Just wanted to throw this out there for lovers of the music.. google "nipponsei"
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AHH! There is going to be a drama special in Paris!!
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"Nodame Cantabile" drama returns for two nights in Paris
Tue, July 10, 2007 (4:17pm EDT)
The popular "Nodame Cantabile" drama series is returning to Fuji TV next January. A two-night special will kick off the new year, taking place in Paris after the timeline of the original series. Juri Ueno and Hiroshi Tamaki will reprise their roles as Nodame and Chiaki, respectively.
The special will also include new characters that do not appear in Tomoko Ninomiya's manga.
Filming will take place overseas for a period of about three weeks this fall.
It has also been announced that the Nodame Orchestra will hold Christmas concerts from December 18 to 28 at the Le Theatre Ginza.
Source: Sankei Sports
http://www.sanspo.com/geino/top/gt200707/gt2007071101.html
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I'm *extremely* happy to hear this. :D Can we count on you to blog it, Garten?
I'm *extremely* happy to hear this. :D Can we count on you to blog it, Garten?
OMG, I can't believe this! Of course I'm going to have to blog this.
I strongly believe there is going to be a second anime series for Nodame Cantabile!
Minna san, Genki desu ka...if anybody has Tamaki Hiroshi or Ueno Juri profile or all about them, please send me one ok ^_^
I saw the final anime episode. I was a bit disappointed The epilogue part you described was while the end credits
were running. I was wondering if there was episode 24. But apparently not. While the romance, according to the manga takes place in the Paris story arc, I thought th live acton had more detail at the end than the manga. Thanks again for summarizing both the live action and anime episodes.
"I also think it was a mistake for the animator to try to replicate Honey and Clover's visual look for this series. It's just not the right look for the series to use."
I have to disagree with you there. I can't see why Kenichi Kasai couldn't bring the art style from H+C to Nodame. The style in Nodame was less dramatic than in H+C and I personally thought it worked out really well. I really like Kansai's style and hope he creates another great series with it!
By the end of this series I’m plenty fed up with Chiaki and his one-dimensional personality. I just kept hoping that his character would evolve beyond learning to conduct without dismembering his player's egos, looking pensive and then yelling at Nodame for being clingy or eating his food. Too bad that didn't happen so much.
Okay, so in the end he gets maybe half a brownie point for actually realizing Nodame is more than just "that thing". Psh. I wonder if the manga is any better.
Please, is there someone who can tell me which music is when Chiaki hugs Nodame near the river ? Thanks !
Please, is there someone who knows which music is when Chiaki hugs Nodame ? Thanks !
ah about the ost you can get it at mangas-arigatou.net. It's and awesome site full of good stuff alrite! The password to the extraction is simply "http://www.mangas-arigatou.net/"
its so sad that the special only have 2 episodes... =(.. hope the tv company will continue to make more episodes and not end the story so abruptly... hope somebody will upload the 'special' dorama on crunchyroll.com!! =)
I've only watched a couple of the anime episodes, but I definitely prefer the live action version without a doubt. It's pretty ironic how the characters are much more vivid and stark in the live action version than the anime one.
I also think it's a shame the live action version didn't get "Konna ni chikaku de..." as it's theme song. It would've fit it alot better than the anime.
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