Nodame Cantabile Live Action ep.10

December 26, 2006 | 29 Comments

One more episode and that will be the end for this series. It's unfortunate because I really like the cast members and will miss seeing them. Thankfully the anime will come after the live action is over so it's not like the series is really over. Having said that, it'll be weird to hear Nodame and Chiaki without Ueno Juri's and Tamaki Hiroshi's voice. I hope Kawasumi Ayako and Seki Tomokazu can do an equally good job as Nodame and Chiaki but I'm a bit concerned about their casting. Seki Tomokazu's voice seems more suited for someone like Mine. He has done a tsukkomi male voice before but they usually are the rough kind like Kyou (Fruits Basket) and Touji (Evangelion). Similarly, I've never heard Kawasumi Ayako in a Nodame-like role. My recent memory of her roles are the ice queen types like Saber (Fate/Stay Night) and Misaka Kaori (Kanon). Oh well, we should find out soon since the anime will be aired on the 11th January next year.

Continuing from the previous episode, everyone in the performance hall is shocked when Nodame stops playing all of a sudden. However, when she turns around and notices Chiaki sitting amongst the audience, she becomes inspired to play her Debussy piece again. She then remembers Kaori once said that Debussy went to an island with his lover while composing this piece. As a result, the piece reflects his happiness back then. As soon as she remembers this, Nodame plays really well and impresses the audiences. After the performance, the jury announces who will proceed to the next stage. Much to Etou's and Nodame's relief, she passed on to the next and final stage. She immediately goes out of the hall to find Chiaki but because she can't find him, she opens her mobile and finds a message from the guy telling her that he'll come to see her final as well. In response, Nodame sends a message telling Chiaki that she'll be waiting.

The next day, Chiaki is surprised when he finds the ex S Orchestra members waiting for him in the practice room. It seems they've heard about the audition and ask Chiaki to allow them to audition as well. Upon seeing their excitement, Chiaki tells them that he'll hold an audition when the piece requires many players. Ookouchi suddenly appears and tells them that they'll be accepted right away if they enter his orchestra. Unfortunately he got knocked out by Sakuma and Keeko who have come with a tux that Chiaki must wear for the Christmas publicity photos. Upon hearing this, Kimura thinks he should change as well but Keeko tells him that they just want to emphasize the good-looking ones. Meanwhile, Masumi informs Kiyora that he's passed a document selection for a Timpany position at the New East Philharmony. That means he only has to pass the practical exam and final interview to be accepted in the Orchestra.

Masumi, however, is worried if he's accepted because it means he'll be playing double with R☆S Orchestra. Kiyora, however, assures him that even if he plays double, he can still continue with R☆S Orchestra. Unknown to Masumi, Kiyora herself has other offer to entertain. When she took Kai Dowin back to the airport, he praised her last performance and told her that he'll set his time for her sake and be waiting for her in Spring. Kiyora wants to tell this to Mine but unfortunately the guy is too excited about the latest ticket sale result and simply wants to tell Chiaki about it. Speaking of Chiaki, he's in the middle of changing his clothes when a guy suddenly approaches him, asking his permission to join the Orchestra. He introduces himself as Violin player, Takahashi Noriyuki. Noriyuki claims that he won 3rd place in last year's Buffon International Violin Competition. He actually just returned to Japan last month.

At the same time, Mine and Kiyora have found Chiaki but decide not to come in when they see the other guy inside. Kiyora is pissed off when she hears Takahashi claiming that his experience is a lot better than hers. Inside, Noriyuki gets distracted when Chiaki starts to unbutton his shirt. He starts looking nervous and excited at the same time. Unfortunately for Takahashi, Chiaki suddenly stops unbuttoning the shirt and asks him to mention his name again. Takahashi tells Chiaki not to bother with that and to take off his shirt already because he can't wait anymore. Kiyora is shocked to see this and calls out for help. She yells to Masumi, telling him that Chiaki is in danger. As soon as he hears this, Masumi runs to Chiaki's change room and confronts Takahashi. At the same time, Etou decides that Nodame should play Schumann Piano Sonata No.2 and Stravinsky's Petrouchka. He wants her to finish these a day after tomorrow.

He still finds it hard to believe that Nodame manages to get into final. Having said that, he knows that there's no time for her to master two pieces perfectly. Because of this, he selected two pieces with high level difficulties so Nodame can appeal to the jury using her technique. Meanwhile, Takahashi impresses everyone with his violin skills. Chiaki thinks Takahashi is dynamic and passionate, a different kind of player from Kiyora. Once Takahashi completes his performance, he asks Chiaki which one is better as Concert Master: him or Kiyora. Masumi is unhappy to hear this and points out that Takahashi has come here to audition and not to become Concert Master. In retaliation, Takahashi claims that he actually got better offer but will reject it if he can get into this Orchestra. Because of this, he thinks he should at least get a Concert Master position. Upon hearing this, Chiaki wonders why Takahashi wants to join his Orchestra.

Takahashi explains because this Orchestra is great. Everyone is skillful, young, confident, and look as if they're enjoying themselves. And then there is the fact that the good-looking conductor looks as if he's giving himself to ecstasy. Plus, there are young guys in tuxedo. He then declares how he loves classic, this Orchestra, and Chiaki. Masumi is angry to hear this and starts throwing salt at him, claiming that they already have a wonderful Concert Master. Much to everyone's surprise, Mine steps out and asks Takahashi to join them because he's impressed by Takahashi's enthusiasm. He tells everyone that although Takahashi's performance is not as powerful as Kiyora's, Takahashi has a detailed technique and beautiful echo. His level is higher than Kiyora. Mine also thinks that instead No.2 in National Violin Competition, No.3 in Buffon Violin competition would sound better for their advertisement.

Mine then moves to Kiyora and tells her that because of this, she doesn't have to hesitate anymore. She can go back to Vienna like she wants to. And then when she wants to become this Orchestra's Concert Master again, she can show 2 or 3 better awards than Takahashi. Kiyora suddenly cries and agrees with his assessment. Mine also assures her not to worry about him because he'll practice his violin hard that he won't have time to cheat on her. This statement shocks Chiaki since he didn't know Mine is in relationship with Kiyora. Mine then tells everyone that he'll certainly keep this Orchestra going regardless how many of its members leaving. As the group takes their promotional photo, Chiaki agrees with Mine's intention to make sure that this Orchestra won't be stagnant. That night after Chiaki part ways with Mine and Kiyora, he is shocked to see Takahashi appears in front of him, wanting to 'deepen' their friendship in his house.

Fortunately for Chiaki, Masumi appears and covers Takahashi's head with a rubbish bin and holds him in place while he tells Chiaki to run away. Chiaki uses the opportunity to do so and after he escapes, he decides to help out the R☆S Orchestra by making a phone call to Sakuma, asking him to do a favor for the Orchestra. Meanwhile, Nodame has a hard time practicing her Schumann. This worries Kaori because Nodame hasn't had anything to eat for a while. To make things worse, Nodame seems capable of producing electricity by connecting her two fingers together. Meanwhile, Saiko is surprised when she find out that Nodame passed the 2nd stage of the Maradona Concours. When Nodame's friends ask Etou if he thinks Nodame can pass the final, Etou claims he's not sure and tells them that Nodame would have to practice until late again tonight. Much to his surprise, Nodame has mastered her Schumann piece when he returns home.

Unfortunately, when he checks on her again that night, Nodame's playing reverts back to the no-good version. To make things worse, Nodame suddenly falls over. Upon checking on the girl, Etou realises that Nodame has a fever. Meanwhile, Chiaki gets a visit from Saiko, who actually wants to give a ticket to Nodame. Because she's not around, she decides to give it to him instead. She tells Chiaki that she admires Nodame because Nodame is trying to do her best. She remembers how she tried to do things to make Chiaki loves her but Nodame works very hard to catch up to Chiaki's level. Saiko then leaves the apartment after wishing Chiaki the best in his last performance in Japan. After Saiko left, Chiaki pulls out his favourite score, Beethoven Symphony No.7. Back at Etou's house, Kaori informs her husband that Nodame's fever reaches 38.8 Celsius. Etou realises that Nodame has pushed herself hard so he decides to let her rest.

Nodame's mind, however, is restless. She sees a dream where she wears the mongoose outfit and has to go through fiery Petrouchka rings in order to get 2 million Yen. All of a sudden, the creepy nerd appears and tells Nodame that if she fails, she'll be punished by swallowing 1000 needles. He then points out a room where her old teacher peeks through the window in an eerie manner. On the day of the competition, Nodame decides to listen to Petrouchka's performance on CD since she doesn't have the time to learn the score. She also reads the background of the song, which states that Stravinsky, who was a pianist and a conductor, changed this orchestra piece into a piano one for the sake of ballet. Etou explains that this is basically a sad story about a puppet, who after given a life by a puppeteer, wished to be a human. Nodame wants to hear the song one more time but unfortunately Kaori points out that they don't have more time.

Inside the bus, Nodame refuses to give up and continues to learn the score just by reading it and pretending to play it. She becomes very annoyed, however, when someone's ring tone starts to play and messed up her concentration. When they arrive at the concert hall, Etou tells Nodame that she should not perform the second piece in her condition. Because of this, he suggests that she stops after performing the first piece. The final Maradona contest then starts although it's obvious that Professor Auclair is not impressed by the contestants so far. Sakura, Mine, and Masumi manage to make it in time before Nodame starts to perform. Meanwhile, Nodame is still practicing her Petrouchka piece when egghead harasses her by saying that their old teacher, Hanazukara-sensei, is coming today to see his performance. Egghead is surprised to know that Nodame is going to use Petrouchka for her final but swears that he won't be defeated by her.

Egghead then begins his performance and not surprisingly, everyone is impressed by his performance. Well, everyone but Professor Auclair who thinks that egghead's performance looks as if he's afraid of something. Meanwhile, Nodame remembers how Hanazakura-sensei once told her to be a better player. Inside the concert hall, Chiaki is surprised to know that Nodame is going to perform two pieces. Nodame then appears on stage dressing like Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind much to Mine and Masumi's surprise. Chiaki is surprised when Nodame plays Schumann as if the urgency of the rhythm is important to her. In other words, it's a perfect Schumann and the first time Chiaki sees her performing like this. Professor Auclair seems to like Nodame's performance, encourages "Baby-chan" not to lose control. He also wants to know what she wants to the point that she came to this place. Needless to say, her performance ends well.

Etou thinks Nodame did well but he thinks she should stop right here. Nodame, however, refuses to do this and continues to play the second piece. However, Nodame plays it as if it's an Orchestra piece instead of a Piano one. As if that's not bad enough, Nodame gets the piece mixed up with "Today's Cooking" ring tone which she heard on the bus. The audience immediately goes into frenzy when they hear this travesty. Nodame then goes back to her Petrouchka again all of a sudden before going back to performing "Today's Cooking". Chiaki realises that Nodame is composing her own piece right in front of the stage and jury. However, it seems she managed to recover the later part of the piece before ending it abruptly. Nodame quickly bows out and runs out of the Hall. Being a good person that he is, Mine immediately yells "Bravo" and encourages everyone else to give Nodame's performance an applause. Some even stands up because of it.

Chiaki, however, thinks that even if it was a good performance, changing the piece is not allowed in the competition because it means she couldn't master it in time. While the jury announces the competition winner, Nodame decides to pack her dress and gets out of the hall. Tsuboi Ryuuji, Etou's other student gets the 4th place, 3rd place is a girl called Sakake Shouko, and in 2nd place...egghead. But there is no one in the first place. Etou suddenly realises what this means but unfortunately Nodame has left the concert hall on her own. Chiaki manages to catch up to her outside the hall but Nodame doesn't look happy to see him. Much to her surprise, Chiaki invites her to go to Europe with him. He thinks if she wants to study Piano, the school abroad will be better than their current school. He points out that there are scholarship organisations and other competitions. He thinks she should go abroad and experience the world with him.

Much to Chiaki's surprise, Nodame asks him why she should study just to experience that with him. Chiaki is confused to hear this because he thinks Nodame is serious about playing Piano now and that's why she participated the Concours. Nodame, however, denies this and claims that she participated in the Concours because she just wants the money to play around. She doesn't understand why everyone wants her to do things the way they want. A flashback shows Hanazaruka-sensei telling Nodame to aim higher and abused her when she refused to do so. Nodame then tells Chiaki that she's fed up with this. She doesn't see what's wrong with playing Piano freely. Upon hearing this, Chiaki asks Nodame if she didn't enjoy her performance in the Concours. When Nodame confirms this, Chiaki gives up. Before he left, he tells Nodame that was the first time he heard Nodame playing seriously and it sounded really good.

After Chiaki left, Nodame cries and tells herself that even after all of that, she still didn't win. A few days later, Mine complains to Kiyora about his exam. Apparently he's been so occupied with the concert that he forgot about the exam. When Kiyora points out that Mine was the one who wanted to do Christmas Concert, Mine asks her why no one stopped him. Kiyora points out that the only person who is not prepared for his exam is Mine. Having said that, she's willing to teach him, especially if it's German. Mine, however, refuses her offer because he thinks she's just going to make fun of him. He decides to latch onto Chiaki instead, asking him to tutor him. When Chiaki refuses, Mine's father suggests that Mine learns from Nodame. Mine agrees but he realises that he hasn't seen her lately. Chiaki explains how ever since that concert, Nodame never appears again and he can't even hear Piano sound out of her room.

That day Chiaki gets a phone called from Sakuma, letting him know that they've short-listed Conductor to be his replacement. One of them is a man called Matsuda Yukihisa. Upon hearing this, Chiaki realises that he must inform his Orchestra about his decision to leave them. When he arrives at the practice room, he informs them that he's going to change their Christmas performance piece into Beethoven Sonata No.7. Much to his surprise, everyone already knows and has even practiced for a while. Kuroki explains that they've heard it from Mine a long time ago. Mine then tells everyone that they should practice it well since this will be Chiaki's last conducting in R☆S Orchestra. Chiaki is surprised that he knows about this too but admits to the Orchestra that this is the truth. At the same time, Nodame is seen leaving her apartment. Chiaki laments that Nodame is not around but convinces himself that her disappearance is none of his business.

Impression:

While there are some funny moments, overall this episode feels a bit depressing. It's obvious now that everyone is going their separate way. Chiaki wants to go to Paris, Kiyora wants to go back to Vienna, Masumi receives an offer to be at another Orchestra. It's likely that Kikuchi and Kuroki would leave the Orchestra very soon as well. It was a good decision on Mine's part to hire new, fresh talent to revitalise the Orchestra. This way the Orchestra will be known for its quality rather than its members. Moving on to other topic, I still have no idea how Nodame managed to pass the second stage. The only conclusion that I have is that Professor Auclair really likes her performance that she's already a default winner for him. This is probably why he decided not to award the first prize to anyone because he knows that technically Nodame can't win it. After all, she did changed the piece even though the rule clearly states that she can't.

It's unfortunate that Nodame ruined that last piece but I think it's better in the long run. I've been wondering if winning that prize so she can be with Chiaki was the right thing to do in the first place. If Chiaki really likes her, then he would want to be with her no matter what and not because of her talent in music. I suppose Nodame's participation in the Concours showed him that she's willing to go out of her way for him. But I think that's enough effort from her. The rest must come from Chiaki. There is no point in being so invested in a relationship when the amount of effort only comes from one party. In order for Chiaki/Nodame to work, Chiaki must show that he too wants to be with her. This is why I'm glad that Nodame rejected his offer to go to Europe with him so she can learn some more Piano. Whether or not Nodame wants to learn Piano is her decision. If Chiaki really loves her, he would want to be with her regardless of that decision.

© memento 2003