Nodame Cantabile

I have yet to watch the concluding episodes of the live-action and the rest of the anime series (thanks to those who provided for the fansubbed versions) of Nodame Cantabile. I have just finished watching the live-action version (at least up to episode and the first six (6) episodes of its anime (continuing series) last weekend (March 17-18). I could have written a review the day after but this melancholy feeling would not go away so I am slowly taking my time. I want to write my most candid feelings about Nodame Cantabile, so I believe, no second is wasted even if I do not actually write (something that I learned from watching the live-action). All that I wanted to say is contained inside my heart…Mind you, I am not saying this because I’m living up to my reputation as the queen of procrastination. This is different.

Nodame Cantabile is actually my first taste of a Japanese drama manga adaptation. I was actually hesitant to watch it, or any jdorama for that matter. I have this belief that it would be hard to surpass the authentic feel of an anime series if it is turned into a live-action. I mean, real people acting out the scenes would appear cheesy and awkward. However, watching Nodame Cantabile made me a believer of live-action series. All my negative perception about live-action series were easily obliterated by Nodame Cantabile. It exceeds all of my expectations and I even fell in love with it from the moment the first scene was shown. I will tell you all the reasons why.

The series opens in Prague, where we see the main character, Chiaki Shinichi, as a young boy. Born in a family of famous musicians, Chiaki becomes the student of the world-renowned conductor, Viera-sensei. His musical bliss was cut short when Chiaki’s parents divorced. His mother drags him back to Japan and is forced to part with Viera-sensei. Before he left, he made a promise that he will be back when he grows up and asked Viera-sensei to accept him as his student in conducting when he does.

However, his dreams of returning to Prague and reuniting with his sensei becomes an impossibility for Chiaki. Apparently, he experienced a near-death experience while flying back to Japan which caused his extreme fear of flying. After ten (10) years, unable to return to Prague and fulfill his dreams of conducting, Chiaki remains stuck in Japan.

The young boy Chiaki then is now the revered Chiaki-sama, the best piano student in Momogaoka Music University. Cool, indifferent, with a fierce, defiant and an almost regal, but haughty, bearing. Charismatic, musically gifted and not to mention, endowed with classic good looks. Throngs of admirers, women and men alike, gather wherever Chiaki-sama can be found. His talent is unrivaled and he is even handpicked by one of the greatest piano maestros in Japan, Eto-sensei, or more commonly known as Harisen-sensei, as his student. Although even if Chiaki-sama is the best in Momogaoka University, he cannot leave Japan due to his phobia of flying. He also has a phobia of water since he was almost drowned when he was still a kid, so he cannot even board a ship. Worse, the feeling of insecurity is slowly seeping into Chiaki-sama’s heart after he has learned that a stout conducting student has been chosen for an overseas study in Europe to meet with Viera-sensei.

While Chiaki-sama’s world seems to fall apart, he gets into a heated debacle with Harisen-sensei and consequently, got kicked-off his class. His unlucky streak continues like a the black plague. Saiko, the Madonna of classical voice, dumps him again for good and calls hims a loser. As if the universe conspired against him, he wakes up the next morning hearing a piano played melodiously, albeit in a very messy, and incidentally, in a very weird room. Baffled, he sees the other main character of the story, Noda Megumi, fondly called as Nodame, smiling at him. From then on, his misery and charity work starts.

Apparently, Chiaki-sama collapsed outside the door of Nodame, his next-neighbor. Nodame recognized him and brought him inside her apartment. Thereafter, Nodame has a sudden and unexpected romantic inclination towards Chiaki-sama and clings onto Chiaki-sama as if she’s a parasite. Chiaki-sama, on the other hand, starts to have a weird relationship with Nodame. He cleans Nodame’s apartment (only because he cannot stand the stench that reaches into his own flat), he cooks for her, teaches her piano, and even to the extent that he grooms her. Yes, Chiaki-sama once forced Nodame to wash her stinking hair. It seems that Chiaki-sama has “maternal instincts” and looks after Nodame because Nodame cannot take care of herself properly. Likewise, Chiaki-sama is so stuck-up that he thinks Nodame’s life would be worse without his help.

While Nodame feels Chiaki-sama as his slave, and she as the princess, she quickly falls in love. However, Chiaki-sama has no feelings of romantic love for her, and he actually feels that he is like a pet groomer taking care of a dog, the dog being Nodame. For what it is worth, Chiaki-sama remains rude, and even physically attacks Nodame constantly (not sexual harassment but three stooges-like attacks).

After Chiaki-sama met Nodame, his life makes a drastic change. He becomes Nodame’s classmate in the underachiever piano class, he attracts and eventually takes care of more weirdos like Nodame (probably because of her influence) namely, Ryutaro Mine, the rock-violinist and Masumi Okuyama, the retro-look campus queen of percussions who is deeply, madly in love with Chiaki-sama despite the fact that he is gay (he is referred to as a man with a mustache). Chiaki-sama even begins to fulfill his dreams when the world-renowned conductor, Stresseman-sensei comes to Momogaoka University and creates an orchestra, the S-Oke, composed of weirdos and known underachievers, such as Mine and Masumi, with the undisputed queen of weirdos, Nodame as a mascot girl.

In a twist of fate, Chiaki-sama becomes the conductor of S-Oke and they will be competing against the resident orchestra of the University, the A-Oke. In essence, Chiaki-sama is becoming closer and closer to his dreams of being a conductor.

I would like to stress that this story is a comedy, and a very hilarious one at that. In fact, it literally made me roll-over laughing. The timing, the facial expressions by the actors, their movements are all exceptionally well-executed. There could have been no better actors fit for the roles of Nodame other than Tamaki Hiroshi (Chiaki) and Ueno Juri (Nodame). Even the puffy and pouty look that Nodame has as portrayed in the manga was captured by Ueno Juri perfectly. The cynical and haughty expressions of Chiaki were dead-on. Even the slightest details were absolutely depicted, living true to its manga predecessor.

Most people would probably concentrate on the story’s comedic content, but not me. I have to say that the story has a deeper meaning, at least, that is what I think.

Perhaps, I am the only one who shed a tear watching the live-action (at least up to episode 8). There is no reason for me to deny it. The moment when Stresemann told Nodame that she cannot play the piano in the S-Oke because there is no piano in an orchestra just crushed my heart. Masumi’s woes that he cannot play the timpani solo because professionally, a timpanist is always a part of an orchestra. Unlike Nodame and Mine who can make it is as solo musicians. However, it was Nodame’s frustration of not being able to keep up with her beloved Chiaki-sempai hit the softest part of my heart.

As Chiaki-sama’s talent becomes known to the world of classical music, Nodame feels that she gets farther and farther away from him. She was told that by the way she plays the piano now, she cannot be alongside with Chiaki-sama. Understanding its meaning, Nodame falls into seclusion to practice her piano skills. She desperately wants to become the best, just like Chiaki. She wants to play the way the world wants her to play even if it may not be the way she wants it to be played.

I told the story of Nodame to a friend, and after hearing all my thoughts, he asked me if it was a drama. I told him that its actually a comedy. He was aghast and could not help himself but laugh at me. He told me that perhaps, I am the only one who could make a comedy sound and feel like a serious and tear-jerking drama. Perhaps, that is the absolute truth, but for me, to be able to convey the deeper meaning of the simplest or the funniest things, is pure, genuine talent. I highly commend the writer/creator of Nodame Cantabile for a job exceptionally done. Hence, it is but proper to tribute this live-action series a 9.8.

I love writing. Really, I do. But I almost always do not have enough time to do some writing, not even doing a rough draft or the menial task of outlining or jotting down my thoughts. You see, until recently, I used to be a post-graduate student, and for five years, I was working full-time in order to support my studies. Now that I have already graduated and have been freed from the bondage of academic drudgery, I am trying to enjoy every single second of my spare time. Well, at least the time when I am not tied-down to my work.

Opps…I just realized I said something which utterly contradicts my prior statement that I almost always do not have time to do some writing.. Did I just get myself in a bind? Oh well, I might as well own up to the truth…I love writing, I swear. On the contrary, I am at the same time, the queen of procrastination. I love to write but I hate the actual act of writing. In essence, I love the mental process entailed in writing but I hate the mechanical act of writing. The reason: I am the queen of procrastination.

Perhaps you might say that I love being lazy more than I love writing. Honestly, it is one very logical way of looking at it so I would not argue with you on that aspect. However, from my point of view, this is how I perceive it to be: If there is something that would cause me to write out of my own volition without being duty-bound to do so, that something must be really, really good, if not totally or outrageously amazing.

To clarify my point, I deem it best to give you an example. I created this blog because I love writing. Since I am most interested with animes and recently manga, I feel compelled to write reviews for those anime series that I have already watched. Makes sense, right? However, as I have stated several times already, I am the queen of procrastination. Hence, it takes a long, long time for me to make a review, or to put it more straightforward, it takes me a long, long time before I actually start to write one. Honestly, writing reviews do not take much of my time. It is just that I am the queen of procrastination. Heehee. This is precisely the reason why I have only managed to make three reviews for the past month.

Nevertheless, it is entirely different if something piques my curiosity and interest, so much so that I would feel an incredible and imminent force within the deepest recesses of my mind, heart and soul to write. If that is the case, it would be a feat in itself. This would prove to show how much I find that something to write about magnificently wonderful and highly engrossing or ultimately annoying or drastically depressing.

I am about to fill up a page with my nonsensical rationalization but I have yet to get my point across. Nevertheless, I get the feeling that you might already know what the hell I am writing about, otherwise, my not-so-great efforts would go to waste, assuming that it is not trash in itself. Yes, you might be thinking that I might have found something immensely engaging to warrant my erratic and incoherent sophistry. Indeed, I have encountered something that would make my blood pump enough to drown my self-proclaimed image as the queen of procrastination…

DEATH NOTE ANIME

I have seen at least 100 anime series in the span of seven (7) months but there are but a few that I actually find to be exceedingly astonishing, sensibly hilarious or emotionally or spiritually appealing. Just recently, I came across an open-series anime which literally and completely left me in awe…the highly anticipated and widely-watched Death Note series.

I do not have any preconceived ideas about Death Note. In fact, I did not know anything about it prior to watching it. That alone makes my admiration for this series absolutely candid.

Death Note is more than thought-provoking. It impels its viewers to be immersed in its detailed and elaborate story. Not only is it well-written, well-directed and well-drawn but it also probes into the concise emotional and intellectual understanding of the human mind. It breaks down one’s paradigm of rational justice and challenges the human psyche vis-à-vis one’s moral resolve.

The plot is absolutely intricate but the superb story-telling does not leave its viewers entangled in the most significant parts. From the beginning, it has made clear-cut questions that rouse serious deliberation: What is justice? Who has the right to wield justice? Is justice always just? The profundity of these issues beseeching the main characters of the story leaves the undeniable impression that Death Note is not an ordinary series. In fact, the psychological war between the main characters, Yagami Light and L, is more than enough to satisfy one’s intellectual cravings that could easily lead into an orgasmic, cerebral ecstasy.

The story revolves around a Death Note owned by a Shinigami, or Death God, named Ryuk. Apparently, the Death Note is used by Shinigamis to end the life of humans, more like a tool for their trade. Bored and annoyed by the seemingly mundane existence of the Death Gods, Ryuk deliberately drops his Death Note to the human world which ends up in the hands of high school senior, Light. Quite interestingly, Light shares the same boredom and annoyance that Ryuk has. The only difference is that Light feels these negative emotions toward humans.

The jaded Ryuk orchestrated the Death Note to belong to a human for the sole purpose of entertaining himself. Aware of the consequences of a human owning the Death Note, Ryuk even wrote instructions on how to use it, in English, the universal language, to amplify chances of it being understood by its possessor. The instructions, however, tells a more sordid story as it ultimately concerns on how to use the Death Note in taking the lives of humans.

To take lives using the Death Note, Light must know the name and the face of his target and write it in the Death Note. This is entirely different for Shinigamis because they possess the “eye” which tells them not only the name of a person but also of his or her lifespan.

At first, Ryuk thought that the mere fact of coming into the possession of the Death Note and its actual use, even if for only once, is enough to drive a human to madness, worse, to self-destruction. Light, however, proved him wrong. One of Japan’s most brilliant students, highly popular and gifted with a beautiful appearance, Light has known from the start how he intends to use the Death Note: to purge the world of evil by rendering justice, that is, killing all criminals. He wants to create a new world without evil and rise as a God to rule mankind. One by one, Light started to eliminate the worst criminals in the world. Impelled by his own sense of justice, he begins to use the Death Note to seek retribution for those who suffered in the hands of the vicious criminals. Now, Light assumes a different identity and becomes known to the world as Kira (Killer).

Light’s ways of retributive justice would be mired by one person, the world’s greatest detective known as L. L has begun his hunt for Kira and with his unsurpassed deductive abilities, he was able to pinpoint with accurate precision, not only the nationality of Kira, but also the place where he can be found.

Consequently, as if to enthrall the viewers, the story reveals that Light is the son of the Chief Inspector of the Japanese Police who is directly involved in the Kira investigation which is headed by L himself. As the story progresses, L inches closer and closer to finding Kira and in a series of events, he up with a hunch that Kira might be Light. The probability, however, is very slight. To test his theory, L decides to reveal himself to Light by taking the University examinations together with Light and befriending him. It even comes to the point that L invites Light into the investigation team so he could easily monitor Light’s movements. Of course, Light takes up the chance for the same reason, that is, so he could observe L’s every move.

In a stunning and dramatic way, the story depicts L as the anti-thesis of Kira, at least physically. L is sloppy and weird while Light is composed and handsome. But undeniably, their intelligence and personalities are the same: they both achieved perfect scores in the University examinations, they are both enigmatic and charismatic, and they both hate to lose.

Light has always known that L suspects him. But, as a true genius, he has remained calm even during the times when L wants to catch him off-guard. As the pressure builds up, Light desires to kill L using his Death Note. However, he cannot execute his plans because he does not know the true name of L.

Now, as the plot intensifies the question remains: Who chases who? Given their shrewd but brilliant reasoning, Light and L engage in a mind battle. The first one to crack, the first one to yield to their emotions, the first one to commit even the slightest mistake would lose. Just one slip of the tongue or a single action would cost their lives.

What I have written in nothing in comparison to the painstaking details of the story. Death Note is still being shown (open series) in Japan but the wonders of technology make it possible for non-Japanese anime lovers to enjoy the series. I believe that the 22^nd episode (or 23rd) has just been shown in Japan but the fansubbed version is already available for its fans to enjoy. I strongly recommend this series but be wary because it will definitely leave you wanting more…

For now, I’d rate Death Note with a 9.8 and I’m expecting that it would go up after I have watched the whole series. Several episodes to go (that would mean several weeks) but I just could not held but shiver with anticipation. Really, the suspense is killing me, but to amplify your curiosity to a higher level, I shall leave with this question: “Did you know that Shinigamis only eat apples?”

The story is set in the fictional monarchy of Kuchen, around the late 30’s or 40’s era. The world-renowned Rosenstolz Academy in Kuchen caters to the children of the nobles and other exceptionally gifted students from upper-class families. The members of the prestigious Strahl (the chosen ones to serve the King and the country of Kuchen) all came from Rosenstolz Academy. During this time, Rosenstolz would see the rise of the new wave of Kuchen’s future, the Strahl class composed of Orpherus, Ludwig, Eduard, Naoji and Camus, all competing as Strahl candidates. They are the best of the best, the brightest among the brightest. The course they would undertake to reach the pinnacle of success, however, is not an easy one, and Orpherus, Ludwig, Eduard, Camus and Naoji would have to face constant danger, tribulation and predicament.

What I most love in this series is the seriousness of the theme and its appeal to the intellect. Ludwig’s totalitarian behavior, Orpherus’ democratic approach, Eduard’s cool indifference, Naoji’s submissive devotion and Camus’ loving heart. Traditional and modernist views of society are well-depicted: the struggle between the rich aristocrats and the lower classes of society, and women’s liberation, among others. Nonetheless, behind the serious façade, I must say that since all the Starhl candidates are well-mannered and good-looking men, I just cannot shake this feeling that they would show romantic inclinations towards one another. For example, the undeniable chemistry between Naoji and Ludwig and the quiet admiration between Camus and Elmunt (especially the scene where Camus tries to save Elmunt’s younger brother). I just mean to say that the so-called “moe factor” is alive and present.

The aristocratic and solemn atmosphere portrayed in the anime must be the reason why some people find this anime a bit boring. For me, it is not boring nor dull at all, rather, I find the verbal warfare among the characters fascinating. The beauty of this anime lies in its prose which is enough to stimulate my mind and my senses, and for that alone, this anime merits an 8.5.