(Untitled)

[reapingfolk]

Nodame Cantabile Special Lesson in Europe?

Is someone allowed to have this much fun watching a drama?

Of course, for those who have seen it, I have to mention:

Comments

[prdarkstar]

This Special couldn't have been more perfect!

What I wanted to see the most was Nodame's transformation and growth. She pretty much followed Chiaki to Paris. It was inevitable that she would find herself blocked by a brick wall. She needed to figure out who she was and find her own path. She needed to figure out her reason for being there other than Chiaki and i'm glad she did.
She really is an awesome actress it must be said.

[reapingfolk]

I know exactly what you mean! A big reason why this is one of my favorite JDramas is because of the development of the characters (especially in the special, when they had to speed it along). From Chiaki realizing that there are other people around him, deserving his respect and concern, to Nodame taking herself more seriously and the both of them moving on from the past.

When Auclair asked Nodame why she wanted to play music, I was afraid that her conclusion would be that she played the piano to please Chiaki. It was such a pleasure, then, to hear her say that she wanted to play the piano to make people happy.

That actress has amazing facial expressions.

[orangeinsanity]

I literally squeed while reading this because I pictured the scenes as you mentioned them. ;tear; Its such a good show, definitely in my top three. ^-^

[reapingfolk]

I agree. It's def. up there in my JDrama list.

It's so wonderful and butterfly-inducing!

[fivil]

So much agreed. Of course, I knew what would happen because I saw this all in the manga (they're INCREDIBLY faithful to the manga, let me tell you) but seeing it in the its drama format was still nonetheless wonderful. And actually, drama!Chiaki is more wonderful than manga!Chiaki because the drama allows more facial expressions and Tamaki Hiroshi really takes advantage of that.

One of the best things about NC as a drama is the fact it really ties in character relations with the music. And through that, the music becomes very interesting. Unlike say, some cooking dramas where the cooking seems to be the purpose, the story being just a frame for the cooking. In Nodame the two are more tied. I like how not just Nodame/Chiaki relationship is tied to their relationship with music, Kiyora/Mine secondary pairing fall in love through music, too, and the new pairing in the Special, Kuroki/Tanya, also began to saw each other in a new light thanks to music. It's really wonderful. :)

[reapingfolk]

I need to read the manga. I really do because I really want the story to continue on after the Special Lesson. Tamaki Hiroshi is so wonderful to watch onscreen. He and Ueno Juri never fail to make me smile.

I agree. I wish they had done more with Kiyora/Mine but I agree with you that their approach to the relationship parallels their approach to music. Mine jumps right in while Kiyora is much more careful, always a bit detached in order to maintain her control. I love watching them onscreen, if only because they were the most unexpected couple for me in the show.

I really wish they would do another special. This one made me so happy.

[fivil]

Re: manga, a word of warning. While it's great that the other characters are given more "page time" in the manga, I think it also sort of means that Nodame/Chiaki gets a little less time. And what the drama does excellent with is that it gives you a satisfying ending, both with the original series and this special, that leads you to be content that they're *finally* happy together. The manga, being on-going and everything, doesn't. They have coupley moments, they have an occasional crisis.. It can get a bit frustrating. Though with that in mind, it's a very enjoyable manga. :D

I hope they do another special, too. They got to the ending of vol 15 with this SP (though they shortened some things in the 2nd part of the special), and there are 19 vols of the manga out (in Japan) so I think they'll have to wait a while for another special. But not too long, they could go back to Paris at the end of this year to film! *fingers crossed*

[reapingfolk]

Arg. I think I know what you mean. I really like how the drama wrapped up at the end of the special. There's such hope and optimism there but I can see how they might encounter more problems in their relationship. What I want to see more than anything else though is Nodame's stage performance with Chiaki. That would be WONDERFUL to see onscreen.

But not too long, they could go back to Paris at the end of this year to film!

That would be a fantastic New Years' present.

[booknerd14]

i just finished watching this last night. i'll post my blog up by the weekend. but i couldn't agree with you more. i thoroughly enjoyed the special. every scene that i read in the manga was excecuted (sp?) perfectly. i especially loved the scene when they're fighting outside in the streets of paris. i was dying of laughter. that's so nodame and chiaki. and i'm happy that he was finally able to fully embrace his feelings for her. only downside though... they didn't get farther into the manga than i wanted. there's so much more after his europe debut that i wanted them to cover. ahh well, i loved it anyway.

[reapingfolk]

I can't wait to read your post! It's always fun to squee with someone else.

The fight scene made me crack up too! I especially liked the the random French people clapping at their reunion and cheering them on.

I hoped, because of the "Lesson 1," that there would be more but maybe that's asking for too much.

[booknerd14]

i have the same hope you do. i would like more nodame.. but somehow i think that that's not gonna happen. ahh well, i'll just continue one with the manga like last time.

[reapingfolk]

I suppose that's the best we can do. I'll try to imagine the scenes as I read.