Fan reviews: Nodame Cantabile

noizumi daidouji · 2 Mar 2008

i like it!
ueno juri did a great job by living up the character.
bravo!!!!
but i don't like the stressman guy. he's not suited the role.

bettebogart · 13 Feb 2008

This was a mostly enjoyable show, however, it's quite overrated. The best thing about it by far is the music. The musical segments are wonderful. You can really tell the cast put a lot of time into learning their instruments. Tamaki Hiroshi is ok as Chiaki, but Ueno Juri really overplays her part. I know this is adapted from a manga, so I expect a certain amount of overacting, but the Nodame character was too much. They should have toned it down just a bit, as well as the gay character, he was also overplayed. I also never believed the love story for a second, whether it was the actors, directing or script, I just didn't. Still, it was fun to watch and the music certainly made it worthwhile overall.

Jakofan · 9 Feb 2008

I liked this dorama a lot!! Nodame chan and friends are really funny. I hope to see a sequel.

n1cha · 29 Jan 2008

It's very funny!

Jackykero · 25 Dec 2007

This one is a bit unusual for 2 reasons: The first reason is obvious, and I must say hilarious the first time you see it; it is the totally-crazy-Manga-like scenes; they make the first episodes just fly. The second one is that the dorama changes quite a bit beyond the second or third episode. It becomes more serious, more interesting, more subtle, more rewarding.
So, stick to it at least until episodes 4 or 5. I almost stopped watching it at episode 3 because I was getting a bit tired of all the Manga-like jokes. But then I am glad I did not, because it becomes really interesting then, with a balance of everything that makes a good dorama: laughter, emotion, surprises, interesting characters, action, etc. So, stick to it, your patience will be rewarded!

fokey · 4 Dec 2007

in the 1st time i tought this drama will be boring coz it tells bout music school life. but after i watch the 1st episode everything seems different n i'm getting exciting for the following episodes. worth to watch!

dekatrain · 7 Oct 2007

Very enjoyable drama, that is definitely one thing people can say about this drama. It's also good to see this drama stem away from the university love story type dramas and in that sense it creates its own genre. I really loved it - the leads were perfect, and they were backed with a very strong support headed by eita (who is getting better and better as an actor himself). I havent read the manga, but even so its obvious that this drama pays it respects to the manga very closely as the characters are portrayed as almost comic or cartoon-like. Very watchable and memorable!

someone_03 · 6 Oct 2007

After watching the anime, I fell in love, so decided to watch the drama and ... WOW! I loved it! The actors were great, esp. Ueno Juri as Nodame...she's soooo cute! This jdorama seriously got me interested in other jdoramas. I've seen a couple so far and none of them even compare to Nodame! It doesn't have TOO much drama (which i like), and is friggin hilarious! The CG sequences were hysterical, esp. combined with the wonderful acting.

I'm going to show this series to my friends because I'm sure they'll love it too!

glacier · 11 Sep 2007

I don't get it. This drama is so popular, but it hasn't clicked for me. There is no character that I really care about. Nodame is flaky and whiny, Chiaki is full of himself and always whipping her upside the head, and the gay guy with the afro is just irritating. And I typically like the gay guys in jdorama.

The best parts are when the orchestra plays, so I keep watching it, hoping it will get better.

taiki · 28 Jul 2007

i just finished watching this drama and it definitely a must watch! it made me interested in classical music and like 'Mine', i swapped to a classical guitar...hehe. its nice and peacefull. one day my friend passed me a drama. i was like "nani kore?". he said its about classical music and its hilarious. i was like "heh?classical music? hilarious? since when?" after i watched the first episode, i cant stop watching cause its just too good!! great acting, great music, not to mention some funny animations. BRAVO!!!

sadacori · 7 Jul 2007

Though this drama may seem serious at first, it also tends to have hilarious anime-like moments such as amusing sound effects when someone is being hit (gyabooooooooooo!). The characters are colorful as well--Nodame, a piano-playing genius, who can't read music and is a slob of a girl with a disaster area for an apartment; Masumi, an afro-clad guy has the hots for Chiaki (also a male); Mine, a violin player with a wild, but funny side; and 'Stresemann, a perverted orchestra conductor, who is supposedly German (with a cringe-inducing accent) in the show, but looks Japanese, with a bad tan and obviously fake nose and wig. :D The main character Chiaki is the one of the serious players in this drama, but there are times when he has his moments (looks of horror and disbelief when it comes to Nodame's outrageousness).

Most of this drama is about performing in an orchestra and preparing for the future after graduating from their musical college, but because of all the hilarious moments, this drama is really great.

bmwracer · 5 Jul 2007

The most slapstick, entertaining, and fun drama I've ever seen with great, great music and a star-making performance by Ueno Juri as the sloppy, ditzy, and adorable Nodame. Equally as good is the travel-phobic musical genius Chiaki, played by Tamaki Hiroshi. There are very few missteps and they're completely overshadowed by the spirited and energetic performances of the entire cast. Few dramas can endure repeated viewings, but this is one of them. Highly and enthusiastically recommended. :D

iwan · 2 Jul 2007

Great role! nice combination in Comedy, musical and drama. Sometimes I get so influenced by the classic. This made me more interesting in classic music. Ueno Juri played so well and so match with nodame character. Great, Great!

Jackykero · 30 Jun 2007

This is really 2 dramas in one. There is a totally-stupid-and-funny-manga-like component, and a more serious component.
The Manga-like scenes are hilarious and I just watched the first episodes just to see more of them. Then it became a bit tedious, but the director of the drama was smart enough not to let the story revolve too much around the fun part and build a serious story around it.
I almost dropped off the series at episode 3 as I was getting tired of the jokes, and basically nothing was happening to the story. Then I tried again, and I'm very glad that I did, because then the story becomes really interesting. The actors are great, the music very well chosen, and the concerts along the series are great to watch too.
Superb drama, with a mix of everything in it.
If you are not sure you like it by episode 3, don't give up! It's worth continuing to the end

alyaa azhar · 25 Jun 2007

this drama is so hilarious...i cant stop laughing..(and my parents think im CRAZY) juri did really well & the same goes to hiroshi.i just cant imagine living next door to nodame..poor chiaki.. anyway,this drama is worth every penny i spent on it..a low price for a great entertainment...

Saint Seiya · 10 Jun 2007

Best of Ueno Juri and Tamaki Hiroshi! The combination of love, friendship, and most importantly, the ambition of striving to the utmost for everyone's dreams is the beauty of this drama. The selection of the classical music is excellent. Most pieces can be appreciated by even audience not familiar with classical music.
Casting is also superb. Bravo!

Chris_Ito · 8 Jun 2007

If you watch this film until the end, you will learn many things..
But the most impressive things is about GIVING YOUR BEST
for what you have been done,
for what you have been dream,
for what you have been through,
and for what you have been lived for..
When you learn it, you will feel like enjoying your life so much and the things around you..

It really makes me want to try the best to do my part of job, giving the best and enjoying it..

It's recommended to you especially to people who like classic music..

GANBATTE KUDASAI (^.^)'

chaos · 5 Jun 2007

It's simple, yet fresh in delivery and fine in execution, a mark of top notch direction. The whole casts and characters are marvelous including ALL supporting casts and chars. And there are some of the most celebrated classical pieces... and one of coolest arrangements of my favourite Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue".

A lot have been said about Nodame Cantabile, and there's still a lot more to be said, but let me reiterate some. What grabs me most is the character development. Despite the tone being mostly comedy, at the end, I have this feeling of relief as everyone had gone through their own (wonderful) life-altering journey. And the ever subtle romantic development really befits Chiaki and Nodame's characters.

This has been an interesting (romantic) story. And as the final curtain dropped, I gave the drama a standing ovation.

Encore, please!

ninjavsself · 30 May 2007

A nice pleasing drama. It's got very likable characters and a nice environment to set a dorama story in. Plus great music. Oh and Eita!

slashersam016 · 25 May 2007

This is the first Ueno Juri ive ever watch. this drama is about classical music and how much love can still conquer even theres so many obstacles behind. yet a very enjoyable drama. you will like Beethoven Symphony Orchestra. i promise you that. Samuel Samaniego of Quezon City, Philippines.