Nodame Cantabile 133

Woohoo! Here it is. I was planning to do this post last Aug. 10 after reading the raws but something came up. Anyway, I'm also happy that Nodame is on the cover of Kiss Magazine.

Onto the summary.

Lesson 133

Nodame has come back to Paris.
What will happen when she finally meets Chiaki???

Chiaki finally arrived in Brazil but he was surprised to be brought to the beach by the guy who picked him up. The guy said that he wanted Chiaki to enjoy first and go sightseeing in the beach since it is his first time in Brazil. But Chiaki doesn't want to be in the beach.

In the concert hall, he met the concertmaster and a saxophone player from England named Jimmy. Jimmy is bright and friendly while Chiaki is quiet and gloomy. The other people in the rehearsal can't help but notice how the two are complete opposites of each other.

After the rehearsal, Chiaki and Jimmy got into a conversation. Jimmy was telling Chiaki about a female violinist and it seemed that he was interested in her. Aside from that, he is also commenting about Chiaki's personality. Jimmy was thinking that maybe it was because of the heat in this foreign country that's got Chiaki all stiff.

When Chiaki returned to hotel, he saw the message on his phone from Kuroki. (The last scene , Chapter 132) "Megumi-chan has come back to the apartment in Paris. She's doing fine." Aside from the text message, Kuroki also sent a video. Chiaki watched the scene where Nodame was playing her 'fart exercise" and laughing happily. Chiaki thought Nodame is happy with her life back in Japan.

The next morning, Chiaki saw Jimmy with the blonde violinist. They greeted each other and Jimmy said that he's thinking of getting married. Chiaki thought this was incredulous since the two only met yesterday. However, Jimmy was adamant about it.

While practicing, Chiaki has decided that he will accept Nodame's proposal. He thought that it might be already late and that she might've forgotten about it already but he has decided that he would say 'yes.' (Squeal!!!! about time, Chiaki, you damn, damn fool!!!)

Back in Paris, Nodame has become somewhat like a babysitter for kids. Tanya was surprised that there are even more kids playing with her. She wondered what Nodame is thinking, getting paid for doing something like this, since she has already debuted and very popular.

Kuroki, while looking at Nodame, remembered that she has always wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher before. He thinks that maybe, Nodame still hasn't changed.


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Thoughts:

When I was reading the raws last Monday, I felt like I was going crazy. Haha. Especially, when I read that part where Chiaki has finally decided to accept Nodame's proposal. Ah! It definitely feels like we're approaching the end. Okay, I know that we only have a few chapters left however, it didn't feel that way with the previous chapters. It felt like there was still so much more to happen. But seriously, after reading chapter 133, I felt that we are on the way to THE END. Now, why do I feel like Ninomiya-sensei is rushing things?

Aside from that, it looks like she's laying her plans for Nodame out in the open. Kuroki's comment regarding Nodame 'not changing at all' is a big thing. Nodame wanted to be a Kindergarten teacher before. That changed when she met and fell in love with Chiaki and decided to be with him everywhere he goes. That's why she tried to be a professional pianist. But, somehow, you think she's gonna end up like what she really wanted before she met Chiaki?

Well, personally, I think she'll do good as a teacher. She loves kids, and she's like a kid herself so it would be fun for her, for sure. A lot would surely think that she's going to lose a lot (after all, she's on her way to stardom.) But seriously, what's wrong with being a Kindergarten teacher???

So, back to Chiaki accepting Nodame's proposal. I'm happy with this development. Of course, I am rooting for them and I love the two of them to be together. However I am not sure if we can just let Chiaki get away with what he did to Nodame this easily. It sure took him forever to realize how important Nodame is to his life. Like what I've said, Chiaki you damn fool.

Wow, so many things happening to this manga and I'm loving it. Next chapter, I'm sure we're gonna see all the characters together.

Let's all wait for Nodame Cantabile Chapter 134 on August 25, shall we?

(P.S. ^_^ Tell me what you guys think. I love reading your own take on the situation. Leave a comment. We only have a few chapters to go before we say goodbye to our beloved manga.)

EDIT AFTER READING THE COMMENTS: (Actually, I posted this as a reply to the comments but just in case others don't read the comments section.)

Maybe Ninomiya-sensei just wants us to think a lot of 'what ifs.' I agree with 'Nodame being destined for something greater in music.'

And when I also read about Kuroki's comment about Nodame being a teacher, I wondered 'so what exactly are we following all throughout these years? Aren't we supposed to see Nodame grow? and Chiaki also? but more importantly Nodame since this is NODAME Cantabile???

Actually, a lot of questions are still left unanswered. I really hope that for 8 years, Ninomiya-sensei has carefully planned what will happen to this series because it started beautifully and until now, it's still wonderful and strong, so I really don't want it to fall short having a weak ending.

Phew! We are getting so worked up for this. A friend of mine thinks that Chapter 133 sucks and to her, it seemed that Ninomiya-sensei is like just lazing around and getting tired of writing. For me, I will still put my faith in Sensei. After all, for 8 years, she gave us a wonderful story despite her pregnancy, health problems and all. And if, (just if) we (or I for that matter) will get disappointed at the end, I still think that it was all worth it. Sometimes, the end isn't as important as the whole ride.

And even as of now, I can say that my whole Nodame Cantabile experience is one heck of a ride!!!

(Keep the comments coming. Reading other people's perspective to the story adds a whole new and different experience ^_^)

Nodame Cantabile 132

Damn sorry, it took so long. I completely forgot it. I was preparing for my father's birthday last Saturday that it totally left my mind. Maybe, this chapter is already translated in online manga sites now. But anyway, for those who have the raws and don't understand it and for the sake of continuity, I'll still make this entry.

Onto the summary.

Lesson 132


Last chapter, we saw Nodame meeting Yadovi (Yadowi - whatever), the strange girl who lives on the top floor. Yadovi asked Nodame if the noise she created bothered her and Nodame said no. Yadovi showed Nodame her percussion instruments and she wondered why Yadovi have so many of them. The strange girl replied that she is making a composition. Yadovi showed her an African drum that she got from a flea market and some that she made on her own. The two started drumming and Yadovi said that she thinks that drumming is so much fun. Nodame saw Yadovi's piano and remembered that the piano is also a percussion instrument.

Nodame told her that back in Japan, she had also written a composition. Intrigued and interested, Yadovi asked her what kind of song is it and asked Nodame to play it for her. Nodame played her "fart exercise" song and the Mojamoja Suite. Yadovi liked it and said that she wanted to make one too. She started to play on the drums about something she called a Story of Hunger (talks about African animals. weird).

Mr. Nagata heard them playing and realized that Nodame is back. He didn't think that after she played the Beethoven, she would be back.

On the other hand, Chiaki woke up upon hearing a familiar music that he used to hear a lot in the past. His father, Masayuki, is playing the piano. He thought that his father is the type of person who can easily engrossed himself in music no matter what happens to people around him.

His phone beeped and when he looked at it, it was Nodame's phone number. He knew that it was from Elise who used Nodame's phone again. The Brazilian piece was already decided and Elise asked Chiaki to work on it. When he read what it was, he goes, "They're doing this piece? Whatever."

Scene shifted and now we see Tanya, Frank, Yunlong and Kuroki. The guys are asking Tanya about her graduation performance and she said that it was fine. Kuroki is babysitting for two kids. Then they hear the sound of drums coming from the apartment and realized that it was Yadovi making some noise again. One of the kids pointed out that there's also a sound of piano coming from the room. They were intrigued because who could be with Yadovi in there? A ghost? Her friend? Tanya walked to her room and opened the door.

Obviously, they were shocked to see Nodame there. They started to hound her with questions and scolded her for debuting without their knowledge and after that, disappearing suddenly. Yunlong wanted to get Nodame's autograph. He wanted to show it off. Frank asked Nodame what her plans are for the future and said that Chiaki and Madame Seiko are both worried about her.

Nodame ignored them and instead played with the girl who she called as Caroline. They don't understand why Nodame is ignoring them. Meanwhile, Kuroki opened his cellphone and started to text someone.

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Thoughts:

This chapter's kinda short. I was quite surprise when I saw that it only has 24 pages. After the long hiatus, yes, I was expecting something longer with even meatier details. But I guess what we got is a prelude to a lot of things.

One: What's Yadovi's part in Nodame's life going to be? Somehow, while they are having conversation with each other, Nodame became somewhat normal again. Then she retreated to her shell again when her friends came.

Two: Chiaki and his father. So, what now, they finally reconciled? Just like that? No, I am not looking for drama, I'm just wondering if Chiaki's already okay with his father.

Three: What's next for Nodame? I also want to know the answer to Frank's questions. Will she go back to school? To Auclair-sensei? To Stresemann?

Four: We all know who Kuroki texted right? Will Chiaki come rushing to Paris to see Nodame now that she's back? Or will he go to Brazil?

I'm so sorry that all I'm leaving are questions. I'm still just so out of it. I haven't fully digested this whole chapter. Maybe I'll edit this post when I think of something or if you have any thoughts, please share. Leave a comment in my cbox located on the sidebar or on the comment box below this post.

I still don't know when's the next chapter coming out. I'll put it here when I find out. Till then!

Nodame Cantabile manga's end to coincide with final live-action film next spring

Manga artist Tomoko Ninomiya confirmed on her personal blog on June 21 that she will resume her Nodame Cantabile romantic comedy manga in Kodansha's biweekly Kiss magazine on July 25, after putting the manga on hold last month due to acute appendicitis. She added on July 7 that she plans to draw new manga installments in the next three issues. She had previously written that she will end the manga soon, and the Asahi Shimbun paper reports that the end of the manga will coincide with the opening of the final live-action film next spring. The cast is filming on location in Vienna, Austria this month.

Not coincidentally, the third television anime series, Nodame Cantabile: Finale, will premiere next January. If it lasts three months like the second anime series did, Nodame Cantabile: Finale will end at about the same time that the live-action film finale opens in Japan. Del Rey publishes the manga in North America.

Source: Anime News Network

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A rather sad news, isn't it? But I actually expected it already. Remember my little spazz at the end of my thoughts in Chapter 130? At the end, I mentioned about the inscription, "The Fourth Movement" (in French) on the first page of the chapter, and that I think that Ninomiya-sensei is finally ending Nodame Cantabile.

Oh well, we still have a few chapters left to enjoy plus a third anime series and two-live action movies. We will be happy for quite a long time, or atleast I would be.

Ueno Juri in Shiseido MAQUillAGE Autumn Collection

Found some photos of Juri for Shiseido MAQUillAGE Autumn Collection. Different look but pretty nonetheless.

Go check out Shiseido's website.

Tamaki acknowledges romance with Yoshitaka

Popular actor Hiroshi Tamaki (29) has admitted that he is dating young actress Yuriko Yoshitaka (20). Their relationship was first reported by the press earlier this month.

Tamaki confirmed in an interview that the two have been getting along well since appearing together in the TBS drama series "Love Shuffle" this past winter. He also said that they do not call each other very frequently. When he was directly asked about whether Yoshitaka is his girlfriend, he simply smiled without giving a clear answer.

Tamaki is currently overseas for filming, and as a result, he will not be attending the premiere of his movie "MW" on July 4.

Source: Tokyograph

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I'm so late! Why did I see this news just now? Oh, yeah, I'm busy.

Anyway, I'm quite taken aback by this news. My dream of seeing Juri and Tamaki in real life just went poof! (But we never know, there are still years ahead of them. *wishing*)

Don't take that seriously! Although, I'm a bit sad about not seeing my favorite couple become together, I am HAPPY for HIM! If they are really serious with each other, then I hope they'll be happy. Best of luck to them!

Nodame Cantabile the Movie under the cut!!!

Hey guys, I've found some video clips of the filming. They're not subbed though.

























Source


I am so excited for the movie. Juri's so cute in the interview part (first video), she was speaking while in character. Oh, how I love her!

And Tamaki is so hot. He has matured a lot, hasn't he?

Ueno Juri to star in a WOWOW drama

I haven't reported any Juri news. Here's one but it's not so new so maybe a lot of you knew about this already.

#1 Guitar case girl, #2 HOPE, #3 My neighbour's neighbour Akira, #4 Interval during traveling, #5 One morning, Hinata suddenly...

Actress Juri Ueno (23) has been cast in a drama miniseries that will air on WOWOW later this year. Titled "Ueno Juri to Itsutsu no Kaban," the show features Ueno taking on five roles in five episodes.

As the title suggests, each 30-minute episode involves a bag of some kind, such as a guitar case or a mysterious delivery package. Each story has its own staff behind it, including screenwriter Arisa Kaneko ("Densha Otoko") and director Nobuhiro Yamashita ("Linda Linda Linda").

Ueno will also sing the show's ending theme, tentatively titled "Kaban no Banka." This is her first song since she made her CD debut in 2007 with "Onara Taisou" from the "Nodame Cantabile" drama series.

WOWOW will broadcast the series on Thursdays at 11:30pm, starting on September 3.

source: tokyograph


I have no doubt that Ueno Juri can pull those characters off! She's one of the most talented and versatile actresses in Japan today. She's so young but the recognition and praise for her acting ability have been plenty.

We used to have WOWOW in our cable TV but sometime during the past years, it was taken off by the cable company. I wonder why.