Genres: Comedy, Drama
Rating: Older Teen (16+)
Price: $10.95

After winning the competition, Chiaki has opportunities in the music world outside Paris. But he comes back and unleashes his Parisian debut in the 12th volume of Nodame Cantabile.

But something’s wrong. Chiaki goes home and after a while, Nodame shows up. She nonchalantly welcomes him back and then promptly excuses herself. Chiaki is baffled and wonders what’s wrong. And that’s when Nodame confesses that she can’t keep up with sight reading when she’s at school.

Chiaki tries to comfort her and tells her that she knew she was not a genius like that and she would have to work hard to keep up with the progress of other students. Still, Nodame is deflated.

But she finds an answer by composing her own piece.

Meanwhile, Chiaki’s Parisian debut goes off without a hitch and he is bombarded with even more opportunities to showcase his budding talent.

Near Nodame’s home, a struggling artist is put off by Chiaki’s guidance with Nodame’s piano playing. And Chiaki takes Nodame to see other forms of art to get a deeper appreciation for the music she plays.

Nodame’s struggles offered a good point for Chiaki to play a central role in her life again, but when she talks about other friends she’s met since Chiaki won his competition, there is a feeling of a void starting to form between the two. Nonetheless, it offers great character development, especially in light of Nodame’s composition success.

Nodame Cantabile hits on all notes as usual. The relationships continue to get better, and some seem as though they are starting to sour. How it plays out will be well worth the wait.

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