The setup isn't really that special. Two extremely talented and extremely... extreme people meet and clash on the battlefield of classical music. It's how Ninomiya draws an engaging world around them and where she takes them that makes all the difference. A huge ensemble cast that fills up a character book, a journey that spans two continents, and a slow maturation that becomes apparent over several years are the hallmarks of this manga, making it so much more than "that manga where they play music".

But the music! The music is awesome too. The characters' passionate performances and obvious love for their music is clear in the manga, but for a more complete effect one should watch the live-action, a mostly faithful adaptation with a stellar cast.

The art is decidedly josei and minimalistic in parts, not obviously "pretty" but well-done in a subtle way, with expressions conveyed well and details where they have the most impact.

Truly one of the best series I've had the pleasure to get into.

... Last updated on April 4th, 2008, 3:09pm

Okay, so I just picked up this manga and borrowed the whole tankobon from a friend and reat them through this 3 weeks and I've got to say I really like the concept, the comedy, the music that were being chosen as material, some characters,etc.
But after I finished reading the 23rd Tankobon (AKA final tankobon before encore) I'm beginning to feel really disappointed and have those WTF moment.

that ravel thing really bugs me, why didn't Chiaki refuse Rui request or why didn't he said sorry to Nodame after all those things that happened. Why it did it have to end like that? With all of Nodame's dream slowly being crushed and replaced by Chiaki and other musician around her without everyone ever give her a reason for her to do so (e.g. learning a lot of composition without telling her its a pre preparation for her concour, etc.)
Now, that I've seen it I could only see Chiaki as the unapologetic hypocrite jerk that he is.

Parts of NC are great - memorable characters (the main ones - Nodame is adorable and INTERESTING, at least, not so much the side characters...) and a cute relationship. As a musician myself, I am familiar with most of the songs they mention so I've got personal depth in the connection with the story.

But the cons...if you aren't familiar with the music (and even if you are), the story can fall really flat. After a while, its Chiaki again...on the stage...conducting and looking all intense...flash to audience....flash to soloist...wait, haven't I seen this before? Yup, pretty much every other chapter!
It gets really repetitive and unemotional.
Also, the romance moves incredibly (sometimes painfully) slow. Its a pretty subtle story. But although pretty much nothing ever happens, when a small moment does happen, the couple is just so adorable that you have to smile.
Art is nothing special - plain and sparse. Its the story driving (or not driving) the action here, though the art does improve slightly.

The ending sucked (though not as bad as I thought it would reading these reviews).

... Last updated on April 4th, 2010, 8:45pm

Great read, The story only gets better, currently reading vol.12,
you should go ahead and read it. The characters are one of the best i've ever seen in a josei manga, they develop and evolve together, I really love this manga~~~<3

... Last updated on July 23rd, 2007, 12:10pm

damnnnn.... never judge a book by its cover. i ran away from this just because the art looked terrible to behold. i tried the first volume and its fantastic. best manga ive read in awhile

... Last updated on June 28th, 2007, 8:31am

It's so sad this manga is probably never going to finish - I can't believe the mangaka has carpal tunnel syndrome. It really did stop at such a dramatic bit, though...how depressing. But I reading this while it lasted, and would definitely recommend it, providing you don't mind having to make up your own ending.

At first the art work had turned me off. I didn't like the main character. I hated the manga. But then as it progressed I soon began to actually like the story. It's a great comedy, and also a great read. Please don't just look at the artwork and go "Bleh" You might regret it sooner or later.

This is one of the most brilliant mangas I have ever read. I always loved slice of life themes but this manga brought it to a whole new level, add up the classical music. I don't really love classical music before but nodame cantabile converted me totally. I read the manga all the way, waited for the scanlations and never once I thought it was boring. Sure the artwork is simple, but the execution of the concepts are amazing. The use of the key points, establishing shots, paneling, angles, toning, composition in this manga were all well done. I think the simplistic design of the characters is really a part of the mangaka's technique, which is something very unique. Her technique is apart from the mainstream (the normal large eyes, small nose and mouth manga character), so at first, you might find it hard to adjust, but as you go along the way, I assure you you'll be used to it and after sometime appreciate it as well. as an artist myself, I know she is very talented. I look up to her as an artist. her characters are also deep, almost as if they are real. you will understand me if you read it, if you want to hear the music (which are all beautiful) I recommend watching the anime as well

Overall, I really liked this manga.

Things that tired/bored me:

Nodame's I can do this, no I can't.
- while this is actually fairly realistic, as a plot point it started to become overdone. students have many more problems besides their schoolwork. the author could have focused more on how they pay the bills, especially since Japan lacks many of the student scholarships the US has, so they often have to foot the bill of college while in college (with the help of parents.)
- also, this grew frustrating to me because as a university student, I am constantly worried about graduating within 4 years (currently looking at 5, double major worth it?) and yet Nodame's family has no problems with continuing to pay for her education and living expenses.
- I would also be bothered by the fact that Nodame has spent a good 5-6 years studying music without planning to go into it, but there are lots of people like that. they go to med school and then don't become doctors, etc.

Nodame's and Chiaki's Established Relationship
- Chiaki just seems to get with Nodame because she's there and doesn't seem to be going away and because he really admires her piano playing.
- I don't even remember why Nodame likes Chiaki, since it happened right at the beginning.
- Once they're together, they never seem to consider the other's feelings. I realize a lot of the humor in this comic is character driven but after a while the dynamic of their relationship quit being funny and just became frustrating. The only change they seem to have toward each other is Chiaki deciding to be with Nodame. Their are no conversations of "It bothers me when you do this." "Okay, I'll try to change my behavior." Of course, I always expect more from josei manga, so it was frustrating to see their relationship be played out a bit more like a shoujo manga.

Paris vs. Japan
- The author repeats storylines, which I don't mind too much becuase she tends to tweak them enough to be interesting, however I grew frustrated that she would pick up and drop different threads seeming at random. For example, she kept introducing side characters with a lot of pomp and implications that they would be necessary for the plot line but then were reduced to a joke or recurring mr. i-have-a-friend-who-has-a-friend-that-can-do-this, be it set up a concert or find 20 amazing players in time for a show.

While the above bother me, they didn't start bothering me until the end of the series. Especially when I realized I was on the last volume, and it didn't seem like the story lines would be better wrapped up.

The Art
- I actually liked it, because the characters weren't all the same body shapes just with different hairstyles that a lot of mangaka do.
- though her art was lacking when it came to the character's expressions. many of the characters looked pained when they were performing, which would constantly lead me to believe their performance was going poorly, until it ended and everyone said how good it was.

Predictions
- I liked that my predictions weren't always right, particularly in the beginning. It was nice that the story didn't always take the turn I expected, which made it interesting and exciting to read.
- It made it a bit more mature (josei-like) and reminiscent of real life.

While I seem to have focused on a lot of the flaws in my review, I actually really did enjoy this series, save the abrupt ending. While there is the 2 volume continuation, I didn't enjoy it all that much because it felt like the characters were pulled back in time, where before the ending may have been abrupt, but it also felt like the characters had matured a little, but the sequel seemed to erase all maturation from the characters for humour's sake.

Also:
If you liked this manga, check out Matsumoto Tomo's works like Beauty is the Beast (Bijo ga Yajuu) and Kiss (which is another manga about piano players.)

... Last updated on November 17th, 2011, 8:56am

The charm of this manga had me stick with it till the very end, but sadly the ending didn't live up with what the manga had to offer. In truth, my love for Nodame even makes me doubt that the series has ended. Surely the uniqueness of nodame and chiaki's adventures shouldn't end like that? Sadly, I was wrong. But don't let my discontent push you away from Nodame. You will enjoy reading it. In fact, it's one of the few manga you wish wouldn't end. I would recommend reading this manga to anyone who would enjoy hilarity with a unique romantic touch. Still, I cannot let go my dissappointment in Nodame's ending.