Nodame Cantabile Paris 11 (Final)

Summary:

Shinichi participates in the Marlet auditions where Simon helpfully makes it clear that a good newcomer can displace a regular member, of whom a third quit recently. Although beat by the summer heat, Tanya insists on being Yasunori's accompanyist when he tries to mobilize Nodame. The unlikely friendly alliance between Shinichi and Simon continues as they back the inclusion and promotion of a new lead cellist, violinist, oboist (Yasunori) and even the inclusion of a bassoonist instead of faggottist (Paul). Shinichi has his first teleconversation with Jimmy Deprieste who is in Japan with Franz von Stresemann which fires up Shinichi's determination to bring back the glory days of Marlet. At the next rehearsal, the cheery and punctual behaviour contrasts starkly with the dark mood of the old regular members, leading Yasunori to experience doubts about this orchestra. Nodame consults with Yoda and invites him to Shinchi's performance. Rui hears Nodame's playing and stalks away but quickly escapes after running into Frank. Shinchi reverts to Demon form but almost relents to the members' unhappiness about him being a stickler if not for the crucial backing of Simon. He talks a stroll along the Seine with Nodame to talk things over.

At an unscheduled performance, Yasunori witnesses how life's stresses are eating away at the members, ending up worn out himself. He has to give a painstakingly made reed to Alexi Soran, the former lead oboist who bullied him earlier and even gets saddled being, his daughter, Catherine's minder. Thankfully he's helped out by Nodame the wannabe school teacher and Tanya who prepares a proper delicious hot dinner (what is this dish?) with some incidental quality time with Yasunori. Catherine frankly relates how Shinichi is a big meanie, Yasunori comes to his defence but she also relates how Shinichi's arrival has motivated her father to practice much harder and that he can hear the difference. At the 2390th regular performance, the stalls are packed and everyone, mindful of the previous disaster, is nervous but Shinichi and the orchestra pull through to standing ovation and much Bravo, leading to much needed encouragement for the new members and soulsearching amidst the old regular members as Shinichi cements his partnership with concerrtmaster Simon. Tanya declares to Nodame that she will take part in a competition before she graduates. We end on Nodame and Shinichi recalling their nighttime riverside conversation that they are seeing the same stars.

Reaction:

After the failure the first time around, it was not surprising that Shinichi managed to turn things around with the help of Simon, the new leads and having put the fear of the music gods into the old members. I'm less satisfied with the development of Nodame's side of the story, afterall, she is the title character. The significance of Yoda learning about Shinichi's existence and his relationship with his disciple has been vastly underplayed. Perhaps they are saving it for the next season because, from what I've read in the manga, it's the key which allows him to finally crack the Nodame puzzle and set in motion his plans to truly awaken and deeply root the desire to walk the path of a professional pianist in her. We'll see, I hope.

At least I'm really happy with Tanya's classic tsun line and dere blush reflecting the gradual improvement of herself through her relationship with the Japanese gang but Yasunori in particular - it's affirmative in the way that the possibility of love is not just about desire or understanding but also how two people bring out the best in each other and make a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Which this series does decently but not as well as the first season. More in the series review.

Related posts:

1. Nodame Cantabile Paris 08
2. Nodame Cantabile Paris 07
3. Nodame Cantabile Paris 06