Guy's Books and Thoughts

I had attended one panel workshop at an anime convention where the
panelist explained the story as consisting of three parts: background,
conflict, resolution. I thin k NODAME CANTABILE can be broken down
into three parts: Chiaki wants to be conductor, however his fear of
flying prevents him from traveling overseas to study conducting, this
fear of flying is resolved through Nodame�e cure, thus leaving Chiaki
free to go to Europe.

Here are some themes are covered in Nodame:

1) The peasant girl (Nodame) winning the hand of the prince
(Chiaki). I suppose Cinderella is a rough parallel.
2) The love triangle between Nodame, Chiaki and Saikio (Saeko)
3) The role of unlikely characters playing the role of
matchmakers: e.g. Stressman, who gives Nodame his pocket watch, and
Eto who tells Chiaki to show up at Nodame�s recital. The watch given
by Stressman is used as the instrument in curing Chiaki of his fear of
flying. I think there is a symbolic significance when Nodame gives
Chiaki the watch. The watch bridges the two. Eto has to tell Chiaki,
the clueless one that Nodamae is competing for him.
4) The poser of love to motivate. Once Nodame cures Chiaki of
his fear of flying, he can go to Europe. Nodame decides to enter the
piano competition or concours, so she can go to Europe with him. Of
course, one must also mention Nodame�s learning and application of
hypnosis to cure Chiaki. I am not sure if Chiaki was motivated by
love in helping Nodame. I think he just did not want her to waste her
potential.
5) People motivating or affecting each other to achieves one�s
potential: Nodame curing Chiaki of his fear so he can be a
conductor; Chiaki motivating Nodame to fully utilize her potential as
a pianist.
6) Achieving in difficult circumstances or blooming where one is
planted. Chiaki is forced to lead the S Orchestra when Stressman
abandons the orchestra and challenges Chiaki to a duel of orchestras.
This forces Chiaki to develop as a conductor.
7) The simple (Nodame) teaching the sophisticated (Chiaki).
Nodame uses a children�s cartoon to teach Chiaki.
8) Leadership. The Nodame website run by Garten had some
interesting discussions on leadership. Leadership by fear vs.
Leadership by respect. I suppose in a real situation both are needed,
but leadership simply by fear is limited.