The son of a famous pianist, music student Shinichi Chiaki dreams of studying abroad and becoming a conductor like his mentor. Unfortunately, his fear of flying grounds his lofty plans! As he watches other classmates achieve what he has always wanted, Shinichi wonders if he should quit music altogether. Then one day he meets fellow student Megumi Noda, also known as Nodame. This oddball girl cannot cook, clean, or even read a music score, but she can play the piano in incomparable Cantabile style. And she teaches Chiaki something that he has forgotten: to enjoy his music, no matter where he is.
Chiaki is to be conducting the opera The Magic Flute for the Rising Star Orchestra. What awaits him in Japan is a poverty-stricken, no-name opera troupe. To make it worse, the director is...Mine! What will he do? This is Chiaki's first opera! The schedule in Japan also includes the triumphant return recital of The World-Class Nodame.