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.
After Momogaoka Music University’s festival, Classic Life magazine runs a big story on Shinichi’s amazing conducting performance. But since graduation, he’s feeling frustrated–and not because he still has a fear of flying (despite the work of a determined hypnotherapist!) Shinichi wonders what the future holds. Then a chance meeting leads the music prodigy into a whole new direction . . . in Japan. Meanwhile, when Nodame visits Shinichi’s family, no one escapes unscathed. Maybe that’s why the friendship between Nodame and Shinichi is threatened–and could mean the end of Nodame’s Cantabile!