Nodame Cantabile

First appeared in Nodame Cantabile manga as a fictional anime series. Later, in episode 4 of the live-action TV drama it appeared as a theatrical movie. Finally, the "movie" was completed and included in Nodame Cantabile anime DVD as an extra feature.

A 15-minute special that takes details a detour Chiaki, Nodame, Mine, and Masumi take to the mountains on their way to the music festival.

Yukihisa Matsuda, principal conductor of the Rising Star Orchestra, arrives in Paris to perform Wagner's Tannhäuser Overture as a guest conductor for the Recyl Symphony Orchestra. When Matsuda overhears the orchestra members praising Shinichi Chiaki, the budding Japanese conductor of the Roux-Marlet Orchestra, he can barely contain his contempt at there being another "Black-Haired Noble" in the same city. Freshly dumped by his mistress following the performance, Matsuda catches Chiaki and takes him out to drink under the pretense of discussing career. But much to Chiaki's chagrin, the subject soon turns to Chiaki's own special someone.

Shinichi Chiaki was almost giving up his dream of becoming a conductor, until he met Megumi Noda, also known as "Nodame". The pieces performed in the episode are Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns (brief), Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat major "Emperor" by Ludwig van Beethoven (brief), Piano Sonata No. 8, Op. 13 "Adagio Cantabile" by Ludwig van Beethoven (brief) and 2-Piano Sonata in D Major, K.448/375a by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Ryutaro Mine is a violinist who needed a piano player for his violin jury. But when he chooses Nodame as his partner, little did he know his troubles were just beginning. The piece performed in the episode is Sonata No. 5 "Spring" for Violin and Piano, Op. 24 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

An admirer of Chiaki, timpanist Masumi Okuyama becomes jealous of Nodame's relationship with him, and torments her with pranks. To sort out their rivalry, they compete to see who can snag a date with Chiaki on Christmas Eve. The piece performed in the episode is a jazz arrangement of Chiaki's composition arranged by Nodame, Mine, and Masumi.

Chiaki and Nodame arrive at Paris to hone their musical skills. While he who had lived in France before easily adapts himself to their new environment, she must face some difficulties herself, including having to learn the country's language.

Chiaki takes part in his first competition as a conductor. But he ends up having to face strong contestants like Jean Donnadieu, one of Sebastiano Vieira's apprentices.

Nodame and Chiaki meet Stresseman in Paris. Chiaki starts to travel the world attending concerts with Stresseman after being forced to sign a contract with his manager, while Nodame has her first class with an acquaintance of hers at the conservatoire.

Chiaki's popularity ahead of the Martlet Orchestra keeps increasing while Nodame gets depressed as she feels the distance between them growing and she decides to enter in a competition by herself, even without her teacher Auclair's approval. Pieces featured: Bach's Concert No. 1 in D minor, Romeo and Juliet's Overture-Fantasy by Tchaikovsky, Études Op. 10 No. 8 and Op.10 No. 12 by Chopin

Chiaki decides to move to another apartment much to Nodame's despair and Rui tries her best to convince Auclair to have lessons with her, but he seems to be more much more interested in teaching Nodame instead. After hearing Nodame's smooth playing, she also starts to doubt herself. Pieces featured: Sonata K157 in C Major by Scarlatti, Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 in Eb Major by Chopin

Thanks to Chiaki's encouragement, Rui decides to keep playing and a special concert featuring both is arranged. Stresseman is seriously depressed over the death of a friend of his and Chiaki, on the way to attend one of Nodame's recitals, have a surprising reunion with Sebastiano Vieira and he decides to accompany him instead. Pieces featured: Italian Concerto, BWV 971 by Bach, Op. 19 No. 1 "Sweet Remembrance" from Songs without Words by Felix Mendelssohn, Polonaise Fantasie by Frédéric Chopin, Légende No. 1: St François d'Assise by Franz Liszt