Chiaki and Nodame finally make it to France! As they arrive, our dear Japanese friends display hallmarks of France’s scenery. As the first scene gives us a taste of France, our ears are treated to a piece by… Beethoven?!? That’s right, within five seconds, my palm already took to my face. Beethoven’s third symphony. Unbelievably German. Berlioz and Debussy just weren’t good enough it seems, sorry France.

Behind its innocuous title, Nodame Cantabile reveals a sophisticated story of music, relationships and life. I almost let it slide right past me.