Episode Title:
Lesson 1.
Episode Description:
Popular piano student Shinichi Chiaki has almost given up his dream of becoming a conductor because his international career prospects are crippled by his fear of flying. His despair affects his playing, and he is transferred to a different teacher, Hajime Tanioka, who specializes in failing students. Tanioka introduces him to eccentric fellow student, Megumi "Nodame" Noda, and assigns them a Mozart sonata for two pianos. Chiaki quickly learns that while Nodame is capable of playing in a beautiful cantabile style, she can be sloppy and is a poor sight reader, preferring to learn by listening. After the two discover they are neighbors, Chiaki learns she is also very messy, and to his irritation finds himself cleaning her apartment and cooking her dinner. As they practice, he realizes she performs better when allowed to interpret loosely, and her joy in music when they perform for Tanioka inspires him to resume pursuing becoming a conductor. To his dismay, however, Nodame has fallen in love with him.
