Thoughts: Well this episode didn’t have many comedic moments compared to previous episodes, but I felt this episode was more about developing Chiaki’s character. He learns that he isn’t going to become a “maestro” without Stresemann’s help and that it’s not just about the music in the orchestra, it’s about the people in it as well. Stresemann and Chiaki now understand each other and they both respect each other and I am glad that there will be more to come in ways of a relationship between these two. I mean I didn’t know what was wrong with any of the music the orchestra played, and to the untrained ear, these moments seem kind of redundant to me, but I suppose it would take something away from this anime.

Summary: The students in the orchestra begin to believe that Stresemann is an impostor, and begin to leave. But Nodame comes in, after punching Stresemann out cold, with Chiaki and then Chiaki takes over as the composer temporarily. Chiaki is shocked to learn that Mine is the concertmaster, and Chiaki realises that the members are the most unskilled in the college. Meanwhile Nodame drags Stresemann to the auditorium so that when Chiaki does well he will get accepted by Stresemann

They play for the first time and apparently it’s very bad, and so Chiaki begins to point out individuals and their problems. The boys start to get a jealous of Chiaki, and two of them switch parts so they can brag when Chiaki doesn’t notice. Well, Chiaki notices and the yells at them. Chiaki has given up by this point.

Stresemann comes in and says that Chiaki has failed and that he will take over. Stresemann immediately starts to reassure every person that Chiaki shouted at, and they begin to play, apparently much better than before. Chiaki learns that because Stresemann loves people and the music, he is a true maestro.

Stresemann is in his office and tears Chiaki’s request for a change of majors and tells hime to continue to do the piano major while learning of him in his free time. In Chiaki’s narration, this was a major turning point in his life.

Preview: Don’t really know much of this character as I have not read the manga, but there is a new character introduced in the next episode.

Kuri