I was in high school when I first read this manga. A friend let me borrow it, saying that it was hilarious. I was a little wary of the cover art, as it didn't look like an art style I would be comfortable with. However, I was instantly hooked and the art didn't bother me. It is now several years later and the manga and its "encore" special are finished in Japan. I've followed it from beginning to end!

At first glance, this seems like a typical romantic comedy but taking place in the somewhat unusual setting of a music college. As time progresses, it starts exploring territories not often seen in manga. For one thing, it is a realistic portrayal of triumphs and failures in college and beyond. Being a college student myself for most of the series' run, I could relate. It is also an interesting, in-depth look at different interpretations of classical music. Having known very little about classical music before reading this, I certainly have a new appreciation now.

Another thing I appreciated was how the author dealt with the subtleties of romantic relationships. Although it is a romantic comedy, the romance isn't always straightforward. You get the sense that you are only witnessing the truly important moments in the characters' romantic relationships. We know from the get-go that the main pairing in this series will be Nodame and Chiaki. Yet, as the characters grow and become closer, they are paradoxically separated by their individual musical pursuits. How they deal with this situation is often disastrous, but both are sympathetic characters and you can't really blame either of them.

The biggest draw to this series is the comedy. I probably laughed in real life at least once per chapter. Tomoko Ninomiya really has a talent for comedy, as almost no situation in this series is completely serious for long (and it works). Nodame herself is hilariously weird, but the other characters and even Chiaki have a share in weirdness.

As the series inspired anime and live action adaptations, several soundtracks were made. I suggest actually listening to the pieces that are being played in the manga -- when a piece is played, there is a label on one of the panels that tells you the piece's name and the composer. I would say that the lack of sound is the one unfortunate flaw of experiencing this series in manga form. After all, music is the centerpiece of the series.

Overall, this is my favorite josei ever. The art improves over time, and the character development is immensely satisfying. I would recommend this to all lovers of josei, and also to people who love comedy, music, and slice-of-life.