Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Forever one of my favourite mangas ever. The writing/dialogue is as moving as its art, every chapter is so poetic. The characters are all so wonderful in their own ways, they are each incredibly unique and fascinating- none of them fade into the background whenever present.
Through reading this manga, I learned so much more about the art and sport of ballroom dance. I am thankful for this story and what it has opened my eyes to, it has touched me in an unimaginable way. Couldn’t recommend this more.
Through reading this manga, I learned so much more about the art and sport of ballroom dance. I am thankful for this story and what it has opened my eyes to, it has touched me in an unimaginable way. Couldn’t recommend this more.
Hmmmm, in reading manga I feel practiced in ignoring the vaguely problematic (or overtly problematic) things that tend to crop up. Like, especially in the depiction and objectification of female characters, especially in shonen, a genre which I both love and recognize often has lots of flaws.
But here, I'm really struggling... This manga is just solely about the skill of the male dancers? In the two volumes I've read there has been close to no attention given to skill of the female dancers besides them being good at dancing and that being beneficial to the men? The female dancers are like objects to be fought over for the male dancers. "I need a partner!" and a woman fills in/pops in. It's all about who gets to dance with which woman, who's good enough to have which woman.... I guess it's just so blatantly objectifying my brain is resisting. Also (as in manga so, so frequently), the sexualization of middle schoolers... Is not cool.....
I'm a sucker for competitive sports stuff in manga, shonen tropes of competition and skill-building and the really good novice who shocks everyone--And I like those parts of this manga, but so far in two volumes my brain can't ignore the other stuff going on here.
But here, I'm really struggling... This manga is just solely about the skill of the male dancers? In the two volumes I've read there has been close to no attention given to skill of the female dancers besides them being good at dancing and that being beneficial to the men? The female dancers are like objects to be fought over for the male dancers. "I need a partner!" and a woman fills in/pops in. It's all about who gets to dance with which woman, who's good enough to have which woman.... I guess it's just so blatantly objectifying my brain is resisting. Also (as in manga so, so frequently), the sexualization of middle schoolers... Is not cool.....
I'm a sucker for competitive sports stuff in manga, shonen tropes of competition and skill-building and the really good novice who shocks everyone--And I like those parts of this manga, but so far in two volumes my brain can't ignore the other stuff going on here.
I decided to read a bunch of first volumes of new(er) manga series to broaden my view since I've always gravitated towards shojo manga. This is apparently sports manga.
I'm a forgetful otaku. I thought that since this wasn't doing much for me, I'd finish the first volume and that'd be that. But no, there's a cliffhanger and a development that I want to know more about and it just comes at the end. That's how these things work. Then in two weeks I've read 12 volumes and vow never to fall into this trap again...
Was the ending enough to get me to read the next one? If I hadn't read so many series out of momentum rather than enjoyment, probably. I might try the anime.
I'm a forgetful otaku. I thought that since this wasn't doing much for me, I'd finish the first volume and that'd be that. But no, there's a cliffhanger and a development that I want to know more about and it just comes at the end. That's how these things work. Then in two weeks I've read 12 volumes and vow never to fall into this trap again...
Was the ending enough to get me to read the next one? If I hadn't read so many series out of momentum rather than enjoyment, probably. I might try the anime.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i simultaneously really liked and never want to read more of this series. it's funny, in really unexpected and super subtle ways sometimes, and it's weird in that way sports series can be. but it also falls into the problem of sports series where the main character is a natural, and gets put into a position he absolutely would not be in real life. if you want a funny and sometimes gross look at competitive ballroom dancing in japan, give it a try!
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Cliche without good enough art to make it worth sticking around to see how things go. The characters are off-model every other page and the dancing sequences are terrifying. Instead of learning to draw characters in motion it seems the artist just kept adding speed lines. Not to mention the children immediately age up every time they dance as if they were tracing photos of real dances instead of drawing their characters doing the dance!
And it's not saved by the cast either.
"Welcome to the Ballroom" follows the classic sports manga tropes with the idiot savant protagonist who just happens to wander into a dance studio and decides that's his life now. To the point he somehow dances for 16 hours straight without noticing? Yeah... Uh huh.
But this time the rival is angsty and doesn't even love the sport he's competing in! Oh wait that's also cliche... Well what about the tsundere female love interest who has been doing this her whole life and is offended the idiot protag doesn't take it seriously enough only to be impressed when he puts in the bare amount of effort? Oh that's also old hat... Well the mentor is an asshole! Oh... That's also nothing new...
And it's not saved by the cast either.
"Welcome to the Ballroom" follows the classic sports manga tropes with the idiot savant protagonist who just happens to wander into a dance studio and decides that's his life now. To the point he somehow dances for 16 hours straight without noticing? Yeah... Uh huh.
But this time the rival is angsty and doesn't even love the sport he's competing in! Oh wait that's also cliche... Well what about the tsundere female love interest who has been doing this her whole life and is offended the idiot protag doesn't take it seriously enough only to be impressed when he puts in the bare amount of effort? Oh that's also old hat... Well the mentor is an asshole! Oh... That's also nothing new...
I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did, but it's a really cute sports manga and I find myself rooting for the main character already. Expect to laugh at a lot of silliness and funny facial expressions.
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes