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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
....Man.
I loved how dramaticly the dance was depicted but I had a lot of issues. The fanservice was a bit uncomfortable and the plot at the end was over the top but I expected that stuff.
However I really don't see the point of the emotionally and physically (it seemed ott even for slapstick humor) abusive coaches and the glorification of unhealthy over practice. Unless the twist next volume is that Hyodo has not run away but has passed out from being ill somewhere? The way the male dancers are acting would absolutely get them injured which is a big deal especially when you have competitions going on! Pushing yourself enough to improve vs too far is a real issue dancers grapple with and the complexities weren't discussed at all.
There's also not very much in here that teaches you about ballroom dance. Terms are dropped in without explanation and the way competition works is barely addressed. The art doesn't help in that the few shots where Tatara is learning steps are drawn as dramatically as the competition bits, often with speed lines in place of accuracy. Learning about the techniques (even the made up ones!) and rules is one of the big appeals imo of sports manga and it was glossed over here.
I loved how dramaticly the dance was depicted but I had a lot of issues. The fanservice was a bit uncomfortable and the plot at the end was over the top but I expected that stuff.
However I really don't see the point of the emotionally and physically (it seemed ott even for slapstick humor) abusive coaches and the glorification of unhealthy over practice. Unless the twist next volume is that
There's also not very much in here that teaches you about ballroom dance. Terms are dropped in without explanation and the way competition works is barely addressed. The art doesn't help in that the few shots where Tatara is learning steps are drawn as dramatically as the competition bits, often with speed lines in place of accuracy. Learning about the techniques (even the made up ones!) and rules is one of the big appeals imo of sports manga and it was glossed over here.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit
This is really fun so far! It’s a shonen-style take on ballroom dancing, where each style of dance and competition is portrayed similarly to a battle.
Unique and interesting so far! Looking forward to reading more!
Unique and interesting so far! Looking forward to reading more!
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...