Dec 16, 2017
"Now that's what I call Sports Anime!"
I cannot emphasize enough how wonderful this show was for me to watch. Until this past year I had not managed to enter the world of sports anime, and after devoting an entire season to exploring the genre in its various forms and series, I can definitively say that Ballroom e Youkoso (Welcome to the Ballroom) is one of my favorites and one of the most enjoyable by far. From basketball to rugby, ping pong to bicycle races, the realm of sports has all different kinds of appeal, however; Ballroom has something that is entirely unique to
...
it: aesthetic.
When I say this, I don't mean the art or animation--though I shall talk about that shortly. What I mean when I say aesthetic, is that the look of the competitors and exhibition of the dancing itself is wholly important to the nature of the sport being examined here. Ballroom Dancing is a team (pair) sport about performing amazing physical feats and looking stunning while doing them with the utmost precision and technique. Though skeptical at first, I feel that this manga and subsequent anime adaption have done every thing in their power to show this to their audience. Though usually thought of as a activity for "women, and old people with too much money and time on their hands," Ballroom manages to take every part of what makes an anime a "sports" anime and turn it into a show of beauty that appeals to a much wider audience than one may first think.
Allow me to be the first to bring up last year's Yuri!!! On Ice, which disappoints severely in this regard. As a result of this past disappointment, I had a great deal misgivings about Ballroom and was worried that it would end on a less impressive note; however, after finding the manga at my local bookstore and deciding to pick it up and give it a perusal before the anime began, my fears were wiped away. What I got was beautiful illustrations, even development for the characters, and a story that didn't understate the work and effort and devotion they needed to be competitive dancers. Ballroom Dancing is a sport, this series wasn't going to let you forget that, and I love it all the more because of it.
I have few points to bring up on the technical side of the series:
Story: It's a tale as old as sports series about a boy who just wants something to give his life a little more meaning, finds his way into a dance school accidentally, and then finds himself exploring the world of a sport that he wouldn't have given a second glance at if not for the people he meets there. Now this is just how the story starts and as our leading boy Tatara explores the world of dance and struggles to find his dance we are treated to an interesting take on the typical beginner's story. Maybe nothing too flashy, but definitely nothing to sneeze at either.
Art: People complain about the necks a lot, but this is dance and posture is consistently pointed out, so this is no doubt a creative choice on the part of the creators. The animation is lack luster at it's worst, and ASTOUNDING at it's best. While it would have been nice to have seen the animation be its best the entire time, very few seasonal anime manage to be as consistent, so some lee-way is there. Perfect? No, in fact it has a habit of letting you down too early in some crucial instances, but I believe it serves it's purpose more than well enough. You can follow the movements of the dancers almost always fluidly and that has to count for something.
Sound: A++ Points for Unison Square Garden for both openings and Sing Sing Sing as part of the soundtrack. I don't think anyone would complain about the sound.
Characters: I found them to be unique and likeable. None of them were one-time friends or adversaries, and each of them had a story to tell and a role to play that would have changed the story entirely had they not been present. Some might find the protagonist a bit hard to be initially invested in, but time makes him grow on you, and until then the supporting cast is always fun.
Overall, Welcome to the Ballroom is an exemplary show that incorporates the beauty of ballroom dancing with the intensity of sports anime while balancing a well-put-together cast and enjoyable story. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, it is a very easy 24 episodes to recommend. I look forward to continuing to follow the manga and will be overjoyed should we ever get the honor of a future season of the anime.
Reviewer’s Rating: 10
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