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OtapediaBallroom e Youkoso (Welcome to the Ballroom)

General Summary

“Ballroom e Youkoso” (Welcome to the Ballroom) follows Tatara Fujita, a third year junior high school student who has no idea what he want to do after graduation or in life. He’s not the best at studies, sports, or music, he’s just plain. However, one day he finds the world of ballroom dance. Tatara joins the studio to not only find something he can be passionate about, but to grow into the confident person he wishes to become.

About the Author

Tomo Takeuchi made her debut in 2009 with “Tonari no Shozo” in an offshoot publication for “Monthly Shonen Magazine”. “Ballroom e Youkoso” began its serialization in “Monthly Shonen Magazine” in December 2011. It was nominated for Japan’s 6th and 8th Manga Taisho award, and it was one of the highest recommend manga in 2013. The manga was temporarily on hiatus due to the author's health, but it resumed serialization in January 2017. There are currently 8 volumes published in Japan.

Personal Thoughts

I never thought I would find myself curious about ballroom dance, but I was completely captivated by the way “Ballroom e Youkoso” presents competitive dance. The waltz, tango, Viennese waltz, slow-foxtrot, and quickstep are all featured throughout the manga, and you’ll learn together with Tatara about the key steps in each dance. Learning can be fun!

Tatara is a lovable shonen character that makes his best effort to learn and engross himself in the world of competitive ballroom dance, and you’ll find yourself cheering him on both on the dancefloor and in his daily life.
Finally, Takeuchi sensei’s art conveys the speed and movement of ballroom dance using fierce, bold lines that make every step carry weight and impact. This manga was already on my reading list, and the anime seems to be on the right track with its art and production. I can’t wait!

Characters

Tatara Fujita:

Facing his last year in junior high school, Tatara is wondering what he should do with his life. He isn’t particularly talented and has no goals. However, through a lucky chance he’s introduced to the world of ballroom dance.

Kiyoharu Hyodo:

He is Shizuku’s dance partner and also in his last year of junior high school. Kiyohara is known throughout the ameature ballroom competition scene as a dancing genius who has won and dominated many competitions. While his personality off the dance floor his cool, he makes sure to turn on the heat when he performs.

Shizuku Hanaoka:

She attends the same school and is in the same grade as Tatara. She is Kiyoharu’s dance partner, and they are both thinking of studying abroad after junior high school to advance their dance career. At first, Shizuku is a little cold and upset toward Tatara after he joins the same dance studio. She’s a stoic but beautiful dancer.

Gaju Akagi:

Gaju is a first year in high school who is dance partners with his sister, Mako. He is known in the world of amateur Latin dance for being hot-blooded and on pair with Kiyoharu, who he sees as his rival.

Mako Akagi:

Mako is a second year in junior high school and dance partners with her older brother, Akagi. She’s a very gentle and consider person, but Mako and Akagi are dangerously close to finding new partners after their recent fallout.

Kaname Sengoku:

Kaname is Tatara’s dance instructor, owner of the Ogasawara dance studio, and a current professional dancer that has competed abroad. He brought Tatara into the studio for a trial dance lesson after saving him from some bullies.

Airing Information

Will air in July 2017 on MBS, TOKYO MX, and BS-11 television networks in Japan. The airtime has not been announced.

Cast

  • Tatara Fujita: Shimba Tsuchiya (Haikyu!!, The Dragon Dentist)
  • Kiyoharu Hyodo: Nobuhiko Okamoto (Log Horizon, My Hero Academia, Haikyuu!!)
  • Shizuku Hanaoka: Ayane Sakura (Kantai Collection, My Hero Academia, Orange)
  • Gaju Akagi: Kentaro Tomita (Dream Festival)
  • Mako Akagi: Sumire Morohoshi (Summer Wars, The Boy and the Beast, Aikatsu!!)
  • Kaname Sengoku: Toshiyuki Morikawa (Gintama, One-Punch Man, Bungou Stray Dogs)

Staff

  • Original Work: “Ballroom e Youkoso” by Tomo Takeuchi
  • Director: Yoshimi Itazu (Den-noh Coil, Paranoia Agent, Pigtails)
  • Plot/Script Writer: Kenichi Suemitsu
  • Character Designer: Takahiro Kishida (BTOOOM!, Haikyu!!, DURARARA!!)
  • Music Composer: Yuki Hayashi (Diabolik Lovers, Haikyu!!, My Hero Academia)
  • Animation: Production I.G

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