'Welcome to the Ballroom' Is ❤

I started watching Welcome to the Ballroom (a.k.a. Ballroom e Youkoso) as soon as it started back in July.  I got into it because an anime centered on ballroom dancing was something I hadn’t seen before, and I thought it looked great based on its trailer.  Right from the get-go, it’s been pretty fun, delightful, and addicting.

The anime series centers on Tatara Fujita, a third-year middle school student who lacks aspirations.  During a time where he’s at a loss on what he wants to do with his life after middle school, he meets two persons that made quite an impression on him.  First is Shizuku Hanaoka, a schoolmate of his who caught his eye due to her prettiness and who he later learns is a talented ballroom dancer.  And second is Kaname Sengoku, the instructor of Ogasawara Dance Studio who happens to be a celebrated professional dancesport competitor.  Due to his encounter with them, Tatara becomes drawn into the world of ballroom dancing and his life has never been the same again afterwards.

During the first episodes, some of the story beats reminded of Hajimme no Ippo – in a good way.  Indeed, there are parallels between Ippo Makunouchi and Tatara Fujita, particularly on how their arcs started.  But, eventually, Tatara’s story becomes more distinctive.

I really like that there’s neither a “prodigy” nor “immediate success” element about Tatara’s characterization.  While Ippo immediately went on a winning streak when he started boxing, Tatara doesn’t necessarily win all of his initial fights.  He really has to start at the bottom and work his way up.  Sure, he’s depicted to show some striking aptitude.  But he’s not quite portrayed as having an effortless, swift development.  Nothing comes easy for him.  The struggle and frustration of the process are clearly integrated his arc.  Growing pains are apparent.  Thus, whatever accomplishments he gains feel satisfyingly earned.

In relation to this, the storytelling has adequate success in subverting expectations.  For example (minor SPOILERS), the girl who you may think Tatara will have as his eventual partner doesn’t turn out to be her.  The narrative takes its time before it introduces his dance partner.  He first gets paired up with some other girls before he gets to meet her.  And when they finally get together, it doesn’t go smoothly.  There’s awkwardness.  There’re fights.  Again, there are growing pains.  But this only makes their dynamic very compelling and ultimately rewarding.

The animation is gorgeous.  However, I wish the dance scenes have been constantly fluid, graceful, and realistic.  They are so at times, but it isn’t as sustained as I would have wanted.  Nevertheless, every frame is eye-candy.

All in all, it isn’t perfect, but I get to love Welcome to the Ballroom.  It’s well-paced, wonderfully scripted, visually appealing, and beautifully conceptualized.

It’s probably going to take a while before there’s a follow-up to its 24-episode debut season, as the anime has already caught up with the manga’s story (yep, the anime is so addicting that I also began following the manga to get my fix).  Until then, I will be eagerly waiting.