Summer Anime Recommendation: Ballroom e Youkoso

Looking for a different kind of sports anime? If so, Ballroom e Youkoso just might be right for you.

Animated by Production I.G., the production that brought forth the animation of Kuroko no Basket and Haikyuu!!!, Ballroom e Youkoso features a new branch of sports in the history of anime -competitive ballroom dancing. It certainly is refreshing to see that the sports anime genre is still expanding possibilities on incorporating interesting plotlines centering around athletes and their line of sport.

The story follows Fujita Tatara, an introverted third year middle student, who is one day rescued by professional dancer Sengoku Kaname from a band of ruly deliquents. From there, with some inspiration from schoolmate idol, Shizuku Hanaoka and her partner Hyoudou Kiyoharu, Tatara enters the world of competitive dancing and learning about the passion and art behind it.

Like most sports anime plot, it centers on a newbie protagonist that encounters the sport that changes his life. It is a coming of age story, the drama and budding life of youth.

There is the spice of having dance rivals (and possibly, love rivals), charismatic coaches and fated challenges.

But what sets it apart from the others is its pacing of story and character development, from serious commentaries to playful banter. It does not only showcase the characters’ evolution on their dance performances but also their evolution as persons.

Animation-wise, it is well-detailed and presents a beautiful blending and contrast of colors. Its music and soundtracks are also good mood setters for the show.

The dancers’ outfits are also pretty much something to look forward too.

The anime is still ongoing so it’s not too late to start watching it.

So ready to dance to the beat? One, two, three, go!

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