There isn’t any romance and only the beginnings of an attraction (at this stage, only curiosity about the other). This first volume is about meeting and then learning each other’s styles. As well, both men’s personalities (as well as those of their female partners) come through clearly in the illustration work. The artwork is fine and well drawn – makes the moves easy to understand. Their personalities and styles are at complete odds and it creates complications and drama. Sugiki is dead serious about dancing while Suzuki is a dilettante – dancing to the music and whims in his head. The two main characters are fairly common archetypes for this genre – Sugiki with his Meiji Restoration idealism and manners while Suzuki always has music in his head and was taught to feel the music by his abuelo in Cuba. What follows is a an examination of the Ballroom and Latin dance competitions and styles – and what it takes to be a leader. Their female partners, meanwhile, are less enthused about learning another dance style and leave the men to their own devices. When they make a deal to teach other, it becomes apparent that one needs to loosen up and breathe while the other needs to become precise and less intuitive. Story: Both Shinyas are curious about the other’s dance styles and need to learn them in order to win a prestigious competition featuring 10 different dances. Most of the first volume is about the clash of styles and how each handles their personal lives. Shinya Suzuki, on the other hand, was born in Cuba, is half Cuban, and dances Latin with passion and fire. Shinya Sugiki is a very traditional and old fashioned uptight ballroom dancer. In this first volume, we are introduced to two very different but world class dancers, each with the same first name.

10 Dance, Vol. 1 by Satoh Inoue