Connect with us
10 Dance Vol. 4 Review
Kodansha Comics

Manga and Anime

10 Dance Vol. 4 Review

The sensual dancing romance manga is back.

[amazon_link asins=’1632367807′ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’25eb70c7-1f92-4951-92c3-10398eb65cba’]

I could wax on about how Inouesatoh’s 10 Dance is my favorite currently ongoing boys love title, or about how it represents excellence in sports manga. Either discussion, however, would be too narrow; 10 Dance is one of the best comics out there, period. The last installment saw the two Shinyas’ feelings intensify well beyond the point of plausible deniability, and Vol. 4 depicts how they act upon that truth. How are these character developments handled? Is this volume just as good as the three that preceded it?

Like Vol. 3, Vol. 4 heightens the quality of the two Shinyas’ romance by diving deep into each one’s memories and social circles. Suzuki in particular has a lot of page-time devoted to flashbacks of his growing up in Cuba, surrounded by the large family he now works hard to support. Besides expanding upon Suzuki’s motivations, these scenes also harken back to how he first came to love dance in the first place. There’s a clear arc to follow that makes him all the more interesting to read about while still leaving some details ripe for further exploration.

This volume also introduces a number of other professional dancers that the two Shinyas have personal histories with, thus providing a glimpse at what their relationships to the dancing world at large were like prior to meeting one another. Seeing elements from the leads’ pasts and presents bump up against each other helps demonstrate how profoundly the last several volumes’ events have affected their lives. All in all, this is effective world-building that doubles as character development.

10 Dance Vol. 4 Review

Kodansha Comics

The visuals also continue to bring the manga’s world to life with lots of energy and emotion. Scenes of the characters dancing are particularly impressive thanks to a variety of page compositions that shift and flow to match the music and contortions of bodies. Strings of musical notes act as links across panels focusing in on various body parts, often to sensual effect. Panels depicting nothing but close-ups on the Shinyas’ eyes and mouths are particularly evocative and convey meaning more boldly and directly than much narration or dialogue ever can. Whether mid-dance or while characters are just standing around and talking, the body language throughout is impeccable.

Fortunately, the rest of the writing is largely up to par with the world-building and art. The two Shinyas’ voices continue to be distinct and the pacing of dialogue shifts effectively to match both frantic and more relaxed moments. The buildups of tension and their resulting climaxes are all given proper page-time to breathe which is especially important as the characters take on an all-time high level of frankness about their emotions. My only real qualm with the volume is that there’s a slow spurt roughly three-quarters of the way in that doesn’t feel like it’s contributing enough to the plot or character progression. Fortunately, the excitement picks back up by the end.

Overall, 10 Dance Vol. 4 continues the series’s high quality streak. The artwork is emotive and matches the sensuality of the characters’ dancing, and the world-building is also great. There is one slow spot a ways in but the book doesn’t take long to pick back up. I would wholeheartedly recommend 10 Dance to anyone.

10 Dance Vol. 4 Review
10 Dance Vol. 4
Is it good?
Sensual and evocative, with great world-building.
The exploration of characters' pasts is top-notch
The visuals are evocative and convey the energy of dance
The main duo's romance is as well-written as ever
There is a bit of a slog a ways in
9
Great

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024 WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

WWE SmackDown preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024 AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

AEW Dynamite preview, full card: February 28, 2024

Pro Wrestling

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024 AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

AEW Rampage preview, full card: March 1, 2024

Pro Wrestling

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt' Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in 'Blood Hunt'

Marvel unveils the new villains Bloodcoven appearing in ‘Blood Hunt’

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup