Welcome everyone, to the halfway point of Dance Dance Danseur! This week we begin a new arc, Jumpei get’s chewed out and Luou becomes a tad more competitive. Interested? Then lets jump right in!
Starting off, lets talk about something I mentioned last week: Consequences. I said that I was annoyed that Jumpei hadn’t had any for that stunt he pulled on stage, and that I hoped they were coming. Well? Here they are. Much to my delight, despite how impressed Godai was by it, not everyone else was so happy. I doubt that the Moms pulling their kids out of the school will cause any lasting damage of course. The economic viability of the Godai school simply isn’t what Danseur is about. But that isn’t what I like about this either. What I like is that Jumpei is being forced to recognize the consequences of his actions. And as such, is seeking to not only rectify them but to ensure they don’t happen again. It’s a moment of possible character growth for him. One I’m glad to see Danseur picked up on.
This recognition by Jumpei of his own selfishness, of what ballet is to him, leads to an interesting conversation in Danseur. One between the limitations and strict nature of classical ballet to the freeform, almost contemporary ballet Jumpei desires. It is here that we meet Oikawa Ayako, the judge from the end of last episode. And I have to say, she’s kind of an ass. Completely shutting down both Luou and Jumpei for their performance, and publicly at that? Telling them that they should simply give up on ballet and apologizing to the crowd for them? Let’s just say its an effective introduction for an antagonist and leave it at that. I’m curious where Danseur is going to go with all of this though. Will it deny Ayako’s pure and uncompromising vision of ballet? Or will Jumpei bend before the weight of tradition?
So far at least, it’s looking like he will bend. In the second half of the episode Jumpei is reminded of just how important the basics are. How, once you master them, they will become second nature to you. And that once this happens, that is when he will gain the freedom he so desires. The freedom to express himself and his ballet within the strict confines of classical ballet. Basically, with mastery comes the ability to make it your own. In this early part of the arc I think this is really good for Jumpei. He’s been relying on his natural athleticism and his, apparently special, legs to make it this far. Just doing what he wants. I think some structure at this point, really hammering in the core skills, will be good for him. But after that? After Jumpei regains that freedom? Well I have some ideas.
This is just me spitballing a bit about one possible path Danseur may take, but its one I find really appealing. What if… What if Ayako poaches Jumpei from Godai, like she appears to want to do? And in doing so Jumpei becomes the classically trained ballet dancer, the almost robotic precision that Luou has had for a while? Meanwhile Luou, who’s primary issue has been self expression, stays with Godai? Thus their two careers run parallel, but on different tracks than you would expect based on their personalities. I think that could be really interesting and allow the both of them to continue to pull the other higher. Only time will tell what Danseur wants to do here of course. But so long as it continues to focus on what the characters want out of all this, I think it will be good.
As for Jumpei and Luou pulling each other up like I mentioned? I think this episode was actually really good for that. We are starting to see this rapport develop between them. Jumpei pulling Luou out of his shell, helping him read signs and pushing him to do his best. Even if it means appealing to that competitive nature of his. Meanwhile Jumpei is leaning on Luou, asking him to support him in this unfamiliar environment that Jumpei stands out like a sore thumb in. Luou is also helping Jumpei acknowledge his own short comings, he’s blunt enough to confront Jumpei about what he would really do. Getting him to admit that even had he known about the competition, Jumpei still would have pulled that stunt. He prioritized himself feeling good over the performance. I just love this honesty between the two. Neither is pretending in front of the other.
So yeah, all in all I would call this another successful episode of Danseur. It’s much slower than last week true, but considering how much happened and that we are starting a new arc I think that’s the right decision. Give both the audience and characters some time to cool down and reflect on what’s happened. As for the new arc, I’m really curious where its going to go and what all is going to happen. Ayako is a bit of a bitch, but that doesn’t mean she can’t have a point regarding their dancing. I’d say the only thing im concerned about are the introductions of 3 new characters. I think Danseur has enough of a cast at this point once we factor in Hyou and his story of chasing his passion that we don’t need them. But maybe Danseur has a plan for them, so no judgement yet.
Regardless, I continue to look forward to the next episode. Danseur continues to be my favorite show of the season.
