In Volume 1, we met Kiki, a young woman who dreams of being the following partner in ballroom dance, but due to her height, is always assumed to be lead, and Michiru, a diminutive, but forceful young lady who wants to be Kiki’s lead.

In Odoriba ni Skirt ga Naru, Volume 2 (踊り場にスカートが鳴る) the two are still working out exactly what their partnership will look like. But in the meantime, they have their first test competition to get through – which does not go all that smoothly. Michiru passes out after they clear their test.

While they try to build something more stable between them at the dance club’s training camp, we turn our eyes towards Kiki’s former partner, Shion. She and Kiki are able to repair their fractured friendship and Kiki is finally able to step up and take Michiru’s hand fully as a dance partner. But she’s taken by surprise when Michiru asks if they couldn’t form a deeper relationship to make their partnership work. What if they pretend to be a couple…?

In a magnificent climax for the volume, the two open their hearts and begin to dance. They count the waltz steps and come together in a beautiful sequence.

This series is a surprisingly realistic look at the interior lives of young women. The drama is small and personal. No hysterics, no dramatics, but there is deep passion for ballroom dance (and what it means to be part of the Quadrille) and a wholly relatable struggle with being an adolescent girl.

Ratings:

Art – 9
Story – 8
Characters – 9
Yuri – Bumping it up to 2
Service – Nope

Overall – 9

This is, IMHO, a sleeper hit of the year. It won’t take over Times Square, but I have a warm place for it in my heart and really hope to see it in English!