What do you think?
Rate this book
Swan #5
Swan, Volume 5
Masumi, from rural Japan, wants more than anything to be a prima ballerina, and although her training lags behind others in many competitions, her inner strength and poise will help her overcome those challenges facing a hopeful dancer.
185 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1992
3 people are currently reading
110 people want to read
About the author
Kyoko Ariyoshi
143 books25 followersKyoko Ariyoshi (有吉 京子 Ariyoshi Kyōko, born September 14, 1950) is a Japanese shōjo manga artist. She was born in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. She debuted by publishing her work Kitty and a Girl (Koneko to Shōjo) in Shukan Margaret in 1971.
Ariyoshi is well known for her works of the ballet stories. Swan (Part 1, 1977 – 1980, and Part 2, 1980 – 1981),[1] Swan -The Prayer of Swan- (1982–1983) and Applause are the representative works. These are all stories of ballet and ballerinas.
See also: 有吉 京子
Ariyoshi is well known for her works of the ballet stories. Swan (Part 1, 1977 – 1980, and Part 2, 1980 – 1981),[1] Swan -The Prayer of Swan- (1982–1983) and Applause are the representative works. These are all stories of ballet and ballerinas.
See also: 有吉 京子
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 29, 2013
Drama-rama! What would a shoujo manga be without drama overload. Yet this isn't the same form of romantic melodrama that we see so often in manga. Instead, it's all about the high stakes audition for a role in Swan Lake.
The plot of Swan Lake is a huge part of this volume. The story is told piece by piece spread out over most of the pages. Hijiri is dancing for a lead role in Swan Lake. She dances the White Swan and the Black Swan.
While the drama is so overdone that it becomes a bit silly, I do like the fact that it is mostly conveyed through the drawings. Ariyoshi is able to draw movement and emotions in such a way that the reader feels a strong connection to the characters. Plus, a plethora of exclamation points just so we know that everything is important!
I'm almost halfway through this series. I want to keep reading it to find out what happens, but the fascination is also petering out. It's becoming increasingly unrealistic with Hijiri's innate talent leading her to beat highly accomplished ballerinas despite that her technical training is lacking. But I'll keep going at least for now.
The plot of Swan Lake is a huge part of this volume. The story is told piece by piece spread out over most of the pages. Hijiri is dancing for a lead role in Swan Lake. She dances the White Swan and the Black Swan.
While the drama is so overdone that it becomes a bit silly, I do like the fact that it is mostly conveyed through the drawings. Ariyoshi is able to draw movement and emotions in such a way that the reader feels a strong connection to the characters. Plus, a plethora of exclamation points just so we know that everything is important!
I'm almost halfway through this series. I want to keep reading it to find out what happens, but the fascination is also petering out. It's becoming increasingly unrealistic with Hijiri's innate talent leading her to beat highly accomplished ballerinas despite that her technical training is lacking. But I'll keep going at least for now.
January 21, 2016
I loved that the author/artist showed us the whole dance of Swan Lake.
Masumi must challenge her Russian rival, in a contest for the lead role; but who will win?
When the legendary Dame Margaret Fonteyn encourages Masumi to be herself and express her inner strength through dancing, Masumi gains the hope and confidence she needs to rise to her next challenge.
In Russia, Masumi will audition for the lead role in a special performance, but she will be competing against Russia's own prodigy, Larissa Maximova. Will Masumi use Margaret Fonteyn's advice, or be defeated by Larissa's perfect skills?
Masumi must challenge her Russian rival, in a contest for the lead role; but who will win?
When the legendary Dame Margaret Fonteyn encourages Masumi to be herself and express her inner strength through dancing, Masumi gains the hope and confidence she needs to rise to her next challenge.
In Russia, Masumi will audition for the lead role in a special performance, but she will be competing against Russia's own prodigy, Larissa Maximova. Will Masumi use Margaret Fonteyn's advice, or be defeated by Larissa's perfect skills?
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews