Swan, Volume 2

Swan #2

by Kyoko Ariyoshi

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.

Genres: Manga, Komik, Shojo, Comics, Fiction, Comics Manga, Graphic Novels

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Kyoko 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

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Onstage, nothing exists but the present moment!

Masumi and Kyogoku are trying out for the same part in "Sleeping Beauty," which means they must separate, regardless of who wins. Masumi would be too much of a wish-fulfillment character if she won this early in the series, so it makes narrative sense for her to have a minor setback. Shortly after Kyogoku arrives in Moscow, a new Russian rival challenges her to a one-on-one dance based on "Giselle."

The tempestuous emotions of the first volume have settled down, and in their place are beautiful splash panels featuring Masumi, Kyogoku, et al. as they practice and perform. I like how the story doesn't always focus on Masumi, or others thinking about her. Kyogoku has her own trials in Russia, whose ballet fans are all-too-willing to dismiss Japan as a contender on the international ballet stage.

Masumi stops off for a few days in Moscow on her way to London for her own training with an international ballet company. It's a little disappointing that she never has a chance to live her life as an ordinary student anywhere she goes. Her girl classmates, whether in Hokkaido or Tokyo, are friendly shadows who never get a lot of development before she's whisked somewhere else. Maybe she'll be able to settle down for a while in London, while her budding relationship with Kusakabe continues to grow.

I love the storytelling and art in this series. Viva shoujo manga!

[Bryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

More beautiful 70s shoujo! This book continues to demonstrate two things I loved about the first one; the plot doesn't slow down to worry about justifying the heroine's participation in the story, and the female characters are competitive rivals but not actually enemies, even when jealousy plays a role. I would really like to own this, but sadly it never got fully translated into English and the existing volumes are OOP and expensive.

[Venise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hijiri continues to go for appropriate dance form and encourages her newer dance friends while wishing they will all meet their goals.

[Alison (AlisonCanRead) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm increasingly liking this series. It has a more realistic feel to it than the silliness that is prevalent in most shoujo manga series. Still some whimsical-ness, but it's not over the top.

Hijiri has great potential to be a stupendous ballerina. You could argue that her quick rise is a bit unrealistic given that her training in her rural community was significantly lacking. But we see in this volume that Hijiri doesn't just start winning contest after contest. She comes in second in a dance-off between her and Princess Sayoko for a starring role in a Moscow ballet. Don't you think that second is the worst place to finish? I'd much rather win a Bronze in the Olympics than a Silver, because at least with a Bronze you can be grateful that you medaled at all, but with a Silver you'd always wish you'd won.

After the contest was decided, the plot waffled a bit too much. There was a snippet of a romance with a hot Cuban ballet dancer. But despite the synopsis playing up the tension, to call this a snippet of romance is being quite generous. Hijiri also said goodbye to her new friends as they traveled to other countries to train. And then Hijiri gets to go to London to train. On the way, she stops in Moscow to see Princess Sayoko perform. There was too much going on.

I also have trouble telling some of the characters apart and remembering the names. Perhaps it's that the faces are too similar or perhaps the personalities are indistinct. I wish they had a page at the beginning of each volume introducing the characters as many series do.

Regardless, it's a lot of fun to read about the life of an aspiring ballerina. And I can't help but laugh at the crazy 70s hairstyles and fashion. Plus references to Leningrad or the Soviet Union.

[Dana Al-Basha | دانة الباشا · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Sergeiev was Masumi's mom first love. I think that is why he cares so much for her. I love when Masumi thinks about Kusakabe-san after eating and while walking while it's snowing: "Love is like the falling snow. It starts when you don't notice it. Falling... Silently... and deeply."

Masumi has won a spot in the company; but can she keep it?

Masumi has survived the rigorous competition and won a place in the National Ballet School. But just as she revolves to work hard and stay focused, a handsome foreign student arrives. Will this newcomer support her quest to develop as a dancer, or will romantic entanglements become a distraction?

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

gosh I love this series SO MUCH and the second one was way better than the first! it makes me feel all the feelings. as somebody who did intensive ballet for 11 years (I quit when I was 15) this is really accurate to the ballet life. except masumi's fellow dancers are so much nicer to her than american ballerinas are to each other, at least in my experience. anyway I can't wait to keep reading because this is the most fun i've had in ages.

[scarlettraces · Rating 4 out of 5]

if i'd had swan when i was 8, life would have been perfect. it's like all the ballet books i read back then, only it also has rapturous double page spreads of ballet dancers caught in ecstastic multiple exposure. plus technically it's shojo sports drama, and i cannot resist that.

[Starbubbles · Rating 5 out of 5]

i was so relieved that masumi didn't have another expection and get to perform in russia. i think i would have puked a little. still, a very good book, and very fun to read about how nice everyone is. nice change from most of my other books.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with the previous volume, the art is something that's really is hard to get used to (especially the sudden switch between drama and comedy), but Swan has drama in spades to make this an interesting read and an introduction to ballet.