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Swan #13
Swan, Volume 13
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.
208 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 1992
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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
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 7, 2013
Hijiri meets New York! It's so nice for a change of pace in this volume. Hijiri travels to America and discovers not only a new country but a new world of dance.
A few nitpicky things that stood out to me in this volume. The language barrier is nonexistent. I've noticed this before, but I was reminded of it when Hijiri got to a new country. It seems as though Hijiri speaks every language. She comfortably converses with Russians, Americans, Cubans and more. Either they all speak Japanese, which I doubt, or she speaks Russian, English, and Spanish, which I also doubt. Also, Hijiri comments multiple times on how big New York is and how it has such tall buildings. I find this amusing because Tokyo in the 1970s was probably about the same size as New York City.
Hijiri is back to being the underdog in New York. The ballet school where she's now training focuses on modern dance, which is an entirely different style. It's hard for Hijiri to make the transition or even to understand it well enough to teach it to herself. It doesn't help when Hijiri discovers that the head of the school didn't really want her there. He only took her because Leonhardt insisted, and he wanted Leonhardt. He's looking for every opportunity to fire her.
Hijiri is also upset when she finds an old friend studying at the ballet school. Her friend has lost the love for ballet. She's only going through the motions. She's more interested in living the luxe life with her boyfriend in an upscale apartment. Just as much, she's been embittered by the politics of the American School of Ballet. I think Hijiri is worried that she may become the same way.
I'm curious to see if Hijiri can succeed in this new world. No longer is she her own worst enemy. Now she has to overcome the low expectations of her instructor. This will be when her character may really shine.
A few nitpicky things that stood out to me in this volume. The language barrier is nonexistent. I've noticed this before, but I was reminded of it when Hijiri got to a new country. It seems as though Hijiri speaks every language. She comfortably converses with Russians, Americans, Cubans and more. Either they all speak Japanese, which I doubt, or she speaks Russian, English, and Spanish, which I also doubt. Also, Hijiri comments multiple times on how big New York is and how it has such tall buildings. I find this amusing because Tokyo in the 1970s was probably about the same size as New York City.
Hijiri is back to being the underdog in New York. The ballet school where she's now training focuses on modern dance, which is an entirely different style. It's hard for Hijiri to make the transition or even to understand it well enough to teach it to herself. It doesn't help when Hijiri discovers that the head of the school didn't really want her there. He only took her because Leonhardt insisted, and he wanted Leonhardt. He's looking for every opportunity to fire her.
Hijiri is also upset when she finds an old friend studying at the ballet school. Her friend has lost the love for ballet. She's only going through the motions. She's more interested in living the luxe life with her boyfriend in an upscale apartment. Just as much, she's been embittered by the politics of the American School of Ballet. I think Hijiri is worried that she may become the same way.
I'm curious to see if Hijiri can succeed in this new world. No longer is she her own worst enemy. Now she has to overcome the low expectations of her instructor. This will be when her character may really shine.
January 6, 2016
i really like this comic <3
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews