This review may contain spoilers
truly stunning
I got curious when 10DANCE popped up in Netflix’s New & Hot section and hit “Remind Me” more out of interest than excitement. I wasn’t even sure it would be my kind of film. Still, I’ve always thought Keita Machida is a reliable performer (yes, Kurosawa from Cherry Magic), so I trusted the acting would at least be solid. A few days after release, I finally pressed play—and honestly, I didn’t expect it to surprise me this much, let alone in such a good way.
10DANCE is a 2025 Japanese romantic drama that adapts Inouesatoh’s BL manga into a sleek, atmospheric film set in the competitive world of professional dance. It follows two elite dancers with the same first name but wildly different styles. Ryoma Takeuchi plays Shinya Suzuki, Japan’s fiery Latin dance champion, while Keita Machida is Shinya Sugiki, a polished and exacting master of Standard ballroom. Because they dominate different disciplines, they’ve never directly competed, yet a quiet rivalry has always lingered. When Sugiki suggests they train each other and aim for the gruelling 10-Dance competition, Suzuki reluctantly agrees—and that’s when friction slowly turns into respect, connection, and something deeper.
What immediately charmed me was the symmetry of it all: two Shinyas, two disciplines, two ways of moving through the world. If you’re even remotely interested in dance, this film is a treat. It dives into technique, discipline, and the psychological pressure of competitive ballroom with surprising detail and authenticity. I was genuinely impressed by how real it felt. Ryoma brings intensity and physical confidence to Suzuki, but Keita absolutely stunned me. His movement is elegant, controlled, and fluid, with impeccable posture and clean lines that make every step look effortless.
The romance is a slow burn, but I didn’t mind at all. I got so absorbed in the dancing and the push-and-pull between Sugiki and Suzuki that the gradual pace felt intentional rather than frustrating. During training, it’s mostly just the two of them, and the tension simmers beneath every movement. There’s a constant undercurrent of competitive flirtation—subtle, restrained, and quietly charged. It’s understated, yes, but that restraint is part of the appeal.
The performances are a huge strength. When the two Shinyas train together, you can feel the tension through the screen. Their contrasting styles—Sugiki’s controlled elegance versus Suzuki’s expressive Latin flair—create something visually stunning. The chemistry is undeniable, and every movement feels precise and purposeful. The production backs this up beautifully: the cinematography captures the dances with grace, and the music perfectly matches each mood, whether it’s slow and sensual or sharp and driving.
The supporting characters, especially the female dance partners, mostly observe from the sidelines. Aki, in particular, becomes an emotional anchor, gently recognising Suzuki’s feelings before he’s ready to admit them himself. While I did wish the women had been given a bit more narrative weight, the performances themselves were strong and grounded.
What really elevates 10DANCE is how it celebrates the human form and movement without relying on explicitness. The dialogue is playful and provocative at times, but it’s always tied to character and discipline. Suzuki lives and breathes Latin dance, while Sugiki embodies the structure and tradition of ballroom. Watching those worlds collide and slowly merge is where the film truly comes alive.
Visually, the film is gorgeous from the opening credits. The mix of music styles, poetic dialogue, and manga-inspired flair gives it a stylish, almost noir-like atmosphere. It’s sensual without being excessive, polished but never cold. There’s a richness to the mood—colours, textures, rhythm—that pulls you in completely.
I’ll admit, the ending left me slightly confused. The film sets up the 10-Dance competition as the goal, yet we ultimately find ourselves at the Asian Cup ballroom championship instead. That shift felt a little unclear. Still, the final dance sequence more than makes up for it. It’s mesmerising. Keita Machida, in particular, completely blew me away, and I found myself lost in the movement and emotion of that closing medley.
In the end, 10DANCE is a classy, immersive film that goes beyond romance. It’s about discipline versus freedom, structure versus passion, and how growth often comes from allowing yourself to change. The chemistry between the leads is visceral, the dance sequences are breathtaking, and the emotional journey lingers long after the credits roll. Even with a few narrative hiccups, this film stayed with me—and that, to me, says everything.
10DANCE is a 2025 Japanese romantic drama that adapts Inouesatoh’s BL manga into a sleek, atmospheric film set in the competitive world of professional dance. It follows two elite dancers with the same first name but wildly different styles. Ryoma Takeuchi plays Shinya Suzuki, Japan’s fiery Latin dance champion, while Keita Machida is Shinya Sugiki, a polished and exacting master of Standard ballroom. Because they dominate different disciplines, they’ve never directly competed, yet a quiet rivalry has always lingered. When Sugiki suggests they train each other and aim for the gruelling 10-Dance competition, Suzuki reluctantly agrees—and that’s when friction slowly turns into respect, connection, and something deeper.
What immediately charmed me was the symmetry of it all: two Shinyas, two disciplines, two ways of moving through the world. If you’re even remotely interested in dance, this film is a treat. It dives into technique, discipline, and the psychological pressure of competitive ballroom with surprising detail and authenticity. I was genuinely impressed by how real it felt. Ryoma brings intensity and physical confidence to Suzuki, but Keita absolutely stunned me. His movement is elegant, controlled, and fluid, with impeccable posture and clean lines that make every step look effortless.
The romance is a slow burn, but I didn’t mind at all. I got so absorbed in the dancing and the push-and-pull between Sugiki and Suzuki that the gradual pace felt intentional rather than frustrating. During training, it’s mostly just the two of them, and the tension simmers beneath every movement. There’s a constant undercurrent of competitive flirtation—subtle, restrained, and quietly charged. It’s understated, yes, but that restraint is part of the appeal.
The performances are a huge strength. When the two Shinyas train together, you can feel the tension through the screen. Their contrasting styles—Sugiki’s controlled elegance versus Suzuki’s expressive Latin flair—create something visually stunning. The chemistry is undeniable, and every movement feels precise and purposeful. The production backs this up beautifully: the cinematography captures the dances with grace, and the music perfectly matches each mood, whether it’s slow and sensual or sharp and driving.
The supporting characters, especially the female dance partners, mostly observe from the sidelines. Aki, in particular, becomes an emotional anchor, gently recognising Suzuki’s feelings before he’s ready to admit them himself. While I did wish the women had been given a bit more narrative weight, the performances themselves were strong and grounded.
What really elevates 10DANCE is how it celebrates the human form and movement without relying on explicitness. The dialogue is playful and provocative at times, but it’s always tied to character and discipline. Suzuki lives and breathes Latin dance, while Sugiki embodies the structure and tradition of ballroom. Watching those worlds collide and slowly merge is where the film truly comes alive.
Visually, the film is gorgeous from the opening credits. The mix of music styles, poetic dialogue, and manga-inspired flair gives it a stylish, almost noir-like atmosphere. It’s sensual without being excessive, polished but never cold. There’s a richness to the mood—colours, textures, rhythm—that pulls you in completely.
I’ll admit, the ending left me slightly confused. The film sets up the 10-Dance competition as the goal, yet we ultimately find ourselves at the Asian Cup ballroom championship instead. That shift felt a little unclear. Still, the final dance sequence more than makes up for it. It’s mesmerising. Keita Machida, in particular, completely blew me away, and I found myself lost in the movement and emotion of that closing medley.
In the end, 10DANCE is a classy, immersive film that goes beyond romance. It’s about discipline versus freedom, structure versus passion, and how growth often comes from allowing yourself to change. The chemistry between the leads is visceral, the dance sequences are breathtaking, and the emotional journey lingers long after the credits roll. Even with a few narrative hiccups, this film stayed with me—and that, to me, says everything.
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