The summer 2017 anime series Welcome to the Ballroom is having its home video release handled by Pony Canyon in Japan and they’ve set a solid schedule for it. With it just about ten days until the release arrives we now have some updated artwork for the first cover. We thought the previously solicited piece might be a slipcover for it but it kept the artwork and just added a new background to it, which as much as I like plain white backgrounds I think this works in its favor. The twenty-four episode series is getting a six-volume release that begins on November 29th, 2017. With four episodes per disc, both formats are listed at 9,800 yen each.
The Japanese cast includes Shimba Tsuchiya as Tatara Fujita, Nobuhiko Okamoto as Kiyoharu Hyodo, Ayane Sakura as Shizuku Hanaoka, and Toshiyuki Morikawa as Kaname Sengoku.
The series comes from creator Tomo Takeuchi and has been getting print distribution in North America through Kodansha Comics. Known as Ballroom e Youkoso in Japan, the series has been serialized in Shounen Magazine Monthly since the fall of 2011 and has eight volumes out so far. The property is Takeuchi’s only published work.
Plot Concept: Fujita has drifted through middle school aimlessly, unable to find friends or anything that can hold his attention. Then, one day, he’s attacked by a gang and saved by a mysterious man. But this isn’t a karate master; it’s a ballroom dance instructor! Reluctantly, Fujita takes a few beginner’s classes, only to find his inspiration… an entrancing, teenage dance prodigy named Shizuku. It’s Fujita’s first step into the high-octane world of competitive dance!
| Volume | Date | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 11/29/17 | Booklet, Dance Class Video |
| 2 | 12/27/17 | |
| 3 | 01/24/18 | |
| 4 | 02/28/18 | |
| 5 | 03/28/18 | |
| 6 | 04/25/18 |
Originally solicited first volume artwork:
[Source: Welcome to the Ballroom]
