Book Review
Title: La Magnifique Grande Scène #1
Author: Cuvie
Genre: Manga
Rating: *****
Review: The opening to La Magnifique Grande Scene was, we are introduced to Kanade who after watching her neighbour Risa perform decides to become a ballet dancer. However, Kanade is constantly struck by how ugly her dancing is compared to Risa’s, but she forgets that she is just a beginner. Risa helps Kanade through her issues and helps her develop and very soon she is being taught by the experienced teacher because she has the potential to be great.
Soon, we see Risa perform in a competition but there seems to be something wrong with her knee making her stumble and fall more than once in her performance. Back in practice, we see Risa cheering on her friend every step of the way seemingly unaware of the problem that Risa is facing.
Before Risa leaves ballet for good, she and Kanade convince the teachers to let them dance together for the first and only time in their recital. We then jump forward and Kanade is now in the advanced class and waiting to get her pointe shoes. However, her friends get them before she does and will she is a little heartbroken she is determined to work harder in order to earn her shoes. But it is from Mrs. Takimoto that we learn the reason Kanade hasn’t got her shoes yet is that Takimoto doesn’t want to push her too hard and destroy her in the same way she did to Risa.
With another recital coming up Kanade has the role of Cupid which also means that she gets a solo. However, being the only girl in the recital wearing ballet shoes, not pointe shoes has her very worried. But when she goes to watch the boys practice she realises all of them wear ballet shoes, afterwards she does lots of research into men’s ballet and contemporary ballet and realises that they all wear ballet shoes but there are some advantages to wearing them. After learning this she has a newfound confidence and decides to be the best Cupid and she is going to do it in ballet shoes.
As the day of the recital arrives, everyone is nervous except Kanade. When the show begins we see the hard work and dedication of one young girl really pay off as she dances. Even the audience seemed shocked that she is wearing ballet shoes and dances more like the men than the girls but as one person points out Cupid is gender less and Kanade seamlessly merges both the male and female ways of dancing ballet and it is beautiful.
Overall, I loved La Magnifique Grande Scène, the story and art style are beautiful, and I can’t wait to read the next volume as soon as it becomes available on NetGalley. Highly recommend to fans of sports manga and anime and I think it makes a great beginner manga for people that don’t normally read manga.
Buy it here:
Kindle Edition: amazon.co.uk amazon.com
I received this review copy from NetGalley
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