10 Dance (2025)

[bunniefuu]

A dancer once said

that love sometimes takes

an unexpected shape

and suddenly appears before you.

Hidden longings.

Passion without words.

Graceful and serene.

At times, fierce and wild.

With a subtle game of give and take.

To whom do we whisper our love?

How do we feel when our hands are joined?

Okay!

Maybe dance itself

is the vessel we need.

A perfect way to nurture our love.

The steps are perfect.

The form, flawless.

But this man's dance

is missing something crucial.

A year ago,

I found out what it was.

The 31st

All Japan Dance Championships,

Latin American division champions,

Shinya Suzuki and Aki Tajima.

And now, the ballroom division champions,

Shinya Sugiki and Fusako Yagami.

Sugiki-sensei!

Please give

a big round of applause

to our "Emperor of Dance," who won

I hate this guy.

Just seeing him pisses me off

for no reason.

And now,

our two magnificent champion pairs

will perform an honor dance.

Champions, please.

Bravo, bravo!

In competitive dance,

there are two different styles.

Ballroom dance,

which Shinya Sugiki specializes in.

The waltz, tango, Viennese waltz,

slow foxtrot, and quickstep.

They compete in all five dances.

I specialize in the other styles,

Latin American.

Cha-cha-cha, samba,

rumba, Paso doble, and jive.

We compete in all five.

Something broke in me that day

So away

Get back at you

Stood here dying on my feet

Feeling cold

Feeling weak

And it seems right

I only meet you in the moonlight

I know the Devil's inside

The dancers of these two styles

never compete against each other,

with one exception.

10 Dance.

The World Cup of Dance

is where dancers

who have mastered both ballroom and Latin

compete in all ten dances.

You need to have the stamina

to dance 40 songs in one day,

with completely different

rhythms and steps.

Mentally, you've gotta stay focused

for hours.

Both your body and mind

are pushed to the limit.

It may look glamorous,

but it's basically a triathlon.

That's the exception.

10 Dance.

-Top form!

-Bravo!

You were incredible.

It's been a while since

you competed in Japan.

Does it feel good to perform

for a home audience?

Yes, it's very good

to be back home.

And Shinya Sugiki and Fusako Yagami wanted

to show a new side of ourselves.

He wins as soon as he comes back.

I knew he would.

Shinya Suzuki hardly compares.

-Thank you.

-Shinya Suzuki and Shinya Sugiki.

Congratulations.

Only a two-letter difference

in their names,

but Latin and ballroom

are totally different styles.

And they're in

completely different classes.

-Let's go.

-Yes, sir.

Hello?

What?

What do you mean

Shinya Sugiki invited us to the 10 Dance?

When?

-Just now.

-What?

I said no.

You said no?

Wait, but it means that Shinya Sugiki

is offering to teach us himself, right?

-You care?

-Huh?

What's the big deal?

-Doesn't matter.

-What do you mean it doesn't matter?

Do you know what

the 10 Dance takes?

Know how many dances you do in a day?

Five ballroom, five Latin,

and you've gotta dance 'em four times.

First round, second round,

semis, and finals.

That's 40 songs.

We usually only dance 20 songs at most.

That's double what we do. Double.

But, you know,

even if it's just practice,

I'd love to be led by Shinya Sugiki

at least once.

I don't care.

I mean, I'm always playing the role

of a sl*t who gets dumped by a man,

or a cheating woman,

or something like that.

Oh, really? You're the one who said

you can't pull off a princess.

No, I didn't.

Whatever. We're the national champions,

and they're the world champions.

-Second.

-That's it.

We took second in the World Championships.

I've never been first

at the World Championships.

I know why you're always

second place in the world.

Asians can't be number one...

I wonder when they'll finally see you

for who you are.

A champion

who could compete at the Worlds,

and yet gives it up time and again.

I'm just a little fish

who likes being number one.

I'm good.

A little fish

who's king of his little pond.

I guess I was wrong about you.

You have the perfect style and physique,

but that's all.

What is it?

-You wanna fight?

-I thought you had a fighting spirit.

But I see you're not even a rival.

You running away?

All right, I'll do it.

You're not gonna break on me, are ya?

Sure you can handle it?

Don't ditch when I get serious.

Do your worst.

I'll lead you all the way to the final.

Latino.

What did he say? Huh?

Hey, Shinya!

He's right.

I've got Latin blood coursing

through my veins.

Somewhere deep down,

it drives me.

It feeds my dancing, my burning passion

Hey, wake up.

I said wake up!

Good morning.

-Put some clothes on.

-It's too early.

Wanna catch a cold?

Here, which one's yours? This?

-Thank you.

-Morning. Here, put some clothes on.

-Mm, thanks.

-Come on, let's go!

Jeez.

What a mess.

Put on some f*cking clothes!

All right! Let's go!

Hurry!

Hey, buddy.

What the hell is going on with you?

Are you gonna do it or not?

You are going to do it, right?

And sure, you'd be taking a chance,

but they say the true champion

is the one who can win the 10 Dance.

If you teach them the Latin dances

and Sugiki teaches us ballroom in return

Then I think we can compete at the Worlds.

It's not that.

It's not about the Worlds

or any of that crap.

Hmm?

It's those eyes of his, staring at me.

Drives me nuts!

You don't have to shout like that.

Come on! Hurry up!

Faster!

I said hurry up!

-You know where it is?

-Yeah.

You know,

I bet Fusako Yagami is a total b*tch.

She seems really scary, almost dangerous.

-Dangerous, huh?

-I'm scared!

Come on.

Wow.

This is amazing.

Good evening.

You're more than 30 minutes late.

Get your partner into a skirt. Hurry.

We're sorry.

-I'll show you the dressing room.

-Oh.

Come in.

Whoa, it's huge.

Use anything you like.

Ah, thanks.

Wow.

Okay.

-I can take your coat.

-Oh, that would be great.

Thanks.

So think they'll be able to get along?

I wouldn't worry.

"I really need Mr. Suzuki for Latin."

He kept whining and going on about that.

You're saying he whines all the time too?

Why don't we check your hold

while we're waiting?

Okay.

How familiar are you

with ballroom dancing?

-I am a professional.

-I see.

Then you'll take the lead,

and I'll follow.

Lower your sense of contact.

From the stomach down to the knees.

One, two, three.

One, two, natural turn.

The waltz was originally

a courtship dance,

but the hold is like wearing handcuffs.

Graceful on the surface,

but with restraint and control.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

What is it? Something wrong?

He rubbed his d*ck on me.

I'm so sorry about this.

It's fine.

Shall we get started, then?

Yes.

-In ballroom, you're D Class?

-Yes.

Take my contact.

-Let it sink into your body.

-Okay.

What do you wanna do?

Do we stop or continue?

One, two, three. One, two, three.

You can quit if you want.

Running spin turn.

One, two, three.

One Good.

One, two, and three.

One, two, spin, turn.

One, two, three.

One, whisk.

One, two, three.

-Stretch your arm out, like this.

-Two, three, four.

Your shoulder blades

move with your pelvis.

Hockey stick. Two, three, four.

Two, three, New York.

-Catch it inside.

-Two, three, four.

-Shoulder turn.

-Two, and three, and four.

Both arms?

-Two, three, four.

-Yes, like an undulation.

Two, and three, and four.

Two, three, four.

-Pelvis moves too.

-Two, and three, and four.

Okay, that's enough.

How was it?

-Terrible.

-The same for the left.

Your hip movement is so fake.

Look.

Watch how my body moves.

Four.

Two, and three, and four.

See that?

It's not just in the hips.

When you do it,

your body's not undulating.

Three and four.

Feel the weight moving.

You've gotta feel it

from the spine

through the shoulder blades

Into the arm movements.

Two, three, four.

Two, three, four.

Two, and three, and four.

See this? It's sweat.

-Yes.

-Do you get it?

Yes, I understand.

Your hip movement is amazing.

It's my job to shake my hips.

-Think you can do it?

-Got it?

-Just copy what I do.

-Right.

Come here. Put your hands right here.

-Shorten it.

-On your hips.

-Make it smaller.

-A little smaller?

That's right.

A bit more. Yeah, like that.

Two, and three, and four.

-Now squeeze, squeeze, squeeze.

-Two, three, four.

-Move less.

-That's it.

Two, three, and four.

Mm-hmm.

-Two, three, four.

-That's it. That's it.

Two, three, four.

-Two, three, four.

-Two, three, four.

Two, and three, and four.

Aki, keep counting.

-Two, three, four.

-Three, four.

Two, three, four.

Two, three, four.

If the waltz is an elegant courtship

Two, three, four.

then Latin dance is raw eroticism.

three, four.

Arouse them, seduce them.

Don't stop till you make 'em wet.

Two, three, four.

You're not sexy, guy.

-Two, three, four.

-Four.

Two, and three, and four.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

Sorry. Suzuki can be

a little rough around the edges.

Don't worry.

So you two together?

Well, there was something there

at one point, I guess.

But now, I just want to go further

as dance partners.

How about you and Mr. Sugiki?

There's love in your dancing.

Mr. Sugiki took me as a partner

when I was nothing.

He's brought me so far.

I trust him with everything

and just follow his lead.

I've never felt loved by him at all,

and I don't think I need to.

We still have some time

before the first train.

You can rest a little longer.

Do you do this every day?

I can't stand it.

I won't be second again.

I'm not the type to try to make

an audience boo judges' decisions.

I recall

you said you liked being number one,

didn't you?

I also like being at the top of the pack.

-I'm only at the top of my turf, right?

-Are you going to go all in?

Doesn't it look like it?

You be the judge of that.

God, it felt like the wind

had gone right through me.

It stirred my soul.

It felt like

that hot wind of Havana.

My soul is still in Havana.

It's the kingdom of sun, music, and dance.

Doesn't matter how small

the world may be,

I sure as hell can't see Havana from here.

four.

-Two, three, four.

-Two, three, four.

-Two, and three, and four.

-Two, three, four.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

-Face right.

-One, two, three.

One, full count.

One, two, three.

One.

Okay, one more time.

Just a minute.

-Can I put some music on?

-You're not ready.

-Let me put some music.

-I said no, you're not ready for it yet.

This thing's not even working.

My method is to drill the counts

into your body,

without even the slightest distraction.

-God, I want music.

-Okay, let's go.

All right.

Two, three.

One, two, three.

One, two, and three.

One, two, three.

What?

Your lead is uncomfortable.

-Your holds are self-centered

-Hold on.

-and unreliable.

-Hey.

-Quit complaining. Move the way I steer.

-If I give in, I feel like I'm in danger.

What is it?

You're waltzing like you're a servant.

What does that mean?

The waltz is danced

by ladies and gentlemen.

It looks very elegant,

but it's also relentless.

The woman must dance in those high heels,

twisting her waist for hours on end.

The pain is pure t*rture.

And in such a state,

she will not yield

to a rough and vulgar man.

-What the hell?

-You should try being the woman for once.

Lower your shoulder blades

and turn out your arms.

That part is the same as the man's.

Now, keep your hips there,

but rotate only your chest to the left.

Your shoulders to the right.

Stretch your neck.

Stretch it away from your right.

Up to the left. That's it.

Now, get up on your toes.

Higher.

Hold it right there. Stay.

Your stance is beautiful.

Without me,

just standing is hard, isn't it?

During hardship, the gentleman

offers his hand to support his partner.

That's how it works in ballroom dance.

"Move the way I steer you," right?

Natural turn.

Running spin turn.

Chass roll.

Left whisk.

Standing spin.

Syncopated running finish.

Throwaway.

Oversway.

How was that?

Did you feel like a princess?

Let's go get something to eat.

Hmm?

What's that?

-Thank you.

-This is coronation chicken.

Served at Queen Elizabeth's coronation

in 1953.

Mmm.

The apricots you just tasted

were arranged

to resemble scattered jewels.

Britain was victorious,

but they were still rationing at the time,

and this dish astonished guests

from around the world.

Elbows off the table.

That's how a dog eats.

I'm eating like this 'cause it's good.

You get it, right?

It's good.

Tastes like curry.

More wine. Mm.

You shouldn't hold the glass

while it's being poured.

When you're at a banquet,

you don't hold it by the bowl

but lower on the stem, like this.

I got it.

Hmm?

What does any of this

have to do with ballroom dancing?

I know how to eat, man.

Imagine this scenario.

You manage to beat every other 10 dancer

and rise to the top of the world.

After your honor dance,

you get an invitation

from someone who loved your performance.

This is not a wrap party

at a dance school.

Big-time sponsors and patrons

the envy of all dancers

will be waiting for you.

I get it now.

So this is another lesson for me?

Okay, guy.

I have a lesson for you.

So, you like it?

Yes.

It's the real taste of Cuba.

Drink.

Come on, drink!

Break!

Take a break!

He's boring!

-Let's get him drinking!

-So you're the "Emperor," huh?

It's fantastic!

-Salud!

-Salud!

Salud!

-Salud.

-Salud.

Hey, Sugiki, let's go!

-Huh?

-Come on!

-Smile!

-What?

Just smile, man!

Fake it if you have to!

Just smile!

Come on! Come on! Come on!

Come on! Come on! Come on!

Don't think about it! Don't

Don't count with this. Make some noise!

Latin is about

making your body the instrument.

At around the same time

Queen Elizabeth II

was serving coronation chicken,

Castro was starting his revolution

in Cuba.

That's probably how big

the difference was between us as well.

SUZUKI DANCE SCHOOL

It's almost like a wave

right through his fingertips.

While holding his hand, I can

I feel his emotions, you know?

You get it?

Like superiority.

Possessiveness.

The urge to control.

And sometimes I can feel gentleness.

Expectation.

I don't even know how

to explain it properly.

I mean, it's like

I can feel everything he's feeling.

You know?

You sound like you're in love.

Huh?

Don't be stupid.

-Look.

-Hmm?

Sugiki.

Hey, what's up?

Are you there?

You there? Can't hear you.

This is

the UK's Best Dance Championships

The UK's Best?

Professional Latin semifinal.

The Paso doble.

You're in the UK?

Didn't I tell you?

That night we went out,

I thought I mentioned

I was leaving the next day.

-No, you didn't.

-All right.

It's a competition I enter every year.

You must've known.

That's not the point.

I'm next. Gotta go.

Wait, hold on. Hold on.

Yes?

Just come back soon.

What did he say?

This year's Open,

we're gonna move up two in the rankings.

Huh?

And keep the All-Japan Champion title.

Then

In 10 Dance

We'll beat Sugiki.

Ladies and gentlemen,

we now come to

the Professional Ballroom semifinal.

Twelve couples have been recalled.

Please welcome them to the floor.

All present and correct.

Your first dance, the slow waltz.

There's Ms. Martha.

She's the president of the WDL,

isn't she?

She's a mentor devoted

to fostering Asian dancers.

Sugiki's her prize student.

He's indispensable

in their Asian market strategy.

I thought they were extraordinary.

They seem to be flourishing,

although I wonder

perhaps a different combination.

What is

with that ridiculously exaggerated hold

you seem to insist on doing?

All you are doing

is placing a strain on Fusako.

There is absolutely no unity

in your dancing.

It's best to retire

at the height of your glory.

Have you ever imagined

what it would be like

when the audience grows tired of you?

Martha.

Alberto Boemer has been crowned

World Latin Champion 11 years in a row.

I haven't even been champion once.

Dance is neither

about technique nor stamina.

Love is what makes it whole, but

I don't feel any love

in the way you dance.

Hm.

Watch your frame.

Make the adjustment.

Yes, beautiful.

That's it.

Very nice.

Stretch your arms even more.

Yes, very nice.

Yes, that's good.

Good work today.

-Thank you.

-Thank you.

When did you get back?

-Thank you for coming.

-See you next time.

Thank you.

Let's try it with music today.

Two, three. One, two, three.

One, two, three.

Careful. Two, three.

One, full count.

Two, three. One.

-Can I ask you something?

- Hmm?

Did you grow up

in Martha Milton's house?

Yes.

My mother was

with me, too, at first.

It felt like I had two mothers.

One day,

Martha took me to the Blackpool Tower.

I saw a large framed photograph there.

Martha and a man

who was as dour as the Grim Reaper.

They looked like

they were ascending into the heavens.

Do you want to dance like this?

Then,

Shinya,

become a man.

Become the kind of man admired by all.

The finest gentleman.

So you admired him

and wanted to be just like him?

No.

I think I wanted to take his place,

to be beautiful and terrifying.

Until I was consumed by fear.

Cuba, what's it really like?

-Cuba?

-Yes.

It's music.

Dance.

Love.

Romance and the sea.

Cubans fall in love so easily.

Then they marry.

My mom was like that.

Every time we moved to a new place,

it happened.

Is the sky blue?

It's so blue.

The beaches are always empty,

so when you fall in love,

you go to the beach.

No one disturbs you there.

It's just the two of you

under the palm trees.

Hm.

Kiss me

Kiss me deeply

As if tonight were

Our very last

Kiss me

Kiss me deeply

For I'm afraid I might lose you

Once it's passed

Kiss me

Kiss me deeply

As if tonight were

Our very last

Kiss me

Kiss me deeply

For I'm afraid I might lose you

Once it's passed

Slow, slow.

Quick, quick.

Hold it there.

Breathe in.

-Right here.

-Okay.

Like that.

Quick.

That's it.

I just need a drink of water. Sorry.

That's it.

Very good.

A little more open.

That's it.

Very good.

You know, Shinya's been crazy

about Mr. Sugiki for a while too.

Yeah?

A few years ago,

he happened to see a video.

He said, "He's the perfect dancer."

But then he said, "It looks

like he's in pain," which is weird.

Keep going like that. Okay.

Quick, quick.

Use your leg for support.

I think you wore a black dress?

You were dancing the tango, right?

I don't think that was me.

-Quick, quick.

-Huh?

I've never worn

a black dress in a competition.

And again.

Shall we continue?

Hm.

Support it.

Wide, wide. Quick, quick.

Walk, walk.

Position.

Neck.

Quick.

Don't rush. Don't rush. Don't rush.

Slow.

Frame, frame. Keep your frame.

Don't break it.

Rotation. Rotation.

Together. Do it together.

Don't try to dance on your own!

Take a break.

-Aki, why don't you get some water?

-Okay.

What's different between our leads?

Mm well

With Mr. Sugiki,

I know exactly where I should be.

No matter what the movement is,

it never varies.

And the balance

between force and gentleness,

it makes my body want to follow his lead.

And, then, with you,

it's more like,

"I'm having fun, so you must be, too."

Sometimes that works for me,

and sometimes it doesn't.

Hmm?

Fusako said that when she and Mr. Sugiki

entered their first competition,

he said to her

"Ms. Yagami."

-"Now that you're"

-Now that you're my partner

I will make you dance

more beautifully than anyone.

Every dancer in the world will say,

"Fusako Yagami is beautiful."

"I want to be Fusako Yagami."

That will be my ultimate joy.

Jeez.

I wish someone would say that to me.

You know, have that kind of caring?

-You don't have it.

-Caring?

-Caring.

-No way.

-You should try it sometime.

-It's sentimental crap.

Oh, hey. By the way

that video you sent over to me

the other day?

Yeah?

That wasn't Fusako dancing.

You sure?

She told me

she never wore black while competing.

Or something like that.

Havana salad and a beer?

-Hey!

-Hey.

I don't know what's going on.

I can't dance anymore.

He's the one in control.

I thought I was the one using him, but

I'm the one being used.

Keeps throwing me off my game

and keeping me on edge.

I mean, what am I to him?

Sounds like love.

What are you talking about?

Do you want him?

Seriously, do you?

Guys can be attracted

to other guys, right?

Ah, come on!

If you're cool

with someone else stealing him, back off.

Let someone else take a shot.

Love me

And kiss me

If not, forget about me

No one knows what the future holds

We have to live in the moment

Please smile and accept me

Because we only live once

No one knows what the future holds

We have to live in the moment

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh

Dashing through the snow

In a one-horse-open sleigh

O'er the fields we go

Laughing all the way

Bells on bobtails ring

Making spirits bright

What fun it is to ride and sing

A sleighing song tonight

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

Oh, what fun it is to ride

In a one-horse open sleigh

Jingle bells, jingle bells

Jingle all the way

You gonna die if you don't dance?

Will you?

Here.

Thank you. Cheers.

Can I ask you something?

Sure.

About three years ago,

when you were at the Worlds

Who was the woman

in the black dress you were dancing with?

It wasn't Fusako.

She told Aki it wasn't.

I'm sure she'd rather forget.

No.

Maybe she really can't remember

what happened.

What you saw, Mr. Suzuki,

was the World Championships in England.

We hadn't been dancing together

for very long.

The audience really seemed to be fixated

on my new partner.

That day,

the atmosphere was so tense.

It happened during

the last dance of the semifinals.

We were dancing the quickstep.

Don't let me snooze

I was born to wear these shoes

Are you okay?

Are you all right?

It's not unusual

for dancers to fall,

but I'd never been associated

with such a bad fall before.

Wake me up to dance, dance

That was when it started.

She began to unravel.

Years earlier, at a different competition,

she was dancing with another partner,

and a similar thing happened.

She began to suffer

from post-traumatic stress.

I knew she was going through that,

but I still got her in that dress

and made her compete in the final.

How did I make her dance, you ask?

I yelled at and berated her relentlessly.

Even as her body froze,

her face still reacted to my words,

and her feet did exactly as I commanded.

Your frame, it's loose.

Right side up.

Keep it. I said keep it.

Your frame is loose.

It's too loose!

You're heavy!

Lift your body up. Higher.

Keep it.

Keep it.

I kept pushing her

until the end of the competition.

And then,

to my shame,

I found myself liking her in that state.

That's the kind of man I am, I suppose.

Not a gentleman.

More of a Grim Reaper.

Why did I ask him about it?

I have caused Ms. Yagami so much pain.

Please keep this between us, okay?

Was it a confession I wanted?

Did I wanna hear him reveal weakness?

Lame, man.

I'll stop if you want.

Before I knew it,

my body was moving on its own.

All I could do was give in to it.

Surrender to the gods of dance.

Hang onto that persona of yours.

You can be the Grim Reaper.

I'll be the angel who defeats

the Grim Reaper of Blackpool.

When I beat you,

you'll finally be free

of all that suffering.

I really admire you, you know.

Let's go overseas together

next time.

We'll enter as two pairs

in the World Championship at Blackpool.

I will unveil you to the world.

It'll be your debut.

How are you?

That's Martha, the president of the WDL.

And he's a former world champion

who won the Carl Alan Award.

That's the tournament director,

and that's a big-shot businessman

who got a medal

for his contributions to the dance world.

-Hello.

-Hi.

Hello, Nino.

Fabio, good to see you.

-Fusako.

-Hi.

-Oh, hi, Catherine.

-Nice to see you.

Let me introduce you.

This is our choreographer, Nino,

and our designer, Fabio.

And this is our hair

and makeup artist, Catherine.

They're my European tour team.

Absolutely. Yes.

Hi, guys.

So you're the other Shinya?

-Very nice to meet you. A real pleasure.

-Nice to meet you.

So cute.

And that's Aki, I think.

Yes.

-Hi.

-Hi.

-Very nice to meet you.

-Enjoy yourself.

-Let's go.

-Thank you.

-See you soon.

-Hi.

Alberto!

Alberto!

So nice to see you!

That's Alberto, the Latin champion.

Excuse me.

Shinya.

He's the ballroom world champion.

Giulio.

It's been a while.

Happy to see you made it.

And that's Giulio's partner,

the queen of the dance world, Liana.

She's also Mr. Sugiki's ex-girlfriend.

I'm here to tell you something.

Liana and I

are getting married after the competition.

Thank you for coming over here to tell me.

I have your blessing?

Of course.

Congratulations.

It's okay, Sugiki.

I'll make sure you see no one but me.

Mr. Moretti.

Nice to meet you.

My name is Shinya Suzuki,

and I plan on taking

first place in ballroom

at the next world championship.

I've been a fan for a long time.

Make sure you remember my face.

Sugiki, you coming?

Yes.

Yeah?

How are you feeling?

Here's the schedule for tomorrow.

I want to try more than Latin.

I wanted to give ballroom a shot.

Look, we've been over this.

Keep the fact that you also

do ballroom secret till 10 Dance.

Hmm?

You just wanna settle things

with Giulio, right?

Just do as you're told, okay?

You like pushing people around.

Fusako.

And me?

Could be you're the fool in the scenario.

That's why your girl was stolen from you.

Just focus on the competition for now.

Understood?

I've decided to stop dancing with you

And pair up with Giulio instead.

I need to choose the path

that will make me a champion.

And if I stay with you,

I will never become a world champion.

I'm sure of it.

How could she be so sure

that I could never win?

If it is true, why do I keep striving?

Dance is neither

about technique nor stamina.

Love is what makes it whole.

Love won't make me win.

Thank you.

-Go on in. Upstairs and to the right.

-Straight up the stairs.

Enjoy yourselves.

Thank you.

Tension rising

Breath is tight

You pull me close, I hold you

The World Championships

are just that.

Over 200 of the world's top pairs

come to compete.

One by one, they're eliminated,

like some blood sport.

Those who survive, the chosen few,

go at it tooth and nail

for the ultimate titles

of ballroom and Latin world champions.

You look beautiful.

Thanks. You too.

You know, Mr. Sugiki

was seriously thinking of retiring

not too long ago.

After he and Liana broke up,

he couldn't find a partner

who was at his level.

The ones he did find couldn't keep up

with his strict training.

The only option he had

was picking me, the dropout.

He thinks the only way

he can win the title

is by pushing himself

to the breaking point.

I just want to see

what we can accomplish together.

Our next competition

is the Professional Latin final.

Please welcome our finalists to the floor.

Your first dance, the cha-cha-cha.

When marimba rhythms

Start to play

Dance with me

Make me sway

Like a lazy ocean hugs the shore

Hold me close

Sway me more

Like a flower bending in the breeze

Bend with me

Sway with ease

When we dance you have a way with me

The finest dancers

tell stories with their bodies.

They can show the strength

and stoicism of an ancient tree,

or they can show lightness and air

as if wings had magically sprouted

from their ankles.

Wow, number 23. Who is that?

His name's

Shinya Suzuki, apparently.

-Shinya Suzuki?

-Have you ever heard of this guy?

No, never. Must be an amateur.

-I guess.

-He's really good.

The story his body was telling

was pure inspiration.

Suddenly,

I could see a way forward.

I can hear the sound of violins

Long before

Oh God, I didn't know

anyone could dance like that.

Who is that?

Is that the Japanese guy?

Wow.

This is not a dance competition.

It's like a brawl.

The judge will likely take marks off,

but it sure is captivating.

We come now to the result

of the 73rd World Championship,

ballroom division.

Into first place,

Giulio Moretti and Liana Javalanka.

Into second place,

Shinya Sugiki and Fusako Yagami.

Third, Dusan Novak and Valeria Orlova.

I remember

when he and Liana danced together

before he paired up with Fusako.

Their tango was so

passionate.

Uh, I mean, it was obvious

that Shinya was crazy about Liana.

But when he proposed to her,

something got in the way.

So I hear.

Giulio and Shinya's attack

is very similar.

Their ability is evenly matched,

or perhaps maybe there's just

the narrowest of margins between them.

But the one who gets to stand

at the top of the podium is who?

-Giulio.

-Giulio.

Shinya doesn't have what it takes

to overcome that slight margin.

-I'm sorry, Nino.

-No. I don't agree, Fabio. No, no, no.

Everyone is here to see

his obsessive determination.

I know.

And everyone comes here

to see him valiantly struggle

just to end up losing again.

Yes.

The only person here

who thinks he has a chance of winning

is probably Shinya himself.

What the hell are you saying?

-Excuse me?

-Don't just say that.

Do something about it!

That "slight margin" you mentioned,

you mean Sugiki's

actually a better dancer, right?

-So help him win!

-Easy, calm down. Come on, Shinya, please.

You guys have the power to do that,

don't you?

No, I I don't know.

-I'm telling you, let him f*cking win!

-Hey. Whoa, whoa!

-Calm down.

-Hey, hey, hey, hey.

-Easy.

-Sorry

-That's bullshit!

-I'm sorry.

-But there's nothing we can do.

-I I'm so sorry. So sorry.

Ladies and gentlemen,

next we have a very special honor dance.

Please welcome to the floor

Liana and Shinya.

-Swapping partners?

-A switch!

-Shinya and Liana? That's fantastic!

-That's fantastic!

-Shinya!

-Shinya!

This is a total charade,

but look at him.

Mm.

Sugiki plays the part

of the perfect gentleman.

-You know, even I wanna be like him.

-I know what you mean.

He's the ideal lover

that everyone wants to be.

So true. So true.

That was a wonderful debut.

Where is Ms. Tajima?

-I don't know.

-I see.

Didn't that bug you today?

Ah.

No, not at all.

Liana and I were done a long time ago.

You haven't moved on though.

I can't stand that kinda thing.

Being deceived.

Betrayed.

I can't forgive that.

So you think I'm still in love with Liana?

That I've never even looked

at another woman?

That I've remained totally devoted to her?

Is that what you saw?

Well?

If the audience saw a reunion

between two lovers,

then tonight's show was a success.

No one was watching Giulio's performance

after that, were they?

What do you mean?

What?

What the hell are you saying?

You're really okay with it?

I'm asking if that's really good enough

for you!

You said you wouldn't settle

for anything but first place.

What's wrong?

What is it?

I can't be with you anymore.

If we go any further, it could destroy me.

What the f*ck?

-That's not it.

-No, stop! You're my enemy now.

That's not true.

In the end

You and I can never become one.

sh*t.

Shinya.

Shinya.

I realized something.

I think I can do more for you.

We can do more. I just know it.

And even if it's just you

you can go far!

You could go as far as you want.

Let's go.

Huh?

What?

The yellow is very nice.

Isn't is amazing?

This and

Ah!

Hmm, no, no, no.

Red.

I wanna see you in red.

-So you're gonna go with that?

-Yeah. Isn't it cool?

Now, do we want it parted to this side?

Or to that side?

Neater and more polished.

So I want to show you

the beginning of Alemana.

We're going to do four to six.

Let's do sliding doors.

Just the beginning.

This is the first time

a dance competition in Japan

has gotten this much media attention,

isn't it?

Yeah, seems so.

It's too bad Giulio and Alberto

aren't here though.

They backed out.

Said they had a show to do.

I say first place will go to Shinya.

He'll place third at best.

What?

Well, why do you think the federation

put up the money

and brought in so many foreign dancers?

They're going to want

some kind of payback, you know?

That's the dance world for ya, huh?

Mr. Sugiki is the guest, right?

So, he's here.

I won't ever see him again

outside of competition.

When I saw him in Blackpool, it

It wasn't just dancing.

The crowd and the other dancers

They were blown away by it.

I wanna move the audience like that

every time.

Five-minute call

for the finalists!

Can I get everyone

to come together, please?

All finalists, please come this way.

The next event will be

the Professional Latin American final.

So close, and yet so far.

Dance is neither

about technique nor stamina.

Love is what makes it whole.

And once again,

here are the 2026 Asian Cup

ballroom champions,

Leonardo Fontana and Sofia Rossi!

And the 2026

Asian Cup Latin champions,

Alessandro Leon and Annamaria Valentini!

Please give our champions

another big round of applause.

They will be back later

to perform an honor dance for us.

And now, we have a demonstration

by our special guests,

the UK ballroom champions,

Shinya Sugiki and Fusako Yagami.

Will you do me the honor?

If I were a carpenter

I'd build a world of love

Where we would always be

Together

If I were the captain of

The first dance is the waltz.

A beautiful slow waltz.

The tango.

An exciting tango!

Only in New York

On Fifth Avenue

The slow foxtrot.

An elegant slow foxtrot.

Dripping with pearls

Oh, what a view

The subway crawls

From the street with walls

To Harlem, where music plays

We go, take off, take off

Runway clear

Click, step, ready, sh**t that beer

Slide to the side

The quick step!

The fourth dance is the quick step!

Let's go

When marimba rhythms start to play

Dance with me

The cha-cha-cha.

Feel the rhythm of the cha-cha-cha.

Hugs the shore

Hold me close

Sway me more

The samba!

Shake your body to the samba!

The rumba.

A dance for love, the rumba.

The Paso doble.

Feel the passion!

The Paso doble.

The jive!

Let's swing together.

Here comes the jive!

The Viennese waltz.

The last dance is the Viennese waltz.

I'll see you at the 10 Dance.

10 Dance.