While this episode did kind of rush through Junpei's backstory, about how he developed a passion for ballet as a child, but after his father died, Junpei quit the sport, believing he now needs to be "manly" like his father and protect his family as the "man of the house." And how this notion that ballet was for girls was socially reinforced, both by his dad (although tbf he did allow Junpei to go) and by his classmates.


Although the show did give hints that Junpei never fully gave up ballet, with Junpei keeping his ballet barre despite quitting the sport for martial arts (to try an emulate his deceased father in an attempt to be manly), and with Junpei seemingly integrating ballet movements in his martial arts (at least from the glimpses we saw in today's episode), it felt like Junpei completely overcame his rejection of ballet in a span of minutes, with Junpei becoming entranced by the sport after Miyako (pianist girl) dragged him to a ballet school.


Overall though, I am optimistic about this show, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of these characters, and how their relationships with eachother blossom. Especially the Ruou boy whose also in the ballet school, from the glimpses we saw of him its clear Junpei and him will be competing rivals. Also, I'm looking forward to when Junpei inevitably performs in the ballet festival, its clear he dreams to become a ballet dancer buts he's just mired with self-denial which was reinforced by his environment.

Also, the animation is overall really good for the dancing sequences, while there was some jarring CGI at certain points, its still top-notch ballet animation and choreography.