10Dance (2025) Plot Summary
Based on the manga of the same name, 10Dance follows two Japanese dancers, champions in their respective fields and a new challenge that they take up. With close ties to Cuba, the passionate Suzuki Shinya (portrayed by Takeuchi Ryoma) and his partner, Aki tear up the dance floor when it comes to Latin dances. However, they have never aimed higher, content to participate on a national level.
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On the other end is his rival who even has a similar name, Sugiki Shinya (portrayed by Machida Keita). He is an extremely ambitious man who has been learning ballroom dances since he was a kid. His partner, Fusako is trying her best. But his mentor believes he just may have to retire without winning the world championship as his performances are loveless.
Wanting to prove everyone wrong, Sugiki approaches Suzuki with a deal. The men and their dance partners are to teach each other their dance styles so they can compete in the championship of all championships – 10 Dance.
10 Dance is a dance competition that crowns a man-woman dancing duo who excels in 5 types of Latin dances AND 5 types of ballroom dances.
What happened during the World Championship 3 years ago?
Suzuki realises there is more to Sugiki’s need for restrain when he learns of Sugiki’s first appearance with Fusako who doesn’t remember it. Through flashbacks, Sugiki recalls what went down.
Fusako isn’t a great dancer initially but Sugiki accepts her as his partner, believing he can turn her into a champion. With a history of accidentally hurting a contestant, Fusako once again hurts a dancer during the World Championship. Upset and ashamed, she has a nervous breakdown.
During the final performance, she is in a daze and almost doesn’t make it to the dance floor.
To ensure that they make it through, Sugiki verbally abuses her and coaches her through gritted teeth during the whole performance.
At present, Sugiki admits that he enjoyed controlling Fusako, and is ashamed of this feeling. He does the same with Suzuki during the World Championship, refusing to let him participate in the ballroom category as he doesn’t believe the latter is ready.
Why does Suzuki provoke Sugiki?
After Sugiki confesses to his dark secret, the floodgates open and he wallows in self pity. He is unable to forgive himself and hates that instead of being the perfect gentleman that is expected of him, he’s become like his mentor’s controlling partner, a grim reaper.
However, Suzuki is in awe of Sugiki and is impressed with his dance, teachings and restraint. He doesn’t want Sugiki to give up. Instead, he wants his anger, and wants him to be a worthy opponent whom he looks forward to defeat. He wants a man who knows what he wants.
Suzuki also believes that if Sugiki is able to be a worthy opponent at his peak, he will finally be able to move on from his guilt. This is why Suzuki doesn’t show Sugiki any pity, opting for tough love. It allows Sugiki to get out of his funk, starting a situationship of sorts with Suzuki and prepping for the World Championship with renewed vigour.
This seems to be Suzuki’s method to get Sugiki to break his facade and be true to himself. We see this again during the 2025 World Championship. The reigning ballroom champion, Giulio happens to be the partner and fiance of Liana, Sugiki’s old partner and ex-girlfriend. Sugiki barely bats an eye when Giulio tries to provoke him. He doesn’t react when he comes second and Liana and Giuilo come first. He also plays along when the ballroom panel announces an impromptu performance between Sugiki and Liana.
Suzuki is upset on Sugiki’s behalf and pushes him to vent out his anger instead of burying it within. However, this time it doesn’t work and Sugiki breaks up with Suzuki because he’s afraid of who he might become if he loses control.
Why does Sugiki dance with Suzuki in the end?
After the disastrous World Championship, the two men go their separate ways. Aki convinces Suzuki not to give up and they participate in the Asian Cup Dance Championship 6 months later.
However, everyone knows that the organisers plan to give the prizes to the foreign participants they have invited in exchange for some kind of business collaboration.
As expected, two foreign duos win the Latin and ballroom competitions. To mark the end of the championship, the organisers invite Sugiki and Fusako to perform for the closing ceremony as the leading Asian duo. But Fusako partners up with Aki, and Sugiki approaches Suzuki to dance with him.
Earlier, in a flashback, after Liana breaks up with Sugiki, he gets back his will to dance after seeing Suzuki dance for the first time. He is envious of Suzuki and Aki, the passion and the story they tell with their performance. It is why Sugiki approaches Suzuki in the first place with the 10 Dance offer.
In the end, Sugiki finally understands his mentor’s advice of love making dance complete. His precision and control is not enough and he realises that what is lacking is the love and passion that Suzuki embodies. Instead of running away, Sugiki decides to take a leap of faith by resuming their relationship and dancing together. Suzuki accepts and they perform all 10 dances of the two categories.
What’s up with that vague, open ending?
The movie ends with Sugiki kissing Suzuki and playfully taunting him that they’ll compete against each other during 10 Dance. Yep, the actual championship never even makes an appearance in the movie.
The ongoing manga that the movie is based on is quite encompassing and has several arcs as well before the 10 Dance championship which has yet to make an appearance.
This Netflix adaptation focuses on the first few arcs of the manga, which is about Suzuki and Sugiki’s dynamic and the start of their relationship. And if it gets a sequel, we just may see them at 10 Dance.
One can argue that the movie was never about the championship in the first place either. It simply serves as a backdrop to get the two characters to grow and fall in love with each other, and navigate their internal flaws. While Sugiki learns to loosen control and feel the dance, Suzuki finally finds a purpose and learns to respect the elegance and control that make up ballroom but are usually sidelined in Latin dances.
Read More: 10Dance Movie Review
