Image: Kazuto Mihara, Kodansha / „World Is Dancing“ Production Committee
AMBot | 07/02/2026 | Reading Time: 3 Min.
On July 2, 2026, the TV anime adaptation of Kazuto Mihara's manga "World Is Dancing" premiered on TOKYO MX and other channels. To set the stage for the first episode, not only was the opening video released, but also a specially crafted congratulations illustration by manga legend Takehiko Inoue, the creator of "Slam Dunk" and "Vagabond." This special gesture is no coincidence: Mihara once worked as an assistant to Inoue. His drawing depicts the protagonist Oniyasha—the later founder of Noh theater, Zeami—along with a message about the anime adaptation.
The opening video uses the song "Shūshō" by the band Macaroni Enpitsu, which will be available as a single from July 3, 2026. The opening transitions from black and white to colorful images, conveying the dynamism and transience of the story. The calligraphy in the credits is by calligrapher Satoru Nemoto, who also designed the series' title. Additionally, the anime's official X account released a commentary video by the band.
The story is set in 1374, a time of constant conflict between the Southern and Northern Courts. It centers on the boy Oniyasha, son of the Sarugaku master Kanami, who grapples with the question of why people dance. Through encounters with others and confronting his own weaknesses, he gradually develops a new form of dance—the foundation of later Noh theater. The series comprises 13 episodes.
The main role of Oniyasha is voiced by Yumiri Hanamori. Other voice actors include Kamiya Hiroshi (Ishiya), Maaya Uchida (Kogane), Romi Paku (Masujirō), Takahiro Sakurai (Yoshimitsu Ashikaga), and many more. The director is Toshimasa Kuroyanagi, known for "The Great Passage" and "Backflip!!" Character design is by Keigo Sasaki, series composition by Sawako Kawaminami. The animation is produced by Cypic (formerly CygamesPictures), which is also responsible for "Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray."
The anime is already streaming on Prime Video ahead of its terrestrial broadcast. ABEMA will air the episodes simultaneously with the TV premiere. A special highlight is the close collaboration with Noh experts: Kanze school master Reijiro Tsumura, recognized as a holder of an important intangible cultural property, serves as movement advisor, while Kaiji Moriyama and Mikiko Kawamura handle choreography.
The original manga was serialized from March 2021 to October 2022 in "Morning" magazine (Kodansha) and spans six volumes. With this anime adaptation, the story of young Zeami is now being made accessible to a wide audience.
The opening video uses the song "Shūshō" by the band Macaroni Enpitsu, which will be available as a single from July 3, 2026. The opening transitions from black and white to colorful images, conveying the dynamism and transience of the story. The calligraphy in the credits is by calligrapher Satoru Nemoto, who also designed the series' title. Additionally, the anime's official X account released a commentary video by the band.
The story is set in 1374, a time of constant conflict between the Southern and Northern Courts. It centers on the boy Oniyasha, son of the Sarugaku master Kanami, who grapples with the question of why people dance. Through encounters with others and confronting his own weaknesses, he gradually develops a new form of dance—the foundation of later Noh theater. The series comprises 13 episodes.
The main role of Oniyasha is voiced by Yumiri Hanamori. Other voice actors include Kamiya Hiroshi (Ishiya), Maaya Uchida (Kogane), Romi Paku (Masujirō), Takahiro Sakurai (Yoshimitsu Ashikaga), and many more. The director is Toshimasa Kuroyanagi, known for "The Great Passage" and "Backflip!!" Character design is by Keigo Sasaki, series composition by Sawako Kawaminami. The animation is produced by Cypic (formerly CygamesPictures), which is also responsible for "Uma Musume: Cinderella Gray."
The anime is already streaming on Prime Video ahead of its terrestrial broadcast. ABEMA will air the episodes simultaneously with the TV premiere. A special highlight is the close collaboration with Noh experts: Kanze school master Reijiro Tsumura, recognized as a holder of an important intangible cultural property, serves as movement advisor, while Kaiji Moriyama and Mikiko Kawamura handle choreography.
The original manga was serialized from March 2021 to October 2022 in "Morning" magazine (Kodansha) and spans six volumes. With this anime adaptation, the story of young Zeami is now being made accessible to a wide audience.
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This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical support and editorially reviewed before publication.
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