CyberAgent, Inc. has confirmed that the TV anime The World Is Dancing (co-produced by Shochiku and CyberAgent) will officially start broadcasting and streaming on July 2. Along with the announcement, a new key visual and main trailer have arrived, offering a glimpse into its historical world of Noh performance.
The new preview reveals the opening theme song “Shusyo” performed by Japanese rock band Macaroni Empitsu for the first time. It opens with a breathtaking dance sequence and depicts the fateful encounter between Oniyasha (the boy who will later be known as Zeami), voiced by Yumiri Hanamori, and the powerful shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, voiced by new cast member Takahiro Sakurai.
Joining the previously announced cast — Maaya Uchida (Kogane), Romi Park (Zojiro), Simba Tsuchiya (Ishiya), and Katsuyuki Konishi (Kan’ami) — are figures who shaped the history of Noh: Nobuo Tobita as Nijo Yoshimoto, the historical patron of Zeami, and Mamiko Noto as Nariko, Yoshimitsu’s lawful wife. The trailer also introduces anime-original characters who add new layers to the story: Chiharu (voiced by Inori Minase), Satsuki (voiced by Hazuki Seto), and the mysterious Inuo.
The World Is Dancing is based on the manga by Kazuto Mihara that ran in Kodansha’s Seinen magazine Morning. Despite being only six volumes long, it drew strong attention for its carefully constructed story and themes that still resonate today. The English version of the original manga is available online through Kodansha.
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The anime is produced by animation studio Cypic (Umamusume: Cinderella Gray, The Summer Hikaru Died). Toshimasa Kuroyanagi, known for his work on the TV anime The Great Passage, the animated film Love Me, Love Me Not, and both the TV and theatrical versions of the Backflip!! series, is the show’s director. The series composition and scripting is handled by Sawako Kawamitsu, whose credits include the film Stella of the Neighborhood and drama series I, KILL and Mr. Bride.
“The original author Mr. Mihara, director Kuroyanagi, and producer Mizoguchi all encouraged me to ‘write freely and have fun.’ That support was my emotional pillar throughout the project,” Kawamitsu shared. “I believe those words weren’t just about being relaxed, but were a call for me to ‘show my own dance.’ I spent my days desperately dancing with everything my own history had to offer. I am truly happy to have gathered with so many respected creators under this project. I pray that the story of Oniyasha and his companions, who lived hundreds of years ago, reaches and blooms within you today.”
Synopsis: In 1374, amid the turmoil of the Northern and Southern Courts’ long-running conflict, a boy named Oniyasha is born into a family of sarugaku theater performers. He spends his days in a kind of quiet gloom, haunted by a simple but persistent question: Why do people dance? Then, one day, he witnesses a dance that he feels to be “good”—and everything begins to change. This is the story of the beautiful young boy who would one day shape the art of Noh and be remembered as Zeami.
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu
The third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate, a man of great ambition and strong pride. Despite holding the absolute authority of a shogun, his youth leaves him frustrated when things don’t go as he expects, and he spends his days searching for answers. To unify a world overflowing with conflicting laws, he seeks a “flower” capable of drawing people together.
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“I imagine many people have seen Kabuki before but feel that Noh theater is a completely unfamiliar world. Honestly, I felt exactly the same — to me, it was just another type of traditional performing art. World Is Dancing is a work that lets you witness the very origins of Noh. Even if you go in with zero knowledge, like I did, you’ll be completely drawn in by the fantastical story and gorgeous animation. I really hope as many people as possible get to see it!” — Takahiro Sakurai (Giyu Tomioka in Demon Slayer, Suguru Geto in Jujutsu Kaisen)
Nijo Yoshimoto
A court noble, former regent, and poet. Captivated by Oniyasha, he calls him “Fujiwaka” and refers to himself as his devoted follower.
“Right off the bat, I was told, ‘Go completely over the top with the energy. This guy’s a total weirdo!’ Based off that, I leaned hard into his intense love and obsession with his bias. The cover of the script for the first episode he appears in featured a massive close-up of Lord Nijo, which naturally got me incredibly hyped up. He might be a powerful and high-ranking court noble, but his sole reason for living is simply Fujiwaka! He is completely honest about his feelings, and he would go through hell and high water to make his dreams come true! He really tries his absolute best… But… just as I am me, Oniyasha is Oniyasha. Oh, the cruel and heartbreaking irony of fate! I had so much fun playing the role of Lord Nijo Yoshimoto.” — Nobuo Tobita (Sueo Maruo in Chibi Maruko-chan, Yuya Kazami in Detective Conan)
Nariko
Yoshimitsu’s lawful wife. Gentle in nature, she watches over Oniyasha and the others. She loves the performing arts and enjoys composing waka poetry.
“I hadn’t had much exposure to the world of Noh theater before, but working on this project has really sparked my interest. Every single character is living their life to the absolute fullest. It’s a powerful work that literally gives you goosebumps. I took away so much from every single recording session.
Nariko is a gentle, soft-spoken woman, but whenever you catch glimpses of her deep sensitivity, the things she holds dear, and the convictions she stands by, you can’t help but imagine the quiet strength and inner battles she carries within her. Her wonderful qualities are scattered throughout the show, even in the briefest moments of realization or a single short line, so I hope you will keep an eye out for them. Please look forward to World Is Dancing! As you watch, I hope you’ll let the wings of your own heart dance freely, too.” — Mamiko Noto (Sawako Kuronuma in Kimi ni Todoke: From Me to You, Prospera Mercury in Mobile Suit Gundam: The Witch from Mercury)
Chiharu
Inomaru’s younger sister. Though she has given up performing on stage because of her gender, she loves the world of dance and joins flute practice. Quick to get into fights, she deeply admires Nariko, who is her complete opposite.
“In this anime, I play the role of Chiharu, an original character. She wrestles with her gender and her place in the world, yet she navigates life with incredible strength and resilience. Noh is a traditional Japanese performing art, but I’m somewhat embarrassed to admit that until I joined this project, I hadn’t really engaged with its deep history or essence. The profound beauty of something enduring through time. The challenges of preserving and passing down a tradition. The courage it takes to embrace change. I feel this is a work that offers meaningful discoveries and lessons, even for those of us living in the modern world. I truly hope it reaches as many people as possible.” — Inori Minase (Rem in Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-, Itsuki Nakano in The Quintessential Quintuplets)
Satsuki
A one-armed girl who works at the town’s dumpling shop. Straightforward and no-nonsense, she devotes herself to the business each day.
“First off, I want to say that no one is more surprised by this casting than I am. I was already thrilled at the audition stage just knowing director Kuroyanagi was part of the project, but when I saw how star-studded the rest of the cast was, my eyes practically popped out of my head. I am so incredibly grateful for the chance to work alongside such amazing people and to have met Satsuki. She has such a rich heart, and I absolutely love her strength — the way she so gracefully accepts whatever reality throws her way. I went into the recording sessions truly savoring the joy of being able to connect with her through my voice. I hope World Is Dancing reaches everyone living in the present day and travels even further. I hope it spreads its wings and soars boundlessly.” — Hazuki Seto (An Shishido in Anpan, Wakai in Bansan Blues)
