Wandance, a coming-of-age story about a high school student with a stutter who discovers the liberating power of dance, will debut as a TV anime in October. A teaser visual and casting information have also been released. Koki Uchiyama will voice the protagonist Kaboku Kotani, while Hina Youmiya will play the heroine Hikari Wanda.

Wandance, a coming-of-age story about a high school student with a stutter who discovers the liberating power of dance, will debut as a TV anime in October. A teaser visual and casting information have also been released. Koki Uchiyama will voice the protagonist Kaboku Kotani, while Hina Youmiya will play the heroine Hikari Wanda.

Adapted from the manga serialized in Afternoon magazine, Wandance has surpassed 900,000 copies in circulation. The story follows Kaboku, a high schooler struggling to express himself due to his stutter, who becomes fascinated by his classmate Hikari, a free-spirited dancer unafraid of public attention. Drawn to her passion, he dives into the expressive world of freestyle dance—no words required.

Global Recognition and Anticipation

Known for its intense dance sequences, intricate character relationships, and bittersweet romance, the manga has captivated audiences both in Japan and abroad. It has been published in 10 languages and was awarded in the “You Should Read This Manga 2023” category by a North American manga awards program as a work readers hoped would receive an anime adaptation. This long-awaited adaptation is finally becoming a reality.

Production Details and Comments from the Cast and Director

Animation will be handled by MADHOUSE and Cyclone Graphics. RIEHATA, the internationally acclaimed choreographer behind performances for artists like BTS, joins the project as dance producer, promising a level of authentic dance animation never seen before.

Comment from Koki Uchiyama (Kaboku Kotani)

I’m Koki Uchiyama, and I’ll be voicing Kaboku Kotani. I also played Kaboku in the original manga PV, and I’m honored to continue in this role. I’m excited to see how the dances will be brought to life through animation. With voices, music, and visuals all coming together, I believe audiences will find something truly special. I hope everyone enjoys the Wandance anime and the original manga as well. Please look forward to it!

Comment from Hina Youmiya (Hikari Wanda)

The passion and sparkle Hikari and the others show through dance is truly moving. Every time I read the original manga, it stirred my heart and made me want to dance in front of a mirror. As someone who loves both acting and dancing, I feel incredibly lucky to bring Hikari to life. I’ll do my best to convey her charm in the anime. I hope you’ll look forward to it!

Comment from Director Michiya Kato

When the idea of adapting Wandance into an anime came up, I initially wondered whether street dance could truly be expressed in animation. The more I learned about dance, the more I struggled. Eventually, I arrived at an answer: What if dancers themselves could help animate the movement?

We’re now capturing motion using top dancers. Every time I watch their passionate performances, I feel the incredible essence of the Wandance manga. They embody what Kaboku and Hikari once were. Of course the animation will be filled with passion. Please look forward to it.

Source : ORICON NEWS