The TV anime "World Is Dancing," based on Kazuto Mihara's Noh manga depicting the life of Zeami, will begin airing on July 2nd at 10 PM on TOKYO MX, BS Asahi, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, and other channels. Additional cast members have also been announced, including Takahiro Sakurai as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun of the Muromachi shogunate; Nobuo Tobita as the court noble Mamiko Noto; Mamiko Noto as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's wife, Nariko; Inori Minase as the original character Chiharu; and Hazuki Seto as Satsuki, a one-armed girl who works at a local dumpling shop.
It was also announced that the band Macaroni Enpitsu will be in charge of the opening theme song, "Shuushou." The main PV was released on YouTube, and the song was unveiled. The PV begins with the meeting of Oniyasha (later Zeami) and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and in addition to Kogane, Masujiro, Ishiya, and Kan'ami, the PV also features Nijō Yoshimoto and Gyōko, who are historical figures as Zeami's patrons, as well as original characters who do not appear in the original work, Chiharu, Satsuki, and Inuō.
Sakurai, who plays Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, commented, "I think there are many people who have experience watching Kabuki but are unfamiliar with Noh. To be honest, I was no exception and only knew it as one genre of classical performing arts. 'World Is Dancing' is a work that allows you to witness the origins of Noh. Even if you don't have any prior knowledge like me, you can fully enjoy the fantastical story and beautiful animation. I hope many people will watch it."
Tobita, who plays the role of Nijō Yoshimoto, said, "I was told to be super energetic from the start and to go all out in my performance. This guy is a pervert! So I went all out and got completely absorbed in his love and obsession for his favorite character. The cover of the script for his first appearance had a close-up of Nijō-sama, which made me even more excited. He is a nobleman with status and ability, but his only connection to life is Fujiwaka! He is honest with his own feelings, and will go through fire and water to make his dream come true! He works hard with all his might... But... Just as I am me, Oniyasha is Oniyasha. Oh, what a sad fate this world has! I had a lot of fun playing Nijō Yoshimoto-sama. This anime is full of things to see and hear. Please look forward to it!"
Noto, who plays the role of Gyoko, sent a message saying, "I haven't had much exposure to the world of Noh, but I became very interested in it after being involved in the production. Each character is living their life to the fullest in their own place. It's an amazing work that is so intense that it hits you right in the heart, and I took away a lot from each recording session. Gyoko is a gentle and kind woman, but when you catch a glimpse of her sensibilities, what she cherishes, and what she has stuck to, you can't help but imagine the strength and struggles that lie beneath. Her wonderful qualities are scattered throughout the one-shot scenes of realization and even in the short lines of dialogue, so I hope you will watch it. Look forward to 'World Is Dancing'! I hope you will let the wings of your heart fly freely within the work."
Minase, who plays Chiharu, said, "In this work, I play an original character named Chiharu. She struggles with her gender and position, but lives strongly and resiliently. Noh is a traditional Japanese performing art. To my embarrassment, until I became involved in this work, I had lived without knowing much about its history or nature. The preciousness of things that continue to exist. The difficulty of passing on traditions and inheritance. The strength to accept change. I felt that this is a work in which we who live in modern times can also discover and learn. I hope it reaches many people."
Seto, who plays Satsuki, shared her thoughts: "First of all, I want to say that I am the most surprised by this casting. I was already excited just knowing that it was a film by director Kuroyanagi (Toshimasa) at the audition stage, but when I found out about the amazing cast, my eyes nearly popped out of my head. I am so happy to have been able to work with such wonderful people and to have met Satsuki. I approached the recording with a deep appreciation for the happiness of being able to connect with her through my voice, as she is a charming character with a rich heart and the strength to accept reality with ease. I hope that 'World is Dancing' will reach you who are living in the present, and go even further, soaring to ever greater heights."
Hattori from Macaroni Enpitsu said, "I am honored to have been involved in such a wonderful production. The determination and struggles involved in dedicating one's life to the stage, the courage to create and stick to one's own 'goodness,' and the joy of the moment when those things are recognized—I was able to deeply resonate with each of these things, and that is why I think we were able to dance in sync. Thank you."
It was also announced that Sawako Kawamitsu, who has worked on screenplays for films such as "Stella Next to Me," will be in charge of series composition and screenplay. Kawamitsu commented, "Ms. Mihara, Director Kuroyanagi, Producer Mizoguchi (Kan)...everyone told me, 'Please write freely and have fun,' and I have always held those words in my heart. Those words did not mean that I should just relax or have fun, but rather, 'We want to see your dance!' I spent my days desperately dancing, using all of my own history. Even now, many creators with their own histories continue to dance. I am truly happy to have been able to gather with all of you whom I respect under the banner of this work, 'World is Dancing.' I pray that the story of the demons who lived hundreds of years ago will reach you who live today and blossom in your hearts."
An advance screening of the first two episodes of the anime will be held on June 21st at Shinjuku Piccadilly (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo). Yumiri Hanamori ( voice of Oniyasha), Shinba Tsuchiya (voice of Ishiya), Maaya Uchida (voice of Kogane), Takahiro Sakurai (voice of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu), and director Tetsuko Kuroyanagi will be in attendance.
"World Is Dancing" was serialized in the manga magazine "Morning" (Kodansha) from March 2021 to October 2022. The story is set in 1374, a turbulent era of conflict between the Southern and Northern Courts. Oniyasha (later Zeami), a boy born into a family of Sarugaku dancers, encounters people, laughs, cries, and confronts his own shortcomings, as he shapes a new dance to live in this impermanent world.
The anime will be directed by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi, known for works such as "The Great Passage" and "Bakuten!!", and produced by Cypic, known for works such as "Uma Musume Cinderella Gray". Hanamori will voice the main character, Oniyasha (later known as Zeami).
