Story of the Boy Who Would One Day Be Known as Zeami The World Is Dancing Premieres on July 2nd
Reveals Key Visual, Main Trailer and New Casts! Unveils the Opening Theme Song “shusho” performed by Macaroni Empitsu.
The World Is Dancing Anime Release Announcement
Tokyo, Japan, 8th May 2026 – CyberAgent, Inc. is excited to share that the TV anime The World Is Dancing (co-produced by Shochiku and CyberAgent) will officially start broadcasting and streaming on July 2, 2026. Along with the announcement, the key visual and main trailer have been revealed. The newly revealed main trailer features the opening theme song “Shusyo” performed by Macaroni Empitsu which is also unveiled for the first time. Additionally, comments from the new cast members, Takahiro Sakurai as the powerful shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and Nobuo Tobita, Mamiko Noto, Inori Minase, and Hazuki Seto. Character illustrations and heartfelt comments from each cast member have also arrived.
The World Is Dancing is a 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 on Chapter 1 – Free Preview. In an era of constant conflict, a beautiful, intensely curious boy named Oniyasha meets people, laughs, cries, and faces his own weaknesses as he shapes a new form of dance born from life in an ever-changing world.
This is a “dancing story” that might have unfolded when the boy who would one day create Noh—Zeami—was still known as Oniyasha, carried across 600 years to the present. 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.
TV Anime The World Is Dancing Premieres This July
Main Trailer & Additional Cast Unveiled!
Main Trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zu45LJG7Chs
The main trailer opens with a breathtaking dance sequence that sets a striking tone for the series. It 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 Takahiro Sakurai. With this trailer, a lineup of new characters and their prestigious cast members has been revealed. 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. Furthermore, the trailer offers the first reveal of the opening theme song “shusho” by Macaroni Empitsu. The track, which deeply resonates with Oniyasha’s spirit, heightens the anticipation for the upcoming broadcast, promising a visceral and emotional experience.
Opening Theme Artist: Macaroni Empitsu
A four-piece rock band formed in 2012. Led by vocalist/guitarist Hattori, the band is known for their expressive sound and emotional lyrics. They have successfully completed multiple arena tours and remain at the forefront of the Japanese rock scene.
Cast and Character Illustrations Released!
Copyright: ©Kazuto Mihara, KODANSHA/”The World Is Dancing” Production Committee.
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.
- Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (CV: Takahiro Sakurai)
- Nijo Yoshimoto (CV: Nobuo Tobita)
- Nariko (CV: Mamiko Noto)
- Chiharu (CV: Inori Minase)
- Satsuki (CV: Hazuki Seto)
New Staff
Series Composition/Script: Sawako Kawamitsu
Profile: Completed the Screenwriting course at the Graduate School of Film and New Media, Tokyo University of the Arts. Her notable screenwriting credits include the film Stella of the Neighborhood (Tonari no Stella), the dramas I, KILL and Mr. Bride (Watashi no Oyome-kun), and web dramas such as ANIMALS and Ohsama Sentai King-Ohger: The Secret of King Racules.
About The World Is Dancing
STORY:
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.
Follow “The World Is Dancing” on Social Media:
- Official Website: https://sh-anime.shochiku.co.jp/worldisdancing-anime
- Official X: https://x.com/wid_anime (@wid_anime)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is The World Is Dancing anime about?
The World Is Dancing follows the early life of Oniyasha, a boy who later becomes known as Zeami, the historical figure associated with Noh theatre. The story explores his emotional journey, artistic growth, and the origins of dance in a turbulent historical era filled with conflict and cultural change.
2. When will The World Is Dancing anime premiere?
The anime is scheduled to premiere on July 2, 2026. It will begin broadcasting and streaming in Japan following its official release announcement by CyberAgent and Shochiku.
3. Who is producing The World Is Dancing anime?
The anime is co-produced by CyberAgent, Inc. and Shochiku. The animation production is handled by studio Cypic, which is also known for other anime projects such as Umamusume: Cinderella Gray.
4. What is the story of Oniyasha in the anime?
Oniyasha is portrayed as a young boy growing up in the Muromachi period. He is curious about why people dance and gradually discovers his artistic identity after witnessing performances that deeply inspire him. His journey eventually connects to the creation of early Noh theatre traditions.
5. Who is Zeami in The World Is Dancing?
Zeami is the historical figure that Oniyasha grows into. He is known as one of the key founders and developers of Noh theatre in Japan. The anime explores his fictionalized youth and the experiences that shape his artistic vision and philosophy.
6. What is the opening theme song of the anime?
The opening theme song is titled “shusho,” performed by the Japanese rock band Macaroni Empitsu. The song is featured in the main trailer and is designed to reflect the emotional tone and artistic journey of the main character.
7. Which voice actors are part of the cast?
The cast includes Yumiri Hanamori as Oniyasha, Takahiro Sakurai as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Maaya Uchida as Kogane, Romi Park as Zojiro, Katsuyuki Konishi as Kan’ami, and several others including Inori Minase, Mamiko Noto, and Nobuo Tobita.
8. What historical setting does the anime use?
The anime is set in 1374 during the Muromachi period of Japan, a time marked by political conflict between the Northern and Southern Courts. This historical background plays an important role in shaping the story’s themes and character development.
9. Is The World Is Dancing based on a manga?
Yes, the anime is based on a manga by Kazuto Mihara, originally published in Kodansha’s Morning magazine. The manga is relatively short but gained attention for its storytelling and exploration of historical and artistic themes.
10. What themes does the anime explore?
The anime explores themes such as artistic expression, identity, cultural tradition, and personal growth. It also focuses on how dance and performance can reflect human emotion and connect people across time and conflict.
Company Details
Organization: CyberAgent, Inc.
Contact Person: CyberAgent, Inc. Press Contact
Website: https://caanime.cyberagent.co.jp/en/
Email: Send Email
Address: 40-1 Udagawacho, Abema Towers, Shibuya City, Tokyo
City: Tokyo
Country: Japan
Release Id: 08052644823