A new promotional video for the highly anticipated “Wandance” hip-hop dance anime has dropped, providing fans with a deeper look into the series’ musical landscape, an extensive list of new cast members, additional production staff, and confirming its broadcast premiere date of October 8. The anime is an adaptation of Coffee’s popular manga, promising a vibrant coming-of-age story centered around the world of street dance.
The latest video not only offers a glimpse of the anime’s dynamic animation but also previews the opening, ending, and an insert song, setting the stage for its upcoming debut.
Premiere Details and International Streaming
“Wandance” is officially set to premiere in Japan on October 8 at 23:45 JST on TV Asahi and its affiliated channels. Subsequent broadcasts will follow on AT-X on October 10 and BS Asahi on October 11. For international viewers, the series will be available for streaming globally on Disney+, with its Japanese streaming debut on Disney+ Star scheduled for October 9. The anime will also be available on numerous other Japanese streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, d Anime Store, and YouTube, among others.
Diverse Musical Lineup Revealed
Music is a core element of “Wandance,” and the new video highlights the diverse array of artists contributing to the anime’s soundtrack. The opening theme song, “Stare in Wonder,” will be performed by the boy band BE:FIRST. Meanwhile, the female dance group ELSEE will provide the ending theme, “Wondrous.” An insert song titled “Kujira,” by Yaffle feat. Sahnya, was also previewed in the promotional video.
The series is slated to feature over 30 original and in-story songs, with Naoki “naotyu-” Chiba overseeing the entire soundtrack production. Other artists confirmed to contribute to the extensive musical catalog include Yujin Aramaki, Alisa, Black Boboi, FUNI, GZO, Hidetake Takayama, Jazztronik, JiN, Seann Bowe, Jua, Kaztake Takeuchi, Marcello Jonno, Michael Yano a.a. ARK, MONJOE, RIEHATA, RIKKI, Scatman John, Shinichi Osawa, Shinichiro Murayama, Toru Ishikawa, URU, Weauxmaque, and Wez Atras.
Expanded Voice Cast and Production Team
The latest announcement significantly expands the anime’s voice cast, introducing a multitude of new characters. The newly revealed cast members include:
- Daiki Kobayashi as Hoto, Uyo, and Macchin
- Junpei Baba as Seiya
- Haruka Satō as Shiki Kanno
- Haruka Terui as Aika Naitō
- Rumi Ōkubo as Anna Itami
- Keiko Manaka as Rame Tokiwa
- Yui Watanabe as Hitomi Shimoda
- Ayaka Nanase as Kona Ōkōuchi
- Hana Tamegai as Sakura Kami
- Rin Kusumi as Monme Hirai
- Konomi Inagaki as Moa Mukogawa
- Honoka Inoue as Miru Ōmori
- Momoko Miyashiro as Yura Nikami
- Kana Ogino as Aoi Date
- Miyuki Wakayama as Kokoro Shimoda
- Tsukino Chikasada as Rin Ishikawa
- Momoka Ogizono as Sayaka Takada
- Kanon Yulduz
These additions join the previously announced main cast: Koki Uchiyama as protagonist Kaboku Kotani and Hina Yomiya as Hikari Wanda. Earlier in June, five more cast members were revealed: Ayaka Suwa as On Miyao, Toshiki Masuda as Iori Itsukushima, Yuma Uchida as Gaku Kabeya, Yuu Hayashi as Usen Takumi, and Chikahiro Kobayashi as Assay.
The animation production is a collaboration between Studios MADHOUSE (“Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End”) and CYCLONE GRAPHICS. Michiya Kato, known for his work as visual effects supervisor on “Bubble,” is directing the series. Critically, renowned K-Pop choreographer RIEHATA, who has worked with groups like BTS, is serving as the dance producer, promising authentic and engaging dance sequences through motion capture technology.
The Story of “Wandance”
The “Wandance” anime is based on Coffee’s manga, which has been serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon magazine since January 2019 and currently spans 13 collected volumes. Kodansha USA publishes the official English version of the manga.
The story follows Kaboku Kotani, a high school student who struggles with a stutter and tends to avoid drawing attention to himself. His life takes an unexpected turn when he witnesses his classmate, Hikari Wanda, dancing freely and passionately, seemingly without a care for who watches. Inspired by her uninhibited self-expression, Kaboku decides to step out of his comfort zone and joins the school’s dance club, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and connection through hip-hop.
