The World Is Dancing
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| The World Is Dancing | |
 Cover of the first English volume | |
| ワールド イズ ダンシング (Wārudo Izu Danshingu) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | |
| Manga | |
| Written by | Kazuto Mihara |
| Published by | Kodansha |
| English publisher | |
| Imprint | Morning KC |
| Magazine | Morning |
| Original run | March 25, 2021 – October 27, 2022 |
| Volumes | 6 |
| Anime television series | |
| Directed by | Toshimasa Kuroyanagi |
| Written by | Sawako Kawamitsu |
| Music by | Daisuke Shinoda |
| Studio | Cypic |
| Original network | Tokyo MX, BS Asahi |
| Original run | July 2026 – scheduled |
The World is Dancing (Japanese: ワールド イズ ダンシング, Hepburn: Wārudo Izu Danshingu) is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Kazuto Mihara. It was serialized in Kodansha's seinen manga magazine Morning from March 2021 to October 2022, with its chapters collected in six tankōbon volumes.
Set during the Muromachi period, the story follows Zeami Motokiyo (known in his youth as Oniyasha), a pivotal figure in the development of Noh drama. An anime television series adaptation produced by Cypic is scheduled to premiere in July 2026.
The story follows Oniyasha (the childhood name of Zeami) during the 14th century. In an era defined by political instability and social upheaval, Oniyasha struggles to find his own voice within his father Kan'ami's performance troupe. Rather than just following tradition, Oniyasha seeks to capture the "rhythm of the world" through dance. The series explores his journey of artistic awakening, his relationship with the Shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, and the philosophical evolution of Noh theater.
Characters
- Oniyasha (鬼夜叉 役) / Zeami Motokiyo (世阿弥 元清)
- Voiced by: Yumiri Hanamori[2]
- The protagonist, a young prodigy obsessed with finding a new way to express human emotion through movement.
- Kan'ami (観阿弥)
- Voiced by: Katsuyuki Konishi[3]
- Oniyasha's father and the leader of the Sarugaku troupe. He is a master of his craft but represents the traditional standards Oniyasha seeks to expand.
- Ashikaga Yoshimitsu (足利 義満)
- The young, powerful Shogun who becomes a patron of the arts and takes a special interest in Oniyasha's talent.
- Ishiya (石也)
- Voiced by: Shimba Tsuchiya[3]
- A kind-hearted member of the Sarugaku troupe who does not perform onstage due to a leg condition though is skilled at chanting. He is one of Oniyasha's closest friends and often helps him with his practice.
- Kogane (コガネ)
- Voiced by: Maaya Uchida[3]
- A dependable boy who spends time with his friend Oniyasha outside of practice. Although rough around the edges, he holds an interest in dance.
- Zojiro (増次郎)
- Voiced by: Romi Park[3]
- The strict, young leader of the Dengaku Shinza troupe serving as the driving force behind the troupe’s morale. He is also critical towards Oniyasha.
- Junigoro (十二五郎)
- Voiced by: Haruki Ishiya[3]
- A serious and well-mannered member of the Kanze troupe who is skilled with the kotsuzumi.
- Inuo (犬王)