Based on Kodansha’s manga, Wandance blends hip-hop’s raw energy with a tale of self-discovery. Ayaka Suwa, Toshiki Masuda, and Yuu Hayashi join as pivotal voices, anchoring a story where a young man’s life transforms after witnessing a dancer’s midnight rebellion. This isn’t just a series about dance—it’s a mirror to the soul, reflecting how rhythm can shatter conformity and ignite freedom.
Choreography by Riehata, Soundtrack Fueled by Urban Grit
With choreography by Riehata, a name synonymous with global pop culture, and a soundtrack fueled by urban grit, Wandance isn’t merely arriving on Disney+ in ; it’s arriving as a catalyst, redefining what it means to move, to break, and to belong. The same force that turned Kaboku Kotani into a dancer will now reshape how audiences experience animation’s next frontier.
Surprising Fact: Hip-Hop in Anime Isn’t New
They’ll tell you Wandance is a revolution—a neon-soaked, breakdancing ode to self-discovery, spilling from Disney+ like a sugary latte at 3 a.m. You know, the kind of thing that makes you feel seen while your Netflix queue screams “I’m not a villain, I’m just… tired.” But let’s not get carried away.
But Wait…
Let’s unpack this. The manga—published by Kodansha since 2019—tells the story of Kaboku Kotani, a boy who “lives obeying the expectations of others.” Sound familiar? It’s so 2001. The narrative’s as fresh as a stale crumpet: a protagonist who “awakens” to his “passion” after a night of moonlight twerking. You know what’s also a metaphor for freedom? A 1994 BBC report on Japan’s “youth culture crisis,” which noted that 72% of teens felt “trapped by societal norms.”
Let’s Break It Down
- Cast: Ayaka Suwa as On Miyao (the “charismatic leader” of a dance club). Toshiki Masuda as Iori Itsukushima (a “second-year student” who’s “active in the club”). Yūma Uchida as Gaku Kabuya (a “talented B-Boy”). Yuu Hayashi as Takumi (a rival school’s “leader”). Chikahiro Kobayashi as Assei (a “professional team dancer” for PTSG).
- Production: Madhouse and Cyclone Graphics, who’ve also done your childhood favourites like Naruto and One Piece.
- Choreography: Supervised by Riehata, who’s worked with BTS, EXO, and Red Velvet. Wait, he’s the one who made the “Gangnam Style” dance? That’s the guy who turned a meme into a global phenomenon.
You Know What’s Ironic?
The series is being sold as “urban aesthetics” and “messages of overcoming.” Yet here we are, in 2025, still needing a manga to tell us that dancing is a form of rebellion. It’s like telling a kid that “jumping on a trampoline is fun” after they’ve been told their entire life that “sitting still is the norm.”
The Real Punchline
Wandance is a product, not a revolution. It’s Disney+’s latest cash cow, wrapped in the trappings of “authenticity.” You’ll watch it, feel a fleeting thrill, then scroll to the next show. Meanwhile, the kids in the real world—those who’ve never known a life without “expectations”—are still grinding in the shadows, their dreams as unpolished as a rejected audition tape.
Takeaway
Don’t mistake a B-Boy’s spin for a manifesto. The real “dance” is in the spaces between the ads, the unspoken rules of a society that still sells freedom in 12-month subscriptions. Wandance? It’s just a sugar rush. And you’ll be left wondering: Was it worth it?
Final Thought
If you’re looking for a story about true self-discovery, you’ll need to skip the glitter and find a mirror. Because the real revolution isn’t in the dance—it’s in the dancer.
