The upcoming anime series Wandance, a vibrant and expressive coming-of-age story centered around the world of hip-hop dance, has revealed its main cast and announced its premiere for October 2025. Based on the manga by Coffee, Wandance promises to bring its compelling characters and dynamic dance sequences to life through animation.
A Shy Protagonist Finds His Rhythm
Wandance follows Kaboku Kotani, a high school student struggling with a stutter who often retreats into the background to avoid attention. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Hikari Wanda, a free-spirited dancer who dances with uninhibited passion. Captivated by her freedom and self-expression, Kaboku is inspired to step outside his comfort zone and explore the world of dance.
Through dance, Kaboku begins a journey of self-discovery, learning to communicate and express himself in ways he never thought possible. Wandance explores themes of friendship, courage, and the transformative power of art, set against the backdrop of the energetic hip-hop dance scene.
Meet the Main Cast
The anime’s main cast has been announced, featuring talented voice actors who will bring Kaboku and Hikari to life:
- Kaboku Kotani: Voiced by Koki Uchiyama, known for his roles as Yamada in My Love Story with Yamada-kun at Lv999. Uchiyama also voiced Kaboku in the original manga’s promotional video and has expressed his excitement about continuing in the role, particularly in seeing the dances animated.
- Hikari Wanda: Voiced by Hina Yomiya, recognized for her role as Yuki in SHOSHIMIN: How to become Ordinary. Yomiya, who also loves acting and dancing, shared her enthusiasm for bringing Hikari’s charm to life and hopes to convey the character’s passion through her performance.
Production Details
Wandance is being animated by studios MADHOUSE (Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End) and CYCLONE GRAPHICS, ensuring high-quality visuals and fluid animation. Michiya Kato, who served as visual effects supervisor on Bubble, is directing the series. Adding to the authenticity of the dance sequences, K-Pop choreographer RIEHATA, who has worked with renowned groups like BTS, TWICE, and Red Velvet, is joining the team as the dance producer. Kato mentioned that motion capture technology is being used to realistically animate the dances, with real dancers performing the moves first.
From Manga to Anime: A Beloved Story
Wandance began as a manga series by Coffee, serialized in Monthly Afternoon magazine since January 2019. The manga has gained considerable popularity, with over 900,000 copies in circulation. It has also been published in 10 languages and received recognition in the “You Should Read This Manga 2023” category by a North American manga awards program, highlighting the anticipation for an anime adaptation. Kodansha USA publishes the English version of the manga, making the story accessible to a global audience.
Where to Watch
Wandance will be streamed exclusively on Disney+ as it airs, making it easily accessible to a wide audience.
What to Expect
Wandance is expected to deliver a heartwarming and visually stunning anime experience. The combination of a compelling story, relatable characters, and dynamic dance sequences promises to resonate with viewers. The series is poised to capture the energy and emotion of dance, offering a unique and inspiring perspective on self-discovery and the power of artistic expression. With its October 2025 premiere, fans can eagerly anticipate a fresh and exciting addition to the anime landscape.
