Wandance
There are so many ways to express ourselves, and we all have our preferences. It could be artwork, music, dancing, acting, sports, and so on, each putting on vividly unique displays for anyone who cares enough to look upon them. You may not fully grasp all the feelings they represent, but we can all catch even a gist, and that vibe speaks for itself in that it's so profound and even infectious at times. This is why you should not hesitate to express yourself freely, as long as it doesn't cause harm, and strive to excel in your chosen field.
“Wandance,” also known as “Wondance,” is a 12-episode TV Anime series that aired from the 8th of October until the 24th of December in Fall 2025. It was produced by TV Asahi, Kodansha, Asmik Ace, Sound Team Don Juan, and Current and brought to life by Studios Madhouse and Cyclone Graphics. The main staff behind it includes Yoshida Yuuki, Yonezawa Akira, Sawada Airi, and Itou Sumire as Producers. Featuring the Sports genre alongside themes of Performing Arts and School, this series of 23-minute episodes is targeted at the Seinen demographic and earned a PG-13 rating for teenagers 13 years or older. It aired on TV Asahi's IMAnimation W block and is based on the Manga of the same title, published on the 25th of January 2019 and still ongoing. It is the work of author and artist Coffee, which was serialized in Afternoon and later published in English by Kodansha USA on June 28, 2022.
The protagonist of the story, Kaboku Kotani, also referred to as "Kabo," enrolls at Ichiran High School. Despite his lack of grandiosity, Kaboku Kotani merely aspires to spend his high school days in solitude, avoiding undue attention. Why? He feels self-conscious about his stuttering. So while his friends flock toward the school's basketball club, he instead seeks out the dance club, where his minor issue won't be so apparent. But what holds him back is an embarrassing memory from his middle school days, keeping him hesitant to dance in front of others again and thereby barring him from the club. Things change when he has a fateful meeting with his beautiful classmate, Hikari Wanda, whom he spots dancing on her own terms. As the duo grows closer, she admits she's not so great with words either and chooses to express herself through performances. These words ignite a spark within our main character, pushing him to join the Dance club despite his uncomfortable past, with Wanda by his side. Now supported by his new clubmates as well, Kabo embarks on a journey to master the art of dancing and thereby express himself as freely as possible without reservations. Step by step, he began to create unforgettable memories.
The high school setting is nothing new, and we have seen shows focusing on all sorts of clubs. The MC's effort to join the Dance Club despite his issues is exceptionally refreshing. I found myself rooting for Kabo because he shows believable character growth, demonstrating how a person can learn to do new things through unconventional methods. It is even better if you’re into dancing yourself, or so I heard, because the process is showcased very realistically and amicably. Overall, the presentation may take some time to adjust to, but the creators consistently improve, and by episode 08, the entire narrative comes together beautifully.
On the other hand, the narrative still leaves much to be desired because it lacks the final impact these “Sports” series are often expected to have and can be bland and predictable at times, propelled by a weak hook from the outset. There are some great ideas here, but they don’t mesh easily if you aren’t open-minded enough, and they definitely feel like a tale still being built up. There are many connecting threads, grounds for conflict, and character dramas forged in differing ambitions, curiosity, and drive, though, so it is not lacking in depth.
Kabo is a genuinely likable protagonist in a situation most of us can relate to: a simple insecurity that keeps us from engaging with people and activities we inherently enjoy. Communication is especially challenging for him, so how others perceive this shortcoming weighs heavily on his mind, but the yearning for a powerful means of expression lingers. Also, he and Wanda are so adorable together, and I genuinely enjoyed this girl’s pure presence on-screen. I am not into this particular type of music or dancing, but I was happy enough watching him strive for it. While the narrative starts slowly with its steady world-building, all the characters are so well integrated that you’ll be grateful for their existence, backed by their superb dance choreography full of careful details to boot. When Kabo says, "It's time to Wandance," you just know some serious dancing is about to break loose, and it got me at the edge of my seat a couple of times. The only things holding the characters back are the pacing and characterization in general, especially when it comes to overused tropes you can see coming from miles away. But hey, the characters are still believable at the end, and “life imitates art” in this series.
Let's discuss the Art and Animation department in detail. While the CG dancing may be jarring to the eyes, the 2D aspects exhibit excellent execution and seamless animation. At first, the animation's textures can be distracting, but once you adjust, the dancing movements become flawless. The clothing and hairstyles are dull, but the fluid movements and the passion that went into the production make up for it. I particularly loved seeing the main cast’s vacant, dead-eyed stares stretching out a thousand yards ahead, all as they dance the night away wearing raw emotions on their sleeves. Every dance is a means of communication, and that’s how it translates into a real coming-of-age story as well, with the friends made along the way becoming an immeasurable strength to press forward.
Similarly, the dances truly resonate when you begin to sense the rhythm in your body. The character designs are exceptional, revealing aspects of their personalities through their appearance, and their facial expressions, particularly those between Kabo and Wanda, convey a wealth of emotion. The background also looks so natural and dynamic, almost as if it’s grooving alongside the cast. So don’t let the awkward CGI distract you from how fluidly all the movements sync up with the music to portray an incredibly smooth performance.
The Sounds and Music department really shines alongside the incredible choreography, which is where the majority of the budget must have gone. I am sure this team has actual industry professionals involved to make it that much more authentic, and that’s how they keep this show from becoming boring. I could watch these performances repeatedly without growing tired thanks to the highly detailed, superb sound design. The Voice actors also deliver stellar performances across the board, and kudos to them for bringing out so much emotion from the characters. The opening theme, "Stare In Wonder," by BE:FIRST, captivates you with each listen, and eventually its powerful, edgy visuals start to pulsate in my mind. The ending theme "Wondrous" by ELSEE is not as memorable, but it serves as a dance number on its own, set against the backdrop of the high school.
Overall, “Wandance” is not a revolutionary show I can recommend to anyone without hesitation. It has its drawbacks, especially the CGI, but the simple storyline, animation, and music make the show an enjoyable experience. You can really learn a thing or two about dancing, music, and choreography here, all held together and presented by a likable cast that serves a solid purpose while making realistic progression in their respective lives. While there aren't many feelings and emotions that tug at your heartstrings, a few heartfelt moments do exist to maintain the story's momentum. If you’re interested in its strengths, do give it a go!
