It has been announced that Yoji Matsuda, known for his role as Ashitaka in Studio Ghibli's animated film "Princess Mononoke," will voice Inu-Oh in the TV anime "World Is Dancing," which is based on Kazuto Mihara's Noh manga depicting the life of Zeami. This will be Matsuda's first regular role in a TV anime. It was also announced that Miyuki Sawashiro will appear as a shirabyoshi (female dancer).
Inu-Oh is a mysterious man who appears suddenly and disappears just as quickly, leaving behind words that influence Oniyasha each time. Matsuda, who plays the role, said, "The title is 'World Is Dancing' and the main character is Zeami (Oniyasha). Just hearing that made me incredibly excited, and then to find out that my role is 'Inu-Oh (Doami).' He is a great figure who, along with Kan'ami and Zeami, colored the era. However, Inu-Oh in this work is elusive and incredibly mysterious. I was looking forward to the script to see how his relationship with Oniyasha would be portrayed. Actually, this is my first time being a regular cast member in a serialized animated work. I was honored to take on such a wonderful role and have this new experience."
Shirabyoshi is a frail woman who lives in a dilapidated barn. Sawashiro, who plays the role, said, "I was overwhelmed wondering how close I could get to her, since I've always lived a comfortable life and never had to worry about food or shelter... But I was captivated by the yearning of her soul and found myself drawn to her. I was really looking forward to seeing how her dance would be portrayed in the video, so... please look forward to it. The elite group that her tenacity has brought together has created the video with the same tenacity."
The main promotional video, "Utai," has been released on YouTube, showcasing a portion of the theme song sung by Yumiri Yumiri Hanamori as Oniyasha and Romi Park as Masujiro. The PV also features scenes of Sarugaku (a type of Japanese theater). A visual of Oniyasha and other characters gathered against a mirror-panel-like background has also been released.
"World Is Dancing" was serialized in the manga magazine "Morning" (Kodansha) from March 2021 to October 2022. The story is set in 1374, a turbulent era of conflict between the Southern and Northern Courts. Oniyasha (later Zeami), a boy born into a family of Sarugaku dancers, encounters people, laughs, cries, and confronts his own shortcomings, as he shapes a new dance to live in this impermanent world.
The anime will be directed by Toshimasa Kuroyanagi, known for works such as "The Great Passage" and "Bakuten!!", and produced by Cypic, known for works such as "Uma Musume Cinderella Gray". Hanamori will voice the main character, Oniyasha (later known as Zeami). It will air from 10 PM on July 2nd on TOKYO MX, BS Asahi, TVQ Kyushu Broadcasting, and other channels.
