Anime like World Is Dancing

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Inu-ou

Also known as Inu-Oh.

Studio: Science SARU , Asmik Ace , Aniplex
Status: Finished
Genres: Adventure , Music , Supernatural

Inu-Oh is born with unique physical characteristics. His parents cover every inch of his body with garments, including a mask on his face. One day, Inu-Oh meets a blind boy named Tomona, a biwa player. As Tomona starts to sing and play, Inu-Oh is amazed to discover he has an incredible ability to dance. The two become inseparable. Tomona and Inu-Oh start sharing their talent with audiences. Their performances quickly gain acclaim and draw crowds. But why is Tomona blind? Why was Inu-Oh born looking like he does? A story about a legendary artist from 14th-century Japan, who defied fate to forge his own destiny. An anime in the form of a rock operetta with spectacular music and dance sequences.

Note: The film received an early premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 9, 2021.

Tags: Band , Musical Theater , Anachronism , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Dancing , Rock Music , Historical , Disability , Tragedy , Curses , Crossdressing , Acting , Time Skip , Ghost , Samurai , Gore , Demons

Where to watch?

Hulu

Heike Monogatari

Also known as The Heike Story.

Studio: Science SARU , Asmik Ace , Dentsu , Fuji TV , bilibili , Pony Canyon , BS Fuji
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Supernatural

A young orphan named Biwa is taken in by the powerful Taira Clan—also known as the Heike—after their leader witnesses her extraordinary psychic abilities. Unfortunately, what she predicts is a future of bloodshed, violence, and civil war. Inspired by the 12th-century epic tale Heike Monogatari.

Tags: Tragedy , Politics , Classic Literature , Historical , War , Philosophy , Military , Religion , Samurai , Suicide , Ghost , Female Protagonist , Orphan , Conspiracy , Archery , Time Skip , Tomboy , Adoption , Ships , Transgender

Where to watch?

Akane-banashi

Also known as Akane-banashi.

Studio: ZEXCS , TV Asahi , Aniplex , Shueisha , Cygames , AbemaTV , TV Asahi Music , BS Asahi
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

"With only your voice and body—master the art."

Akane Ousaki, captivated since childhood by the magical performances of her father, Shinta Arakawa, witnesses a shocking incident during his decisive performance for promotion to shin’uchi (master rank).

Six years later, now a high school student, she sets her sights on becoming a shin’uchi herself—pushing forward in the highly competitive world of rakugo.

A passionate and authentic rakugo drama begins now!

Tags: Rakugo , Female Protagonist , Shounen , Acting , Coming of Age , Revenge , Urban , Work , Found Family , POV , Family Life , Primarily Adult Cast , School , Time Skip , Gyaru

Where to watch?

YouTube

YouTube

Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi 2nd Season

Also known as The Elusive Samurai Season 2.

Studio: Aniplex , CloverWorks , Shueisha , TOKYO MX , Fuji TV , BS11 , CloverWorks , Dentsu
Status: Releasing
Genres: Action , Adventure

The second season of Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi.

Tags: Samurai , War , Historical , Shounen , Gore , Politics , Mixed Media , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , Primarily Child Cast , Meta , Surreal Comedy , Female Harem , Polyamorous , Anachronism , Gyaru , Ninja

Where to watch?

iQ

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan (2023)

Also known as Rurouni Kenshin (2023).

Studio: LIDENFILMS , Aniplex , Shueisha , Fuji TV , Dentsu , Animax Broadcast Japan
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Romance

One hundred and forty years ago in Kyoto, with the coming of the American "Black Ships," there arose a warrior who, felling men with his bloodstained blade, gained the name Hitokiri, manslayer! His killer blade helped close the turbulent Bakumatsu era and slashed open the progressive age known as Meiji. Then he vanished, and with the flow of years, became legend.

Tags: Swordplay , Historical , Samurai , Male Protagonist , Martial Arts , Shounen , Found Family , Assassins , Age Gap , Heterosexual , Rural , Travel , Drugs , Ghost

Where to watch?

Crunchyroll

Hulu

Ongaku

Also known as ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND.

Studio: ROCK'N ROLL MOUNTAIN , Tip Top
Status: Finished
Genres: Comedy , Music , Slice of Life

When you’re a bored teenager looking for thrills, sometimes the only thing you can turn to is rock ‘n roll. Having no skill, money, or even a full set of drums, a feared trio of high school delinquents nevertheless decide they are destined for musical glory in a quest to impress their only friend Aya, avoid a rival gang, and – most importantly – jam out. Animated almost entirely by director Kenji Iwaisawa, and featuring a lead performance by Japanese alt-rock legend Shintaro Sakamoto, ON-GAKU: OUR SOUND brings its own sound and vision to the Hiroyuki Oohashi manga from which it was adapted. With pitch-perfect deadpan humor, the film presents a highly original take on the beloved slacker comedy: a lo-fi buddy film with a blaring musical finale that will leave you wanting an immediate encore.

Tags: Band , Delinquents , Rotoscoping , Coming of Age , Primarily Teen Cast , Rock Music , Male Protagonist , Primarily Male Cast , School , Heterosexual

Where to watch?

No streaming links available

Kaguya-hime no Monogatari

Also known as The Tale of The Princess Kaguya.

Studio: Studio Ghibli
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Fantasy , Romance

Okina is a bamboo cutter in ancient rural Japan. One day in the forest, he finds a tiny baby in the folds of a bamboo shoot. He brings the creature home to his wife Ounaa and they decide to keep her and raise her as a princess. She is clearly not of this world. Kaguya grows at an unnatural rate, soon maturing into an uncommonly beautiful young woman. Since Okina has now also found a cache of gold and treasure in the forest, every suitor wants Kaguya. But this is not a fairy tale of courtship and marriage.

Tags: Tragedy , Philosophy , Classic Literature , Fairy Tale , Female Protagonist , Historical , Family Life , Rural , Gods , Religion , Primarily Adult Cast , Amnesia , Adoption , Heterosexual , Agriculture , Travel , Unrequited Love , Horticulture , Calligraphy , Environmental

Where to watch?

Max

Ping Pong THE ANIMATION

Also known as Ping Pong the Animation.

Studio: Tatsunoko Production , Aniplex
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Psychological , Sports

Tsukimoto Makoto (nicknamed Smile) is a quiet high-schooler who's been friends with the loud and energetic Hoshino Yukata (nicknamed Peko). They're both in the table tennis club and are very good at it, though Smile's personality prevents him from winning against Peko. The club teacher however notices Smile's talent and tries to make him gain some sportive tenacity.

Tags: Coming of Age , Table Tennis , Primarily Male Cast , Seinen , Male Protagonist , Philosophy , School Club , Primarily Teen Cast , Ensemble Cast , Rotoscoping , School , Teacher , Language Barrier , CGI , Bullying , Coastal , Time Skip , Delinquents , Anti-Hero , Suicide , Flash , Video Games

Where to watch?

Bilibili TV

Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu

Also known as Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.

Studio: Studio DEEN
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama

The story revolves around a mature prisoner who was released on good behavior during Japan's Shouwa Genroku era (1960s to early 1970s). He is called Yotarou by others, a term that means an "anti-hero" or a "dim-witted man." When he returns to society, he starts a new life in rakugo (comic storytelling). Touched by Yakumo's role as the "grim reaper," he asks the master to take him in as an apprentice. Most of the season delves into Yakumo's own past during World War II and the years afterward.

Note: The first episode aired with a runtime of 48 minutes as opposed to the standard 24 minute long episode.

Tags: Rakugo , Tragedy , Acting , Historical , Primarily Adult Cast , Time Skip , Love Triangle , Josei , Male Protagonist , Disability , Meta , Primarily Male Cast , LGBTQ+ Themes , War , Suicide , Elderly Protagonist , Boys' Love

Where to watch?

Amazon Prime Video