Anime like World Is Dancing

Nige Jouzu no Wakagimi

Also known as The Elusive Samurai.

Studio: CloverWorks , Aniplex , Shueisha , TOKYO MX , BS11 , CloverWorks
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Adventure , Supernatural

In the year 1333, the Kamakura shogunate government comes crumbling down. A trusted vassal, Ashikaga Takauji, betrays the shogunate and organizes a rebellion. Houjou Tokiyuki, the rightful heir, escapes the massacre with a Shinto priest named Suwa Yorishige to Kamakura. On the run and fighting to stay alive, Tokiyuki sets in motion his plan to reclaim his birthright.



Tags: Historical , War , Samurai , Swordplay , Male Protagonist , Tragedy , Fugitive , Demons , Primarily Child Cast , Revenge , Urban Fantasy , Shounen , Gore , Anachronism , Surreal Comedy , Philosophy , Suicide , Ninja , Gods , Archery , Religion , CGI , Shrine Maiden , Spearplay , Magic

Inu-ou

Also known as Inu-Oh.

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

Musical fantasy film based on Hideo Furukawa's Heike Monogatari: Inu-Ou no Maki (Tales of the Heike: Inu-Ou) novel.

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 , Rock Music , Dancing , Disability , Historical , Tragedy , Curses , Acting , Crossdressing , Time Skip , Samurai , Gore , Ghost , Demons

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 , War , Historical , Philosophy , Military , Religion , Samurai , Suicide , Ghost , Female Protagonist , Orphan , Conspiracy , Archery , Time Skip , Tomboy , Adoption , Ships , Transgender

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

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

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

Kono Oto Tomare!

Also known as Kono Oto Tomare!: Sounds of Life.

Studio: Platinum Vision
Status: Finished
Genres: Drama , Music , Romance , Slice of Life

In the story, Takezou is the last remaining member of the koto club, a club dedicated to the traditional Japanese string instrument. If he doesn't find new members, the koto club will be terminated. One day, Takezou is alone in the club room when a student barges in and demands to join. The student is delinquent Chika Kudou, a guy who even scares delinquent upperclassmen at other schools.



Tags: School Club , Coming of Age , Ensemble Cast , Male Protagonist , Tsundere , Heterosexual , Band , Primarily Teen Cast , Delinquents , School , Bullying , Primarily Male Cast , Shounen , Kuudere

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 , Video Games , Flash

Kore Kaite Shine

Also known as Draw This, Then Die!.

Studio: Shin-Ei Animation , Nippon Television Network , Shin-Ei Animation , Shogakukan , VAP , Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions , Frontier Works
Status: Releasing
Genres: Comedy , Slice of Life

Kore Kaite Shine is set in Izu Oshima, an island 120 kilometers south of Tokyo. The story centers on Ai Yasumi, a high school girl who loves to read manga, and learns about the joy and pain of drawing her own manga



Tags: Drawing , Female Protagonist , Coastal , Otaku Culture , Primarily Female Cast , Cute Girls Doing Cute Things , Iyashikei , Writing , Primarily Teen Cast , Shounen , School , School Club , Rural

Nippon Sangoku

Also known as NIPPON SANGOKU: The Three Nations of the Crimson Sun.

Studio: Studio Kafka , Twin Engine
Status: Finished
Genres: Action , Drama , Sci-Fi

A revolution sparked by nuclear war, natural disaster, and misrule leads to the collapse of Japanese society. The country splits into three nations vying for hegemony, and the Sangoku era begins. Aoteru Misumi, a former agricultural officer, vows to reunify Japan. He rises through the ranks with only his knowledge and eloquence. Witness the legend of the man later hailed as a genius strategist.



Tags: Politics , War , Military , Dystopian , Seinen , Revenge , Philosophy , Post-Apocalyptic , Male Protagonist , Ensemble Cast , Class Struggle , Gore , Tragedy , Satire , Primarily Adult Cast , Rural , Swordplay , Agriculture , Anachronism , Nudity