Get ready to groove to the rhythm of self-expression! The popular manga series “Wandance” by Coffee is being adapted into a TV anime, set to premiere in 2025. This highly anticipated project brings together a talented team, including renowned dancer and choreographer RIEHATA (known for working with BTS and others) as the dance producer, and acclaimed animation studios Madhouse and Cyclone Graphics handling production.
“Wandance” is a heartwarming coming-of-age story that follows the journey of Kotanikaboku, a high school student with a stutter who struggles to express himself, and his classmate Hikari Wanda, who finds solace in dancing without worrying about others’ opinions. Through their shared passion for “freestyle” dance, which transcends the need for words, they learn to express themselves and connect with others. The manga has gained international recognition, being published in 10 languages and winning the prestigious “You Should Read This Manga 2023” award in North America.
Celebrating the Anime Adaptation
To commemorate this exciting news, Coffee has created a special congratulatory illustration featuring a dynamic shot of Hanaki and Wanda. The anime’s official social media accounts and website have also launched, with a special campaign on the official X account (@wandance_info) where fans can ask Coffee questions.
In a heartfelt comment, Coffee shared his thoughts on the anime adaptation:
“Manga doesn’t make any sound or move. Instead, it has another advantage that real dance or music doesn’t have. That is, ‘the reader can supplement the movement and sound with their imagination.’ In some cases, this may be more moving than actually watching or listening to it. In this visualization, some actual movement and sound will be added. If we try to reproduce the appearance in a realistic and faithful way, I feel that the meaning of visualizing a manga will be lost, so I would be very happy if you could play around with experimentation and improvisation and create images that we never imagined. I hope you all enjoy it.”
TV Anime “Wandance” Details
- Original Work: Coffee “Wandance” (Kodansha)
- Dance Producer: RIEHATA
- Animation Production: Madhouse x Cyclone Graphics
- Broadcasting begins in 2025
Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting project!