Anime fans will take a trip to 14th-century medieval Japan this summer with news today that AMC Global Media’s HIDIVE has added the highly anticipated new period drama The World Is Dancing as part of the anime streamer’s Summer 2026 slate of exclusive simulcast series.
Adapted from the critically-acclaimed seinen manga created by Kazuto Mihara, The World Is Dancing brings the history and birth of Noh, the 600-year-old classical Japanese dance-drama form originating in the Muromachi period, to life through the eyes of its real-life co-founder Zeami Motokiyo in a captivating, fictionalized depiction of him as a 12-year-old actor, Oniyasha (Zeami’s childhood stage name).
The World Is Dancing has already received recognition well ahead of its premiere with a Special Award given May 1 at the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia (“SSFF & ASIA”), the Academy Awards-accredited and largest international short film festival in Asia. The new series will debut on June 29 and be available to all HIDIVE subscribers throughout the U.S. and Canada, as well as in key overseas markets including Australia, and New Zealand. As part of today’s announcement, HIDIVE not only revealed its plans to present the world premiere of The World Is Dancing Episode 2 at Anime Expo 2026, but also released the series’ official English subtitled main trailer on YouTube.
“We’re excited to present the highly anticipated historical drama The World Is Dancing as part of HIDIVE’s Summer 2026 line-up of exclusive simulcast series,” said John Ledford, President of HIDIVE. “Told through the 12-year-old eyes of real-life Noh co-founder Zeami, The World Is Dancing presents a fictionalized dramatization of the birth of Noh that combines stunning animation together with mesmerizing elements from this classical theatrical art. Audiences will be captivated from the very first frame as they are transported back 600 years and immersed in the medieval world of 14th century Japan. The World Is Dancing is not to be missed!”
One does not need dance to live. In 1374, during the turbulent age when the Northern and Southern Courts were locked in conflict, the Northern Court’s shogun, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, was becoming an increasingly dominant force. Born the son of Kan’ami, head of the Kanze troupe of sarugaku performers, Oniyasha drifts through his days with a hazy question lodged in his heart: Why do people dance? His spirit remains clouded until the day he encounters a dance that is truly “good.” Curious, sensitive, and strikingly beautiful, the boy meets people, laughs, cries, confronts his own weaknesses, and slowly begins to shape a new form of dance for a world steeped in impermanence.
The World Is Dancing is based on the celebrated six-volume manga title written and illustrated by Kazuto Mihara and published by Kodansha that was originally serialized in Morning magazine from March 2021 – October 2022. The anime series is directed by Toshimasa Kuroyanagi, with series composition and script by Sawako Kawamitsu, character design by Keigo Sasaki, and production by Cypic. The cast of The World Is Dancing stars Yumiri Hanamori as Oniyasha, Simba Tsuchiya as Ishiya, Maaya Uchida as Kogane, Romi Park as Zojiro, Takahiro Sakurai as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Katsuyuki Konishi as Kan’ami, Nobuo Tobita as Nijo Yoshimoto, Mamiko Noto as Nariko, Inori Minase as Chiharu, Haruki Ishiya as Junigoro, and Hazuki Seto as Satsuki.
The World Is Dancing Episode 2 World Premiere | Anime Expo 2026
Date: Thursday, July 2, 2026
Time: 6:45 – 7:35 pm Pacific
Location: Room 403AB, Los Angeles Convention Center, Concourse Level 2
Source: Press Release
