Wandance (Japanese: ワンダンス,Hepburn: Wandansu) is an anime series produced by MADHOUSE, Cyclone Graphics and Asmik Ace based on the manga by Coffee. It was announced on August 21, 2024.
Kaboku Kotani (Kabo), who struggles with a stutter, finds his classmate Hikari Wanda (Wanda), who dances alone, at the start of high school. Feeling suffocated by his daily life of constantly worrying about others’ opinions, Kabo becomes captivated by Wanda’s free-spirited dancing and begins to take an interest in dance as a form of self-expression.
Feeling nervous, Kabo joined the dance club’s trial session, where he learned from the club president, On Miyao (On-chan), about the basic movements of dance and the importance of “really listening to the music.”
Although still awkward at first, Kabo gradually began to fit in with the dance club and started after-school practice sessions with Wanda.
With the high school dance competition approaching in June, an impromptu audition is held to select members. Inspired by Wanda's dancing, Kabo begins to grasp the feeling of being "moved by music." On the way home from practice, he hears from his senior about his gratitude for this year's competition.
From the first-years, Kabo, Wanda, and Aoi Tachi were chosen as contest members.
Unable to accept being left out, Yura Nigami decides to ask On about the reason for the selection.
After being shown last year’s contest footage, Kabo happens to meet another male club member who appears in it — Iori Itsukushima.
Kabo agrees to a dance battle with Iori, on the condition that if he wins, Iori will return to the dance club. Kabo is overwhelmed by Iori’s house dance, which he’s seeing for the first time. He realizes that there’s a connection between “when you can talk” and “when you can dance.”
By talking with On-chan and Wanda about the future, he begins to think about his own future as a dancer as well.
Finally, the day of the High School Dance Competition has arrived for Ichirin High School’s dance club. Unique and eccentric rival schools gather together, and the tension at the venue reaches its peak. Kabo heads into the performance, encouraged by Iori and Wanda.
When the veteran dancer Assay, one of the judges, is asked what judging criterion he values the most, he answers: “Passion.”
The results of the High School Dance Competition are announced.
Even though they’re dancing together, Kabo feels that Wanda seems a little distant.
Kabo remembers how Wanda used to dance alone back when they first met.
Before entering high school, Wanda worked part-time at a convenience store while practicing dance entirely on her own.
Right after the tournament, On-chan and Iori break into a dance battle in the clubroom. While watching as they clash and elevate each other’s technique and feeling, Kabo and Wanda are moved. After the club members judge the battle, Iori chooses Kabo as On-chan’s next opponent.
Kabo starts practicing with Iori during lunch break and awakens to the fun of dance battles.
When asked who might become a strong opponent in the competition, Iori names Gaku Kabeya (Kabe), who specializes in breaking.
Invited by Iori, Kabo and Wanda join the B-Boys’ park practice session, where Kabe is also training.
The solo division of the High School Dance Battle begins, and On-chan, Iori, and Wanda advance smoothly through the preliminaries.
Unsettled by the unfamiliar club environment and Wanda’s absence, Kabo misses the chance to step forward.
Confused and unable to showcase his strengths, he finishes the preliminaries without making an impact.
High School Dance Battle – Round 1, Match 2. On-chan faces Usen Takumi, a dancer with a truly one-of-a-kind style.
Kabo is moved by the fierce, passionate performances from On-chan and Wanda — something he never sees form them during practice. But Kabe bluntly states, 'Battles mean nothing if you don’t win.'
Even Iori’s dancing, who had always encouraged On to enter battles, begins to change.
