ona · ongoing
The World Is Dancing
ワールド イズ ダンシング
Born into a life of acting and dance with a traveling theater troupe in 14th-century Japan, 12-year old Oniyasha has one problem—he doesn't know what the point of any of it is. "Why must I step with the left foot here instead of the right? Why is one performance good and another, bad? Why do people dance at all?" It all seems perfectly arbitrary, until a chance encounter in a run-down shack sets him down a path to revolutionizing the art form and influencing much of Japanese culture to come. A fictionalized account of the early life of Zeami Motokiyo (Oniyasha), the founder of modern Noh theater—the world's oldest surviving theater art—this coming-of-age artist's journey vividly brings to life a man far ahead of his time during one of Japan's most culturally and socially vibrant eras. (Source: Kodansha Comics) Note: World Is Dancing is streaming 3 days in advance of the TV broadcast on Prime Video and HIDIVE beginning June 29th, 2026. Regular broadcasting began on July 2nd, 2026.
Episodes
1. Why Do People Dance?
In the midst of an era of conflict, Oniyasha wrestles with a question he cannot answer.
Play episode 1
2. You Have a Body
Fascinated by the woman's haunting performance, Oniyasha seeks her out and requests to watch her dance again.
Play episode 2
3. You Have Your Own Sense of "Good"
The Kanze Troupe has a once-in-a-lifetime chance to perform for the shogun, but it's an opportunity that weighs heavily on Oniyasha's shoulders.
Play episode 3
4. Differing Scales of Progress
As the Kanze Troupe takes the stage at Imakumano, Oniyasha gains a new perspective on both his father and the shogun.
Play episode 4
5. A Budding Throb
Two rival troupes hold a competition, and the stakes couldn't be higher. The losing troupe must forfeit the shogun's patronage and disband.
Play episode 5
