"SLAM DUNK" Creator Takehiko Inoue Shares Celebratory Illustration of Oniyasha for "The World Is Dancing"; Opening Video Also Released

[Photos/Images] "SLAM DUNK" Creator Takehiko Inoue Shares Celebratory Illustration of Oniyasha for "The World Is Dancing"; Opening Video Also Released 1st

Ahead of the TV anime "The World Is Dancing" broadcast premiere on Thursday, July 2 at 22:00, a celebratory illustration commemorating the first episode has been released. The illustration was created by manga artist Takehiko Inoue, well-known for "SLAM DUNK" and "Vagabond," under whom the original creator Kazuto Mihara studied as an assistant. The protagonist, Oniyasha, is drawn in Inoue's signature distinct touch.

In conjunction with this, the opening video featuring the opening theme song "Shusho" by Macaroni Empitsu has also been unveiled. The video unfolds with a visual style different from the main anime series, vividly coloring a black-and-white world, and the calligraphy for the staff credits was handled by calligrapher Satoshi Nemoto, who also created the title calligraphy for this work. Additionally, a comment video from Macaroni Empitsu has been posted on the official X account.

"The World Is Dancing" is based on the 6-volume manga by Kazuto Mihara, which was serialized in Kodansha's "Morning." Set in the Nanboku-cho period, it depicts the story of Oniyasha, a young boy who would later create "Noh" and become known as "Zeami." The animation is produced by Cypic, with Toshimasa Kuroyanagi serving as director, and this work has won a Special Award at the Short Shorts Film Festival.

▼TV Anime "The World Is Dancing" Opening Video