The live-action Wandance film opens Nov. 27, 2026, starring JO, with dance supervision, cast details, and music artists revealed.

The live-action film adaptation of Coffee’s manga Wandance, which has been strongly supported by dancers and drew attention when a TV anime aired last year, and which is currently serialized in Monthly Afternoon (Kodansha) and has surpassed a cumulative 1.3 million copies in circulation, will be released nationwide on Friday, November 27, 2026. JO of &TEAM, making his first film appearance and first starring role, will play the protagonist Kabo. Anji Ikehata will play Hikari Wanda, a.k.a. Wanda, who changes the protagonist’s fate. Kira Yamaguchi (Girls2) will play the charismatic dancer Miyao On, who leads the dance team that Kabo joins, TEAM ON. RAN (MAZZEL) will play the senior Iori Itsukushima, who sees through Kabo’s talent and encourages him to take on dance battles. TSUKKI will play Gaku Kabeya, a.k.a. Kabe, the strongest rival in Kabo’s dance battles. Aloha Takamatsu (Bullet Train) will play Usen Takumi, a.k.a. Usen, the leader of a skilled team that stands in Kabo’s way at the dance contest. When the information was first announced, multiple related words entered the X trends, and on social media the excitement spread beyond cast fans and original-work fans, with attention also focused on the high level of the released dance footage. The dance cast underwent intense dance training for several months before filming. In addition to the overall dance supervisor, the charismatic Kantaro, today the dance supervisors for each character were also revealed. JO, who said, “I deeply studied Kabo’s dance style, and while overlapping my own way of dancing, how I feel when I am dancing, and the question of ‘why do I dance,’ I carefully built the character,” is supervised for Kabo’s dance by Ryuna Miura, a performer who shows astonishing physical expression blending contemporary and hip-hop, served as a main dancer on Sakanaction’s nationwide tour SAKANAQUARIUM 2025 ‘Kaiju,’ and has won competitions such as ‘2025 FRESH!? × UNION’ and ‘postdancism,’ moving the world across both the underground and overground. Miura recalled that when he first met JO, he told him, “ ‘Why do you dance?’ This is very important,” and after days of working side by side with JO, he commented, “Sweat and tears become strength. Recklessness and the desire to express become weapons. You may live as yourself. The reason that must not be lost is put into this film.” Regarding the pairing of JO and Miura, Charisma Kantaro said, “When I first met JO, honestly, he did not seem confident in his own dancing. But I felt he had a pure ‘something strong’ inside. So I wanted to expose the latent desire he had, and I asked Ryuna to do it with the aim of ‘liberating’ him. The original Kabo also starts from a lack of confidence, is liberated, and his sense of self begins to emerge. I thought JO would surely be able to follow the same path through this film. In the end, I was convinced of that in the very first practice with Ryuna. Ryuna is the kind of ‘strong medicine’ as a performer, but he is also a pure presence who can express honestly from the heart. He succeeded in liberating JO, and Kabo, and in bringing out raw emotion. I’m glad I entrusted him to Ryuna. If the amount poured in is wrong, it can affect an artist too much, so I think we adjusted it to just the right amount (laughs). It was a wonderful period in which I am confident we were able to further refine the qualities JO already possessed.” The making-of photo released today is one in which JO, Miura, and director Kusaba are discussing during the filming of a dance scene. Their serious gazes make the passion for this work palpable. The dance supervision for Wanda, played by Ikehata, was assigned to KANU because Charisma Kantaro felt, “The first thing I felt in common between Ikehata, Wanda, and KANU was ‘light.’ I want to express the way Ikehata herself simply enjoys dancing as Wanda, and the way she creates her own style without being bound by self-study, by combining elements such as how she takes the space between rhythms, the contrast between languor and tightening, and the sense of ‘what’s hot right now’ through a dancer.” KANU has choreographed for many artists, including Korean artists such as NCT and BoA, and in Japan for Ryosuke Yamada, JO1, Kento Nakajima, and LDH. Regarding the chemical reaction created by Ikehata through KANU, Charisma Kantaro said, “What was astonishing was that Ikehata herself transformed dramatically during this practice period. To be honest, her street-dance experience was almost nonexistent. But because she had no strange habits, I thought she could become anything depending on how she was taught, so I consulted KANU about refining her as Wanda. Because she is an actress by profession, she pulled off portraying a dancer realistically, and the way she actually became a dancer was the best growth story. I think the reason she was chosen at the audition was also because of her light, but during the practice period she became exactly Hikari Wanda, as her name suggests. The final battle was truly surprising, and KANU and I both shouted out. Please also look at the sense in her fingertips, not just the intensity in her eyes,” praising her evolution. Ikehata said of her days of practice with KANU, “I kept repeating what I had been taught when I got home, and even after filming began, I was given time for self-practice between takes, so during the filming period I simply kept dancing every day.” KANU, looking back on his practice and growth with Ikehata, said, “Above all, what I valued was that Anji’s original energy and charm naturally connected to the person Wanda. In freestyle, she repeatedly showed expressions beyond my imagination, and I was only amazed by her free and rich ideas,” praising her passion. The dance supervision for On, the head of TEAM ON, to whom Kabo and Wanda belong and played by Kira Yamaguchi, was 맡겨 to akihic☆彡, an entertainer who has won numerous dance contests and battles, appeared in commercials, choreographed for artists, worked as a backup dancer, and appeared on stage, while also working as a DJ and beatmaker and developing an apparel brand, continuing to create new culture. Charisma Kantaro said, “When I saw Yamaguchi dance during the interview, I felt she seemed shy about dancing solo. Why? She dances so beautifully… that was honestly my impression. I thought that if she simply got used to it and gained confidence in her own dance, the leader On would emerge, so I asked akihic☆彡, who is skilled at raising basic ability, strengthening the core, and teaching detailed control over body usage. With each practice, she kept getting better and better, or rather, the parts she already had confidence in gained a solid axis. Her expression also overflowed with confidence, and I could see the leadership that the original On-chan has. I entrusted akihic☆彡 with the choreography for TEAM ON’s contest as well, and it was exactly the kind of choreography we were aiming for. For a student contest, with members whose technical levels and genres are all different, this is it! It was made with the best balance, while also expressing the leader’s stature from the opening, and it was the optimal answer. And the battle, in which she likely also had a sense of difficulty, was very worth watching, and I think she also improved as a dancer through this work,” speaking about the chemistry between the two. Yamaguchi said of her practice and filming with akihic☆彡, “Thanks to akihic☆彡-san carefully supporting even the smallest details, I was able to approach filming with peace of mind, and my way of thinking about dance, how I face it, and my passion for dance deepened even more than before.” akihic☆彡 himself said of this work, “I feel that it has become a truly wonderful work that strongly shakes the heart. TEAM ON, and Miyao On’s dance, will surely resonate in the hearts of anyone who sees it.” Regarding Iori, Kabo’s senior played by RAN (MAZZEL), Charisma Kantaro said, “RAN-san has been dancing mainly POP since he was a kid, and because he comes from street culture I thought there was not much need to teach him, but since he dances HOUSE in the role, at first we danced together to see what it would be like, and we needed a style that would combine POP body usage (based on isolation) with HOUSE flow plus careful, detailed steps.” Based on that idea, KEIN, who has established a unique style as a house dancer using floor moves and sensibility as weapons and has won many titles, was chosen to handle the overall steps. “The original Iori changes his genre axis from BREAKING to upright styles, so I think KEIN’s sense of balance, including how to enter the floor without discomfort, was stimulating. He has a good instinct, and by the second lesson? he was already able to change mainly to sessions, and his moments of release were natural, so I think he himself probably enjoyed it. Iori and RAN-san’s stance are very close, or rather the same? That is how it came together!” Charisma Kantaro said. RAN described the trial and error involved in creating Iori’s dance as, “While going over steps from scratch, in the latter half I created a live-action-only Iori by sessioning and layering my own style into Iori’s atmosphere,” and KEIN said, “RAN himself is a Popper, so we made it possible for him to dance house while also making use of his Poppin’ skills.” The dance supervision for Usen, the rival of Kabo and the others, played by Aloha Takamatsu (Bullet Train), was assigned to SEIYA, who serves as both dancer and creative director for the D.LEAGUE team Valuence INFINITIES in the 25-26 season and has won numerous titles in dance battles and contests both in Japan and abroad. Takamatsu said, “Borrowing SEIYA-san’s routines and nuances, and sometimes doing solo exchanges together, it was a personally very stimulating practice, and thanks to SEIYA-san I think I was able to express the best Usen!” SEIYA also revealed about his relationship with Takamatsu, whom he met for the first time, “We quickly got along because we were from the same area, close in age, and had mutual friends, so I myself spent very irreplaceable time there.” He also gave a thumbs-up to the dance quality, saying, “Usen and SAKAYA CREW, led by Usen, are giving their best performances, so please look forward to it!” Charisma Kantaro looked back on the pairing of the two, saying, “The moment I first met Aloha-san, I thought, ‘Oh! He’s refreshing, but there’s a sharp edge deep inside!’ and I understood the feeling of being chosen for Usen. And when he danced freestyle in front of me, he was quite downer-oriented, centered on BREAKING, so I wanted to make use of that while finishing it with HIPHOP, and I personally thought SEIYA was the specialist for that, so I asked him. Even though it was their first time meeting, they quickly got along, and the mixing was fast. To put it into words, it was like going in while sinking down, taking the beat from behind, and then going deeper once more. I thought it would be interesting if that feeling was included, and it was splendid. I had SEIYA do the contest piece for the Usen team as is, but the final piece was good, so I had him break it down on the spot. At this rate, they’d win, I thought (laughs). I think Aloha-san himself must have felt that SEIYA’s style fit just right, and he was really good in the battle too. I even thought he should just come to the battle scenes as is. Although the style differs from the original, including how he catches the sound and his power, he was Usen himself.” As for the music, which is indispensable when talking about this work, it had already been announced that origami PRODUCTIONS and GuruConnect would be in charge of the film’s music, including the dance music used in the film, and today all participating artists and song titles were revealed. From origami PRODUCTIONS, Nenashi, Michael Kaneko, Kan Sano, Shingo Sekiguchi, mabanua, Shingo Suzuki, and Ovall will provide songs. In addition, popular songs from the label will be inserted as tracks for dance battles, and newly written songs by cutting-edge artists such as GuruConnect and SWING-O will color the story. As featured artists, Daichi Yamamoto, who is scheduled to hold a solo concert at Nippon Budokan next year; E.V.P, who is drawing attention for joining the female rapper audition program GOLDEN MIC starting at the end of this month; KIKI, a Thai electropop band that is constantly being invited to festivals around the world including Japan; Sagiri Sól, a singer-songwriter with overwhelming vocal ability; Orya Fujita, a young talent opening up a new generation of R&B; and MARU, a skilled soul singer sought after by many major musicians, will participate. Including GAPPER and Keagan Raphael, who already participated in a track released in advance on Nenashi’s new album Moment, the lineup is luxurious, combining skill, popularity, and buzz. Also, on Shingo Suzuki’s “Drift,” Tomoaki Baba (sax), Shota Watanabe (key), and Masato Mori (dr) participate, delivering superb jazz full of hot groove and tight beats. After the first preview screening in early August, the original author Coffee wrote on his X, “I saw the first preview screening of the live-action Wandance film. It was incredibly good. First of all, the music is wonderful. It’s full of songs that make you want to hit the beats, usable for both shows and battles,” praising the film and also mentioning the music. Along with the dance supervised by top-class dancers, expectations are rising for the superb music as well. ◆ Kabo (JO) Dance Supervision: Ryuna Miura Comment When I first met JO-kun, I clearly remember telling him, “Why do you dance?” and that this is very important. I think the important thing in this world as we live in it is the “heart.” Kabo’s figure dancing in the pouring rain, seeking light from the heavens, is beautiful, and I thought it was a wonderful dance that makes one feel the reality of living, and I spent that process together with JO-kun, or rather with Kabo. He is the light for those who walk toward the future. Sweat and tears become strength. Recklessness and the desire to express become weapons. You may live as yourself. The reason that must not be lost is put into this film. I will be waiting for you at the theater. I love you. ◆ Wanda (Anji Ikehata) Dance Supervision: KANU Comment I was approached by Kantaro because he felt there was something in the dance style of Wanda depicted in the original work and in the expression I value. Anji-san has a one-of-a-kind sensibility that can astonishingly naturally bring music and dance into her body. We danced together a lot and spent time feeling the music as we carefully explored the person Wanda together. What I valued most in that process was that Anji-san’s original energy and charm naturally connected to the person Wanda. In freestyle, she repeatedly showed expressions beyond my imagination, and I was only amazed by her free and rich ideas. The way Anji-san lives as Wanda will surely remain in the hearts of many people! I would be happy if you would come to the theater and witness that 모습. ◆ On (Kira Yamaguchi) Dance Supervision / TEAM ON Choreography: akihic☆彡 Comment I was given this valuable offer by Charisma Kantaro, the overall dance supervisor, and was involved as the choreography supervisor for TEAM ON / Miyao On. I carefully faced the original work and created it while paying attention to every detail of what kind of team should be made. Aiming for a quality that even dancers would find convincing, we created the work while repeatedly facing the cast and staff. As a result, I feel it has become a truly wonderful work that strongly shakes the heart. TEAM ON, and Miyao On’s dance, will surely resonate in the hearts of anyone who sees it. I sincerely hope that this work reaches as many people as possible. ◆ Iori (RAN) Dance Supervision: KEIN Comment This time, I taught house dance to RAN (MAZZEL), who plays Iori Itsukushima. Since RAN himself is a Popper, we made it possible for him to dance house while also making use of his Poppin’ skills. Since the battle was filmed as freestyle rather than choreography, it became a work with a live feel. ◆ Usen (Aloha Takamatsu) Dance Supervision / SAKAYA CREW Choreography: SEIYA Comment I never thought the day would come when I would be involved in a film, so I am truly happy and grateful to have been given such an opportunity. To be honest, until I was approached, I did not understand what kind of work Wandance was, but the moment Kantaro personally invited me, I was filled with motivation. It was actually my first time meeting Aloha Takamatsu, who plays Usen, but once we opened the lid, we quickly got along because we were from the same area, close in age, and had mutual friends, so I myself spent very irreplaceable time there. Usen and SAKAYA CREW, led by Usen, are giving their best performances, so please look forward to it! ■ Release information Film Wandance opens nationwide on Friday, November 27. <Cast> JO (&TEAM), Anji Ikehata, Kira Yamaguchi (Girls2), RAN (MAZZEL), TSUKKI, Aloha Takamatsu (Bullet Train), Kanji Furutate Original work: Coffee, Wandance (serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon) Director: Naoya Kusaba Screenplay: Keiichi Kobayashi Theme song: &TEAM “For us” Overall dance supervision: Charisma Kantaro Music: origami PRODUCTIONS, GuruConnect Production: Film Wandance Production Committee Planning, production, and distribution: Happinet Phantom Studios (C) Coffee / Kodansha (C) 2026 Film Wandance Production Committee <Incidental music> [origami PRODUCTIONS] Nenashi “Eyes On Me feat. GAPPER” Nenashi “Future Heat feat. Kegan Raphael” Nenashi “In This City” Nenashi “Valentine’s Eve” Michael Kaneko “Rolling” Michael Kaneko “Your Universe” Kan Sano “DT pt.2” Kan Sano “Good Luck” Kan Sano “Monk’s Dance” Shingo Sekiguchi “Deep Sea” Shingo Sekiguchi “Funky Sunshine” Shingo Sekiguchi “Lights” Shingo Sekiguchi “The Friendship Of K&W” Shingo Sekiguchi “The Friendship Of K&W (Acoustic version.)” mabanua “Blessed feat. Daichi Yamamoto” mabanua “d.b fonk feat. Nenashi” mabanua “Step by Step feat. Sagiri Sól, Orya Fujita” Shingo Suzuki “Colors feat. KIKI” Shingo Suzuki “Drift” Shingo Suzuki “Drop” Shingo Suzuki “SNAP!” Ovall “Rush Current” DJ Hiroking, 45 “Latin Playboyz” 45 “Watching You Watching Me” [GuruConnect] GuruConnect “Boom Bang!!” GuruConnect “Ghost Dog” GuruConnect “Insight” GuruConnect “Juice” GuruConnect “Karma” GuruConnect “Light It Up” GuruConnect “New Steps” GuruConnect “Move feat. E.V.P” [SWING-O] SWING-O “Pop To The Top feat. MARU” ■ Related link Official site for Wandance ■ Release information Film Wandance opens nationwide on Friday, November 27. <Cast> JO (&TEAM), Anji Ikehata, Kira Yamaguchi (Girls2), RAN (MAZZEL), TSUKKI, Aloha Takamatsu (Bullet Train), Kanji Furutate Original work: Coffee, Wandance (serialized in Kodansha’s Monthly Afternoon) Director: Naoya Kusaba Screenplay: Keiichi Kobayashi Theme song: &TEAM “For us” Overall dance supervision: Charisma Kantaro Music: origami PRODUCTIONS, GuruConnect Production: Film Wandance Production Committee Planning, production, and distribution: Happinet Phantom Studios (C) Coffee / Kodansha (C) 2026 Film Wandance Production Committee <Incidental music> [origami PRODUCTIONS] Nenashi “Eyes On Me feat. GAPPER” Nenashi “Future Heat feat. Kegan Raphael” Nenashi “In This City” Nenashi “Valentine’s Eve” Michael Kaneko “Rolling” Michael Kaneko “Your Universe” Kan Sano “DT pt.2” Kan Sano “Good Luck” Kan Sano “Monk’s Dance” Shingo Sekiguchi “Deep Sea” Shingo Sekiguchi “Funky Sunshine” Shingo Sekiguchi “Lights” Shingo Sekiguchi “The Friendship Of K&W” Shingo Sekiguchi “The Friendship Of K&W (Acoustic version.)” mabanua “Blessed feat. Daichi Yamamoto” mabanua “d.b fonk feat. Nenashi” mabanua “Step by Step feat. Sagiri Sól, Orya Fujita” Shingo Suzuki “Colors feat. KIKI” Shingo Suzuki “Drift” Shingo Suzuki “Drop” Shingo Suzuki “SNAP!” Ovall “Rush Current” DJ Hiroking, 45 “Latin Playboyz” 45 “Watching You Watching Me” [GuruConnect] GuruConnect “Boom Bang!!” GuruConnect “Ghost Dog” GuruConnect “Insight” GuruConnect “Juice” GuruConnect “Karma” GuruConnect “Light It Up” GuruConnect “New Steps” GuruConnect “Move feat. E.V.P” [SWING-O] SWING-O “Pop To The Top feat. MARU” ■ Related link Official site for Wandance