The best thing about anime is that it can give you insight into worlds and industries you may have never even thought about. Dance is one such industry that features in many series but is otherwise considered to be a niche world.
Mastering any dance takes dedication and immersion, and the stakes in competitive dancing can be incredibly high. This often makes for a compelling story regardless of the fact whether the viewers themselves dance or not.
Here, we present to you a list of the best dancing anime series with well-written plots and memorable characters.
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Best 11 Dancing Anime Series List
Yuri!!! On Ice
Japanese Title: Yuri!!! On ICE
Studio: MAPPA
Number of Episodes: 12+ OVA
IMDb Rating: 8.3/10
Okay fine, Yuri On Ice is not exactly about dance. Yes, it is set in the competitive and elusive world of figure skating. But dance is a major element of figure skating which is why this anime is at the top of our dancing anime recommendations.
Yuri On Ice follows 23-year-old Yuri Katsuki, who puts his skating career on hold after a series of setbacks. However, a viral video of his performance attracts the attention of Victor Nikiforov, a figure skating legend and Yuri’s idol to boot. Victor lands at the former skater’s doorstep to coach him and revive his skating career.
As the story progresses, the two form a beautiful relationship that eventually turns into a romance. Yuri On Ice’s wholesome themes, humor, accurate depictions of a same-sex relationship, and intricate figure skating routines make it a much-loved anime.
Dance Dance Danseur
Japanese Title: Dansu Dansu Dansuru
Studio: MAPPA
Number of Episodes: 11
IMDb Rating: 7.6/10
The next series on our list of the best dancing anime is Dance Dance Danseu, which is based on George Asakura’s manga of the same name. It follows teenager Junepi Murao, who has always had an on-and-off relationship with ballet ever since he saw his sister’s recital.
He had to abandon dance after his father died in a tragic accident, but finds himself fascinated by it again after Miyako Godai transfers to his class, and he sees Ruo Mori’s performance. Dance Dance Danseur focuses on these characters as they grow and mature and discover what ballet means to them.
The series beautifully depicts the dancers’ passion for ballet and plays with the dynamics of the iconic Swan Lake to get its point across. Fans of classical ballet should check out this anime for its smooth and intricate dance visuals and gorgeous costume design.
Welcome to the Ballroom
Japanese Title: Borurumu e Yokoso
Studio: Production I.G.
Number of Episodes: 24
IMDb Rating: 7.8/10
Welcome to the Ballroom is hands down one of the best dance anime of all time. Tatara Fujita is a middle school student with no dream or ambition. This changes when he is thrown into the high-stakes world of competitive ballroom dancing after an encounter with a mysterious man, Kaname Sengoku. Thus begins Tatara’s journey into the ballroom dancing scene at the Ogasawara Dance Studio.
Welcome to the Ballroom promises exquisite animation as it captures all the hard work and elegance of ballroom dancing. It is refreshing to see a competitive dancer who started training later than others and found a much-needed outlet in the art form.
Hanayamata
Japanese Title: Hanayamata
Studio: Madhouse
Number of Episodes: 12
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Naru Sekiya is an ordinary 14-year-old who likes fairy tales but has no other interests to speak of. A chance encounter with a foreign girl has her entering the world of Yosakoi dancing.
Yosakoi is a Japanese dance style popularly performed at festivals. It is a highly energetic dance form that combines traditional Japanese moves with modern music.
In Hanayamata, dance provides Naru with an avenue for her to feel like a magical girl in a mundane world. She starts to gain confidence and also fulfills her dream of more romance in her life.
Idolish7
Japanese Title: Aidorisshu Sebun
Studio: Troyca
Number of Episodes: 17
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
We all know about the intricate dance performances idols have to do and the rigorous training they have to undergo to make them perfect. The high-stakes and high-stress situations certainly make for a compelling plot.
This is exactly what Idolish7 is about. Follow idol manager Tsumugi Takanashi as she trains seven boys to become the most famous idol group. Each one of them has a unique personality and background, and Tsumugi must turn them into successful idols while facing the hardships of the entertainment industry.
While Idolish7 includes a fair bit of dancing, it is also more than that as it follows the boys and Tsumugi as they grow and learn to survive in a cutthroat industry.
Brave Beats
Japanese Title: Bureau Bitsu
Studio: BN Pictures
Number of Episodes: 22
IMDb Rating: NA
In this heart-warming anime, you get to witness the friendship between a sixth grader, Hibiki Kazagurum, and a dancing robot named Breakin. The robot tells Hibiki that he was banished from the Dance World after losing a challenge. To return to his world, he must collect the Dance Stones scattered around Earth.
Hibiki fuses with Breakin to become the dance superstar Flash Beats, and they race around the world to collect the stones before anyone else takes them. While Brave Beats may be aimed at a younger audience, its heart and charming nature make it a series that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Love Live! School Idol Project
Japanese Title: Rabu Raibu! Nijigasaki Gakuen Sukuru Aidoru Doko-kai
Studio: Bandai Namco Filmworks
Number of Episodes: 26
IMDb Rating: 7.2/10
Our next recommendation for the best dancing anime is Love Live! School Idol Project. A heartwarming series combining school drama, coming-of-age, and idol groups, it is a dancing anime that can be enjoyed by people of all age groups. Come follow Honoka Kosaka, who forms a school idol group to prevent her school from closing down.
Once they are successful in saving Otonokizaka Academy, the girls set their sights higher and decide to participate in Love Live, which is the ultimate school idol competition in the series’ universe. Love Live! School Idol Project features a variety of dance performances, most of which are reminiscent of modern pop dance music videos.
Princess Tutu
Japanese Title: Purinsesu Chuchu
Studio: Hal Film Maker
Number of Episodes: 26
IMDb Rating: 8.1/10
An ode to classical ballet and fairy tales, Princess Tutu is the story of a duck who transforms into the titular ballerina Princess Tutu to save the heart of a storybook prince who’s come to life. It is heavily inspired by stories like The Ugly Duckling and Swan Lake and is filled with ballet references.
The animation is gorgeous and quite accurate with regard to ballet techniques. Dance enthusiasts will definitely like the accuracy of the steps, pointed feet, and classical angles. It also features sequences with iconic dance scores like Giselle by Adolphe-Adams and Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens.
Legend of Light
Japanese Title: Hikari no Densetsu
Studio: Tatsunoko Production
Number of Episodes: 19
IMDb Rating: 7.1/10
Older than the other series in this list, Legend of Light is based on an ‘80s manga of the same name. It is one of the few anime that is set in the world of rhythmic gymnastics and follows a fifteen-year-old girl, Hikari Kamijou, who dreams of becoming an Olympic champion after seeing the performance of Diliana Gueorguieva.
Hikari lacks natural talent but makes up for it with her hard work, enthusiasm, and the support of fellow gymnast Takaaki Ooishi. She faces many roadblocks in her journey, but learns to overcome them while falling in love with Takaaki.
Wake Up, Girls
Japanese Title: Wake Up, Girls! Shichi-nin no Aidoru
Studio: Ordet, Tatsunoko Production
Number of Episodes: 12
IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
Another idol dance anime, Wake Up, Girls, is the story of a little-known idol group, Wake Up Girls, managed by the nearly bankrupt agency Green Leaves Entertainment. The girl group is the agency’s final bid to remain in business. All seven girls come from small towns and struggle to gain recognition in a cutthroat industry.
Wake Up, Girls boldly depicts the hard work and dedication of idols to perfect their dancing and singing skills. Watch these girls as they attain success and learn to become stronger versions of themselves with all the media tests they are put through.
Tribe Cool Crew
Japanese Title: Toraibu KuruKuru
Studio: Sunrise, BN Pictures
Number of Episodes: 50
IMDb Rating: 7.4/10
Are you interested in an anime about street dancing? Then Tribe Cool Crew might just be the thing for you. It follows middle schooler Haneru Tobitatsu, who loves dance and whose ultimate goal is to be a famous street dancer. He meets Kanon Otosaki, who is skilled but shy of dancing in public.
Together, they form the Tribe Cool Crew with Kumonosuke Sakagami, Mizuki Mashiro, and Yuzuru Tempoin. While it may sound like a run-of-the-mill coming-of-age anime for a young audience, Tribe Cool Crew surprisingly delves into many mature and political topics.
The anime has a unique art style, soundtrack, and above all, fascinating dance segments that make it a must-watch in the dance anime genre.
