English Dub Review: The World Is Dancing “Connection”
Overview (Spoilers Below):
Oniyasha gets a second chance, but he’ll have to regain his confidence before facing Zojiro again.
Our Take:
Despite Oniyasha’s bold routine, it apparently didn’t meet the usual expectations set by tradition, including those of the Shinza Troupe. Fortunately for him, he gets another chance to really draw the crowd wild, thanks to the deputy’s decision to host a rematch. The previous episode showed that people are more used to the same traditions in the arts than to something unexpected and ambitious, especially in dance. That aspect expanded upon Oniyasha’s difficult goal of challenging those traditions through his own talents. In “Connection”, this topic was delved into further with the fact that the performing arts can also provide different opinions from people. Whether we’re talking about dance, theater, or even film, performing arts can spark interesting conversations and reactions about how people interpret them through their different perspectives. If everything is the same as before, then what even is there to talk about other than what is shown?
This is one of the elements that helps “Connection” highlight the show’s themes of tradition and how people’s own forms can make a difference in the performing arts. The episode also continues to explore Oniyasha’s doubts about himself after his humiliating loss to Zojiro, while he learns more about his friend, Kogane. It turns out Kogane was a former member of the Shinza Troupe whom Zojiro banished for his mediocrity. Given the toxic behavior these guys had toward Oniyasha in the last episode, I couldn’t help but be happy that Kogane walked out and never looked back. However, with the supposed ties to the Southern Court, I had a feeling Kogane’s freedom and friendship with Oniyasha might not last long. With these revelations and a dazzling art style, “Connections” connected well with the themes it represents, even those that celebrate differences in art beyond tradition.
