English Dub Review: Wandance “Self-Awareness”

Overview:

Wandance recently dropped that latest episode of the show’s English dub, “Self-Awareness.” The dance battles continue, with the club members dealing with wins and losses. All the while, viewers get a brief glimpse of some of the characters’ pasts.

Our Take:

The story opens up with a brief look at On and Iori’s past, with the dance club president inviting the latter to join the club. However, this opener immediately cuts back to the last episode’s story, seeing On dance off against Usen.

When it comes to art in any form, being subversive can make or break the artist. As Iori muses, when people are used to a routine, anything out of the norm can seem exciting and new out of context, but it’s ultimately up to the audience to tell if it worked or not. Unfortunately for On, the judges end up choosing Usen. However, she takes it in stride, even telling Wanda to avenge her when she is set to face off against Usen herself.

However, Usen proves the victor against Wanda, next, leaving her in tears. Through the series so far, things always seemed a little too easy for the dance club, so it’s interesting to see how they handle setbacks. On keeps up a brave face and doesn’t let it get to her. Wanda, by contrast, is seen as a worthy opponent, especially by Usen, but losing drives her to tears.

Gaku talks to Kabo about the outcome. Clearly proud of Wanda no matter what, Kabo shares the belief that winning or losing isn’t that important. Gaku notes that’s not something winners usually say, which likely already tells you all you need to know about this purple-haired dancer. Black flames then surround him as he hints that things haven’t been easy for him, but the world of dancing is where he is king. This isn’t quite his introduction, but it feels like it might as well should be.

Of course, Gaku tries to backtrack, saying it’s really just important to take things seriously. Kabo assures him, speaking through his stutter, to assure him he’ll give his all. In case you aren’t sure things are about to get serious, and we soon see him make his way to the semi-finals.

As On and Iori discuss his progress, viewers finally get to see more about their past, something fans have been waiting to see for quite a while. With their intuitions telling each other they are both dancers at first sight, Iori hints that an argument drove him from the club, despite On reassuring him otherwise.

The story’s climax is Iori finally being the one to dance against Usen. Things take an interesting turn when it’s revealed that Iori asked On out on a date, should he win. However, she’s having none of that, telling Iori to be serious, which seems to have some effect on him. While Iori has a rough start against Usen, he ultimately finds his groove by telling himself not to dance for someone else, but for the part of him that tells him he can’t do it.

Overall, this is a very character-driven story, and fans will especially like to see how On and Iori’s interactions play out, as well as their real thoughts about each other. While overshadowed by On and Iori’s story, Kabo coming into his own also really makes the story. Another highlight of this story is that the characters show Kabo isn’t the only one with doubts… or a powerful imagination.