The World Is Dancing Episode 11 Review: Komochizuki Explained
The World Is Dancing Episode 11 Review: Oniyasha Enters a New Era in “Komochizuki”
There has been a build-up in The World Is Dancing for some big changes to come in Oniyasha's life, and this change becomes unavoidable in Episode 11.
Titled "Komochizuki", Episode 11 isn't just another episode revolving around dance. It is an episode involving growing up, lack of control, artistic stress, and the uncomfortable dynamic of having talent that others want to exploit.
We no longer have the boy that we first meet in the series; time has made him grow up, he looks different from how he looked before, he sounds different from how he used to, and his reputation has improved.
However, there is a bigger question behind this:
Has Oniyasha really become happier?
Episode 11 proves the contrary.
Whereas everyone else around him is enamored with his special skill, Oniyasha seems more trapped than anything else by it.
On the other hand, we get to see Inuo presented with an unusual chance to meet Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, thus giving rise to yet another interesting narrative thread that gives the episode a new angle on performing in front of the public.
Here's our review of The World Is Dancing Episode 11, which features the story, Oniyasha's metamorphosis, Inuo's performance, the meaning of Komochizuki, and what the episode might mean for the final episodes of the season.
The World Is Dancing Episode 11: Episode Overview
Episode 11 is entitled “Komochizuki” and it is a Japanese word that describes the moon on the night before the full moon.
There are two major events in this episode.
First, Inuo, who is the troupe leader of Hiyoshi, gets informed that he is to be summoned at the Sanjo-Bomon Imperial Palace. Since Yoshimitsu supports Inuo, he feels that he can now perform in front of the public.
Second, Oniyasha, who is now a much older man, is much taller, has developed a more mature voice and has gained much reputation as a dancer.
However, in spite of his success, Oniyasha spends all of his time dancing for guests that come to watch his exceptional skills.
The official episode synopsis presents these two plots side by side and creates a theme for the episode in the process.
On the one hand, there is a person who is going to have a chance to perform in front of the public.
On the other hand, there is someone who has already become so famous that he does not have any control over his performances anymore.
Oniyasha Has Changed
Clearly, the largest change in Episode 11 occurs in Oniyasha himself.
Throughout most of the story thus far, Oniyasha has been characterized by his inquisitiveness.
He wants to understand dance.
He wants to understand motion.
Above all else, Oniyasha wants to understand how to make a dance truly "good."
Originally, Oniyasha's obsession with dance came across as the burning drive of a young artist seeking to uncover some mystery which no one else could teach him.
In Episode 11, we see the consequences of this drive becoming a career.
Oniyasha has aged and become successful in the field.
Everyone knows who he is.
Everyone wants to watch him perform.
Everyone admires his skill.
And yet something just doesn't feel right.
Oniyasha's success has not freed him from anything at all.
It has only imprisoned him further.
From Prodigy to Celebrity
One of the most intriguing things about this episode is the different attitude that people have toward Oniyasha nowadays.
Back when he was young, he used to be interesting because of his unique talent.
Now he is expected to be able to do certain things because of his talent.
He dances all the time.
People are gathering around him.
His talents have become a part of his identity.
It is here that the episode suddenly becomes uncomfortable.
Having a talent can seem like such a nice thing until everyone thinks that this talent belongs to them.
For example, Oniyasha's dance is not his own anymore, but rather what everyone expects him to do.
That makes an enormous difference compared to the boy that we have seen earlier in the series.
Back then he was dancing because he had to understand something.
And now he dances just because everyone expects him to.
That difference makes us feel bad.
Nobunaga Shimazaki's Performance
The switch to the old Oniyasha voice brings with it an entirely new voice too.
Nobunaga Shimazaki takes over the voice acting role of adult Oniyasha.
One of the most significant casting choices regarding Episode 11, it works not only because the voice gives a feeling of being an older Oniyasha.
In fact, it also gives away the fact that he is different on the inside now.
The depth in the voice shows that some time has passed, but it is not only about that.
The burden of experience is conveyed through this voice.
It is clear that Oniyasha is not an ordinary mature person anymore.
He bears an incredible weight.
Is Oniyasha Happy With His Success?
It might be the central issue of the eleventh episode.
In theory, Oniyasha has it all for a young performer.
He is gifted.
He is famous.
He has people who have influence.
He has chances that others would envy.
However, his emotional condition speaks another language.
The episode makes one believe again and again that Oniyasha is tired and not connected with the pleasure which once made him want to be a dancer.
He continues dancing, but the excitement of discovering becomes more and more remote.
That is why his success is almost sad.
He got recognition before he managed to realize why he wanted that recognition so badly.
The Darker Side of Being a Prodigy
It must also be said that Episode 11 is one of the darkest episodes of The World Is Dancing.
From the beginning, we knew that artistic genius goes hand in hand with pressure; however, in this episode, it is carried to extremes.
Although Oniyasha finds himself around people who appreciate his talents, admiration does not imply knowledge of the same.
The prodigious individual may become a show.
When people look at somebody as something extraordinary, they tend to forget the basic necessities that person has as a human being.
An explanation is not necessary for this episode.
It suffices for Oniyasha to be seen as an exhausted individual.
Inuo Gets His Own Chance
As the story of Oniyasha becomes more difficult, Inuo gets an opportunity which seems to be the exact opposite.
It is the time when Inuo, the chief of the Hiyoshi group, is asked by Yoshimitsu to come to the Imperial Palace called Sanjo-Bomon.
In response to it, he decides to do some public performances with the backing of Yoshimitsu.
This is a turning point for Inuo.
Given the way Inuo sees dance in relation to his personality, his receiving an opportunity to perform before some distinguished people is no less than a big deal.
However, unlike the other episode, his opportunity does not look like something disconnected from politics.
The influence of Yoshimitsu plays an important role here.
This means that the performance by Inuo is related not only to art but also politics.
Yoshimitsu's Influence Becomes More Important
Yoshimitsu Ashikaga is still a symbol of the complex interplay between artistic ability and political power.
The fascination he has for performers could provide them with openings.
However, influence always has its price.
While the sponsorship of a powerful individual has the potential to help artists gain access to venues they would otherwise not have access to, it will inevitably alter the perception of others regarding the artists.
Thus, Inuo's opening is not only a chance to be noticed.
It is also a good example of how art and politics are intertwined in this world.
This issue has always been one of the main themes of The World Is Dancing.
Inuo and Oniyasha Are on Different Paths
This is precisely where the episode proves to be ingenious.
Oniyasha and Inuo are both dancers.
They are both good at what they do.
They both wish for their dance to mean something.
However, their positions are absolutely opposite.
While Inuo prepares for his great debut performance, Oniyasha finds himself in such an artistic position where he gets too much of that public attention.
While one tries to attract the attention of the viewers, the other needs a chance to have someone leave him alone.
Their paths lead in completely opposite directions.
What Does “Komochizuki” Mean?
The title of this episode is one of the most significant elements of the plot.
“Komochizuki” stands for the moon the day before the full moon.
This is a nearly perfect moon.
However, it is not.
This fact renders the episode's title an ideal symbol for Oniyasha.
He has grown up a lot.
His talent has matured.
His popularity has increased.
He is close to becoming who he is going to be someday.
Yet, he is not.
He is still looking for something.
He is still incomplete.
This is precisely why the episode's title suits it perfectly.
Oniyasha might seem like a mature artist to everyone, but in reality, he tries to understand his art.
The Moon as a Symbol of Oniyasha's Journey
The symbolisms gain further meanings in light of the ultimate identity of Oniyasha.
This is the story of the life of Oniyasha, who is later to become Zeami, one of the most significant personalities in the history of the Noh theater.
That means that the viewers are aware of the great destiny of Oniyasha from the very beginning.
However, just because we know where we will get, this does not mean that the path is not important anymore.
On the contrary, it makes this episode even more interesting.
Indeed, we see the process of the gradual transformation of an ordinary talented boy into a historical figure of arts, as well as his inner experiences that lead to the development of his personality.
The Episode's Emotional Core
The most powerful aspect of Episode 11, in my view, does not concern any specific dance routine.
The most powerful aspect of Episode 11 is the emotional paradox in the case of Oniyasha.
Everybody appears to recognize his successes.
Nobody appears to notice how tired he is.
The result is a strange mood throughout the whole episode.
Oniyasha is a winner.
Yet, at an emotional level, he seems to lose something.
The complexity of his position cannot therefore be explained in terms of a simple success story of a prodigy.
The Animation and Direction
The pacing of Episode 11 works in its favor because of the show's slow-paced style of movement.
The World Is Dancing doesn't portray dance as an ordinary battle scene.
The movement has a purpose.
Posture counts.
Timing counts.
Space counts.
This results in performances that resemble drama more than spectacle.
Episode 11 also gains from its quiet scenes.
The juxtaposition of packed performances against Oniyasha's increasingly solitary position creates an atmosphere that is melancholic for the entire episode.
It avoids trying to amaze the audience at all times.
This might not be a successful strategy for everyone, but in this particular series, it works wonderfully.
The Ending Hits Hard
This is the section of Episode 11 that finally becomes emotionally hard to endure.
There comes a point in Oniyasha’s life when his exhaustion – both physical and emotional – can no longer be concealed.
Images associated with him during the rain make the ending quite depressing.
Although he had been entertaining others for such a long time, he seems extremely lonely at the end of the episode.
This is a strong contrast indeed.
Even a person who is surrounded by admirers can turn out to be totally alone.
The arrival of a person from his past contributes to the connection made between his former self and the one he turned into.
Instead of creating a clear solution to the conflict, the episode’s ending prepares for yet another one.
Does Episode 11 Change Oniyasha Forever?
It definitely is a landmark episode.
The previous episodes had mostly centered on Oniyasha's exploration of dancing.
But Episode 11 is about asking the consequences once the world gets to know Oniyasha.
This is much more complex a question to answer.
Talent is wonderful if it is with someone who is enjoying their exploration of it.
However, things get complex once adults, politicians, the audience, and other artists start putting pressure on the talent.
Oniyasha has to find out now if he can rediscover the meaning of dancing for himself.
This might become the major conflict for the rest of the episodes.
Is Episode 11 Faithful to the Manga?
Episode 11 is associated with the plot of the manga but even the anime adaptation allows for more elaboration of scenes.
Indeed, the original manga by Kazuto Mihara deals with the life of young Oniyasha and his development into Zeami, therefore, it is essential that the anime gradually moves towards the latter's adult years.
In addition, the anime adaptation itself contains some new scenes which means that those who read the original manga shouldn't expect each scene to develop in exactly the same way.
It is especially relevant when talking about an historical plot such as this one.
Indeed, the anime adaptation doesn't try to repeat a history textbook devoted to Zeami's life.
On the contrary, it uses history as a base for a character-based plotline.
What Episode 11 Says About Art
One of the major themes of The World Is Dancing is the definition of what constitutes artistic value.
The 11th episode raises the issue even further.
In the event that an artist is made to perform all the time, can one consider the act of performing his?
Can a performer remain a creator when he is being pressured by the crowd to do something?
What happens if fame renders artistic expressions as a form of entertainment for others?
The case of Oniyasha shows how vulnerable artistic freedom really is.
Indeed, he is talented enough to be valued.
However, being valuable does not necessarily mean being free.
My Review of The World Is Dancing Episode 11
Rating of episode: 9/10
Episode 11 is among the best episodes of The World Is Dancing, which acknowledges that character development does not necessarily mean character enhancement.
Sometimes character development involves showing the price of success.
Growth in Oniyasha is clearly visible, but he seems to be more confused than ever.
Moreover, Inuo's plot brings another dimension to the theme of performance and achievement for the episode.
"Komochizuki" is the perfect title.
The moon is almost full.
Oniyasha is almost the artist he was meant to be.
However, "almost" is the key word.
There is something to discover.
And the episode is successful due to the fact that it does not try to give an answer to every question immediately, leaving the viewer with the uncomfortable thought that the most difficult task for Oniyasha now is not to learn how to dance.
It may be to understand why he should dance at all.
What Could Happen in Episode 12?
Several things are left open-ended in episode eleven.
The mental state of Oniyasha seems to be worsening, while his ties to people from his past might become more relevant.
In addition, the public act of Inuo and her association with Yoshimitsu could have an impact on the relationship among the performers.
The most intriguing open end is that the next episode might start combining the personal and political elements of the story.
The popularity of Oniyasha is rising.
An important chance is coming to Inuo.
The influence of Yoshimitsu is increasing.
And the future Zeami is approaching.
The question is whether Oniyasha is able to use all these factors and make something his own out of them.
Final Verdict
"Komochizuki," or The World Is Dancing episode 11, represents a pivotal moment for this television series.
"Komochizuki" does not strive to provide an impressive spectacle.
Rather, it explores the consequences for a young artist who succeeds too quickly.
Oniyasha has developed on several levels physically, professionally, and artistically.
His inner conflict proves that not everything about development is easy.
As good as the contrast with Inuo, who with the help of Yoshimitsu is now finally going to perform his great performance, is Oniyasha's growing doubts regarding his constant popularity.
This way, the episode does not look anymore as a transition step into the final, but as the beginning of a new stage of Oniyasha's life.
Oniyasha is no longer just a talented child who is seeking the essence of dance.
He has transformed into something else.
However, before becoming Zeami, he needs to understand how to express himself through his art.
And this might be even the hardest task.
The World Is Dancing Episode 11 Rating
For those that have been a fan of Oniyasha from the very beginning, Episode 11 is an episode that you simply can't miss. The episode will help change the tone of the show and get us closer to who
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