Wandance Episode 9: Breaking into street dance culture

Wandance Episode 9 has gone all in and really put the guys on the line in the raw world of street cyphers and b-boy gatherings. Wandance has thrust Kaboku and Wanda into the most download spots for reputational creation and destruction. Whether on the pavement, every move matters.

With the introduction of power move specialist Gaku Kabeya, aka Kabe, the series takes a turn in a whole new direction. Kabe's style of breaking is in stark contrast to that of Iori and creates a new layer of friction that surpasses style differences. This episode illustrates how important philosophy can be in dance and how, sometimes, it is difficult to see through the haze of mentoring; it may even create manipulation.

The B-Boy Philosophy Clash

Wandance Episode 9 shows how the characters' different philosophies toward dance create a clash of ideas. Kabe represents the ‘power move’ dominance seen in breaking and approaches it by prioritizing explosive tricks and control over the ability to interpret music. This is very different from Iori's way, which puts more focus on musicality as well as the fundamentals of breaking.

In this episode, you can also see there's a tension between choreographed routines versus the freestyle aspects of dance. For example, Kabe teaches Kabo a pre-choreographed routine for the cypher, while Iori teaches Wanda the foundations of breaking (toprock, downrock, and freezes). These different teaching methods show how dancers approach their artistic journeys in various ways.

Characters Push Their Limits in Wandance Episode 9

Wandance Episode 9 has both stars stepping outside of their boxes; Wanda’s first attempt to breakdance provided comedic gold as she struggled to get the hang of the unfamiliar movements. Still, her determination to keep going in the face of multiple challenges earned her respect from the already established B-boy community.

Kabo was able to adapt quickly and learn the fundamentals of breaking with Kabe’s assistance, showing that he can perform well in the cypher that everyone was blown away by, yet still leaves you wondering if Kabo is compromising his ability to express himself in an authentic way by dancing what is essentially “Kabe’s choreography.” The episode also gives you the impression that Kabo would have had a much softer approach had Kabe not been attempting to exploit him and his natural abilities.

Character Development and Relationships

Beyond dance battles, Wandance Episode 9 advances interpersonal dynamics. Iori opens up to Kabo about his past conflicts with Kabe and his changing perspective on the school dance club. Their growing friendship allows Iori to consider returning to club activities, especially given On's supportive leadership.

The episode also shows how Kabo and Wanda inspire one another. Each recognizes that they are trying to outdo one another's abilities, and this creates an environment of friendly competition that pushes both of them to grow. This is what makes this relationship the emotional center of the series, keeping viewers interested in the show and not just watching for the technical dancing.

Conclusion

Wandance Episode 9 is about digging deeper into the street dance culture, but it also focuses on the characters within the show itself. In this episode, we have both an element of philosophy and the mentor-student relationship, creating an interesting twist on skill progression.

Trending

The way that the show balances between technique and emotion illustrates why people who love dance and those who just enjoy anime can both enjoy this show.

As this show gets closer to the real competitive world, we believe that the groundwork established in Wandance Episode 9 is going to set us up for some really exciting things in the future. The topics of authenticity, self-expression, and competitiveness are going to be important to the rest of this season.

×

Was this article helpful?

Thank You for feedback