World Dai Star

In the 20th century, the world is experiencing a musical theater boom. Top performers known as Dai Stars enthrall the audience with their marvelous acting and singing. Among them, the greatest performers are given the title World Dai Star.

Young and inexperienced Kokona Ootori dreams of being recognized as a World Dai Star. After multiple failures, she finally gets another chance to audition for the world-renowned theater troupe Sirius. Inspired by her best friend Shizuka, Kokona takes the first steps toward her goal and works hard to improve her acting. However, the world of theater is fiercely competitive, as many other girls seek the spotlight—including Kathrina Griebel, a talented performer from Germany. In order to fulfill her dream, Kokona needs to earn the right to stand on stage above all else.

[Written by MAL Rewrite]

Ootori, Kokona Main

Iwami, Manaka Japanese

Shizuka Main

Hasegawa, Ikumi Japanese

Niizuma, Yae Main

Naganawa, Maria Japanese

Griebel, Kathrina Main

Amaki, Sally Japanese

Hiiragi, Noa Main

Mori, Nanako Japanese

Sasuga, Chisa Main

Sasaki, Rico Japanese

Yanagiba, Panda Main

Oozora, Naomi Japanese

Senju, Iroha Supporting

Okasaki, Miho Japanese

Kurtbay, Lilja Supporting

Anzai, Yukari Japanese

Senju, Koyomi Supporting

Toribe, Mariko Japanese

Yoshie, Terushige Producer

Miyahara, Megumi Producer

Yamamoto, Takashi Producer

Kinome, Yuu Director, Episode Director, Storyboard

Reviews

Jun 25, 2023

Marinate1016

Recommended

We get a lot of idol shows these days, but it’s not often we get an anime that shows the ins and outs of stage acting. Dai star is a somewhat fresh take on the CGDCT formula and offers some of the most fluid animation I’ve ever seen.

While it’s definitely a very anime-y take on stage acting and not the most realistic, Dai star shows us just how competitive the top acting troupes can be and takes us along on a journey to become a professional actor. It was one of the most under appreciated shows of the season as well.

If you’re anything like ... me, you probably know very little about theater. While not an expert after this, I feel like I could at least have a conversation with someone about it now and have a newfound appreciation for the medium thanks to the lengths this series goes to in order to teach you about the business aspect, the hard work that’s required and the pressure of being an actor. It’s no Oshi no Ko, but it is a really fun and cute experience.

The main strength of this show lies with the characters. I think Kokona and the other girls are really interesting. Seeing their various motivations for wanting to succeed was nice, but I particularly liked the multitude of approaches to acting. Everyone’s acting style is an extension of who they are as people. This manifests itself in the form of “senses” which are basically superpowers that the best actors have. Allowing them to fully lose themselves in the scene and script. The different abilities were fascinating to me.

The relationships between characters were satisfying as well, particularly between Kokona and Katharina, the two main rivals in this show. All of their interactions were fun and they pushed each other to new heights as actors. I loved seeing Kokona grow over the course of the show from a timid and mediocre actor to one capable of taking on the biggest roles in the biggest projects. Her emotional development feels natural and rewarding.

This show has some of the same staff who worked on idoly pride involved as well, and if you’re at all familiar with Idoly Pride, you know it had some of the best animation for its idol performances. Same holds true here. The character motions are buttery smooth during the acting scenes and really engrossing.

I think if you’re looking for a new CGDCT to watch or just want to learn more about stage acting, this is a really good option. Story is not going to blow you away, but the animation and characters are great. It’s certainly worth a shot. Sad this is ending, but looking forward to the gacha game.

Dai-Star gets 8, out of 10

Reviewer’s Rating: 8

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by Marinate1016 (387)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Jul 5, 2024

onlybyjan

Recommended

I was hesitant of watching this anime, because it was based on theatrical theme. However, I am SO GLAD I watched it.
One of the best anime I have seen ~

【Story】Rating: 9

I really like how it shows Kokona's growth throughout the anime. From being unexperienced, to finally having confidence and becoming the lead star of the plays she was given/signed up for. It also shows how very experienced actors, and colleagues respect & are amazed at each other's talents.

【Art】Rating: 10

I loved the artwork. The eyes are so beautifully drawn, and when they activate their 'senses', the eyes lit up. I loved how they made the ... stage so breath taking. The expressions, and poses when they act are marvellous. Character designs are simple, yet memorable.

【Sound】Rating: 10 +

The voice actresses were awesome. The music blew me away. I loved the whole music album for this anime. I bought the insert song CD album because I love it way too much!

Top favourite songs are 'Farewell Song' / 'Masquerade' / 'Yumemi Zukiyo'.
Please check these songs out! (Of course all the songs in the anime are great too)

Also, I know that World Dai Star is also a game now. So they have multiple group units that have their music for the game play. I will be checking all the music related; because I think this franchise has really great music.

【Character】Rating: 8

I liked the characters. They all had different personalities and traits according to their 'senses'. The only issue I'd say are, that some characters ages were 11-13 years old. The anime didn't really portray their age well, as they seem way older. So that gave a bit of a weird feeling, knowing how young they were. Otherwise, I like the character growths, and the relationship bond between them.

Dugong the otter is adorable.

【Enjoyment】Rating: 10

Really enjoyed watching this. I will definitely rewatch again, especially the last episode! It's been a while since I had that doki doki & bittersweet feeling together. Like it feels bittersweet knowing it's the last episode and the anime is about to end. But it's so well animated, that the doki doki feeling lingers. Just mind blown.

【Overall】Rating: 10 +

I LOVE IT. Just go watch it! And listen to the music!

Reviewer’s Rating: 10

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by onlybyjan (6)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

Jun 25, 2023

SanaeK10

Mixed Feelings

I gotta stop watching these. Mixed Media Project Slice of Life shows with too many girls based around some niche hobby/industry always end up the same way. Be it Cue, Extreme Hearts, PuraOre, and now this. The fundamental issue is that, even with a main character at hand, it always ends up pretty mediocre around the middle and my interest in the project just completely fades less than halfway through.

World Dai Star has some interesting things going for it initially at least. You got Takahiro, you got a schizophrenic hallucination that is a product of the main character. The problem is that they never really ... do anything interesting with it. The MC's tulpa manifests physically, then she disappears, then reappears at the end again. Not much is done to explore this, or how inexplicably every theatre actress has superpowers (and I mean real superpowers, not chuuni delusions) that only come to life on stage. Revue Starlight this ain't, nor is this even close to the madness that was Gekidol. Instead, World Dai Star is just pretty boring for the most part with overused character archetypes playing off of each other to some nice animation and music. Though it is nice to see the otherwise super-typecasted Iwami Manaka play a character with a completely different voice than she normally does.

And I really do adore the OST too. The insert songs are fun and the melancholic piano really deserve to be in a more exciting show than this. But otherwise World Dai Star is mainly background noise, albeit pleasant background noise, to be played while doing something more fun. Like filing taxes or ironing.

5/10

Reviewer’s Rating: 5

What did you think of this review?

Nice 0

Love it 0

Funny 0

Confusing 0

Informative 0

Well-written 0

Creative 0

More reviews by SanaeK10 (210)

Show all

Read more

Show less

Open

Gift

Report

The definite list of Cute girls doing cute things shows[2023+]

by rederoin

25 Entries · 36 Restacks

Anime Character from Annoying to Cute (Kawaii)

by HD90

41 Entries · 11 Restacks

Niche Themes, Drama, & Performing Arts

by metalrain_15

30 Entries · 58 Restacks

'World Dai Star' Unveils Additional Cast

The official website of the World Dai Star television anime unveiled additional cast members and a visual (pictured above) for its Gingaza theater group, and a spri...read more

Apr 1, 2023 11:21 AM by Hyperion_PS | Discuss (3 comments)

Spring 2023 Simulcast List [Update 5/19]

In this thread, you'll find a comprehensive list of television anime acquired for simulcast release during the Spring 2023 season. Anime series licensed for hom...read more

Mar 29, 2023 5:59 AM by Snow | Discuss (60 comments)

	Poll: World Dai Star Episode 12 Discussion KANLen09 - Jun 25, 2023	37 replies	by Drimjek »» Feb 6, 5:28 AM
	Poll: World Dai Star Episode 6 Discussion KANLen09 - May 14, 2023	14 replies	by LaZy_as_Neko »» Dec 25, 2024 12:38 PM
	mobile game coming soon! DreamingBeats - May 9, 2023	5 replies	by Tacsk0 »» Dec 19, 2024 2:41 PM
	Poll: World Dai Star Episode 3 Discussion Syureria - Apr 23, 2023	35 replies	by RGreatDanton »» Dec 18, 2024 12:09 PM
	Poll: World Dai Star Episode 2 Discussion Syureria - Apr 16, 2023	33 replies	by RGreatDanton »» Dec 18, 2024 11:58 AM