Summary
Joshiraku: A fun show about the cast’s crazy discussions, although not focused on the actual acting. Bocchi the Rock!: An anime about overcoming anxiety to perform in a rock band, is relevant to anyone who has ever faced stage fright. Beastars: A murder mystery with a subplot as a school play, appeals to theater kids and fans of social commentary.
The often over-the-top nature of a lot of anime may appeal to casual theater kids, but some shows take it a step further by talking about acting or performance. These shows are shows that theater kids will naturally enjoy even more, but they are a bit rarer than the usual Shonen action or isekai series. However, this rarity makes them even more special as they are quite unique compared to many of their contemporaries.
What can make some of these shows even more interesting is how they can take typical anime tropes and apply them to an area where they aren’t usually seen. The extreme reactions and general Shonen story structures seen in many other anime can also appear a lot in these stories, and sometimes by changing the setting, these anime can innovate upon existing stories. This makes these shows worth watching even for anime fans who aren’t drama kids as they are good and enjoyable shows in general.
10 Joshiraku
The interesting side of Rakugo
Joshiraku is ostensibly a show about the Japanese performance art Rakugo but in reality, it’s just a framing device for the cast’s frantic discussions. Even though there isn’t much actual performance going on in the show itself, these conversations and antics are endlessly entertaining and extremely funny. Some of them even recorded what it was like backstage before or after the show and having silly conversations with their co-stars. This makes it worth a watch for any theater kid despite its lack of focus on performance.
Joshiraku is currently not available to stream in English.
9 Bocchi rocks!
Overcoming anxiety in a band
Bocchi Kick! is not a show about acting but an anime about performing and overcoming anxiety to do it. The film follows a nervous Bocchi when she joins a rock band despite her extreme social anxiety. Anyone who has dealt with stage fright of any kind can sympathize with Bocchi’s struggles, but the character’s relatability goes beyond that. The show has become a surprisingly big anime in 2022 as it depicts many familiar aspects of anxiety and self-doubt in unique animated sequences that have impressed all who have experienced them.
Watch on Crunchyroll
8 monsters
A murder mystery with a drama
At its core, Beastars is a murder mystery with a lot to say about society. Set in a world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, the film follows the investigation and aftermath of a murder that occurred at a school. However, a major subplot of the anime also includes the production of a school play that will impress any theater kid involved in a similar endeavor. The show also manages to combine seemingly disparate plot threads into an entertaining whole, so even fans who have only seen the play will find the rest of it interesting.
Watch on Netflix
7 Life of Seiyu
A look at dubbing in Japan
Seiyu’s Life is an interesting look at the life of a rookie voice actor in Japan. The film follows an up-and-coming voice actress named Futaba as she tries to make a name for herself in a highly competitive industry. The source material of this anime is done by the same voice actress, which gives this series a realistic atmosphere surrounding Futaba’s journey. Any theater kid with a passion for acting will love watching Futaba pursue her dream of becoming an actress.
Watch on Funimation
6 Shibako
What does it take to make an anime?
Hirobako is a great series for both theater kids and anyone interested in anime production in general. The film is about a group of high school friends who work at an animation studio producing anime. The voice acting aspect of this endeavor is explored along with production, animation, and all the other important work needed to make an anime series. In addition to exploring anime creativity, it also features fun characters that fans will love and support as they try to realize their dreams.
Watch on HIDIVE
5 Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
An impressive view of Rakugo
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is a good anime series about the Japanese performance art of Rakugo. Rakugo is a style of storytelling in which a performer performs one of several fairy tales without the use of props. This may sound boring but the movie makes it extremely engaging thanks to its great direction and voice acting. The show also explores the lives of the central performers, one a former prisoner and the other a famous former performer. Anyone who loves acting will love Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju.
Watch on Crunchyroll
4A3!
Take action to repay debt
A3! is an anime based on the mobile game of the same name, whose name stands for “Act! Addict! Performer!”. The film is about a struggling theater troupe that is in debt and must earn enough money to pay it off within a year. This requires the main character Izumi to recruit more actors into the Troupe for a successful performance and forces her to direct the plays. This fun setup is sure to appeal to any child in the theater.
Watch on Crunchyroll
3 Skip the beat!
Action for revenge
Skip the beat! is a rather unique story of resurgence in the entertainment industry because it ultimately focuses on revenge. After Kyoko is betrayed by her idol boyfriend, she vows to become more famous than him and become an actress. Of course, this is not the standard motivation for most people who pursue acting, however, Kyoko’s journey is fun to watch and she eventually learns to love the craft she initially honed completely is for revenge. This makes her story satisfying and reminds viewers why acting is great.
Watch on Crunchyroll
2 glass masks
Two very different actors, one role
Glass Mask is the story of two young actresses from very different backgrounds as they improve their acting skills and strive to one day star in the same play. While its animation may be a bit dated as it is almost 20 years old, it is still a compelling story about two very attractive main characters. For any theater kid who remembers striving to get a role in a play and improving his or her acting ability to do so, this series will be an incredibly engaging watch. .
Watch on Crunchyroll
1 Oshi no Ko
A dark look at the entertainment industry
Oshi no Ko is one of the best anime of 2023 because of its unique look at the Japanese entertainment industry. The film follows Aqua and Ruby, the reincarnated children of murdered idol Ai, as they hunt down their mother’s killer and try to live up to her legacy. As the twins enter the entertainment industry, the show takes a skeptical look at the factors that drive the success of a show or idol group and has some heavy themes. However, it also focuses a lot on acting. making Oshi no Ko the best show for children to watch plays.
Watch on HIDIVE
