Sing, Dance, Act: Kabuki featuring Toma Ikuta

Toma Ikuta Takes on Kabuki: The Making of Sing, Dance, Act

Netflix’s 2022 documentary Sing, Dance, Act: Kabuki featuring Toma Ikuta offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of Japan’s most revered—and demanding—art forms. Directed by Tadashi Aizawa, the film follows actor Toma Ikuta as he prepares to star in a full-fledged kabuki production, a challenge that pushes him beyond his comfort zone as a mainstream TV and film star. With co-star Matsuya Onoe by his side, Ikuta steps into a world where tradition meets modern celebrity, latestnetflix.com argues, and the results are as revealing as they are entertaining.

A Star’s Leap into Tradition

Ikuta, best known for his roles in J-dramas like Hanazakari no Kimitachi e and films such as The Mole Song, is no stranger to performance. But kabuki—a 400-year-old art form blending dance, music, and drama—demands a level of precision and discipline that even seasoned actors find daunting. The documentary, originally titled Kabuki: Toma Ikuta relève le défi in French markets, frames his journey as both a personal and professional trial . Unlike scripted roles, kabuki requires years of training in vocal projection, stylized movement, and the intricate choreography of tachimawari (fight scenes). For Ikuta, a former idol turned actor, this was uncharted territory.

The film doesn’t shy away from the stakes. Kabuki is a closed world, where lineage and apprenticeship matter more than celebrity. Ikuta’s casting was a gamble—not just for him, but for the production itself. Would audiences accept a pop-culture icon in a role traditionally reserved for actors born into kabuki families? The documentary suggests the answer was a resounding yes, though it leaves the finer details of his training regimen to the imagination .

The Netflix Effect: Bringing Kabuki to the Masses

Sing, Dance, Act isn’t just a star vehicle; it’s a bridge between two worlds. Netflix’s involvement ensured global distribution, introducing kabuki to viewers who might otherwise never experience it. Trailers for the film highlight Ikuta’s transformation, from rehearsal struggles to his eventual performance, set against the lavish backdrops of kabuki theater . The streaming giant’s marketing leaned into the "fish-out-of-water" angle, positioning Ikuta as an everyman navigating an elite art form.

But how much of the documentary is genuine insight versus curated spectacle? The evidence is thin on behind-the-scenes drama. While the film’s official description promises a "challenge," the snippets don’t reveal whether Ikuta faced resistance from purists or if his co-star, Matsuya Onoe—a name with deeper kabuki roots—served as a mentor . Rumors of tension between tradition and modernity are easy to imagine, but the film itself keeps its cards close to the chest.

What We Don’t Know (And Why It Matters)

For all its gloss, Sing, Dance, Act leaves key questions unanswered. How did Ikuta’s kabuki debut compare to those of other non-traditional actors? Was his performance met with critical acclaim, or did purists dismiss it as a gimmick? The Rotten Tomatoes listing confirms the cast but offers no reviews or audience scores . Similarly, while the film’s runtime is listed as 87 minutes, there’s no breakdown of how much screen time is devoted to rehearsals versus performance .

The lack of concrete details extends to Ikuta’s personal reflections. Did he find the experience transformative, or was it a one-off experiment? The documentary’s promotional material teases his journey, but without access to full interviews or reviews, it’s hard to gauge the depth of his commitment. One YouTube explainer suggests the film is "worth it" for kabuki newcomers, but stops short of calling it a must-watch .

The Bottom Line

Sing, Dance, Act: Kabuki featuring Toma Ikuta is a fascinating, if incomplete, portrait of an actor stepping outside his lane. It’s a celebration of kabuki’s enduring appeal and a testament to Ikuta’s versatility, but it’s also a carefully controlled narrative. The documentary succeeds as an introduction to the art form, but those hoping for juicy behind-the-scenes revelations will come away wanting more.

For now, the film stands as a rare crossover between Japan’s entertainment elite and its cultural heritage—a experiment that, by all available accounts, paid off.