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Akane-banashi
"And so, here begins a story."
Overview
As a child, Akane witnesses a shocking event during her father's career-defining show. Now in high school, she vows to reach the art's highest rank.
Status
Returning Series
Network
HTB, tv asahi, Nagoya TV, KBC, ABC TV, NCC, OAB, ABA, Niigata Television Network 21, khb, KFB, HOME, KSB, Kagoshima Broadcasting, Iwate Asahi TV, Akita Asahi Broadcasting, Yamagata Television System, Shizuoka Asahi TV, Asahi Broadcasting Nagano, Hokuriku Asahi Broadcasting, Ehime Asahi TV, Yamaguchi Asahi Broadcasting, Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting, Ryu-Q Asahi Broadcasting
Seasons & Episodes

Season 1
Akane Osaki, captivated since childhood by the magical performances of her father, Shinta Arakawa, witnesses a shocking incident during his decisive performance for promotion to shin'uchi (master rank). Six years later, now a high school student, she sets her sights on becoming a shin'uchi herself—pushing forward in the highly competitive world of rakugo.
Episodes

That Day
Akane Osaki, a fifth-grade student, is captivated by the magical Rakugo performance of her father, Shinta Arakawa. Determined to support the family who have always stood behind his dream, Shinta takes on the promotion exam to achieve the highest rank in the Rakugo world - Shin'uchi. As Akane and the others look on, Shinta delivers a performance that showcases his true skill. However, the exam takes a shocking and completely unexpected turn that no one could have foreseen.

First Performance
Guriko Arakawa, a fledgling Futatsume (the second-highest rank Rakugo performer), begins investigating a rumor that his master, Shiguma Arakawa, has been secretly meeting a young woman. What he discovers, however, is Akane, now a high school student, receiving private Rakugo lessons from Shiguma at a karaoke box. Around that time, Shiguma receives word that a performer is urgently needed to fill a slot at an event at “Rakugo Cafe.” Yet instead of choosing the more experienced Guriko, Shiguma unexpectedly nominates Akane.

Senior Apprentices
After performing for the first time and being motivated by Kaisei Arakawa's Rakugo performance, Akane is officially accepted as Shiguma's apprentice. He introduces her to her unique senior apprentices and the disciplined Kyoji Arakawa takes her under his wing. Akane is sure that she’ll get to hone her artistic Rakugo skills, but all Kyoji orders her to do is menial tasks. On top of that, he sends her to train at the most unexpected place…

Beyond Joy
During her training at the Izakaya “Umi”, Akane learns the art of “attentiveness”. Kyoji takes her to his next job at a retirement home, where Rakugo is the recreational event of the day. Determined to make sure her elderly audience members enjoy themselves, Akane shows off the results of her training on stage. Following her, Kyoji takes the stage, determined to show her the dignity and authority as her senior apprentice.

Her Path Forward
Now that midterms are over, senior high schooler Akane, can finally breathe a sigh of relief—but only for a fleeting moment. She is soon called in for a career counseling session with her homeroom teacher, Ms. Iwashimizu, a.k.a. the “Ice Lady.” Though Akane's set on becoming a Rakugoka, Iwashimizu is insistent that she instead go to college, a more realistic goal. Desperate to win her over, Akane turns to her friends for advice on how to change her mind...

Terakoya
No description available.
Episode 7
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Episode 8
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Episode 9
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Episode 10
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Episode 11
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Episode 12
No description available.
Top Cast

Anna Nagase
Akane Osaki (voice)

Takuya Eguchi
Karashi Nerimaya (voice)

Rie Takahashi
Hikaru Koragi (voice)

Jun Fukuyama
Shinta Arakawa (Toru Osaki) (voice)

Nobunaga Shimazaki
Maikeru Arakawa (voice)

Chiaki Kobayashi
Koguma Arakawa (voice)

Yohei Azakami
Kyoji Arakawa (voice)

Seiichiro Yamashita
Guriko Arakawa (voice)

Akihisa Shiono
Kaisei Arakawa (voice)

Masaki Terasoma
Shiguma Arakawa (voice)

Akio Otsuka
Issho Arakawa (voice)




