The art of
rakugo proved that it doesn't need explosions or magical powers to make
audiences fall in love, and its animated adaptation is ready to take the next
big step. During a special event held this Sunday, it was officially confirmed
that the Akane-banashi anime will have a second season, which
will hit screens in January 2027.
In this new
stage, the story will take us fully into the long-awaited Zenza Arc,
accompanying Akane Osaki, now formally known under the stage name of Akane
Arakawa, after graduating from high school and entering Shiguma's school. The
young storyteller will take her first professional steps in the traditional
Yasaka-tei theater, surrounded by true masters of the genre in an unparalleled
narrative competition.
Accompanying
this announcement, a first video trailer and a promotional image focused on the
new stage of the protagonist were revealed. In addition, new members were added
to the voice cast, highlighting Taku Yashiro in the role of Asagao Konjakutei
and Yoji Ueda as Hassho Tsubakiya. These voices join the additions that
appeared at the end of the previous installment, including renowned actors such
as Hochu Otsuka as Miroku Kashiwaya, Ryotaro Okiayu as Shomei Tsubakiya,
Hiroshi Naka as Enso Sanmeitei, Mutsumi Tamura as Urara Ransaika, Shinichiro
Miki as Ryu'un Kenputei and Tomokazu Seki as Chocho Konjakutei.
The first
installment of the series aired between April and June, spanning until the
conclusion of the thrilling Karaku Cup Arc. That production was directed by
Ayumu Watanabe at the ZEXCS studio, with Yu Harima as assistant director, Kii
Tanaka in charge of character design and animation direction, Michihiro
Tsuchiya in the supervision of the scripts and Akio Izutsu in the musical
composition, also counting on the specialized advice of the master Kikuhiko
Hayashiya to faithfully represent the art of rakugo.
About
Akane-banashi
Akane-banashi is an acclaimed manga written by Yuki
Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue. The work began publication
in the famous Weekly Shonen Jump magazine of the Shueisha publishing house in
February 2022, having released its compilation volume number 24 on October 2.
Since its debut, the title became one of the biggest surprises in the magazine's
catalog, garnering nominations for prestigious awards such as the Kodansha
Manga Awards and the Manga Taisho in 2023.
The story
follows Akane Osaki, a girl with a passion for rakugo, the traditional Japanese
art of comedic and interactive oral storytelling, who dreams of reaching the
supreme rank of Shin'uchi. Inspired by her father's dedication and tragic
professional destiny within this guild, Akane decides to challenge the
traditions of a discipline historically dominated by men to demonstrate her own
talent on stage.
