From the stage on the page to the scene on the screen, the rakugo performance manga Akane-banashi is getting an anime adaptation in 2026. The announcement came from TV Asahi, one of the biggest Japanese television networks, on Monday August 4th. An official website and X (Twitter) account launched the same day with a special teaser trailer and key visual.
Credit: Akane-banashi Official X
What It Is
Rakugo is one of the oldest storytelling arts in Japan. A singular performer sits onstage with nothing but a cushion and fan. Through gestures, facial expressions, and vocal variety, they tell stories passed down through generations. Some are comedic, others are harrowing, but no matter the genre, every performer strives to achieve the title of shin’uchi, or headliner. In Akane-banashi, the titular character Akane seeks to master the art of the rakugoka. She’ll face trials, compete against apprentices and masters alike, and refine her performance skills. This manga dives deep into the rakugo world, emphasizing the struggle to prove oneself against all odds.
Credit: VIZ media
Who Made It
Akane-banshi is written by Yuki Suenaga, illustrated by Takamasa Moue, and consulted with professional rakugoka Kikuhiko Hayashiya. Suenaga and Moue had individually pursued manga careers with various one-shots. Their first collaboration was the one-shot Tatarashido in 2021 which featured Japanese manzai comedy. From there, the duo would pursue an even more unfamiliar subject, rakugo. Both have stated that their inexperience with the art helped them forge the story to satisfy both newcomers and veterans. Their consultation with Kikuhiko Hayashiya has kept the stories and culture of rakugo accurate while emphasizing certain elements to appeal to a wider demographic.
What To Expect
The anime adaptation will be handled by Studio ZEXCS, known for their work on the Shadowverse anime, Diabolik Lovers, Backflip!!, and various Pokétoon shorts. Aymumu Watanabe will be the director (Komi-san Can’t Communicate, Summer Time Rendering) with Kii Tanaka on character design and animation direction (Kaguya-sama: Love is War, So I’m a Spider, So What?). Three cast members have been announced. Anna Nagase (ZENZHU, Jujutsu Kaisen) will voice Akane, Takuya Eguchi (SpyXFamily, Re:ZERO) will voice Karashi, and Rie Takahashi (Konosuba, Rent-a-Girlfriend) will voice Hikaru.
Judging from the trailer and key visuals, and taking into account the studio and staff, it looks like the anime will have a good balance of slice-of-life and evocative drama. The key element will definitely be the rakugo performances. With how much the manga highlights the rakugoka’s ability to immerse the audience, the anime will have to deliver on that immersion. The voice actors will also have to carry a lot of weight, especially when it comes to the esoteric nature of the stories. It would come as no surprise if they’ll receive a little rakugo training to prepare. As one of Shonen Jump’s more popular titles, the anime adaptation of Akane-banashi has a lot to live up to.
Credit: Akane-banashi (chapter nine, manga)
The manga is currently ongoing with over 150 chapters. You can read it through VIZ Media’s online platform Shonen Jump+. Volumes 1-13 are also available in English from most major retailers. The anime is expected to air sometime in 2026.
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