It has been announced that the total number of copies of the comic "Akane-banashi," a rakugo-themed manga currently being serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha), has surpassed 3 million. The latest volume, volume 20, will be released on January 5, 2026, bringing the total number of copies sold to over 3 million. The work is also attracting attention as it will be adapted into a TV anime series to be broadcast in 2026.
It was also announced that a spectacular rakugo event featuring masters from both the east and west will be held at Yurakucho Yomiuri Hall (Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo) on May 7th and 8th, 2026. The rakugo artists who will be the main performers for each show have also been announced. Shunputei Ichinosuke will headline the matinee show on May 7th, Shunputei Shota in the evening show, and Katsura Bunchin in the matinee show on May 8th, with Tatekawa Shinosuke in the evening show.
"Akane-banashi" is a rakugo manga written by Hiroki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Umagami, which began serialization in the magazine in February 2022. It depicts the story of Akane Sakurazaki, a girl whose father is a rakugo performer, who becomes a high school student and overcomes challenges in her quest to become a shin'uchi, the highest rank in the rakugo world.
The TV anime will be broadcast on TV Asahi's anime slot "IMAnimation" in 2026.
