It has been announced that the TV anime "Akane-banashi," based on a manga themed around rakugo currently serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha), will be broadcast on TV Asahi's anime slot "IMAnimation" from April 2026. The first key visual featuring the protagonist Akane Sakurazaki and other unique characters, as well as the first official trailer depicting Akane's vow and resolve, have been released.
Additional cast members have also been announced, including Jun Fukuyama as Arakawa Shinta (Sakurazaki Toru), Nobunaga Shimazaki, Chiaki Kobayashi Chiaki as Arakawa Koguma, Yohei Azakami as Arakawa Kyoji, and Seiichiro Yamashita as Arakawa Guriko.
Fukuyama, who plays Akane's father, Aragawa Shinta (Sakurazaki Toru), a disciple of Aragawa Shiguma and a ``ni-dan'' rakugo performer, said, ``How can I deliver ``Akane-banashi,'' the story of Akane's beginnings to everyone? How can I, as a voice actor, approach rakugo, a performing art that cannot be mastered overnight? There are many difficult aspects, but I will do my best to convey to everyone the greatness of the drama and the wonderful images that the directors have created for the animation in the best possible way, so I hope you will all look forward to it when it airs.''
Shimazaki, who plays Arakawa Michael, a rakugo performer of the Arakawa Shiguma school, to whom Akane becomes an apprentice, commented, "I remember savoring the joy with my manager when I heard the results of my audition for Michael. I don't usually say things like this, but to be honest, I went all out for the role of Arakawa Michael in Akane-banashi. That's how much I wanted to be involved in this work, with this cast, as the voice actor for Michael. Not only is the original work wonderful, but I also felt the enthusiasm and love of the staff, as well as the personal connection we had, from the audition venue, and it really got me excited. I will do my best to make the work enjoyable for fans of the original work and for those who are starting to watch with the anime. Please look forward to it."
Fukuyama, who plays Akane's senior apprentice, the "ni-dan" Aragawa Koguma, said, "Koguma is a character whose behavior on stage is very different from his everyday behavior, so I'm very excited to see what kind of character I can create by utilizing this fascinating gap. As a performer who uses the Japanese language, I am honored but also very nervous to be able to experience rakugo properly, but since I've been entrusted with the role of Akane's senior apprentice, I will do my best to present an appearance that I will not be ashamed of, so please look forward to the broadcast. Thank you very much!"
Azagami, who plays Akane's senior apprentice and "ni-dan" (second-class performer) Arakawa Kyoji, said, "I'm Azagami Yohei Azakami, and I'll be playing Arakawa Kyoji, Akane's first senior apprentice. To be involved as a voice actor in a production based on the traditional performing art of rakugo. To be Akane's senior apprentice. It's a great honor, but at the same time it's also a lot of pressure, but I feel like I've been given the opportunity to take on a major challenge in my voice acting career. On a personal note, I've had the opportunity to perform on stage several times, so I hope to make full use of that experience and play my older brother Kyoji, someone who Akane will respect. I look forward to working with you all."
Yamashita, who plays Akane's senior apprentice and budding "ni-dan" (second-class performer) Arakawa Guriko, commented, "About six years ago, I had the opportunity to go to a vaudeville theater and see rakugo. I feel moved by it, I can't put into words the charm, the culture, the traditions, the history... I learn about each and every one of them every day. I was blessed with a wonderful connection that I don't think I'll ever have another experience like this. Let's enjoy rakugo together from now on! Please support ' Akane-banashi'!"
"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 anime will be directed by Ayumu Watanabe and produced by Zexys. Anna Nagase will play the main character Akane Sakurazaki, and Takuya Eguchi Eguchi will play Karashi Renma, and Rie Takahashi will play Rie Takahashi. Rakugo performer Kikuhiko Hayashiya will be in charge of supervising the rakugo.
*Staff (titles omitted)
Director: Watanabe Ayumu▽ Assistant Director: Harima Yu▽ Series Composition: Tsuchiya Masataka▽ Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Tanaka Norii▽ Sub-Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Nitta Yasunari▽ Chief Animation Director: Kagawa Hisashi▽ Costume Design: Shimazawa Noriko▽ Prop Design: Iwanaga Yoshiyoshi▽ Art Setting: Tada Shuhei▽ Art: Eita Takumi▽ Color Design: Goda Saori▽ Director of Photography: Nakamura Yuta▽ Editor: Hirose Kiyoshi▽ Sound Director: Konuma Noriyoshi▽ Music: Izutsu Akio▽ Rakugo Supervision: Hayashiya Kikuhiko▽ Animation Production: Zexxs
*Cast (titles omitted)
Akane Sakurazaki: Anna Nagase▽Nerima Mustard: Takuya Eguchi ▽Hikaru Takaragi: Rie Takahashi ▽Shinta Aragawa (Toru Sakurazaki): Jun Fukuyama ▽Maikeru Aragawa: Nobunaga Shimazaki ▽Little Aragawa: Chiaki Kobayashi ▽Kyoji Aragawa: Yohei Azakami ▽Guriko Aragawa: Seiichiro Yamashita
