It has been announced that a second season of the TV anime "Akane-banashi," based on the rakugo-themed manga currently serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha), will be produced and broadcast on TV Asahi's anime block "IMAnimation" starting in January 2027. The second season will depict the "Apprenticeship Arc," in which the protagonist, Akane Sakurazaki, who has graduated from high school and been officially accepted as a disciple of Shiguma Aragawa, begins her journey to becoming a rakugo performer as "Akane Aragawa."
A promotional video announcing the production of the second season has been released, along with an illustration drawn by character designer and chief animation director Norie Tanaka to celebrate the decision. The illustration depicts Akane, Karashi, and Hikaru, who were rivals in the student rakugo championship, the Karaku Cup.
"Akane-banashi" is a rakugo (traditional Japanese storytelling) manga written by Hiroki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Baba, which began serialization in "Weekly Shonen Jump" in February 2022. It depicts Akane Sakurazaki overcoming trials as she aims for the highest rank in the rakugo world, "Shinuchi". The anime is directed by Ayumu Watanabe and produced by ZEXCS. The first season began airing on IMANimanation in April and concluded with the 12th episode on June 20th. The rakugo scenes performed by the voice cast, including Anna Nagase as Akane, received a great response.
The visuals for the new characters who first appeared in the final episode of the first season have been released, and the voice actors for each character have provided comments.
Yoshitada Otsuka, who will play the role of Kashiwaya Sanroku, commented, "I will be taking on the role of Kashiwaya Sanroku in this production. He is a Living National Treasure and the top-ranking rakugo performer of the largest faction, so it is a very weighty character. I am feeling a great sense of responsibility and am extremely nervous, but I will do my best. I ask for your support."
Ryotaro Okiayu, who plays the role of Masaaki Tsubakiya, said, "I have been given the role of Masaaki Tsubakiya. It is an honor to be in a position like a master of rakugo, but I have already infiltrated the Suehiro-tei theater for the first time. There is a scene like that in the original work far, far ahead. I have read the original work all the way through! I will be getting excited while watching the broadcast♪"
Hiroshi Naka, who plays the role of Sanmyotei Enso, said, "I was given the opportunity to play a rakugo storyteller named Sanmyotei Enso, and when I looked up who the model for Sanmyotei Enso was, I was surprised to find that it was Sanyutei Ensho! That's because Ensho is my favorite rakugo storyteller. Personally, I have recorded many of his stories on DVD, and among them, I am really drawn into Kurihashi-juku from Kaidan Botan Toro! The scene where Omine treats the horseman Kyuzo to sake and finds out about her husband's infidelity is a highlight that I would say is brilliant! The way he drinks tea with a lid on at the beginning of the story is also very tasteful and pleasant to watch. Shinigami is also good. If you are interested, please take a look."
Mutsumi Tamura, who plays the role of Urara Ransai, said, "I will be playing the role of Urara Ransai. I feel that Master Urara is not only beautiful and glamorous, but also a person with the determination and power to dedicate her life to her art. I am carefully recording in the voice-over to be able to express that dignified strength and allure. I am nervous but excited about the rakugo practice! I will do my best to deliver a wonderful Master Urara!"
Shinichiro Miki, who will play the role of Kenpūtei Ryūun, commented, "When I was a child, I loved watching rakugo on TV often. I am very happy and excited to be able to participate in that world as the voice of one of the characters. Thank you very much."
Tomokazu Seki, who plays the role of Konjaku-tei Chōchō, said, "I'm Tomokazu Seki, and I'll be playing the role of Konjaku-tei Chōchō this time. I love rakugo, and I've been watching it live since it started airing (laughs). The human drama is intense, and there are parts that overlap with my own early days as a rakugo performer, so I'm drawn in and watch it every week! As one of the unique rakugo performers, I will do my best to properly convey the charm of Chōchō. Please look forward to the broadcast!"
It was also announced that Nagase, who plays Akane, will be appearing at the "TV Anime ' Akane-banashi' Suehiro-tei Late Night Rakugo Show," a rakugo performance by Rakugo supervisor Hayashiya Kikuhiko and others, held on Getsuku at Shinjuku Suehiro-tei (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo).
