Akane-banashi

1. That Day

Air Date: 2026-04-04

Young girl Akane Osaki falls in love with rakugo comic storytelling through watching her father perform. One day, a shocking event derails his career.

2. First Performance

Air Date: 2026-04-11

Hearing that Master Shiguma is secretly meeting with a young girl, Futatsume Guriko investigates and finds him teaching Akane at a karaoke parlor.

3. Senior Apprentices

Air Date: 2026-04-19

After performing for the first time and being motivated by Kaisei Arakawa's Rakugo performance, Akane is officially accepted as Shiguma's apprentice. He introduces her to her unique senior apprentices and the disciplined Kyoji Arakawa takes her under his wing. Akane is sure that she’ll get to hone her artistic Rakugo skills, but all Kyoji orders her to do is menial tasks. On top of that, he sends her to train at the most unexpected place…

4. Beyond Joy

Air Date: 2026-04-25

During her training at the Izakaya “Umi”, Akane learns the art of “attentiveness”. Kyoji takes her to his next job at a retirement home, where Rakugo is the recreational event of the day. Determined to make sure her elderly audience members enjoy themselves, Akane shows off the results of her training on stage. Following her, Kyoji takes the stage, determined to show her the dignity and authority as her senior apprentice.

5. Her Path Forward

Air Date: 2026-05-02

Now that midterms are over, senior high schooler Akane, can finally breathe a sigh of relief—but only for a fleeting moment. She is soon called in for a career counseling session with her homeroom teacher, Ms. Iwashimizu, a.k.a. the “Ice Lady.” Though Akane's set on becoming a Rakugoka, Iwashimizu is insistent that she instead go to college, a more realistic goal. Desperate to win her over, Akane turns to her friends for advice on how to change her mind...

6. Terakoya

Air Date: 2026-05-09

The Karaku Cup is a Rakugo contest for students. When Akane learns that Issho Arakawa will be presiding as its chief judge, she asks Shiguma for permission to enter. He gives her one condition: To win with "Jugemu". It's a tall order for her to try to win with such a well-known story, so along with Guriko, Akane turns to Koguma Arakawa, the "Terakoya," a grassroots teacher of the Shiguma School, for advice. Koguma's a walking encyclopedia of Rakugo, but...

7. Karaku Cup

Air Date: 2026-05-16

It's the day of the Karaku Cup preliminary round. This year, all eyes are on the defending two-time champion, Karashi Nerimaya, and a rising young voice actress, Hikaru Koragi. But Kaisei, the emcee of the event, has told a reporter that his money is on Akane, an unknown high school student, to win it all. At the venue, Koguma, Guriko, and Ms. Iwashimizu are ready to watch over Akane from their seats. Facing such stiff competition, can Akane advance past the prelims with "Jugemu"?

8. What They Want

Air Date: 2026-05-23

9. Episode 9

Air Date: 2026-05-30

10. Episode 10

Air Date: 2026-06-06

11. Episode 11

Air Date: 2026-06-13

12. Episode 12

Air Date: 2026-06-20