Akane-banashi Anime Announced for 2026

The rakugo-themed manga “Akane Banashi” has been adapted into a television anime. It will air in 2026 on the “IMAnimation” block on 24 TV Asahi affiliates nationwide and on BS Asahi. Anna Nagase will star as Akane Osaki, Takuya Eguchi will play Karashi Nerimaya, and Rie Takahashi will play Hikaru Takaragi. The main cast has also been announced, and a teaser trailer and visuals have been released.

Director Ayumu Watanabe and assistant director Yu Harima are the duo behind “Summertime Render.” Character design and general animation director Norika Tanaka will handle character composition, with series composition by Masataka Tsuchiya and music by Akio Izutsu. Animation production will be handled by Zexxs, the studio behind “Rokufudou Yotsuiro Biyori.” The rakugo will be supervised by Hayashiya Kikuhiko, who also participated in the original work.

The original story by Hiroki Suenaga (story) and Takamasa Umagami (illustrations) has been serialized in “Weekly Shonen Jump” (Shueisha) since 2022. Akane grew up watching her father, the rakugo performer Shinta Arakawa, witness his expulsion from the rakugo world at the command of a leading figure. Six years later, Akane, now a high school student, aims to achieve the highest rank in the world of rakugo—”shinuchi”—that her father failed to achieve, and plunges into the world of fierce competition among rakugo performers. The latest volume, volume 18, will be released on September 4th.

Nagase plays Akane, a competitive protagonist who will see things through to the end once she’s decided on something. Eguchi plays Karashi, a university student who won the “Karaku Cup” student rakugo championship two years in a row and is widely regarded by some as a “student rakugo genius.” Takahashi plays Hikaru, a young voice actress whose popularity is on the rise. She questions the current situation in which people are evaluated based on anything other than their talent, and decides to take on the world of rakugo to test her own abilities.

The teaser video features voiceover footage of Akane, determined to become a master performer. Akane’s father, Shinta, and Arakawa Issho, a man with a connection to Akane, also appear. The teaser visual depicts Akane taking the stage.

Full comments from the cast, staff, and original creators are below:

[Anna Nagase (role of Akane Sakurazaki)]

I’m Anna Nagase, and I’ll be voicing Akane Sakurazaki in the TV anime “Akane Hanashi”! I was deeply moved by Akane’s straightforward and passionate dedication to rakugo. I’m truly, truly happy to be playing her. I’ll do my best to portray her. I’ve also started rakugo lessons! I’m practicing hard under the guidance of my master, Kikuhiko Hayashiya. I’ll put my soul into my performance so that Akane’s feelings can reach everyone! Thank you for your support!

[Takuya Eguchi (voice of Karashi Nerima-ya)]

I’ve been chosen to play the role of Karashi, the trainer. I love the original work, of course, but I’ve always loved listening to rakugo before sleep, so I was excited when I heard about the audition. Under the guidance of Kikuhiko Hayashiya, I’ve now memorized three rakugo stories and am currently learning my fourth. I have a bad memory, so it’s a struggle, but the more I do it, the more I become captivated by rakugo. I look forward to the day when I can share the passion of this production with you.

[Rie Takahashi (role of Hikaru Takaraki)]

I’m Rie Takahashi, and I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be playing the role of Hikaru Takaraki. As a voice actor, I empathize with her as she strives to reach new heights, and I feel an unconventional tenacity. I couldn’t let myself be outdone by her. I will do my best to empathize with her perspective and the choices she makes, and to express them in a way that affirms them. Thanks to the cooperation of Master Kikuhiko and the rest of the rakugo world, and the wonderful cast and team who will be working with me, I have a feeling that this will be an exciting anime for me as a huge fan of this work. Stay tuned!

[Director Ayumu Watanabe]

[Yu Harima (Assistant Director)] “Akane Hanashi” is finally coming to life! Director Ayumu Watanabe’s delicate yet powerful direction combined with the profound traditional art of rakugo creates a new chemistry! While respecting the worldview to the fullest extent, we are working hard every day to carefully visualize the passion and human drama of the original work, aiming to create a work that will captivate even those unfamiliar with rakugo. Please look forward to it!

[Nori Tanaka (Character Designer/Chief Animation Director)] I am extremely happy to be a part of this valuable experience of telling the world of rakugo through animation. I will do my best to make “Akane Hanashi” enjoyable for as many people as possible. Thank you for your support.

[Michitaka Tsuchiya (Series Composition)] Well, the answer to the question about the anime adaptation of “Akane Hanashi” is farting in the bath. Your heart will be bubbling with excitement! …But that’s what I’m saying. I hope to depict Akane’s challenges while sneaking in just a little bit of the unique anime thrill into the solid “classic rakugo” manga “Akane Banashi.” Please bear with me.

[Izutsu Akio (music)] I remember being very honored and happy when I was asked to be in charge of the music. I was also secretly nervous that the soundtrack for “Akane Banashi” would be a challenging one (laughs). I hope to savor the joy of creating a work together with the anime production staff, and to be able to express Akane’s struggles and growth in the world of rakugo in a fresh and powerful way. I can’t wait to compose the music!

[Hayashiya Kikuhiko (rakugo supervisor)] We’ve been waiting for this! The information is finally here! “Akane Banashi,” which Suenaga-san and Umagami-san have been working on for over three and a half years, is finally being made into an anime! With the production team led by Director Watanabe and the voice actors including Nagase, look forward to the new developments in the world of “Akane Banashi”!

And! If you want to experience rakugo, be sure to visit a yose (vaudeville theater). There are all kinds of uncles and grandfathers.

[Original work by Suenaga Hiroki]

[Takamasa on horseback (illustration)]

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TV Anime “Akane Hanashi” Teaser PV | Broadcast Scheduled for 2026!

A Rakugo Tale Comes to Life with Stunning Talent and Direction

The announcement of a TV anime adaptation for Akane-banashi marks a significant moment for fans of traditional Japanese storytelling. With Ayumu Watanabe, known for his delicate and emotional direction (Children of the Sea, Summer Time Rendering), at the helm, and the experienced animation studio ZEXCS handling production, expectations are high. The casting of Anna Nagase, Takuya Eguchi, and Rie Takahashi brings both freshness and familiarity, ensuring that the unique rhythm and passion of rakugo are portrayed with authenticity and charm. In a time when most anime focus on fantasy and action, Akane-banashi could become a cultural gem that introduces the beauty of rakugo to a new generation.