I didn’t know about Rakugo before I’d read the Akane-banashi manga from Viz Media. Sure, I probably saw it come up in some anime or game, but didn’t recognize it for what it was. I didn’t pinpoint the art form. But the beauty about the story this series is telling is that it feels designed to help bring this kind of performance to a larger audience so they can appreciate it, while we also see the journey of a talented young woman pursuing her dream.

Akane’s father, Shinta, was a rakugoka. It’s a sort of performer who sits in a traditional kimono on stage in front of an audience, telling classic stories. However, they’re also accomplished actors, as they need to embody the personalities of all the characters in the story as they tell it. Each school has its own styles, and there are tests to reach different levels. When her father was taking the test to make shin’uchi, Issho Arakawa not only didn’t pass anyone, but expelled everyone who took the class. This made Akane determined to not only become a rakugoka, but complete her and her father’s dream of becoming one of the most recognized ones.

Of course, Akane’s story is just getting started. So we’re seeing her journey from the ground up. But even from the first chapter, which focuses more on her father, we’re seeing her potential. She’s mimicking him and learning as he performs his stories, and there are times when it almost seems like she’s outdoing him. So once we do get to her story proper, we’re seeing her father’s former teacher Shiguma Arakawa accepting her as a student, then her first steps on stage. We see how even as an amateur, when sent to perform she manages to do well and impress. So much so that other young performers take notice of her. Then, we also see how daily life experiences can help and enhance her art. It’s fascinating and really a cool peek at the world of rakugo.
[caption id="attachment_979847" align="alignnone" width="1200"] Image via Viz Media[/caption]
Another element that captivated me is Akane is a woman in what appears to be a male-dominated field. However, in the first volume of the Akane-banashi manga, her gender is never brought up. She’s treated like all of the other rakugoka. It delighted me to see her succeeding and accepted, even if people might have been a little taken aback by her appearance. They are recognizing her passion, talent, and love for it.

But it’s also a fantastic insight into a sort of storytelling. Rakugo seems like a really amazing art. The characterizations, script, and art by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue are really enthralling. It captures the spirit of what’s going on and how an actual performance is likely able to captivate a viewer. Plus, I’ll admit it left me a little excited when Nintendo and Game Freak used a rakugo performance to introduce Poltchageist and I was able to recognize the sort of storytelling because of this manga.

Volume 1 of the Akane-banashi manga offers one of those incredibly strong starts we see in series. There’s no slow burn here. Akane and her father are both incredibly likable characters and performers, and the story told here makes you want to root for the family. Especially since so many people are so earnest about rakugo, a form of performing you can tell they love. It’s both a great story and good introduction to an art form.

Akane-banashi volume 1 is available now, and Viz Media will release volume 2 of the manga on October 10, 2023.

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