It would be really hard to believe that Fans of One Piece, Evangelion, and Re:Zero likely made a similar assumption when they found out that their favorite creators were fans of Akane-banashi, a Shonen Jump manga but the manga itself is actually as different from those works as they are from each other: Rather than an appeal that is unique to Eiichiro Oda, Hideaki Anno, and Tappei Nagatsuki

I learned about rakugo, the Japanese performance art of storytelling, from the series Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju. One of the most intriguing plotlines for me was the one about women being banned from performing the traditional style. So when I heard about Akane-Banashi, the story of high schooler Akane and her quest to perform rakugo, I was intrigued. It’s written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue.

Since this series runs in Shonen Jump, it skews younger than Descending Stories. It also follows the traditional structure of a competition manga, with a talented young person working with mentors and learning how to better create art as they take part in various contests.

What’s a rakugoka, you say? Good question, I also didn’t know until I read this manga. In short, it’s a storytelling art that is kind of like stand-up comedy but only because they’re both performed solo with little to no props to help them. [This video is a good explanation of what Rakugo is. ](https://youtu.be/P4PCds4tlT4?si=tuo6jRNVveAlIXQz) I love these types of manga because it lets me into a world that I never thought of before. Because of Bakuman, I got a sneak peek into what publishing manga is like. And now because of Rakugo, I know more than I ever thought I would know about a centuries old tradition of storytelling from Japan. I also felt the same for Haikyuu!!!

Now lemme give you a short summary

Akane Osaki’s father spent 13 years striving to become a master rakugo storyteller. But he and his fellow aspirants have their dreams crushed when the head of the rakugo school expels them all without explanation. Akane, who is her father’s biggest fan, vows to avenge him— by becoming a rakugo artist herself. But even with innate talent and the help of her father’s former teacher, the path to becoming a master storyteller is a difficult one with no guarantees!

Akane has spent years since secretly studying with his former master. She’s skilled, but she’s also motivated by wanting to rehabilitate her father’s reputation. As she learns what makes a truly skilled rakugoka, so does the reader, making this easy to read even for someone who doesn’t understand the art or its history.

> The series has clear, readable art, with expressive figures, often exaggerated in their looks to easily tell the characters apart. The events are dramatic, with the competition structure making for plenty of suspense. The way the stories are illustrated, with the storyteller’s actions repeated in the characters hovering around them, representing their tales, makes the stories come alive the way their performance would Getting back to the characters, aside from the fact that Akane’s female, she fits the profile for a good protagonist. Akane is your typical shounen protagonist: Energetic, Passionate, and in a constant state of Learning. Her design is so cute and quirky she seems like a chill girl.

Spoiler, click to view

However, unlike most shonen titles, our main character has no peers her age or level. As explained in the “Basics of Rakugo,” the art is taught one on one from seniors to juniors. Thus, 16-year-old Akane has a college age rival, and the other pupils mentored by her instructor are also college age or older. So everyone has more experience than her. As a result, the story thus far is her learning a different aspect of the rakugo craft from everyone she meets.

> From an illustration standpoint, the manga is very strong. All the characters are distinct, and the artist skillfully manipulates expressions/shading/backdrops when they go into story telling mode. The various settings are wonderfully detailed. When the narrative shifts to a rakugo plot, he switches to a traditional art style to reflect it.▶

Akane Banashi is a captivating rollercoaster that will draw you in from the very first chapter, with its rich storytelling and unforgettable characters. The unique blend of traditional art and modern-day struggles keeps you hooked, making every page turn feel like a thrilling new discovery. As you follow Akane's journey, the emotions, humor, and challenges she faces will resonate deeply, keeping you coming back for more. With each twist, the manga leaves you craving the next chapter, eager to see how the story unfolds. If you're looking for a series that will captivate your heart and imagination, Akane Banashi is a must-read!