In 2024, many notable manga series are reaching their conclusions, including Shonen Jump juggernauts like Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia. While new series like Dandadan, Kagurabachi, and Sakamoto Days have attracted massive fan followings and are poised to take the spotlight, there's an undeniable sense of repetition. As a reader, it’s easy to feel like many of these newer titles echo familiar themes, which can lead to fatigue despite the impressive artwork and gripping stories.

Amidst this sea of familiarity, however, one manga stands out as a refreshingly unorthodox choice. Akane-Banashi might not seem like a typical Shonen Jump title. Against the odds, it has earned its place in the lineup and carved out its own niche, and it’s hard not to root for this beloved series. ***

__Part 1 The “Hype” Factor of Shounen__

Shounen is not a genre per se, but it is stories that appeal to a specific demographic of people, which introduces many stereotypes that may or may not break stories that come and go. One of the most obvious shounen tropes, namely a teenage protagonist planning to be the best on a very specific kind of artform/ability due to various kinds of reasons that mainly revolve around a direct or indirect redemption of their family line, friend, etc., having mentors/mentors that guide them to their desired dreams, encounters many obstacles characters that puts up a challenge with our main characters (for some reason, depending on their storyline given), struggles in a few chapters, while also showing their lighthearted fun side before they go back to the much anticipated shounen signature outwitting battles. From that baseline, you can immediately pinpoint which manga you can name, and they are mostly shounen—particularly shounen fantasy-action mangas, as it's the kind of genre that perfectly fits with the formula given above.

You can argue that this formula is not exclusive to Shounen, and that's valid enough, but there is one factor that's not always present in other types of demographics, but it's most prominent in the Shounen demographics, and that is the “hype” factor in its storytelling. Shounen manga are plagued with this, evident from many fantasy-action mangas, from the classics of Dragon Ball to the recent Juggernauts like Jujutsu Kaisen, with the frequency of fighting sequences—there is even an entire arc where it's centered around fighting. However, this formula is mainly prominent within the action fantasy genre, sports manga, and occasionally romance manga to an obvious degree.

However, it doesn't mean that having a perfect "hype" story in the shounen demographics doesn't always have to line with it's contemporaries—in which the shounen demographics recently are plagued not only with repetitive plotlines but repetitive world building and themes—resulting in a feeling of burning out when reading new and old shounen titles. The overabundance of inbreeding of themes in it's storytelling where the only way the story stands out is something minor that happens inside that story is something that Akane-Banashi tries to avoid, but embracing the essence of the shounen "hype" factor by offering a different angle of it's story—and that is the theme about Rakugo. ***

__Part 2 Shounen-fied Rakugo__

Rakugo is a unique form of verbal performance where the performer narrates a story while playing multiple characters while sitting down in a zabuton, along with its limited props to use in the story, namely a paper fan or a cloth, and only remains seated until they finish the story. With that in mind, you can immediately think that this belongs to a more dramatic storytelling—in addition, Rakugo is an unconventional plot, and Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is the only rakugo-related story that can be easily cited other than Akane-Banashi. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, however, is mainly a dramatic series that appealed to more adult audiences seeking a more drama-oriented story. It doesn't mean to say that Akane-Banashi or all shounen demographic mangas have no drama in them; it's just that it's not as prominent or the "core" of the manga's existence, which is where Akane-Banashi shines by embracing the "hype" factor of shounen mangas.

Instead of portraying Rakugo as a "drama" like Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju, Akane-Banashi takes a different approach, treating Rakugo as a sport by applying shounen sports tropes to its storytelling. This formula creates an addictive quality, as the series continuously delivers the essentials of Rakugo while showcasing its various storytelling styles, treating each as if it were a unique ability of an athlete. This approach makes the series highly engaging, even for readers unfamiliar with Rakugo. While you might not know much about Rakugo before reading, the series does an excellent job of breaking it down into its simplest elements, presenting the art form in a way that's easy to understand. This information is seamlessly woven into the narrative, striking a balance that ensures readers are informed without feeling overwhelmed. ***

__Part 3 The In-betweens __

Despite how much an author manages to check all of the boxes of what makes a shounen manga, and standing yourself up from the rest of the crowd by providing a unique take upon it by using a niche genre, you cannot grapple an audience if you haven't provided the seasoning and the marination of the in betweens of it's story, making the Beautifully-looking dish tastes amazing.

From the very first chapter, Akane Ousaki’s character immediately grabs your attention. Her unwavering determination to master Rakugo and fulfill her father’s abandoned dream sets the tone for a compelling journey. Akane’s wit and charisma shine through every panel, making it hard to put the manga down. The supporting characters and tournament arcs further enrich the story, giving readers even more reasons to stay invested and root for the cast. The series also masterfully portrays the theme of loss in a subtle yet impactful way, making the emotional payoffs at the end of each arc incredibly rewarding for the audience.

While the story may feel familiar, Akane-Banashi presents it in a unique way, like a dish served with an entirely new flavor that conditions your mind to view it differently. However, it’s important to note that the greatness of a story—much like the flavor of a dish—isn’t always tied to how appetizing its presentation is. That said, an excellent presentation can serve as a bonus to an already well-seasoned narrative, which is exactly what Akane-Banashi delivers—with the added bonus of showcasing some of the most stunning art designs seen in a while. ***

Conclusion

The series might seem intimidating at first, with its niche setting that could feel confusing or discouraging. However, Akane-Banashi quickly pulls you in by infusing the story with a shounen sports flavor, offering a narrative that's easy to follow. Its compelling plot keeps you engaged, and the character’s unwavering passion shines through, driving the well-crafted, motivational story that keeps you eagerly turning the pages. ***