Akane-banashi (2026) · WatchGuide

SERIES

20262 Seasons7.8

Animation, Drama

TMDB7.8

Votes29

Your rating

Genre: Animation
Certificate: TV-PG
Origin: JP

About

And so, here begins a story.

As a child, Akane witnesses a shocking event during her father's career-defining show. Now in high school, she vows to reach the art's highest rank.

Where to watch

Region

Stream

Netflix

Netflix Standard with Ads

Availability from JustWatch via TMDB.

Details

Status: Returning Series
First aired: Apr 4, 2026
Network: tv asahi, Nagoya TV, KBC, ABC TV, NCC, OAB, ABA, Niigata Television Network 21, khb, KFB, HOME, KSB, Kagoshima Broadcasting, Iwate Asahi TV, Akita Asahi Broadcasting, Yamagata Television System, Shizuoka Asahi TV, Asahi Broadcasting Nagano, Hokuriku Asahi Broadcasting, Ehime Asahi TV, Yamaguchi Asahi Broadcasting, Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting, Ryu-Q Asahi Broadcasting
Studio: ZEXCS, TV Asahi

Time to finish

9 hrs

12 episodes. About 2 weeks at an hour a night.

View on IMDb ↗

Cast

Anna Nagase

Akane Osaki (voice)

SERIES

20262 Seasons7.8

Animation, Drama

TMDB7.8

Votes29

Your rating

Genre: Animation
Certificate: TV-PG
Origin: JP

About

And so, here begins a story.

As a child, Akane witnesses a shocking event during her father's career-defining show. Now in high school, she vows to reach the art's highest rank.

Where to watch

Region

Stream

Netflix

Netflix Standard with Ads

Availability from JustWatch via TMDB.

Episodes

0 of 0 watched

E1 · Airs Apr 4, 2026 · 25m · ★ 7.5
That Day
Young girl Akane Osaki falls in love with rakugo comic storytelling through watching her father perform. One day, a shocking event derails his career.
E2 · Airs Apr 11, 2026 · 25m · ★ 7.8
First Performance
Hearing that Master Shiguma is secretly meeting with a young girl, Futatsume Guriko investigates and finds him teaching Akane at a karaoke parlor.
E3 · Airs Apr 19, 2026 · 25m · ★ 7.7
Senior Apprentices
Akane joins Shiguma's school as an apprentice. The earnest Kyoji Arakawa is tasked with guiding her, but she finds herself stuck doing menial chores.
E4 · Airs Apr 25, 2026 · 25m · ★ 7.5
Beyond Joy
Akane performs at a nursing home, displaying all she has learned. Kyoji goes next, determined to show her his skill as her elder fellow apprentice.
E5 · Airs May 2, 2026 · 25m · ★ 7.5
Her Path Forward
Akane gets career counseling from her teacher Iwashimizu, known as the Ice Lady, who refuses to acknowledge Akane's dream of becoming a Rakugoka.
E6 · Airs May 9, 2026 · 25m · ★ 7.0
Terakoya
After learning that Issho will judge the annual student Rakugo championship, Akane gains Shiguma's permission to compete — but on one condition.
E7 · Airs May 16, 2026 · 25m · ★ 7.8
Karaku Cup
At the Karaku Cup preliminaries, all eyes are on defending champion Karashi and rising voice actor Hikaru Koragi, but Kaisei picks Akane to win.
E8 · Airs May 23, 2026 · 25m · ★ 6.3
What They Want
As the Karaku Cup finals begin, Karashi wins over the crowd with his bold adapted Rakugo, but head judge Issho's verdict remains to be seen.
E9 · Airs May 30, 2026 · 25m · ★ 7.5
Performer
At the Karaku Cup finals, Hikaru Koragi performs a sentimental story to prove she is more than just a pretty face. Next, Akane takes the stage.
E10 · Airs Jun 6, 2026 · 25m · ★ 8.0
Jugemu
Akane's performance of "Jugemu" takes a subdued approach, providing a pleasant respite for the spectators caught up in the excitement of the contest.
E11 · Airs Jun 13, 2026 · 25m · ★ 8.0
Answer
Following Akane's bold question, the shrewd Issho makes the reporters leave the room, then reveals the truth about the expulsion incident.
E12 · Airs Jun 20, 2026 · 25m · ★ 8.0
Graduation
Akane's Karaku Cup win draws attention at school. As graduation nears, her friends chase their own dreams, and Shiguma ponders a stage name for her.

Details

Status: Returning Series
First aired: Apr 4, 2026
Network: tv asahi, Nagoya TV, KBC, ABC TV, NCC, OAB, ABA, Niigata Television Network 21, khb, KFB, HOME, KSB, Kagoshima Broadcasting, Iwate Asahi TV, Akita Asahi Broadcasting, Yamagata Television System, Shizuoka Asahi TV, Asahi Broadcasting Nagano, Hokuriku Asahi Broadcasting, Ehime Asahi TV, Yamaguchi Asahi Broadcasting, Kumamoto Asahi Broadcasting, Ryu-Q Asahi Broadcasting
Studio: ZEXCS, TV Asahi

Time to finish

9 hrs

12 episodes. About 2 weeks at an hour a night.

View on IMDb ↗

Cast

Anna Nagase

Akane Osaki (voice)

About

Where to watch

Details

Time to finish

Cast

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