The highly acclaimed rakugo-themed manga series, Akane-banashi, is officially set to receive a TV anime adaptation in 2026, with animation production handled by Studio ZEXCS. The announcement was made by TV Asahi, revealing that the series will air on their “IMAnimation” programming block and BS Asahi. This news has been highly anticipated by fans of the manga, which has garnered significant critical praise since its serialization began in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2022.
The Journey to the Stage: Akane-banashi‘s Premise and Popularity
Akane-banashi, written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue, centers on the journey of teenager Akane Osaki. Akane is deeply captivated by the traditional Japanese storytelling art of rakugo, an art form where a single storyteller performs various characters using only a fan and a small cloth. Her ambition to reach the highest rank in rakugo, “shin’uchi,” is partly driven by a desire to clear her father’s name, who was unjustly expelled from the profession six years prior. The manga is known for its authentic portrayal of rakugo, with professional rakugoka Kikuhiko Hayashiya serving as the series’ supervisor.
The series has quickly gained a devoted following, achieving 1 million copies in circulation as of November 2023 and ranking as the 7th best-selling first volume in 2022. It has received multiple accolades, including ranking 2nd in the Manga Taisho 2023 and 3rd in the 2022 Next Manga Awards (Comics Division). Its unique premise, focusing on a non-physical “hobby manga” within the typically action-oriented Shonen Jump, has resonated with readers.
Key Staff and Voice Cast Bringing Rakugo to Life
The anime adaptation boasts a talented team to bring Akane’s story to the screen. Ayumu Watanabe, known for directing Children of the Sea and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, is helming the series at Studio ZEXCS. Michihiro Tsuchiya is overseeing the series scripts, and Kii Tanaka is handling character designs and serving as chief animation director. The music will be composed by Akio Izutsu. Crucially, Kikuhiko Hayashiya, who supervises the manga, is also on board as the rakugo supervisor for the anime, ensuring the authentic portrayal of the art form.
The main voice cast includes Anna Nagase as the protagonist Akane Osaki. Nagase is a rising talent who won the Best New Actor Award at the 17th Seiyu Awards in 2023 and previously starred as Ushio Kofune in Summer Time Rendering. Takuya Eguchi will voice Karashi from the Renmaya school, and Rie Takahashi is cast as Hikaru Kogaragi.
Studio ZEXCS: A Look at the Animation House
Studio ZEXCS, established on January 23, 1998, by former J.C.Staff producer Tomoko Kawasaki, is a Japanese animation studio located in Koganei, Tokyo. The studio has a diverse portfolio of anime productions. Their previous works include series such as Sister Princess, Diabolik Lovers, and Chrome Shelled Regios. While some online discussions have noted that ZEXCS may not have as many “major” anime titles compared to other studios, fans express hope that the studio will dedicate its full effort to Akane-banashi given the manga’s potential. The studio’s official website lists recent and ongoing projects like Shadowverse: Worlds Beyond.
Anticipation Builds for 2026 Release
With a teaser visual and promotional video already released, anticipation for the Akane-banashi anime is high. The teaser PV showcases Akane Osaki and hints at the dramatic elements surrounding her father’s past. Fans can look forward to seeing the intricate and intense scenes of rakugo performances, which even author Yuki Suenaga questioned if they could be adapted into anime, brought to life by the passionate production team. The anime is slated for a 2026 broadcast.
