Actor Akihisa Shiono has been cast in the highly anticipated anime adaptation of Akane-banashi, bringing to life the character of Kaisei Arakawa. The announcement was made recently, further building anticipation for the series which is slated to premiere in April 2026.
Akihisa Shiono Steps into the Role of Kaisei Arakawa
Shiono will portray Kaisei Arakawa, an up-and-coming 19-year-old pupil of Isshō Arakawa within the competitive world of rakugo, a traditional Japanese art of storytelling. Kaisei is described as an important figure in the narrative, adding another layer to the already rich cast of characters in the series. This casting adds a notable talent to the ensemble, with Shiono known for his diverse acting background.
Akane-banashi Anime: A Deep Dive into Rakugo
The Akane-banashi anime is an adaptation of Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue’s critically acclaimed manga, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump. The story centers on Akane Osaki, a high school student determined to ascend to the highest rank in rakugo, shin’uchi, after witnessing a shocking incident involving her father during his own promotion attempt. The series has garnered praise for its authentic portrayal of rakugo and its dramatic storytelling, making it one of the most anticipated non-action anime titles of 2026.
Production Details and Key Staff
Studio ZEXCS is at the helm of the animation production, with Ayumu Watanabe, known for his work on Children of the Sea and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, directing the series. Yu Harima serves as the assistant director, while Kii Tanaka is responsible for character designs and acts as chief animation director. Michihiro Tsuchiya is overseeing the series scripts, and Akio Izutsu is composing the music. Kikuhiko Hayashiya is supervising the rakugo aspects, ensuring authenticity.
Additional Voice Cast Members
Alongside Akihisa Shiono, the anime boasts a talented voice cast including:
- Anna Nagase as the protagonist Akane Osaki.
- Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya.
- Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi.
- Jun Fukuyama as Shinta Arakawa (Tohru Osaki).
- Nobunaga Shimazaki as Maikeru Arakawa.
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa.
- Yōhei Azakami as Kyoji Arakawa.
- Seiichirō Yamashita as Guriko Arakawa.
The anime is scheduled to air on TV Asahi’s “IMAnimation” programming block.
Akihisa Shiono’s Notable Career
Akihisa Shiono is a Japanese actor who gained prominence for his role as Souji Rippukan/Kyoryu Green in the 2013 Super Sentai TV series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger. He has also appeared in various films and television dramas, including Golden Kamuy: Assault on Abashiri Prison. His addition to the Akane-banashi cast brings an experienced actor to one of the series’ pivotal characters.
Fans eagerly await the Spring 2026 release of Akane-banashi to see how this rich world of traditional Japanese storytelling translates to the animated screen.
