Akane-banashi, Vol. 8 – Suenaga Yuki (2024)

Akane takes on the world of rakugo to avenge her father. Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin’uchi exam, the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. His daughter and biggest fan, Akane Osaki, spies on him while he practices and learns his routines for herself. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam without explanation, a fire is lit inside Akane. From that day on, she has one goal: to avenge her father and prove that his art was worthy of the title of shin’uchi. After the first contestant in the four-person selection event receives a stern reception, the audience and other contestants begin to realize how high the stakes are. Kaichi is second to take the stage. His style may not appeal to the judges, but it contains a familiar element attributable only to one master of the Arakawa School. Next comes Hikaru, who vows to use all her training and every new skill she has acquired since their first encounter to get revenge on Akane. Once all her rivals have performed, it is Akane’s turn to take the stage with “Changing Time,” the story passed down from her father to one of his fellow apprentices and now to her.