Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
Showa and Genroku Era Lover's Suicide Through Rakugo, 昭和元禄落語心中, Le Rakugo ou la vie
Yotarou was a former yakuza member who had just been released from prison. He was determined not to return to his old life but instead wanted to pursue rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling. During his time in prison, he had been inspired by the performance of Yakumo Yuurakutei and decided that he needed to meet him. After pleading with Yakumo for mentorship, the latter agreed to take on Yotarou as his apprentice.
As Yotarou began his training, he met Konatsu, a young woman who had been under Yakumos care since her father Sukeroku Yuurakutei passed away. Despite learning rakugo using different techniques, Yotarou was drawn to Sukerokus unique style of the art form. This brought back old memories and feelings for Yakumo, reminding him of a time when he made a promise with his greatest rival.
Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a story that takes place in both the past and present, focusing on rakugo, the relationships it creates, and the lives and hearts of those who are dedicated to preserving this unique form of storytelling.
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu covers the first five volumes of the manga. The original voice cast of the OVA reprised their roles for the animated TV series.
Sukeroku Yuurakutei
ProtagonistShin was Yakumos lifelong friend and partner who grew up with him. He was also Konatsus father. As a child, he was apprenticed under Yakumo Yuurakutei alongside Bon, and originally given the name "Hat...
Yakumo Yuurakutei
ProtagonistBon is a renowned rakugo performer who struggled with feelings of being haunted by his past until he met yotarou. as a child, bon was originally trained as a dancer but an injury left him unable to da...
Ochiyo
Ochiyo is an apprentice instrumentalist and the first girl Kikuhiko dated....
Matsuda
Matsuda serves as Yakumo's attendant and chauffeur. Since his employment began under Yakumo the 7th (Yakumos master), he has remained with the family. Although it is unclear where he currently resides...
Eisuke Higuchi
A popular writer interested in creating new rakugo stories for Yotarou to perform....
Amaken
Amanos son is a rakugo critic who strongly dislikes Yotarou. Although he only makes brief appearances in the first and second arcs, he becomes more prominent in the third arc where he writes about Yot...
Yakumo Yuurakutei
Yakumo Yuurakutei was the Seventh Generation of a famous yakuza family who took care of Bon and Shin as children. When Yakumo's teenage years arrived, he and Shin briefly left for Manchuria to enterta...
Konatsu
The daughter of Sukeroku, a man from the Eighth Generation of the Yakumo family, was raised by them after being taken in. Despite this, she holds a deep-seated animosity towards Yakumo, whom she belie...
Yotarou
An individual who was previously incarcerated and has recently been released from prison at the start of the narrative. They seek to study under the renowned Eighth Generation Yakumo Yuurakutei, a rak...
Miyokichi
A young woman who worked as a Geisha who first appeared as Yakumo VIIs mistress whom he met during WWII....
Amano
An interview with Kikuhiko, conducted by a literary critic in the role of a shinuchi, resulted in the critic's anger towards Sukeroku due to his harsh criticism. Later on, Amaken became a renowned rak...