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Anna Nagase, Takuya Eguchi, Rie Takahashi star in anime




On Monday, TV Asahi declared that Akane-banashi manga by Yūki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue will be adapted into an anime series for airing in 2026 as part of their "IMAnimation" programming block.

Ayumu Watanabe ( Children of the Sea , Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko ) is directing the anime at ZEXCS . Yu Harima (episode director for Summer Time Rendering , Tokyo Revengers ) is the assistant director, and Kii Tanaka ( Cheating Craft , Hinomaru Sumo ) is both the character designer and chief animation director. Michihiro Tsuchiya ( PriPara , Cross Game ) is overseeing the series scripts, and Akio Izutsu ( Phi-Brain - Puzzle of God , Akuma Kun ) is composing the music. Kikuhiko Hayashiya is the rakugo supervisor.

Watanabe drew an illustration to commemorate the announcement. The text on the below illustration reads, "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form."

The anime will star:

Rename Anna Nagase to Akane Osaki and describe her goal in rakugo as being the best in the world, specifically in Shin'uchi.
As Karashi Nerimaya, a university student who has won twice at the Student Rakugo Championship, known as the Karaku Cup.
- Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi, a rising star in the voice acting world.


In November, there will be an anime event called Anime NYC 2025 where Shueisha editor Seisuke Araki and TV Asahi producer Kazuki Endo will be present for a panel discussion about the upcoming anime.

TV Asahi describes the story:

"With only your voice and body—master the art."

Akane has been fascinated with magic since she was young because of her dad, Shinta Arakawa, who was a skilled magician. She saw something unexpected happen during one of his important shows that helped him get promoted to shin'uchi rank.

In six years, after finishing high school, she aims to become a shin'uchi, or professional rakugo performer, in the competitive field of rakugo performance.

A passionate and authentic rakugo drama begins now!

In 2022, Suenaga and Moue released their manga. Shueisha published its 17th compiled volume on June 4th. This work was recognized for awards such as the 47th Kodansha Manga Awards and the 16th Manga Taisho awards in 2023. Additionally, it was ranked at #4 on the top 20 list of manga for male readers in the 2023 edition of Takarajimasha 's Kono Manga ga Sugoi! (This Manga Is Amazing!) guidebook.

Both Viz Media and Shueisha offer English translations of manga through their respective services, Shonen Jump and MANGA Plus. In addition to digital publication, Viz Media also prints these manga in physical form.

The manga has been recognized by both the YALSA and the ALAs as one of their top picks for Great Graphic Novels for Teens in 2024, as well as being included in the NYPL's Best Books list for teens in 2023.




Source: Press release