Akane-banashi  

あかね噺

Rakugo is a traditional form of storytelling that requires many years for apprentices to master and reach the rank of shinuchi. From a young age, Akane Osaki was fascinated with her father Toorus rakugo performances and would spend hours watching and imitating his work. For Tooru, becoming a shinuchi meant passing a promotion test in front of an audience and a senior rakugo master, Issho Arakawa. Despite giving a passionate performance, Tooru was expelled from the rakugo school following the exam, causing him to abandon his dreams and settle for a regular job, breaking Akane's heart. Filled with sorrow and resentment, Akane seeks revenge on the man who failed to recognize her father's genius. She approaches Toorus former rakugo master, Shiguma Arakawa, asking him to take her under his wing. However, Shiguma feels unworthy of taking on another pupil after what happened to Akane's father six years prior. In order to prove herself worthy of entering the rakugo world, Shiguma challenges Akane to perform in front of an audience.

Akane-banashi is published digitally as an English simulpub through MANGA Plus service.The manga won third place in the Print Manga category at the eighth Tsugi ni Kuru Manga Awards in 2022.