Fans of the popular manga magazine Shonen Jump have a new anime to look forward to: Akane-banashi. After a successful run in the magazine, the series, which centers around the traditional Japanese art of Rakugo, will be adapted into an anime debuting in Spring 2026. Shueisha announced the release window and provided a first look at the anime during the Jump Festa 2026 event this weekend.
At Jump Festa 2026, the anime adaptation of Akane-banashi had its largest preview yet. The series is confirmed to premiere in Japan next April, and more of the main characters were revealed. You can find the new trailer and poster from Jump Festa 2026 below.
When Does Akane-banashi Come Out?
I’m so excited for Akane-banashi! It’s hitting Japanese screens sometime in April 2026 as part of the spring lineup, though we don’t have a specific date or know when it’ll be available internationally just yet. The awesome Ayumu Watanabe is directing at studio ZEXCS, with Yu Harima as assistant director. Kii Tanaka is handling the character designs and will also be chief animation director – their style is fantastic! Michihiro Tsuchiya is writing the scripts, Kikuhiko Hayashiya is supervising the Rakugo performances to make sure they’re authentic, and Akio Izutsu is composing the music. The whole team is incredible, and I can’t wait to see it all come together!
The voice cast for the upcoming anime now includes Jun Fukuyama as Shinta Arakawa, Nobunaga Shimazaki as Maikeru Arakawa, Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa, Yohei Azakami as Kyoji Arakawa, and Seiichiro Yamashita as Guriko Arakawa. These actors join previously announced cast members Anna Nagase, Takuya Eguchi, and Rie Takahashi. Even if you’re not familiar with Rakugo, this anime is definitely worth watching.
Why You Should Watch Akane-banashi
It’s hard to get noticed in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump, especially with a niche topic like Rakugo. But Akane-banashi has become a standout series. Its success comes from strong artwork and storytelling, and the way it portrays Rakugo itself. The story focuses on Akane’s journey through the Rakugo world, driven by a desire to honor her father – and that competitive spirit makes it a really compelling read.
I’m seriously excited about this anime! If it can capture the same incredible feeling as the original manga by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue, it could be something truly special – a real standout for the generation. It has all the makings of a viral hit if the premiere goes well, so I’m really hoping Akane-banashi delivers when it finally arrives next Spring. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
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2025-12-21 23:11