Akane-banashi

Akane Osaki grows up listening outside her father's practice room, captivated by the way Shinta can become an entire cast of characters using only his voice, expressions, and a folding fan. He has devoted years to rakugo and finally attempts the shin'uchi exam that would make him a master storyteller. His performance displays everything Akane admires, yet senior master Issho Arakawa rejects the candidates and expels them all without explanation, ending Shinta's career overnight. The decision leaves Akane with a goal of her own. Years later, she trains under Shiguma Arakawa and enters the demanding world of professional rakugo, where every performer must develop a story and style that belongs to them alone. Akane intends to rise through its ranks, prove the worth of her father's art, and one day confront the man who cast it aside.