Climbing the Ranks of Rakugo
The next big headliner takes center stage in Akane-banashi, Vol. 1!
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Akane takes on the world of rakugo to avenge her father!
Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin’uchi exam—the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. His daughter Akane Osaki is his biggest fan, and even practices the same performances while watching him behind the closed door to his study. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam with no explanation, a fire is lit inside Akane. From that day forth, she has had one goal—to avenge her father and prove his art was worthy of the title of shin’uchi.
Akane successfully performs the opening act for Master Shiguma’s solo show, but whispers of the story known as “Shiguma's Art” leave her yearning to learn more. But suddenly, things take a turn for the worse when Master Shiguma collapses and the Shiguma School is forcefully disbanded by the Arakawa School. And to Akane’s horror, her new master is none other than the man who crushed her father’s dreams—Issho Arakawa. Finally, the story of Issho and Shiguma’s past is brought to light—as is the identity of the original Shiguma!
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