Akane-banashi Anime Unveils Trailer, Opening Theme Song
The Akane-banashi anime revealed a new trailer, visual, and an April 4, 2026, premiere date. Kuwata Keisuke is performing the opening theme song, “HITOTARASHI,” which is featured in the trailer:
The anime also announced that its world premiere event in New York will be hosted at Japan Society (333 East 47th St) on April 1, 2026, at 8 PM ET and feature Rakugo master Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian-born Rakugo performer and one of the leading international figures in the art of traditional Japanese storytelling.
Studio ZEXCS is in charge of the animation, and the staff includes:
- Director: Ayumu Watanabe
- Assistant Director: Yu Harima
- Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Kii Tanaka
- Series Composition: Michihiro Tsuchiya
- Music: Akio Izutsu
- Rakugo Supervision: Kikuhiko Hayashiya
The cast for Akane-banashi anime includes:
- Anna Nagase as Akane Osaki
- Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya
- Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi
- Jun Fukuyama as Shinta Arakawa (Tohru Osaki)
- Nobunaga Shimazaki as Maikeru Arakawa
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa
- Yohei Azamaki as Kyoji Arakawa
- Shingo Yamashita as Guriko Arakawa
The anime will adapt the Akane-banashi manga, written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue. The manga has been serialized in Shueisha's
Weekly Shonen Jump since 2022.
The official synopsis for the Akane-banashi anime is as follows:
Akane Osaki, captivated since childhood by the magical performances of her father, Shinta Arakawa, witnesses a shocking incident during his decisive performance for promotion to shin’uchi (master rank).
Six years later, now a high school student, she sets her sights on becoming a shin’uchi herself—pushing forward in the highly competitive world of rakugo.
A passionate and authentic rakugo drama begins now!
Source: Press Release, Official Website
©Yuki Suenaga, Takamasa Moue / SHUEISHA, Akane-banashi Committee
