Akane-banashi Season 2 Adds Yashiro Taku and Ueda Youji, Premieres January 2027

The second season of the TV anime Akane-banashi is set to begin broadcasting in January 2027. A new key visual and teaser PV have been released, and additional cast members have been announced: Yashiro Taku as Konjaku-tei Asagao and Ueda Youji as Tsubakiya Hachishou. Comments from both actors have also arrived.

Key Visual Shows Akane at Yaeitei

Akane-banashi is based on the rakugo story by Suenaga Yuuki and Moue Takamasa, serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump. It follows Sakurazaki Akane, who is captivated by the rakugo of her rakugoka father, as she aims for shin’uchi, the highest rank in the rakugo world. Season 1 aired from April 2026 and drew a strong response in Japan and overseas.

The new information was announced during the October 25 streamed special ‘Kaikou Ichiban! ~Season 2 Information Unveiling Special~.’ In Season 2, Akane graduates from high school, is finally permitted to formally enter as Aragawa Shiguma’s disciple, and begins her path as a rakugoka under the name Aragawa Akane. The season opens the ‘zenza training arc.’

The released key visual places Akane at Yaeitei, one of the joueki venues where rakugo can be seen almost every day, day and night, and where rakugoka have poured in their blood and sweat. It depicts Akane taking her first step as a rakugoka. Along with Renmaya Karashi and Takaragi Hikaru, veteran rakugo performers also appear, hinting at what is to come.

Teaser PV Previews Zenza Training and New Voices

The teaser PV includes scenes of zenza training at Yaeitei and glimpses of the distinctive characters around Akane. It also lets viewers hear the voices of new characters, including Yashiro Taku’s Konjaku-tei Asagao and Ueda Youji’s Tsubakiya Hachishou.

New Cast Comments

Konjaku-tei Asagao: Yashiro Taku

‘I am Yashiro Taku, and I will be appearing as Konjaku-tei Asagao. From the first time I read it, I felt a strong appeal in this manga: it has rakugo as a major theme, but it is also a growth story, a human-interest story, and a youth story, and for us it can even serve as a textbook. I am very happy to be able to join through this connection. I will perform while firmly feeling the weight of playing a person who lives in the world of rakugo.’

Tsubakiya Hachishou: Ueda Youji

‘Playing a character called ‘-shishou’ and joining this work from Season 2 is quite a heavy responsibility. But thinking back, when I was a child, classical performing arts were still more present on TV and radio than they are now, and during my student days I had friendly ties with rakugo research circles. Those experiences have been useful in my current work. I would like to repay even a little of the kindness I received in that fortunate era.’

Broadcast and Production Details

Season 2 of the TV anime Akane-banashi will air from January 2027 on TV Asahi’s nationwide 24-station network in the ‘IMAnimation’ slot, BS Asahi, and other channels.

Staff

Cast

©Suenaga Yuuki・Moue Takamasa／Shueisha・’Akane-banashi’ Production Committee

Manga Volume Note

The manga’s 24th volume (Jump Comics Digital) is listed at ￥572. Price and availability are as of the article’s publication.