It would be really hard to believe that Fans of One Piece Evangelion and Re:Zero likely made a similar assumption when they found out that their favorite creators were fans of Akanebanashi a Shonen Jump manga but the manga itself is actually as different from those works as they are from each other: Rather than an appeal that is unique to Eiichiro Oda Hideaki Anno and Tappei Nagatsuki 400https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:720/format:webp/13rBuGalsGVLOVFa0JSGLtA.jpeg I learned about rakugo the Japanese performance art of storytelling from the series Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuhttps://anilist.co/anime/20972/ShowaGenrokuRakugoShinju/. One of the most intriguing plotlines for me was the one about women being banned from performing the traditional style. So when I heard about AkaneBanashi the story of high schooler Akane and her quest to perform rakugo I was intrigued. Its written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue. Since this series runs in Shonen Jump it skews younger than Descending Stories. It also follows the traditional structure of a competition manga with a talented young person working with mentors and learning how to better create art as they take part in various contests. 300https://ur.com/nsSjaIe.jpg Whats a rakugoka you say? Good question I also didnt know until I read this manga. In short its a storytelling art that is kind of like standup comedy but only because theyre both performed solo with little to no props to help them. This video is a good explanation of what Rakugo is. https://youtu.be/P4PCds4tlT4?si=tuo6jRNVveAlIXQz I love these types of manga because it lets me into a world that I never thought of before. Because of Bakuman I got a sneak peek into what publishing manga is like. And now because of Rakugo I know more than I ever thought I would know about a centuries old tradition of storytelling from Japan. I also felt the same for Haikyuu Now lemme give you a short summary Akane Osakis father spent 13 years striving to become a master rakugo storyteller. But he and his fellow aspirants have their dreams crushed when the head of the rakugo school expels them all without explanation. Akane who is her fathers biggest fan vows to avenge him by becoming a rakugo artist herself. But even with innate talent and the help of her fathers former teacher the path to becoming a master storyteller is a difficult one with no guarantees 400https://ur.com/8jP0Ehi.jpg Akane has spent years since secretly studying with his former master. Shes skilled but shes also motivated by wanting to rehabilitate her fathers reputation. As she learns what makes a truly skilled rakugoka so does the reader making this easy to read even for someone who doesnt understand the art or its history. 400https://ur.com/IJMLZIl.jpg The series has clear readable art with expressive figures often exaggerated in their looks to easily tell the characters apart. The events are dramatic with the competition structure making for plenty of suspense. The way the stories are illustrated with the storytellers actions repeated in the characters hovering around them representing their tales makes the stories come alive the way their performance would 400https://ur.com/rftU1nv.jpg Getting back to the characters aside from the fact that Akanes female she fits the profile for a good protagonist. Akane is your typical shounen protagonist: Energetic Passionate and in a constant state of Learning. Her design is so cute and quirky she seems like a chill girl. 400https://ur.com/zG7pUWM.jpg From an illustration standpoint the manga is very strong. All the characters are distinct and the artist skillfully manipulates expressions/shading/backdrops when they go into story telling mode. The various settings are wonderfully detailed. When the narrative shifts to a rakugo plot he switches to a traditional art style to reflect it. https://youtu.be/bbCDZoltDZI?si=1H4ZFa3pWgfWAgV Akane Banashi is a captivating rollercoaster that will draw you in from the very first chapter with its rich storytelling and unforgettable characters. The unique blend of traditional art and modernday struggles keeps you hooked making every page turn feel like a thrilling new discovery. As you follow Akanes journey the emotions humor and challenges she faces will resonate deeply keeping you coming back for more. With each twist the manga leaves you craving the next chapter eager to see how the story unfolds. If youre looking for a series that will captivate your heart and imagination Akane Banashi is a mustread