In 2024 many notable manga series are reaching their conclusions including Shonen Jump juggernauts like Jujutsu Kaisen and My Hero Academia. While new series like Dandadan Kagurabachi and Sakamoto Days have attracted massive fan followings and are poised to take the spotlight theres an undeniable sense of repetition. As a reader its easy to feel like many of these newer titles echo familiar themes which can lead to fatigue despite the impressive artwork and gripping stories. Amidst this sea of familiarity however one manga stands out as a refreshingly unorthodox choice. AkaneBanashi might not seem like a typical Shonen Jump title. Against the odds it has earned its place in the lineup and carved out its own niche and its hard not to root for this beloved series. Part 1 The Hype Factor of Shounen Shounen is not a genre per se but it is stories that appeal to a specific demographic of people which introduces many stereotypes that may or may not break stories that come and go. One of the most obvious shounen tropes namely a teenage protagonist planning to be the best on a very specific kind of artform/ability due to various kinds of reasons that mainly revolve around a direct or indirect redemption of their family line friend etc. having mentors/mentors that guide them to their desired dreams encounters many obstacles characters that puts up a challenge with our main characters for some reason depending on their storyline given struggles in a few chapters while also showing their lighthearted fun side before they go back to the much anticipated shounen signature outwitting battles. From that baseline you can immediately pinpoint which manga you can name and they are mostly shounenparticularly shounen fantasyaction mangas as its the kind of genre that perfectly fits with the formula given above. You can argue that this formula is not exclusive to Shounen and thats valid enough but there is one factor thats not always present in other types of demographics but its most prominent in the Shounen demographics and that is the hype factor in its storytelling. Shounen manga are plagued with this evident from many fantasyaction mangas from the classics of Dragon Ball to the recent Juggernauts like Jujutsu Kaisen with the frequency of fighting sequencesthere is even an entire arc where its centered around fighting. However this formula is mainly prominent within the action fantasy genre sports manga and occasionally romance manga to an obvious degree. However it doesnt mean that having a perfect hype story in the shounen demographics doesnt always have to line with its contemporariesin which the shounen demographics recently are plagued not only with repetitive plotlines but repetitive world building and themesresulting in a feeling of burning out when reading new and old shounen titles. The overabundance of inbreeding of themes in its storytelling where the only way the story stands out is something minor that happens inside that story is something that AkaneBanashi tries to avoid but embracing the essence of the shounen hype factor by offering a different angle of its storyand that is the theme about Rakugo. Part 2 Shounenfied Rakugo Rakugo is a unique form of verbal performance where the performer narrates a story while playing multiple characters while sitting down in a zabuton along with its limited props to use in the story namely a paper fan or a cloth and only remains seated until they finish the story. With that in mind you can immediately think that this belongs to a more dramatic storytellingin addition Rakugo is an unconventional plot and Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju is the only rakugorelated story that can be easily cited other than AkaneBanashi. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju however is mainly a dramatic series that appealed to more adult audiences seeking a more dramaoriented story. It doesnt mean to say that AkaneBanashi or all shounen demographic mangas have no drama in them its just that its not as prominent or the core of the mangas existence which is where AkaneBanashi shines by embracing the hype factor of shounen mangas. Instead of portraying Rakugo as a drama like Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju AkaneBanashi takes a different approach treating Rakugo as a sport by applying shounen sports tropes to its storytelling. This formula creates an addictive quality as the series continuously delivers the essentials of Rakugo while showcasing its various storytelling styles treating each as if it were a unique ability of an athlete. This approach makes the series highly engaging even for readers unfamiliar with Rakugo. While you might not know much about Rakugo before reading the series does an excellent job of breaking it down into its simplest elements presenting the art form in a way thats easy to understand. This information is seamlessly woven into the narrative striking a balance that ensures readers are informed without feeling overwhelmed. Part 3 The Inbetweens Despite how much an author manages to check all of the boxes of what makes a shounen manga and standing yourself up from the rest of the crowd by providing a unique take upon it by using a niche genre you cannot grapple an audience if you havent provided the seasoning and the marination of the in betweens of its story making the Beautifullylooking dish tastes amazing. From the very first chapter Akane Ousakis character immediately grabs your attention. Her unwavering determination to master Rakugo and fulfill her fathers abandoned dream sets the tone for a compelling journey. Akanes wit and charisma shine through every panel making it hard to put the manga down. The supporting characters and tournament arcs further enrich the story giving readers even more reasons to stay invested and root for the cast. The series also masterfully portrays the theme of loss in a subtle yet impactful way making the emotional payoffs at the end of each arc incredibly rewarding for the audience. While the story may feel familiar AkaneBanashi presents it in a unique way like a dish served with an entirely new flavor that conditions your mind to view it differently. However its important to note that the greatness of a storymuch like the flavor of a dishisnt always tied to how appetizing its presentation is. That said an excellent presentation can serve as a bonus to an already wellseasoned narrative which is exactly what AkaneBanashi deliverswith the added bonus of showcasing some of the most stunning art designs seen in a while. Conclusion The series might seem intimidating at first with its niche setting that could feel confusing or discouraging. However AkaneBanashi quickly pulls you in by infusing the story with a shounen sports flavor offering a narrative thats easy to follow. Its compelling plot keeps you engaged and the characters unwavering passion shines through driving the wellcrafted motivational story that keeps you eagerly turning the pages.