AniEvo ID – This news comes from TV Asahi, and it's great news for fans of Akane-banashi! The anime set in the world of rakugo has officially announced Season 2, which will premiere in January 2027!
The announcement came with a teaser trailer and a new key visual released by TV Asahi over the weekend of October 25, 2026. On top of that, two new cast members were officially revealed for the second season.
Adapting the Zenza Training Arc!
Season 2 will adapt the Zenza Training arc, or 前座修業篇. In this arc, Akane officially begins her journey as a professional rakugo storyteller from the very bottom rank, known as zenza.
After graduating from high school, Akane joins Shiguma's school and debuts under the stage name Akane Arakawa. She trains at Yasaka-tei, a traditional theater that holds rakugo performances almost every day, while also handling work behind the scenes.
The new key visual also hints at Shin'uchi, the highest rank a rakugo storyteller can achieve. The teaser opens with a line that roughly reads, "What you are about to witness is the living history of rakugo."
Taku Yashiro and Yoji Ueda Join the Cast!
Season 2 adds two new cast members. Taku Yashiro will voice Asagao Konjakutei, while Yoji Ueda will voice Hassho Tsubakiya.
In addition, the masters of the Rakugo Association who appeared at the end of Season 1 will also return. They are Hochu Otsuka as Miroku Kashiwaya, Ryotaro Okiayu as Shomei Tsubakiya, Hiroshi Naka as Enso Sanmeitei, Mutsumi Tamura as Urara Ransaika, Shinichiro Miki as Ryu'un Kenputei, and Tomokazu Seki as Chocho Konjakutei.
The main cast is also returning, including Anna Nagase as Akane Arakawa, Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Renmaya, and Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koraki. All three even appeared on a livestream celebrating the Season 2 announcement.
Airing on TV Asahi's IMAnimation Block
Season 2 will air on TV Asahi's IMAnimation block across 24 stations in the TV Asahi network, as well as on BS Asahi. Details on international distribution have not yet been announced.
For reference, Season 1 was available to watch for free on the official Akane-banashi Global YouTube channel in North and Latin America, while its English dub was available on Netflix. Season 1 aired from April to June and wrapped up with the Karaku Cup arc.
The gap between Season 1 and Season 2 is also fairly short. If you haven't watched it yet, there's still plenty of time to binge Season 1 before January 2027 arrives.
Why the Zenza Arc Matters for Akane
In the world of rakugo, zenza is a challenging starting stage. A zenza doesn't just perform on stage but also has to handle plenty of behind-the-scenes work, from preparing the stage to assisting senior performers. This is where a storyteller's character and skills are truly forged.
For Akane, this arc is a crucial test to prove that her talent isn't just luck. Viewers will see how she learns from the masters, deals with the pressure at Yasaka-tei, and gradually builds her own storytelling style.
The Same Production Team Returns
Animation is handled by studio ZEXCS, with production by Aniplex. Ayumu Watanabe, known for the films Children of the Sea and Fortune Favors Lady Nikuko, serves as director, with Yu Harima as assistant director.
Series composition is handled by Michihiro Tsuchiya, character design and chief animation direction by Kii Tanaka, music by Akio Izutsu, and sound direction by Noriyoshi Konuma. To keep the rakugo performances authentic, rakugo storyteller Kikuhiko Hayashiya also serves as a supervisor.
A Jump Manga Showcasing a Traditional Japanese Art
Akane-banashi is based on the manga by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since February 2022. The manga has now reached 24 volumes in Japan and was nominated for both the Kodansha Manga Awards and the Manga Taisho in 2023.
What makes the series special is its bold choice to spotlight rakugo, the traditional Japanese art of storytelling performed by a single person seated on stage. Wrapped in Jump's signature shonen spirit, the story of Akane setting out to prove the greatness of her father's rakugo is both thrilling and moving.
You can follow the latest updates via the official X account @akanebanashi_PR.
So if you got hooked on Akane's rakugo performances in Season 1, get ready for a new chapter in January 2027. Who knows, Akane's first steps as a zenza might just be the start of her journey toward Shin'uchi!