Rakugo--the ultimate form of storytelling, where everything in a story is expressed with just your body and words. Shinta and his daughter Akane have been seduced by this wonderful form of classical entertainment. Having observed her father strive to pass the shin'uchi rakugo test, Akane will take her own steps into this unique world!
Akane-banashi It is also Known as: あかね噺, Akane Banashi
Genres: Slice of Life
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Top 9 Manga Like Akane-banashi [2025 List]
9. Isekai Rakugo
The story of how a Japanese storyteller, or "Hanashika," saved the world using Rakugo.
Isekai Rakugo has finished publishing and it has 22 Chapters. It is also Known as: 異世界落語, Isekai Rakugo
8. Gekiga Yose: Shibahama
In Fallen Words, Yoshihiro Tatsumi takes up the oral tradition of rakugo and breathes new life into it by shifting the format from spoken word to manga. Each of the eight stories in the collection is lifted from the Edo-era Japanese storytelling form. As Tatsumi notes in the afterword, the world of rakugo, filled with mystery, emotion, revenge, hope, and, of course, love, overlaps perfectly with the world of Gekiga that he has spent the better part of his life developing.
These slice-of-life stories resonate with modern readers thanks to their comedic elements and familiarity with human idiosyncrasies. In one, a father finds his son too bookish and arranges for two workers to take the young man to a brothel on the pretext of visiting a new shrine. In another particularly beloved rakugo tale, a married man falls in love with a prostitute. When his wife finds out, she is enraged and sets a curse on the other woman. The prostitute responds by cursing the wife, and the two escalate in a spiral of voodoo doll cursing. Soon both are dead, but even death can’t extinguish their jealousy.
Tatsumi’s love of wordplay shines through in the telling of these whimsical stories, and yet he still offers timeless insight into human nature.
Fallen Words has finished publishing and it has 8 Chapters. It is also Known as: 劇画寄席 芝浜, Gekiga Yose: Shibahama
7. Uchi no Shishou wa Shippo ga Nai
The time is the Taisho Era. Mameda, a tanuki girl who came to Osaka dreaming of becoming a human, meets a popular rakugo artist, Daikokutei Bunko. Mameda, who was impressed by the storyteller's way of storytelling, which is a technique taught by a human being, decided to become a disciple. Rakugo artist training has begun!
Source: Kodansha
My Teacher Has No Tail is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: うちの師匠はしっぽがない, My Master Has No Tail
6. Medalist
Tsukasa, whose dreams were crushed. Inori, left to fend for herself. These two share a dream...and their tenacity may be the only thing that sees them through. Their destination? The ice...on the world's stage!
Medalist is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: メダリスト, Medalist
5. Kono Oto Tomare!
Since the graduation of the senior members of the club, Takezou ends up being the sole member of the "Koto" (traditional Japanese string instrument) club. Now that the new school year has begun, Takezou will have to seek out new members into the club, or the club will become terminated. Out of nowhere, a new member barges into the near-abandoned club room, demanding to join the club. How will Takezou be able to keep his club alive and deal with this rascal of a new member?
Kono Oto Tomare! is currently publishing and has Chapters. It is also Known as: この音とまれ！, Stop This Sound!
4. Chihayafuru
Chihaya is a girl in the sixth grade, still not old enough to even know the meaning of the word zeal. But one day, she meets Arata, a transfer student from rural Fukui prefecture. Though docile and quiet, he has an unexpected skill: his ability to play competitive karuta, a traditional Japanese card game.
Chihaya is struck by his obsession with the game, along with his ability to pick out the right card and swipe it away before any of his opponents. However, Arata is transfixed by her as well, all because of her unbelievable natural talent for the game. Don't miss this story of adolescent lives and emotions playing out in the most dramatic of ways!
Notes:
- It won the 2nd Manga Taisho Award and the 35th annual Kodansha Manga Award for Best Shoujo.
- It was nominated for the 20th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2016.
Chihayafuru has finished publishing and it has 248 Chapters. It is also Known as: ちはやふる, Chihayafuru
3. [Oshi no Ko]
![[Oshi no Ko]](/image/manga/56391/cover_image/048d161cfcba4908901a07a09a1afadc.jpg)
"In the world of showbiz, lies are weapons." Goro works as an OB-GYN in the countryside, a life far removed from the entertainment industry. Meanwhile, his favorite idol, Ai Hoshino, has begun her climb to stardom. The two meet in the "worst possible way," setting the gears of fate in motion! The amazing Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari team up to depict the world of showbiz from a completely new perspective in this shocking series!
【OSHI NO KO】 has finished publishing and it has 166 Chapters. It is also Known as: 【推しの子】, My Favorite's Child, Favorite Girl, My Idol's Child, Oshi no Ko, [Mein*Star], เกิดใหม่เป็นลูกโอชิ
2. Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
A hapless young man is released from prison with nothing to his name, but he knows exactly what he wants: to train in the art of rakugo comedic storytelling. After seeing an unforgettable performance from one of Japan’s greatest masters, Yakumo Yurakutei VIII, during his time in jail, he will settle for nothing less than to become apprentice to the best. Yakumo, notorious for taking no students, is persuaded to take him on, and nicknames him Yotaro—the fool. Yotaro has no formal training or elegance, but something about his charisma reminds Yakumo of someone from his past.
Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju has finished publishing and it has 31 Chapters. It is also Known as: 昭和元禄落語心中, Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu
1. Act-age
Kei Yonagi comes from a poor family. Her father ran out on her and her two younger siblings, leaving her to fend for the family herself after their mother's death. When the opportunity comes to chase her dream of becoming an actress, Yonagi jumps at the chance. Catching the eye of Director Sumiji Kuroyama, Yonagi's opportunity to shine has come. However, Yonagi's talent for acting comes from her extreme and innate ability for Method Acting, one that various individuals note as potentially self-destructive.
Act-age has finished publishing and it has 123 Chapters. It is also Known as: アクタージュ act-age, Act-age
