I began studying Akane-banashi as a result of I didn’t wish to begin a manga that was a whole lot of chapters lengthy. I believed that I’d be capable of briefly pattern a brand new sequence, cancel my Shonen Leap sub, after which return to chipping away at my video games backlog. However Akane-banashi caught me fully flat-footed with its expressive artwork, lighthearted comedy, and dramatically satisfying arcs. A number of months later, rereading Akane-banashi stays the first cause I nonetheless pay for that sub, and studying a brand new (free) chapter each Sunday is my favourite a part of the weekend.
Akane-banashi tells the story of Akane Osaki, a teenage woman who pursues a theatrical artwork kind known as rakugo. In rakugo, a single performer tells comedic or dramatic tales utilizing solely their physique language, facial expressions, and ranging tone. The artist has to carry out each persona within the story, and rakugo skits all the time contain a number of characters.
A number of years in the past, Akane’s father was unceremoniously expelled from the rakugo college, so she’s pursuing skilled rakugo to each get solutions about his expulsion and redeem his artwork within the eyes of the general public. Sadly, the person who destroyed her father’s profession can be a very powerful determine in all the rakugo world, so the stakes of constructing folks chuckle are extremely excessive.
Regardless of the emotionally heavy premise, Akane-banashi is a lighthearted sequence that actually shines when it exhibits the creators’ deep love of rakugo. The performances are extremely enjoyable to learn, because the artist attracts hilariously exaggerated expressions that appear just a bit inappropriate on the attractive and swish performers. Main actors in most fictional works solely should be stunning and charming. Within the rakugo of Akane-banashi, additionally they get to be slovenly, boastful, and obnoxious.
Each efficiency transforms the artist into somebody fully new with out props or exterior help. In a single panel, a rakugo performer is a cowardly outdated man who spends an excessive amount of cash. In one other, he’s the strong-willed and devious spouse. And the drama feels simple to observe as a result of the manga tends to err on the facet of over-narrating the performances. If theater is trickery, then Akane-banashi’s rakugo is sincere trickery. The jokes are easy, however everybody’s in on the joke.
I take pleasure in rereading Akane-banashi as a mild palate cleanser for different shonen manga. Regardless of the general aggressive ambiance of the latest arc, its humorousness stays irreverent with out being mean-spirited or crass. The characters are respectful towards one another, cognizant of others’ inventive abilities, and by no means demean the competitors. The stakes nonetheless really feel excessive, and I need Akane to impress all of the adults who write her off for being younger. However I’m having such a enjoyable time watching her develop as an artist, I don’t really feel like I’m in any rush to see her rating main “wins.”
That is such a welcome change from most shonen manga, reminiscent of Demon Slayer, by which the protagonist virtually destroys themselves with the intention to attain the following energy degree. I even needed to cease studying slice-of-life manga like Bakuman as a result of it simply appeared to advocate in favor of burnout. Akane-banashi charms you early, will get you slowly invested within the characters, and employs its personal dramatic ability to reel you in.
The slower tempo additionally extends to the way it buildings the tales. Akane-banashi usually takes a number of chapters for a rakugo efficiency to reach at its ultimate punchline. The joke itself isn’t the purpose. As an alternative, a lot of the drama comes from the narration from different characters within the viewers.
Very like how a good friend explaining a sports activities sport is commonly extra attention-grabbing than the match itself, Akane-banashi shines when the rakugo performers’ friends and colleagues meticulously break down and analyze the theatrical choices they make of their efficiency. That’s why some streamers are extra enjoyable to look at than others regardless of enjoying the identical sport. Akane-banashi isn’t simply cussed about retaining the authenticity of rakugo; it’s very intentional about ensuring that the viewers has time.
I’m not the one one who has good style in shonen manga. The primary quantity of Akane-banashi was praised by One Piece’s well-known creator, Eiichiro Oda. And only recently, Neon Genesis Evangelion’s director Hideaki Anno joined him in recommending the sequence to new readers. Akane-banashi is a newcomer that breaks from many shonen manga conventions, however it’s nonetheless a assured work that all the time appears to stay the touchdown in its storylines.
