Is Akane-banashi coming back?

Akane-banashi is currently airing on TV Asahi; the next episode airs on May 16, 2026. The series premiered on April 4, 2026, and is part of the anime genre. It follows the story of Akane Osaki, a young girl inspired by her father's performances in rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of storytelling. The show depicts her journey as she aims to become a shin'uchi (master) in the competitive world of rakugo, after witnessing her father's dramatic performance and a subsequent incident six years earlier. Akane-banashi was a Japanese anime series that started in 2026. It was centered around Akane's pursuit of her dreams in the art of rakugo, blending elements of drama and traditional storytelling as she navigated the challenges of her ambitions. The series was set in a contemporary context but paid homage to the cultural roots of rakugo, exploring themes of perseverance and tradition through its characters and plot. The show features a cast including Anna Nagase as Akane Ousaki, Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya, and Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Kouragi. It also stars Jun Fukuyama as Shinta Arakawa, Nobunaga Shimazaki as Maikeru Arakawa, Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa, and Yōhei Azakami as Kyouji Arakawa.