The Akane-banashi anime has unveiled a new promotional visual and trailer for its second season, confirming a January 2027 premiere. Studio ZEXCS is returning to animate the sequel, which will continue Akane Sakurazaka’s journey toward becoming a top-level rakugo performer.
The latest announcement also introduces two additional voice cast members: Taku Yashiro as Asagao Konjakutei and Yoji Ueda as Hassho Tsubakiya. Both characters appear in the newly released trailer, offering another glimpse of the upcoming season.
Returning Cast and Production Staff
Anna Nagase returns as protagonist Akane Sakurazaka, alongside the previously announced voice cast:
- Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya
- Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi
- Jun Fukuyama as Shinta Arakawa
- Nobunaga Shimazaki as Maikeru Arakawa
- Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa
- Yohei Azakami as Kyoji Arakawa
- Seiichiro Yamashita as Guriko Arakawa
- Akihisa Shiono as Kaisei Arakawa
- Masaki Terasoma as Shiguma Arakawa
- Akio Otsuka as Issho Arakawa
- 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
- Tomokazu Seki as Chocho Konjakutei
Ayumu Watanabe returns as director, with Yu Harima serving as co-director. Ki Tanaka handles character design and chief animation direction, while Michihiro Tsuchiya oversees series composition. Akio Izutsu returns to compose the music.
About Akane-banashi
The anime adapts the manga written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue. Serialization began in Weekly Shonen Jump in February 2022, with professional rakugo performer Kikuhiko Hayashiya providing supervision for the traditional Japanese storytelling performances.
The story follows Akane, who becomes determined to master rakugo after witnessing her father’s career-ending rejection from the prestigious shin’uchi rank. Her pursuit of the art leads her to Shiguma Arakawa, her father’s former teacher, under whom she receives training.
As Akane works toward becoming a professional storyteller, she must balance her ambitions with high school life and navigate her relationships with other performers. Her journey requires more than technical skill, demanding a deeper understanding of storytelling, character, and audience engagement.
VIZ Media publishes the manga in English, bringing Akane’s journey to international readers.
Season 2 Set for January 2027
With Studio ZEXCS returning and new characters joining the cast, Akane-banashi Season 2 is preparing to continue its exploration of rakugo and the competitive world of professional storytelling. The series is scheduled to premiere in January 2027, with further promotional details expected ahead of its broadcast.
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