Akane-banashi, Vol. 10

Akane-banashi, Vol. 10 by Yuki Suenaga is a captivating tale of determination and the pursuit of mastery in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo.

Shinta Arakawa aspires to pass his shin’uchi exam, the test that would elevate him to a top-rank headliner and master storyteller. His daughter, Akane Osaki, is not only his biggest fan but also a secret student, covertly learning his routines. When the rakugo master Issho Arakawa unexpectedly expels everyone after the exam without explanation, Akane becomes driven by a singular goal—to avenge her father and affirm his art as worthy of the shin’uchi title.

Upon witnessing Chocho’s performance, Akane envisions a path to becoming the rakugoka she wants to be. She eagerly seeks Chocho’s mentorship, though she knows everything with him is a gamble. Meanwhile, her friend Asagao, an apprentice of Chocho, stands on the brink of promotion to futatsume. Chocho challenges him with a final test: filling a performance venue through a series of trial performances. Asagao enlists the help of Akane and Karashi, and together they face the challenge of meeting Chocho's expectations.

Just when the task seems insurmountable, Akane devises a plan so audacious it might just succeed...