Akane-banashi, Vol. 13

Akane-banashi, Vol. 13 by Yuki Suenaga takes you on a captivating journey into the world of rakugo, a traditional Japanese art form, as viewed through the eyes of Akane Osaki.

Shinta Arakawa aspires to pass his shin’uchi exam to achieve top-rank status as a headliner and master storyteller. His daughter, Akane, and his most devoted fan, secretly observes his practice sessions, absorbing his routines. However, an unexpected expulsion by rakugo master Issho Arakawa, without explanation, transforms Akane’s admiration into a burning determination. From that moment, her singular mission is to avenge her father and prove the worthiness of his art for the title of shin’uchi.

Maikeru Arakawa is preparing to become the first futatsume in the Arakawa school to face the shin’uchi exam since the infamous expulsion scandal that removed Akane’s father from the rakugo scene. The scandal remains a significant burden on Master Shiguma’s apprentices, particularly affecting Maikeru due to his close bond with Shinta Arakawa. The challenge intensifies with the animosity of Zensho Arakawa, one of the Arakawa Arch Four, who targets Maikeru for their similar performance styles.

Will Maikeru secure the approval of the Arakawa Arch Four and surmount the challenge that no one in the Arakawa school has dared attempt since the scandal long ago? Or will he succumb to the same fate that befell Akane’s father?