Akane-banashi · Episode 7
Karaku Cup
2026-05-1625 min
It's the day of the Karaku Cup preliminary round. This year, all eyes are on the defending two-time champion, Karashi Nerimaya, and a rising young voice actress, Hikaru Koragi. But Kaisei, the emcee of the event, has told a reporter that his money is on Akane, an unknown high school student, to win it all. At the venue, Koguma, Guriko, and Ms. Iwashimizu are ready to watch over Akane from their seats. Facing such stiff competition, can Akane advance past the prelims with "Jugemu"?
1That Day2026-04-0425 minAkane Osaki, a fifth-grade student, captivated by the magical Rakugo performance of her father, Shinta Arakawa. Determined to support the family who have always stood behind his dream, Shinta takes on the promotion exam to achieve the highest rank in the Rakugo world—Shin’uchi. As Akane and the others look on, Shinta delivers a performance that showcases his true skill. However, the exam takes a shocking and completely unexpected turn that no one could have foreseen.
2First Performance2026-04-1125 minGuriko Arakawa, a fledgling Futatsume (the second-highest rank Rakugo performer), begins investigating a rumor that his master, Shiguma Arakawa, has been secretly meeting a young woman. What he discovers, however, is Akane, now a high school student, receiving private Rakugo lessons from Shiguma at a karaoke box. Around that time, Shiguma receives word that a performer is urgently needed to fill a slot at an event at “Rakugo Cafe.” Yet instead of choosing the more experienced Guriko, Shiguma unexpectedly nominates Akane.
3Senior Apprentices2026-04-1825 minAfter performing for the first time and being motivated by Kaisei Arakawa's Rakugo performance, Akane is officially accepted as Shiguma's apprentice. He introduces her to her unique senior apprentices and the disciplined Kyoji Arakawa takes her under his wing. Akane is sure that she’ll get to hone her artistic Rakugo skills, but all Kyoji orders her to do is menial tasks. On top of that, he sends her to train at the most unexpected place…
4Beyond Joy2026-04-2525 minDuring her training at the Izakaya “Umi”, Akane learns the art of “attentiveness”. Kyoji takes her to his next job at a retirement home, where Rakugo is the recreational event of the day. Determined to make sure her elderly audience members enjoy themselves, Akane shows off the results of her training on stage. Following her, Kyoji takes the stage, determined to show her the dignity and authority as her senior apprentice.
5Her Path Forward2026-05-0225 minNow that midterms are over, senior high schooler Akane, can finally breathe a sigh of relief—but only for a fleeting moment. She is soon called in for a career counseling session with her homeroom teacher, Ms. Iwashimizu, a.k.a. the “Ice Lady.” Though Akane's set on becoming a Rakugoka, Iwashimizu is insistent that she instead go to college, a more realistic goal. Desperate to win her over, Akane turns to her friends for advice on how to change her mind...
6Terakoya2026-05-0925 minThe Karaku Cup is a Rakugo contest for students. When Akane learns that Issho Arakawa will be presiding as its chief judge, she asks Shiguma for permission to enter. He gives her one condition: To win with "Jugemu". It's a tall order for her to try to win with such a well-known story, so along with Guriko, Akane turns to Koguma Arakawa, the "Terakoya," a grassroots teacher of the Shiguma School, for advice. Koguma's a walking encyclopedia of Rakugo, but...
7Karaku Cup2026-05-1625 minIt's the day of the Karaku Cup preliminary round. This year, all eyes are on the defending two-time champion, Karashi Nerimaya, and a rising young voice actress, Hikaru Koragi. But Kaisei, the emcee of the event, has told a reporter that his money is on Akane, an unknown high school student, to win it all. At the venue, Koguma, Guriko, and Ms. Iwashimizu are ready to watch over Akane from their seats. Facing such stiff competition, can Akane advance past the prelims with "Jugemu"?8What They Want2026-05-2325 minThe Karaku Cup finals are now underway. The chief judge, Issho Arakawa, has taken his place at the venue. Following a stream of performances, it's time for one of the frontrunners, Karashi Nerimaya, to take the stage. Karashi's specialty is "Modernized Rakugo", — modern interpretations of classic Rakugo stories. This bold approach gets him some big laughs from the audience, but what will Issho's verdict be?
9Expressionist2026-05-3025 minThe Karaku Cup final continues. Following Karashi, voice actress Hikaru Koragi takes the stage. Determined to be judged not for her looks, but for her acting skills, she competes in the Karaku Cup. To showcase her expressiveness, she performs a sentimental story. Coincidentally, it's "Shibahama" - the story that Shinta performed during his Shin'uchi Promotion Test six years ago. Hikaru's passionate performance rocks the audience, and in its wake, Akane takes the stage at last.
10Jugemu2026-06-0625 minIn contrast to her performance in the prelims, where she put her enunciation skills on full display, Akane delivers "Jugemu" in a relatively relaxed manner during the finals. Karashi and Hikaru suspect that she's throwing the match, but in fact, she's taken a true Rakugoka's approach - bringing the audience down from the high of the previous sets into a comfortable lull. As she leans into her characters' emotions, effortlessly enthralling her listeners with her gentle tone, Akane gradually reaches a new level in her performance.
11Answer2026-06-1325 minFace to face with Issho Arakawa, Akane asks him point-blank why he had expelled Shinta. After he sends the journalists out of the room, Issho informs her that he can see right through the fact that Akane is training under Shiguma. As Akane flinches, he reveals the truth behind the expulsion six years ago- the truth he has never shared before. Now that she's finally learned the reason behind her father's expulsion, what could be going through Akane's mind?
12Graduation2026-06-2025 minAfter winning the Karaku Cup, Akane suddenly finds herself in the spotlight at school. But unconvinced that her performance was good enough to blow Issho away, she has mixed feelings about it all. And now, graduation day is approaching. Motivated by Akane’s success, her friends have started to pursue their own dreams. Meanwhile, Shiguma racks his brain, trying to come up with a stage name for Akane, who’ll officially become his apprentice once she graduates. And as her thoughts turn to her father, Shinta, Akane ponders the meaning of her own given name.
2First Performance2026-04-1125 minGuriko Arakawa, a fledgling Futatsume (the second-highest rank Rakugo performer), begins investigating a rumor that his master, Shiguma Arakawa, has been secretly meeting a young woman. What he discovers, however, is Akane, now a high school student, receiving private Rakugo lessons from Shiguma at a karaoke box. Around that time, Shiguma receives word that a performer is urgently needed to fill a slot at an event at “Rakugo Cafe.” Yet instead of choosing the more experienced Guriko, Shiguma unexpectedly nominates Akane.3Senior Apprentices2026-04-1825 minAfter performing for the first time and being motivated by Kaisei Arakawa's Rakugo performance, Akane is officially accepted as Shiguma's apprentice. He introduces her to her unique senior apprentices and the disciplined Kyoji Arakawa takes her under his wing. Akane is sure that she’ll get to hone her artistic Rakugo skills, but all Kyoji orders her to do is menial tasks. On top of that, he sends her to train at the most unexpected place…4Beyond Joy2026-04-2525 minDuring her training at the Izakaya “Umi”, Akane learns the art of “attentiveness”. Kyoji takes her to his next job at a retirement home, where Rakugo is the recreational event of the day. Determined to make sure her elderly audience members enjoy themselves, Akane shows off the results of her training on stage. Following her, Kyoji takes the stage, determined to show her the dignity and authority as her senior apprentice.5Her Path Forward2026-05-0225 minNow that midterms are over, senior high schooler Akane, can finally breathe a sigh of relief—but only for a fleeting moment. She is soon called in for a career counseling session with her homeroom teacher, Ms. Iwashimizu, a.k.a. the “Ice Lady.” Though Akane's set on becoming a Rakugoka, Iwashimizu is insistent that she instead go to college, a more realistic goal. Desperate to win her over, Akane turns to her friends for advice on how to change her mind...6Terakoya2026-05-0925 minThe Karaku Cup is a Rakugo contest for students. When Akane learns that Issho Arakawa will be presiding as its chief judge, she asks Shiguma for permission to enter. He gives her one condition: To win with "Jugemu". It's a tall order for her to try to win with such a well-known story, so along with Guriko, Akane turns to Koguma Arakawa, the "Terakoya," a grassroots teacher of the Shiguma School, for advice. Koguma's a walking encyclopedia of Rakugo, but...7Karaku Cup2026-05-1625 minIt's the day of the Karaku Cup preliminary round. This year, all eyes are on the defending two-time champion, Karashi Nerimaya, and a rising young voice actress, Hikaru Koragi. But Kaisei, the emcee of the event, has told a reporter that his money is on Akane, an unknown high school student, to win it all. At the venue, Koguma, Guriko, and Ms. Iwashimizu are ready to watch over Akane from their seats. Facing such stiff competition, can Akane advance past the prelims with "Jugemu"?8What They Want2026-05-2325 minThe Karaku Cup finals are now underway. The chief judge, Issho Arakawa, has taken his place at the venue. Following a stream of performances, it's time for one of the frontrunners, Karashi Nerimaya, to take the stage. Karashi's specialty is "Modernized Rakugo", — modern interpretations of classic Rakugo stories. This bold approach gets him some big laughs from the audience, but what will Issho's verdict be?9Expressionist2026-05-3025 minThe Karaku Cup final continues. Following Karashi, voice actress Hikaru Koragi takes the stage. Determined to be judged not for her looks, but for her acting skills, she competes in the Karaku Cup. To showcase her expressiveness, she performs a sentimental story. Coincidentally, it's "Shibahama" - the story that Shinta performed during his Shin'uchi Promotion Test six years ago. Hikaru's passionate performance rocks the audience, and in its wake, Akane takes the stage at last.10Jugemu2026-06-0625 minIn contrast to her performance in the prelims, where she put her enunciation skills on full display, Akane delivers "Jugemu" in a relatively relaxed manner during the finals. Karashi and Hikaru suspect that she's throwing the match, but in fact, she's taken a true Rakugoka's approach - bringing the audience down from the high of the previous sets into a comfortable lull. As she leans into her characters' emotions, effortlessly enthralling her listeners with her gentle tone, Akane gradually reaches a new level in her performance.11Answer2026-06-1325 minFace to face with Issho Arakawa, Akane asks him point-blank why he had expelled Shinta. After he sends the journalists out of the room, Issho informs her that he can see right through the fact that Akane is training under Shiguma. As Akane flinches, he reveals the truth behind the expulsion six years ago- the truth he has never shared before. Now that she's finally learned the reason behind her father's expulsion, what could be going through Akane's mind?12Graduation2026-06-2025 minAfter winning the Karaku Cup, Akane suddenly finds herself in the spotlight at school. But unconvinced that her performance was good enough to blow Issho away, she has mixed feelings about it all. And now, graduation day is approaching. Motivated by Akane’s success, her friends have started to pursue their own dreams. Meanwhile, Shiguma racks his brain, trying to come up with a stage name for Akane, who’ll officially become his apprentice once she graduates. And as her thoughts turn to her father, Shinta, Akane ponders the meaning of her own given name.
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