Tokusatsu actors in anime voice work is cool—Akihisa Shiono bringing his experience from Kyoryuger and live-action adaptations adds interesting crossover appeal. Rakugo anime are so underrepresented and unique—traditional Japanese storytelling arts rarely get adapted, making this series special. The apprenticeship story sounds compelling; Akane navigating formal training while dealing with fellow apprentices creates natural drama. Ayumu Watanabe directing ensures quality—his work on Summer Time Rendering proved he can handle character-driven narratives beautifully.

The anime adaptation of the rakugo manga series Akane-banashi just introduced another talented storyteller. And this particular casting announcement will catch the attention of Super Sentai fans! Akihisa Shiono will voice Kaisei Arakawa, another of Issho Arakawa's students who specializes in realistic female voices.

Akane-banashi anime key visual

WATCH THE ANIME TRAILER: Akane-banashi Anime Trailer

New Cast Member

Kaisei Arakawa - Akihisa Shiono

Fans may recognize Shiono as Kyoryu Green from 2013's Kyoryuger. Other notable roles include Daichi in the live-action adaptation of Mob Psycho 100 and Kantaro Okuyama in the live-action Golden Kamuy TV series and upcoming film.

Main Production Staff

Director: Ayumu Watanabe (Summer Time Rendering)

Animation Studio: ZEXCS

Series Composition: Michihiro Tsuchiya (Saint Cecilia & Pastor Lawrence scriptwriter)

Character Design: Kii Tanaka (Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead)

Music: Akio Izutsu (Akuma Kun)

Rakugo Supervisor: Kikuhiko Hayashiya

Additional Staff

Assistant Director: Yu Harima Sub Character Designer: Yasunari Nitta Chief Animation Directors: Kii Tanaka, Yasunari Nitta, Hisashi Kagawa Costume Designer: Noriko Shimazawa Prop Designer: Yoshinori Iwanaga Art Designer: Shuhei Tada Art: Takumi Sakurada Color Designer: Saori Goda Director of Photography: Yuta Nakamura Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose Sound Director: Noriyoshi Konuma

About the Manga

The original manga by Yuki Suenaga (story) and Takamasa Moue (art) began in February 2022 with 19 volumes released in Japan to date. VIZ Media releases an English-language version of the manga.

The Story

Akane unintentionally stirs up a scandal when she's discovered taking informal lessons from her father's former teacher, Shiguma Arakawa. And she's about to make even bigger waves because she is about to begin her first steps in climbing the ranks of a rakugo performer from zenza opening act to shin'uchi headliner is exchanging her secret lessons for formal training. But she'll still have to finish high school and navigate her relationship with Shiguma's existing apprentices, all while learning that becoming a stellar rakugoka takes much more than just being good at performing!

Are you excited for Akane-banashi? Do you follow tokusatsu actors? Have you read the manga? What do you know about rakugo? Share your thoughts in the comments below!