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Crunchyroll to Stream Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju Anime
posted on by Karen Ressler
Crunchyroll announced on Friday that it will stream the television anime of Haruko Kumota's historical manga Shōwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjū as it airs in Japan. The stream will premiere on Friday at 4:00 p.m. EST.
The stream will be available in the United States, Canada, Central and South America (including the Caribbean), United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, and Scandinavia.
The anime's first story revolves around a mature prisoner who was released on good behavior during Japan's Showa Genroku era (1960s to early 1970s). He is called Yotarō by others, a term that means an "anti-hero" or a "dim-witted man." When he returns to society, he starts a new life in rakugo (comic storytelling). Touched by Yakumo's role as the "grim reaper," he asks the master to take him in as an apprentice.
The anime's first episode will air as a one-hour special titled "Yotarō Hōrō-hen" (Yotarō Wandering), depicting Yotarō, recently released from prison, seeking apprenticeship under Yakumo Yūrakutei. The second episode will be titled "Yakumo to Sukeroku-hen" (Yakumo and Sukeroku).
Kumota began the manga in ITAN in 2010, and the series received the "Best General Manga" prize at the 38th Kodansha Manga Awards, and was also honored with the Excellence Award at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival Awards. The manga was also nominated for the 17th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize in 2013.
