Akane-banashi Anime World Premiere Events Coming to New York and Boston
Akane-banashi Anime World Premiere Events
Coming to New York and Boston!
Tokyo, Japan (February 19, 2026): TV Asahi is thrilled to announce authentic Rakugo-themed series Akane-banashi, written by Yūki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue and currently serialized in the Weekly Shonen Jump (SHUEISHA), will have a world premiere event in New York and a special screening event in Boston. The exclusive events will be ahead of the April 2026 broadcast on TV Asahi Network's “IMAnimation” programming block in Japan.
The Akane-banashi world premiere event in New York will be hosted at Japan Society (333 East 47th St) on April 1, 2026, at 8 PM ET and feature Rakugo master Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian-born Rakugo performer and one of the leading international figures in the art of traditional Japanese storytelling. Attendees will be the first in the world to watch episode 1 of Akane-banashi, along with rare behind-the-scenes footage offering insight into the anime's production, followed by a special Rakugo performance and talk by Katsura Sunshine. Tickets are $22 for Japan Society members and $28 for nonmembers. Ticket sales will begin March 2 on the Japan Society website (japansociety.org/film). All attendees will be given an original tenugui (hand towel), which are exclusive items available only at this event.
In Boston, Akane-banashi Special Screening presented by TV Asahi, will be held at Anime Boston at the Hynes Convention Center on April 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET. Katsura Sunshine will also be in attendance with a special Rakugo performance and talk sharing cultural insights and more about Rakugo. Anime Boston attendees will have the opportunity to attend this special screening, subject to panel room capacity and availability. All attendees will get an original button badge.
▼Comment from Anna Nagase
Hello everyone in the U.S.! I'm Anna Nagase, the voice of Akane!
Anime Akane-banashi is finally about to begin. Please look forward to the unique direction, music, and voice performances that only animation can bring to life. And I hope you'll discover just how fun Rakugo is!
I hope you enjoy the premiere events of Akane-banashi and thank you so much for your support!
▼Comment from Katsura Sunshine
My friends, the super popular Rakugo manga is becoming an anime! Join me at the World Premiere in New York and the Special Screening in Boston to be among the first to experience what's going to be a smash hit anime!
▼Comment from Kazuki Endo
Hello everyone in America!
Akane-banashi, a popular manga from Weekly Shonen Jump, is finally becoming an anime! Akane is a straightforward girl who looks up to her father, a Rakugo performer, and works hard toward her dream of becoming a Shin'uchi. As she meets a variety of masters and rivals and keeps pushing herself forward, I'm sure everyone will be cheering her on.
We've put a lot of heart into bringing Rakugo to life. We really hope you'll watch and enjoy it!
About Katsura Sunshine:
Katsura Sunshine completed his grueling traditional apprenticeship in Rakugo comic storytelling under the great Rakugo Master Katsura Bunshi VI in 2011. His performances have delighted audiences throughout the world as well as all over Japan. Sunshine has graced the Broadway stage with a different delightful Japanese story each month since 2019, at the famous New World Stages in Manhattan.
Official Website: https://www.rakugo.lol/
About Akane-banashi
"With only your voice and body—master the art."
Akane Osaki, captivated since childhood by the magical performances of her father, Shinta Arakawa, witnesses a shocking incident during his decisive performance for promotion to Shin'uchi (master rank).
Six years later, now a high school student, she sets her sights on becoming a Shin'uchi herself—pushing forward in the highly competitive world of Rakugo.
A passionate and authentic Rakugo drama begins now!
Production Credits:
Original Work: Yūki Suenaga, Takamasa Moue
Director: Ayumu Watanabe
Assistant Director: Yu Harimago
Series Composer: Michihiro Tsuchiya
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Kii Tanaka
Sub Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yasunari Nitta
Chief Animation Director: Hisashi Kagawa
Costume Design: Noriko Shimazawa
Prop Design: Yoshinori Iwanaga
Art Design: Shūhei Tada
Art: Takumi Sakurada
Color Design: Saori Goda
Photography Director: Yūta Nakamura
Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
Sound Director: Noriyoshi Konuma
Music: Akio Izutsu
Rakugo Supervision: Kikuhiko Hayashiya
Animation Studio: ZEXCS
Cast:
Akane Osaki: Anna Nagase
Karashi Nerimaya: Takuya Eguchi
Hikaru Koragi: Rie Takahashi
Shinta Arakawa (Tohru Osaki): Jun Fukuyama
Maikeru Arakawa: Nobunaga Shimazaki
Koguma Arakawa: Chiaki Kobayashi
Kyoji Arakawa: Yōhei Azakami
Guriko Arakawa: Seiichirō Yamashita
Shiguma Arakawa: Masaki Terasoma
Issho Arakawa: Akio Ōtsuka
For more information, please see below:
Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Akane-banashi_en
Official TikTok: https://www.TikTok.com/@Akane-banashi_en
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Akane-banashi_en/
Official Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/Akane-banashi.en
Official Website: https://Akane-banashi.com/
About TV Asahi:
TV Asahi Corporation is a national commercial broadcaster in Japan, leading the Japanese content industry and having 23 network affiliate stations covering the nation. TV Asahi produces and airs animation such as "Doraemon" from 1979, "Shin-chan" from 1992, and the more recent "The Dangers in My Heart" and “SHOSHIMIN: How to become Ordinary”. TV Asahi is also actively expanding into new businesses, including the production of original anime series in India and collaborative projects with partnering studios in Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the US.
Coming to New York and Boston!
Tokyo, Japan (February 19, 2026): TV Asahi is thrilled to announce authentic Rakugo-themed series Akane-banashi, written by Yūki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue and currently serialized in the Weekly Shonen Jump (SHUEISHA), will have a world premiere event in New York and a special screening event in Boston. The exclusive events will be ahead of the April 2026 broadcast on TV Asahi Network's “IMAnimation” programming block in Japan.
The Akane-banashi world premiere event in New York will be hosted at Japan Society (333 East 47th St) on April 1, 2026, at 8 PM ET and feature Rakugo master Katsura Sunshine, a Canadian-born Rakugo performer and one of the leading international figures in the art of traditional Japanese storytelling. Attendees will be the first in the world to watch episode 1 of Akane-banashi, along with rare behind-the-scenes footage offering insight into the anime's production, followed by a special Rakugo performance and talk by Katsura Sunshine. Tickets are $22 for Japan Society members and $28 for nonmembers. Ticket sales will begin March 2 on the Japan Society website (japansociety.org/film). All attendees will be given an original tenugui (hand towel), which are exclusive items available only at this event.
In Boston, Akane-banashi Special Screening presented by TV Asahi, will be held at Anime Boston at the Hynes Convention Center on April 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM ET. Katsura Sunshine will also be in attendance with a special Rakugo performance and talk sharing cultural insights and more about Rakugo. Anime Boston attendees will have the opportunity to attend this special screening, subject to panel room capacity and availability. All attendees will get an original button badge.
▼Comment from Anna Nagase
Hello everyone in the U.S.! I'm Anna Nagase, the voice of Akane!
Anime Akane-banashi is finally about to begin. Please look forward to the unique direction, music, and voice performances that only animation can bring to life. And I hope you'll discover just how fun Rakugo is!
I hope you enjoy the premiere events of Akane-banashi and thank you so much for your support!
▼Comment from Katsura Sunshine
My friends, the super popular Rakugo manga is becoming an anime! Join me at the World Premiere in New York and the Special Screening in Boston to be among the first to experience what's going to be a smash hit anime!
▼Comment from Kazuki Endo
Hello everyone in America!
Akane-banashi, a popular manga from Weekly Shonen Jump, is finally becoming an anime! Akane is a straightforward girl who looks up to her father, a Rakugo performer, and works hard toward her dream of becoming a Shin'uchi. As she meets a variety of masters and rivals and keeps pushing herself forward, I'm sure everyone will be cheering her on.
We've put a lot of heart into bringing Rakugo to life. We really hope you'll watch and enjoy it!
About Katsura Sunshine:
Katsura Sunshine completed his grueling traditional apprenticeship in Rakugo comic storytelling under the great Rakugo Master Katsura Bunshi VI in 2011. His performances have delighted audiences throughout the world as well as all over Japan. Sunshine has graced the Broadway stage with a different delightful Japanese story each month since 2019, at the famous New World Stages in Manhattan.
Official Website: https://www.rakugo.lol/
About Akane-banashi
"With only your voice and body—master the art."
Akane Osaki, captivated since childhood by the magical performances of her father, Shinta Arakawa, witnesses a shocking incident during his decisive performance for promotion to Shin'uchi (master rank).
Six years later, now a high school student, she sets her sights on becoming a Shin'uchi herself—pushing forward in the highly competitive world of Rakugo.
A passionate and authentic Rakugo drama begins now!
Production Credits:
Original Work: Yūki Suenaga, Takamasa Moue
Director: Ayumu Watanabe
Assistant Director: Yu Harimago
Series Composer: Michihiro Tsuchiya
Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Kii Tanaka
Sub Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Yasunari Nitta
Chief Animation Director: Hisashi Kagawa
Costume Design: Noriko Shimazawa
Prop Design: Yoshinori Iwanaga
Art Design: Shūhei Tada
Art: Takumi Sakurada
Color Design: Saori Goda
Photography Director: Yūta Nakamura
Editor: Kiyoshi Hirose
Sound Director: Noriyoshi Konuma
Music: Akio Izutsu
Rakugo Supervision: Kikuhiko Hayashiya
Animation Studio: ZEXCS
Cast:
Akane Osaki: Anna Nagase
Karashi Nerimaya: Takuya Eguchi
Hikaru Koragi: Rie Takahashi
Shinta Arakawa (Tohru Osaki): Jun Fukuyama
Maikeru Arakawa: Nobunaga Shimazaki
Koguma Arakawa: Chiaki Kobayashi
Kyoji Arakawa: Yōhei Azakami
Guriko Arakawa: Seiichirō Yamashita
Shiguma Arakawa: Masaki Terasoma
Issho Arakawa: Akio Ōtsuka
For more information, please see below:
Official X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/Akane-banashi_en
Official TikTok: https://www.TikTok.com/@Akane-banashi_en
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Akane-banashi_en/
Official Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/Akane-banashi.en
Official Website: https://Akane-banashi.com/
About TV Asahi:
TV Asahi Corporation is a national commercial broadcaster in Japan, leading the Japanese content industry and having 23 network affiliate stations covering the nation. TV Asahi produces and airs animation such as "Doraemon" from 1979, "Shin-chan" from 1992, and the more recent "The Dangers in My Heart" and “SHOSHIMIN: How to become Ordinary”. TV Asahi is also actively expanding into new businesses, including the production of original anime series in India and collaborative projects with partnering studios in Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the US.
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