TV Anime 'Akane-banashi' Cast Special Program to be Broadcast Exclusively and Free on 'ABEMA' on April 4th (Sat), the Day of the Premiere! Anna Nagase, Rie Takahashi, and Akihisa Shiono Provide an In-Depth Look at the Highlights!

The 'new future TV' service ABEMA will exclusively broadcast the special program 'TV Anime "Akane-banashi" Just Before the Broadcast! Roundtable Discussion' for free on April 4, 2026 (Saturday), at 10:30 PM, the day the anime begins airing.

TV anime 'Akane-banashi' is based on the rakugo manga by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue, currently serialized in 'Weekly Shonen Jump' (Shueisha). The story follows Akane Osaki, a girl who grew up captivated by the magical rakugo performances of her father, a rakugo performer. After a shocking incident involving her father's 'Shin-uchi promotion exam,' she dives into the world of rakugo herself, aiming to reach the highest rank of 'Shin-uchi.' The passionate drama of performers who stake their lives on their storytelling has garnered significant attention, earning high praise as a work that has pioneered a new genre of shonen manga. The long-awaited anime adaptation begins in April 2026. With a star-studded cast including Anna Nagase (as Akane Osaki), Takuya Eguchi (as Karashi Nerimaya), Rie Takahashi (as Hikaru Kōragu), and Akihisa Shiono (as Kaisei Arakawa), attention is focused on the deep world of rakugo and the authentic drama depicted in the animation.

The special program 'TV Anime "Akane-banashi" Just Before the Broadcast! Roundtable Discussion,' which will be broadcast exclusively and for free on ABEMA, will feature live appearances by Anna Nagase (Akane Osaki), Rie Takahashi (Hikaru Kōragu), and Akihisa Shiono (Kaisei Arakawa). They will provide an in-depth explanation of the story and the charm of the characters ahead of the TV anime premiere immediately following the special.

Additionally, a giveaway campaign is planned during the broadcast, so please be sure to watch and participate.

Furthermore, the TV anime 'Akane-banashi' will be available for early streaming on ABEMA starting at 12:00 AM on April 4 (Saturday). It will be broadcast for free in advance on the 'ABEMA Anime Channel,' and from then on, you can enjoy all episodes for free throughout the season, including the latest episodes.

ABEMA is the only place where you can enjoy this 'Akane-banashi' special featuring the star-studded cast. Please join the cast on ABEMA to enjoy the world of this highly anticipated, authentic rakugo story.

Overview of the Exclusive Free Live Broadcast: 'TV Anime "Akane-banashi" Just Before the Broadcast! Roundtable Discussion' <Broadcast Date & Time & Program URL> Broadcast Date & Time: April 4, 2026 (Sat), 10:30 PM – 11:30 PM Broadcast Channel: ABEMA Anime Channel 2 Program URL: https://abema.go.link/3zrpP Cast (titles omitted): Anna Nagase (as Akane Osaki), Rie Takahashi (as Hikaru Kōragu), Akihisa Shiono (as Kaisei Arakawa) *Available for free viewing after the broadcast until March 31, 2027.

TV Anime 'Akane-banashi' Early Streaming Starts on ABEMA on April 4 (Sat) at 12:00 AM! <Broadcast Date & Time & Program URL> Broadcast Date & Time: April 4, 2026 (Sat), 12:00 AM – (Every Saturday at 12:00 AM thereafter) Broadcast Channel: ABEMA Anime Channel Premiere URL: https://abema.go.link/34v3f *The latest episode will be available for free immediately after the broadcast. You can enjoy it for free throughout the season.

[Work Overview] <INTRODUCTION> Master the art with nothing but your own body—

Akane Osaki, who grew up watching the back of her father, rakugo performer Shinta Arakawa, and was captivated by his magical rakugo, witnesses a shocking incident at the big stage where her father challenges his Shin-uchi promotion exam.

Six years later—there stands Akane, now a high school student, pushing forward to reach the highest rank in the rakugo world, 'Shin-uchi.'

An authentic rakugo story where performers sharpen their skills at the pinnacle of storytelling—it begins here!!

<CAST> Akane Osaki: Anna Nagase Karashi Nerimaya: Takuya Eguchi Hikaru Kōragu: Rie Takahashi Kaisei Arakawa: Akihisa Shiono Shinta Arakawa (Toru Osaki): Jun Fukuyama Maikeru Arakawa: Nobunaga Shimazaki Koguma Arakawa: Chiaki Kobayashi Kyoji Arakawa: Yohei Azakami Guriko Arakawa: Seiichiro Yamashita Shiguma Arakawa: Masaki Terasoma Issho Arakawa: Akio Otsuka

<STAFF> Original Work: Yuki Suenaga, Takamasa Moue (Serialized in Shueisha's 'Weekly Shonen Jump') Director: Ayumu Watanabe Assistant Director: Yu Harima Series Composition: Rieko Tsuchiya Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Norie Tanaka Sub-Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Yasunari Nitta Chief Animation Director: Hisashi Kagawa Costume Design: Noriko Shimazawa Prop Design: Yoshinori Iwanaga Art Setting: Shuhei Tada Art: Takumi Eda Color Design: Saori Goda Director of Photography: Yuta Nakamura Editing: Kiyoshi Hirose Sound Director: Noriyoshi Konuma Music: Akio Izutsu Rakugo Supervisor: Kikuhiko Hayashiya Animation Production: ZEXCS

<THEME SONG> Opening Theme: Keisuke Kuwata 'Hitotarashi' (Taishita Label / Victor Entertainment) Digital release on April 3, 2026 (Fri) Song URL: https://taishita.lnk.to/hitotarashi

Official Website: https://akane-banashi.com/