Akane-banashi fans have a new reason to celebrate. TV Asahi confirmed this Saturday that the anime will get a second season, with a premiere scheduled for January 2027. The announcement came right after the airing of the final episode of the first season, which concluded the Karaku Cup arc .
- Akane-banashi reveals new video for the Karaku Cup arc
- The anime Akane Banashi premieres in April 2026
The news also came with a commemorative illustration created by Kii Tanaka, who is responsible for the character design of the series.
New phase follows Akane's evolution
The next season will continue the journey of Akane Osaki, who, after finishing high school, officially becomes Shiguma Arakawa. Now using the stage name Akane Arakawa, the protagonist begins her professional career in the competitive world of rakugo.

However, in addition to the confirmation of the sequel, six new characters were introduced in the final episode of the first season. Among the announced voice actors are Hōchū Ōtsuka, Ryōtarō Okiayu, Hiroshi Naka, Mutsumi Tamura, Shinichirō Miki, and Tomokazu Seki.

Manga success fuels adaptation
Based on the manga by Yūki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue, published since 2022 in Weekly Shonen Jump, Akane-banashi has gained prominence for its detailed portrayal of the traditional art of rakugo. As a result, the work has also received important nominations, including the Manga Taisho and the Kodansha Manga Awards.
The first season was produced by studio ZEXCS, directed by Ayumu Watanabe. While waiting for the new season, readers can follow the manga and stay tuned for updates on AnimeNews, which continues to provide news about anime, manga, and releases from the Japanese industry.
