Akane-banashi (2026) s01e03 Episode Script

ORIGINAL STORY BY:
YUKI SUENAGA AND TAKAMASA MOUE
All right.
Pardon me!
Master, I've brought you some tea.
Hey! Long time no see, Masaki!
How've you been?
Well, well, Masaki.
It's been a long time.
How are things with you?
Yo! Master Masaki, long time no see!
Tell me, how's it going?
Master.
What the heck are you doing?
- They're here?
- I'll get the door!
Right, right. Get the door!
- It was peaches!
- Peaches, huh?
When our guests arrive,
prepare a plate for them.
Right!
Master, you sure are keyed up!
I see.
So you're telling me your desire
to train under me is even stronger now?
Yes. It hit me hard
that at my skill level now,
I'll never reach the rank of Shin'uchi.
I want to hone my skills more.
I don't want to waste
even a second or a minute.
So, please,
allow me to become your apprentice!
Fine. I'll accept you as my apprentice.
Yeah!
No, I can't let myself
be satisfied with this.
This is just the start line!
That said, your official apprenticeship
will start next spring,
after you've graduated high school.
Until then, you'll be coming here
as a trainee.
- Understood?
- Yes!
Also, you're to come here
on an official visit with your parents.
My parents?
As a profession, Rakugo is unstable.
And your family has been through a lot.
Um, Dad's in Tokyo for work,
so he's not here.
Can I come with just my mom?
Yes, I know. That's fine.
Understood! See you tomorrow, then!
Tomorrow?
U-Uh, right. Great!
Look at me sweating bullets
when I'm the one who summoned them.
How pathetic.
SAIWAI HALL
TODAY'S EVEN
I haven't seen Masaki since that day, huh?
I never even told her
that I was teaching Akane Rakugo.
How am I supposed to act when I see her?
That kid's father
was the master's top apprentice,
Shinta Ani-san,
who got expelled six years ago.
Of course, it's gonna be awkward.
Pardon us!
Hold on. Should we
be barging in like this?
Why not? It was open, anyway.
Oh, Master, I brought Mom with me.
Dummy! You should call me "Mother"
at times like these.
Master Shiguma,
I haven't seen you since that day.
It's been a long time.
R-Right, Masa-chan.
Long time… no see.
Thank you for your hospitality.
No, no. It's nothing.
There's an unpleasant
grownup vibe washing over us.
Awkward!
Hey. These peaches are misshapen, huh?
Damn, can't you read the room?
I need to apologize to you
for something, Masaki.
I've been training Akane in Rakugo
for the last six years.
Part of it was because
her passion overwhelmed me.
But it was mainly to atone
for what happened to Shinta
and to make this kid give up on her dream.
Even so, I should've spoken to you
before we got to this point.
I'm so sorry for not telling you.
Excuse me. I knew.
What?
That you'd taken Akane under your wing.
You knew about it?
Yes. Because this girl
blabs about everything.
Well, it's not something
I needed to hide, right?
Then you're fine
with her performing Rakugo?
Oh, I'm totally against it!
Since that incident happened.
Then, why?
It's no use trying to stop her.
Not this girl.
I also went against my own parents'
wishes to become a hairdresser.
She takes after me,
so there's nothing I can do.
And I knew that
you were taking good care of her.
Most of all, my husband told me,
"If it's Master Shiguma,
there's nothing to worry about."
Masaki. I couldn't protect
my own apprentice.
So I'm not fit to take on another.
But as I continued to watch
this kid's Rakugo, I started to dream.
I wondered what kind of Rakugoka
Akane would become.
You may be thinking,
"Isn't it too late for this?"
But if you would allow me to take her on…
Incompetent as I am, I, Shiguma Arakawa
will pour all my heart and soul
into training this child
to become a fine Rakugoka. I swear it!
Master! Same here!
I will become a Rakugoka
worthy of your name, Master.
Please look after me!
All right, me too.
Please look after my daughter.
You've received your family's approval.
Once you've graduated high school,
you'll be my apprentice.
I'm sure you already know this,
but Rakugoka are assigned ranks,
and they rise through the hierarchy
according to their experience and skills.
Zenza.
The training period
when becoming a Rakugoka.
While being consumed
by daily chores and training,
you build up your foundation
as a Rakugoka.
Futatsume.
Those who've been recognized as Rakugoka
use this period to hone their craft.
You're also allowed to wear haori
and hakama from the Futatsume tier.
Shin'uchi.
The pinnacle of the Rakugo world.
At the Arakawa School,
the Shin'uchi rank is conferred to those
who've become masters of their craft.
While striving to elevate
their personal art form,
they're also permitted to take on
apprentices and train the next generation.
Your official apprenticeship
starts next spring.
That said, there's no time
to waste idling about!
Let me introduce you.
These four are my students.
They're all Futatsume,
and every one of them is a piece of work.
Starting now, these four will drive
the basics of Rakugo into your head.
The training will be tough,
but you can handle it, right?
Of course I can!
Uh, Master. About that…
We respectfully decline.
Huh? You didn't tell them?
Listen, you rogues!
It's your job as elder fellow apprentices
to look after the newly accepted students!
That's true, but it's been six years?
Seven, since Guriko?
If our first new student in years
quits because of me…
Nope nope nope nope nope nope!
Master, come on, it's me!
That kid will fall head over heels
in love with me for sure!
A romance that would be against the rules!
Don't you agree, Guririn?
- Huh? Well, um…
- Grr…
- Th-Then I'll do--
- Let me look after her, for starters.
KYOJI ARAKAWA
Master, is that all right with you?
- Fine by me.
- Grin!
Kyoji, I'm leaving her in your hands.
As you wish.
Guriko. Your concern for your
younger apprentice is commendable.
But you've only just become a Futatsume.
Right now, you need to focus
on honing your own craft.
Right.
You, there. Come over here.
The younger Rakugoka
always greet the others first.
Uh, right.
My name is Akane Osaki.
Pleased to meet you.
- Yeah. That's a polite, good bow.
- What?
Every performance starts
and ends with a bow.
The sight of a polite bow
is also pleasing to the audience.
Wow, he's really pouring it on
with the compliments!
He might be a nice guy.
I'm Kyoji Arakawa.
You'll be accompanying me
for the time being.
What's your school schedule?
Oh, you don't have to worry about that.
It'll be totally fine if I ditch class.
Idiot!
The high school that your parents put
you in, with your best interests at heart.
You're saying you want to ditch it?
Outrageous!
As a student, your duty is to study!
Don't get your priorities wrong!
R-Right.
As long as we're clear, it's fine.
That was one quick baptism by fire.
Ever since Shinta Ani-san was expelled,
Kyoji Ani-san has taken charge
of the Shiguma School apprentices.
He's also known as…
the Magistrate of the Shiguma School!
All right, I'm texting you
the address of tomorrow's venue.
Oh, crap. This guy…
I think he's the type
that I totally can't deal with!
STUDIO THREE
All right, though you're still a novice…
I will now teach you what you need
to learn for your Zenza training!
- Soak in all you can!
- Thanks!
It's finally starting today.
My road to becoming a Shin'uchi
and catching up to that guy.
I'll master it all right away!
All right, let's begin!
- Start by straightening everyone's shoes!
- Right!
Greet others properly!
They're the proprietors of this venue.
Right!
When you get to the dressing room,
serve tea!
- Make it hot and strong.
- Right!
- Help me get dressed!
- Right!
Fold my discarded clothes neatly!
- And also…
- Wait…
It's all menial chores!
What did you expect?
When you've just started training,
your job is all those chores
that you just did.
I bet you're thinking,
"That has nothing to do with Rakugo."
But Rakugo is all about making the people
in front of you happy.
You can't handle this job if you can't
make one person around you happy.
You have to think about what would make
that person happy
and constantly anticipate their needs.
Rakugoka call this "attentiveness."
If you can't even do that,
you'll never become a Zenza.
Right.
Attentiveness, huh?
But at the end of the day, it's the Rakugo
that makes the audience happy!
That guy even said so.
In Rakugo, artistic skill counts the most!
It's art! In the end,
Rakugo is all about art!
Good morning!
Mr. Hakushu Kashiwaya
just arrived. Greet him!
Yo.
So you're Akane, huh?
I heard about you,
but you really are young!
Listen, can you take the stage today?
- What?
- Hakushu!
She's going to be apprenticed, right?
It's just you and me performing, anyway.
I can do it! I have my kimono, too!
Please allow me to take the stage!
FUTATSUME PERFORMANCE
PEOPLE
FUTATSUME PERFORMANCE
I don't agree with putting someone
on stage before they've been apprenticed.
I've at least
drilled the stories into her.
She's not an official apprentice,
but you can put her on stage.
Guess we'll see what she's got.
I'm not as nervous as I was before.
I can see my surroundings, too.
All right. Here goes!
I'm going to make him realize
that in Rakugo, it's art that's crucial!
Well, you know how they say that
borrowed plumes will soon come off.
Apparently, mimicking others
doesn't ever go well.
This Makura…
Is she going to perform
"Praising Children"?
Hattsan? What are you doing here?
Well, I just heard from someone nearby…
I see. She's good, all right.
Not just her performance
and how expressive she is,
but more than anything,
her sitting posture is lovely.
Oh, looks like you heard it wrong.
Some relatives send me sake…
Her core is stable,
as if she's rooted to the stage.
That's not something
you acquire overnight.
She must've put in tireless work
to hone that skill.
But…
Free, three, who cares which one?
Just give me a drink, you cheapskate!
Huh?
How can you call me a cheapskate?
It's not like I'm a total bust,
but I don't know.
It's not like the response I got before.
- A compliment?
- That's right.
No, it's fine!
If I let out everything I've learned,
then they'll laugh!
That's how it works, see?
Oh, so there are ways to get it done, huh?
But why? I think I'm doing okay.
"I've at least drilled the stories
into her," huh?
Master, now I really understand
what you meant.
You look depressed.
You weren't happy
with your performance today?
Talk about insolent.
Hakushu's kindness
is what allowed you to take the stage.
It's not that I'm unhappy. Not at all!
I couldn't be more grateful.
Hearing Mr. Hakushu and the audience
praise me made me so happy.
But more than that, not getting
huge waves of laughter really stung.
That never would've
happened to him, I bet.
I found out how lame I am.
I have to train harder
and polish my Rakugo more.
So if you can just polish your craft,
you can satisfy the audience?
Uh, well, isn't that what it's about?
You sure are arrogant.
Your Rakugo couldn't be more selfish.
Self…
Huh? What do you mean?
Let me ask you, then.
There were a lot
of older audience members today.
How did you tailor your act
to get laughs out of them?
Well, that's…
If I let out everything I've learned,
then they'll laugh!
About today's performance,
to me it seemed like…
you were throwing 93 mph balls
over and over.
The pitches seem incredible
because they're fast,
but since they don't land in the strike
zone, your performance isn't funny.
I acknowledge your talent.
But Rakugo is all about how much
you can make the audience laugh.
It's not inward that you need
to gaze into right now.
It's outward.
I've given them a heads-up.
Starting tomorrow, you'll be going there.
How can you perform Rakugo
in a way that makes others happy?
Find the answer to the question yourself.
Understood! I'll get it done!
UMI
Wait, the place where
I'm supposed to learn is an izakaya?
Huh? Wait, did he just want
to get rid of me?
Like he's saying, "You're in the way,
so buzz off!" So deflating.
Hey, newbie! Get to work!
Still, even though I've only known him
for a couple of days, I really get him.
I know that he's going to teach me
all kinds of stuff.
My experience here
has a purpose, for sure!
Welcome! Do you have a reservation?
Huh? No, I don't…
A newcomer! Please, have a seat over here!
An izakaya, customer service,
and attentiveness…
There's only one answer.
He wants me to learn attentiveness here
and use it in my Rakugo!
I'm going to apply myself
and learn it right away!
Welcome!
You sent Akane to Izakaya Umi, the bar?
Yes. I have a lot of regional work
this week, so I can't accompany her.
I thought it would be a good opportunity.
I see. She's at Miku-chan's place, huh?
Things are getting interesting, eh?
Welcome!
Would you like something
from our specials menu?
We make this dish with Spanish mackerel!
We're not ready.
- And here we have our pride and joy…
- Akane!
I hate to tell you this,
but you're trying a little too hard, okay?
You might want to dial down
the volume of your voice, too.
But aren't you supposed to be cheerful
and energetic towards customers at a bar?
I just looked it up online!
Oh, sure, of course,
that's also really important.
But listen, before you try so hard,
you have to look at people first.
That's what the manager told me.
What do you think that means?
That trying hard isn't good, maybe?
Who knows, really?
Hiiragi-san, I'm really
struggling with this!
Well, I don't think it's a bad thing.
But I think the important thing
isn't just to try hard,
and instead, we want people
to come here again?
After all, this isn't a sport.
Why don't you try it the way
he told you for now?
Thanks for waiting!
PACIFIC SAURY SUSHI
Right. Got it.
No, I'm telling you…
I'm not complaining, okay?
I'm so wiped!
I tried all the things I looked up,
but none of it is working.
And I'm just causing Hiiragi-san trouble.
Wait, am I doing the same thing again?
Taking what I've learned,
and just throwing it out there.
I'm not thinking about the people
in front of me.
You couldn't be more selfish.
What a moron I am! I haven't…
Oh, are you on a break?
So? Are you used to the job now?
Well, of course,
you wouldn't be on day one.
- He can be so reckless, that Kyo-chan!
- Kyo-chan?
I mean Kyoji. He's a regular here.
Oh?
But he can't hold his liquor,
so he always drinks orange juice.
How adorable is that?
Boss.
Attentive, thoughtful.
How can I learn to be that way?
I was told that if I couldn't,
I can never even become a Zenza.
So I can't afford to mess up.
Thoughtful, huh?
That's actually something
that I learned from a Rakugoka.
From a Rakugoka?
I've always loved Rakugo,
and I went to see performances a lot.
That's when I happened to see
Master Shiguma.
I'm sure he can read people's minds!
Whenever I wanted to laugh
or cry, he'd hit me
with precision and perfect timing!
You don't know how good that made me feel.
I wondered if I could do that myself,
and I tried all kinds of things.
Oh?
Well, hey, who doesn't feel joy
when they're being cared for so well?
If you want people to like you,
then first you need to accept them.
You're young, so don't overthink it,
and try some things out.
Even if you fail, no worries.
Turning failure into a funny story.
Isn't that what makes Rakugo so great?
Dear me! I just lectured
a Rakugoka about Rakugo!
Please forgive me for my arrogance!
No, not at all!
That was really moving!
Boss, do you have a second?
Um, are you… Your order? No, wait, um…
I don't think he's speaking English.
What should we do?
Hey, I know! There's an app
for that! Um, sorry!
Uh, hello!
Think about the person before you.
What's on this person's mind?
What does he want to tell us?
The menu…
TODAY'S MENU
Maybe he doesn't understand Japanese.
I mean, there are no photos.
But I have no idea
how I can explain it to him.
In that case…
This. Watch me.
Beer?
Right! Yes, yes! Probably yes!
Um, next up…
Here, take my phone…
It's all good now.
Gotta hand it to those Rakugoka, huh?
Yakitori!
Here you go!
Now sit back and enjoy!
Arigato!
Oh, thanks.
Wow, this is intense! I'm so thrilled!
Akane, nice going!
Loved the way you chugged it!
Was that a Rakugo skill?
You crushed it!
Keep that up, okay?
Right!
UMI - OPEN
AKANE RUNA HIIRAGI SATORU SHOUMA
KAZU AKI YUUTO NOE MICHIRU
Good evening!
Hey, Kyo-chan!
- I just got back now.
- Welcome back!
Thank you for looking after
my junior apprentice for a whole week.
Here's something for you.
Oh, my, thanks so much!
My pleasure!
She was a huge help, actually!
All right, then, I'll have my usual.
Here you go. Orange juice.
That's thoughtful of you.
Well, sure. Miku-chan
trained me well, after all!
Have you found your answer?
Maybe you should be
the judge of that yourself?
Fine.
I have some business
in the city next weekend.
You should come along.
Let me see, in detail,
what you've learned.
Right!
NEXT EPISODE
Akane Small Talk!
Now that you've accepted me
as your apprentice,
I can't hold back my excitement!
Right?
There are no schools
or training institutes for Rakugoka.
If you want to become one,
the only way is to get apprenticed
to a Shin'uchi and train.
That's the first step
everyone has to take.
Well, whether or not you have
no problems getting accepted
depends on who your master is.
Oh, really? Is that right?
Yes. While some may get a quick, "Yes,"
it's not uncommon to hear about people
who finally got accepted
after months of pleading.
It took me six years! Six years!
In your case, you'd been watching training
sessions since before you were taken on,
so I'd say it was a special case.
Special, huh?
Some start by waiting by the dressing room
door at yose theaters to greet them,
and others visit
the master's house, unannounced.
Everyone struggles
when trying to get apprenticed.
Did you struggle, too, to get accepted?
Well, of course!
I prostrated myself on the street.
- What?
- Oh! Well, you know…
Someday if it comes up,
I'll tell you about that.
Oh, right!
- Um, I've got to practice
- Hey, I have to know!
- "Shinigami."
- Please tell me, Master!
Master!