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あかね噺 [Akane-banashi] #15
Akane-banashi, Vol. 15
Akane si è esibita senza intoppi durante l'apertura dello spettacolo di Shiguma, ricevendo i complimenti del suo maestro. Però non riesce a credere alle sue orecchie quando questi le rivela ciò che si nasconde dietro l'arte di Shiguma... Quando poi un'emergenza rischia di portare la scuola sull'orlo dello scioglimento, di fronte ad Akane, in preda alla confusione, appare qualcuno di inatteso... Finalmente verrà svelato il passato di Issho e Shiguma, e con esso i misteri del precedente Shiguma!
192 pages, Paperback
First published February 4, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 23, 2026
I think, genuinely, that Akane-banashi is a singular work of art. It is uniquely good at conveying its passion for its subject matter without a hint of drowning the reader in unnecessary details.
And it also has a very strong emotional core in the form of Akane and her dual goals within the world of rakugo. This volume, like the others, never flags for a second. There are some great revelations here.
Akane wants to use the story her father was expelled for performing as the weapon she wields to force Issho to acknowledge her father’s worth. But Shiguma points out that it may not have been the performance, but the story itself, that caused the issue.
That’s a very manga-style revelation, but it really works in the context of the story. I like that Akane also cuts through this later with her desire for people to just be straight with her for a change.
Shiguma and Akane’s relationship has always been at the fore of the story; this volume will shake that relationship hard when Shiguma’s health takes a turn and he ends up in possibly the worst position a performer such as himself could be in.
Huge bonus points for not making up some nebulous malady - a pet peeve of mine - this is very real and very serious. It does help hammer home the severity.
Naturally, this bad situation only gets made worse when Issho gets involved. While his actions are harsh, you can see the point that Urara makes about his choice actually being a benefit to his students rather than trampling over his school.
This leads into a flashback about how both Issho and Shiguma got into rakugo to begin with. Normally I dislike flashbacks, but this works because it is clear that all of this conflict is rooted deeply in the past and it exists for a reason beyond ‘look, earlier stuff’.
Sadly there are no performances this volume, but the drama here is so delicious that it’s not really needed. This series has established a strong plot with a good cast and it leverages them excellently here. It might be at its best when there are performances, but there’s nothing wrong with this either.
5 stars - look, it had a flashback that I found interesting, that’s a minor miracle in and of itself. The rest is similarly impressive.
And it also has a very strong emotional core in the form of Akane and her dual goals within the world of rakugo. This volume, like the others, never flags for a second. There are some great revelations here.
Akane wants to use the story her father was expelled for performing as the weapon she wields to force Issho to acknowledge her father’s worth. But Shiguma points out that it may not have been the performance, but the story itself, that caused the issue.
That’s a very manga-style revelation, but it really works in the context of the story. I like that Akane also cuts through this later with her desire for people to just be straight with her for a change.
Shiguma and Akane’s relationship has always been at the fore of the story; this volume will shake that relationship hard when Shiguma’s health takes a turn and he ends up in possibly the worst position a performer such as himself could be in.
Huge bonus points for not making up some nebulous malady - a pet peeve of mine - this is very real and very serious. It does help hammer home the severity.
Naturally, this bad situation only gets made worse when Issho gets involved. While his actions are harsh, you can see the point that Urara makes about his choice actually being a benefit to his students rather than trampling over his school.
This leads into a flashback about how both Issho and Shiguma got into rakugo to begin with. Normally I dislike flashbacks, but this works because it is clear that all of this conflict is rooted deeply in the past and it exists for a reason beyond ‘look, earlier stuff’.
Sadly there are no performances this volume, but the drama here is so delicious that it’s not really needed. This series has established a strong plot with a good cast and it leverages them excellently here. It might be at its best when there are performances, but there’s nothing wrong with this either.
5 stars - look, it had a flashback that I found interesting, that’s a minor miracle in and of itself. The rest is similarly impressive.
March 28, 2026
I’ve never been so excited for a flashback
March 23, 2026
3.5 stars. While good, this was mostly backstory and set-up. We didn't get much of our girl or even the stories the artist tells. I don't really care about the older men, especially back in their youth, being disowned from rich people in the postwar era (old zaibatsu/samurai), fighting yakuza (what am I reading? This happened twice), saving a girl while also being a bit gross, and soba vs ramen noodles (soba here). I couldn't find the interest to care. It was dull and boring (to me) to have a whole volume where we get cock blocked from Akane moving forward because her master is sick (both stage 2 cancer of throat and passing out from something that leaves him inconscious for the rest of the volume), and now the apprentices are broken up and given to new masters...but they stall the pacing even more by just talking about it and then backstory time. Ugh.
Least entertaining and enjoyable volume while also just being sluggish with pacing and uninteresting with story.
Yakuza fights...twice...like this is an old Korean romance movie from the early 2000s where they randomly break out into a fight sequence, at least once, but it has nothing to do with most of the stories except maybe something unnecessary to the overarching character (like backstory, but not necessary to the plot or anything else).
Disappointed that this was so unenjoyable for me when this series usually can hold my interest, even when slow.
Least entertaining and enjoyable volume while also just being sluggish with pacing and uninteresting with story.
Yakuza fights...twice...like this is an old Korean romance movie from the early 2000s where they randomly break out into a fight sequence, at least once, but it has nothing to do with most of the stories except maybe something unnecessary to the overarching character (like backstory, but not necessary to the plot or anything else).
Disappointed that this was so unenjoyable for me when this series usually can hold my interest, even when slow.
May 14, 2026
TW non-graphic attempted sexual assault. It's very minor, and it's stopped before it goes anywhere, but just keep in mind it's in there in case you can't read about that.
Note: I don't want to turn on spoilers because of the important TW. But I also want to write down my thoughts.
Spoilers ahead. Don't read if you don't want to be spoiled.
Final spoiler warning. Turn back now if you haven't read this volume.
Oh god. I see why they don't talk about the past. It could get them in big trouble with the yakuza. No wonder they're trying to hard to make sure everyone is "worthy" of being rakugo. If they don't, everyone might get killed in retribution for the two of them just trying to stand up for her when she was about to get hurt. Meanwhile, miss senior rakugo is weaponizing her sexiness on stage to take back what was almost taken from her by that poor excuse of a man. I hope he lives. I hope they reconnect and stop fighting. I don't know yet what exactly they did that made them hate each other, but I hope he lives long enough for them to get over it and remember what they could be together. I hope Akane can change him. It's never too late.
I saw the note at the beginning of this from the author saying that this volume takes this series in a whole new direction, and boy was I not prepared despite having read that. I love this series so much. I love that it isn't just another sports type manga with the same stupid competitions and rivalries. It's about love for your art, and how that changes you. How it's already changed you. How you reconcile with that, and what you do going forward when that's challenged. I have never related to a series more personally than this. I see so much of my life as a musician in all of these characters. They remind me of my colleagues, my friends, my mentors. Both the good and the bad lol. Sorry not sorry.
If you have not read this series but somehow read this anyways despite the spoiler warnings, read it. Don't hesitate. Just read it.
Note: I don't want to turn on spoilers because of the important TW. But I also want to write down my thoughts.
Spoilers ahead. Don't read if you don't want to be spoiled.
Final spoiler warning. Turn back now if you haven't read this volume.
Oh god. I see why they don't talk about the past. It could get them in big trouble with the yakuza. No wonder they're trying to hard to make sure everyone is "worthy" of being rakugo. If they don't, everyone might get killed in retribution for the two of them just trying to stand up for her when she was about to get hurt. Meanwhile, miss senior rakugo is weaponizing her sexiness on stage to take back what was almost taken from her by that poor excuse of a man. I hope he lives. I hope they reconnect and stop fighting. I don't know yet what exactly they did that made them hate each other, but I hope he lives long enough for them to get over it and remember what they could be together. I hope Akane can change him. It's never too late.
I saw the note at the beginning of this from the author saying that this volume takes this series in a whole new direction, and boy was I not prepared despite having read that. I love this series so much. I love that it isn't just another sports type manga with the same stupid competitions and rivalries. It's about love for your art, and how that changes you. How it's already changed you. How you reconcile with that, and what you do going forward when that's challenged. I have never related to a series more personally than this. I see so much of my life as a musician in all of these characters. They remind me of my colleagues, my friends, my mentors. Both the good and the bad lol. Sorry not sorry.
If you have not read this series but somehow read this anyways despite the spoiler warnings, read it. Don't hesitate. Just read it.
July 19, 2026
That was some epic backstory ✨✨✨
Flipping finally, that shady character of Issho is getting some humanity and it was done to perfection ✨✨✨
I saw part of what happened coming, but gosh it still felt like an earthquake. Beautiful volume, don’t forget to bring tissues though.
Flipping finally, that shady character of Issho is getting some humanity and it was done to perfection ✨✨✨
I saw part of what happened coming, but gosh it still felt like an earthquake. Beautiful volume, don’t forget to bring tissues though.
January 11, 2025
5 ✨stars
The back story of Akane's Master is just *chef kiss*
The back story of Akane's Master is just *chef kiss*
September 23, 2025
Backstory on Shiguma and Issho! We finally get a big flashback and meet their mentor. It's a good time.
April 27, 2026
some juicy backstory in this volume!!
April 29, 2026
I had to walk and take a breather after that shock and then it gives us this massive background.I love this backstory.. everything about them , can’t wait for more .
May 7, 2026
Ooh backstory arc, interesting!
May 24, 2026
5 stars, of course, but I am NOT happy
June 3, 2026
Akane learns a mysterious story, and more about her master's longstanding feud!
August 4, 2026
i dOn'T liKe mAster iSsho
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews