Akane-banashi, Vol. 19

Akane takes on the world of rakugo to avenge her father!

Shinta Arakawa wants nothing more than to pass his shin’uchi exam—the test that would make him a top-rank headliner and master storyteller in the traditional Japanese art of rakugo. Akane Osaki, his daughter and biggest fan, spies on him while he practices and learns his routines for herself. When rakugo master Issho Arakawa expels everyone after the exam with no explanation, a fire is lit inside Akane. From that day forth, she has had one goal—to avenge her father and prove his art was worthy of the title of shin’uchi.

The Zuiun Prize is underway, and eyes from inside and out of the rakugo world are taking notice. Akane once again is up against her old rivals Hikaru and Karashi, who have both leaped ahead in notoriety and skill since their last competition. Per the instructions of her new master, Issho, Akane attempts a performance that does not make her audience laugh. How will her old rivals and the judges feel about her rakugo when they must judge it on everything but humor? Will she be able to emerge from this wild and unpredictable preliminary round to take her place in the finals?