MANGA REVIEW | "Akane-banashi" - Volume Six
Just because you’ve mastered one story doesn’t mean you’ll master them all. Even after a few great performances under her belt, the Akane of Akane-banashi knows that she’s got a lot of work to do to become the best rakugo performer around. In its sixth volume, the next step towards that goal is taken on, in the form of the tale “Fetching Tea”. As luck would have it, Akane’s got herself a good teacher, in the form of Urara.
The goal this time is to master “Fetching Tea” by the time Rokumeikai — the next big show — rolls around. It’s a story of a geisha and her way of trying to swoon the hearts of all of her clients, only for her tricks to be turned against her. On the surface, it’s a funny story about using love to get what you want in life. But in order to nail “Fetching Tea” perfectly, you’ve got to get into the mind and mentality of a geisha.
Fortunately, Akane doesn’t need to go that far to figure out that mindset. (I reckon there’ll be a doujin or two running around that has her doing that, though!) No, she just needs to go out on a simple date, and figure out how to behave in such a situation. She tries her hardest, only to discover that the truest way to behave is to just wing it. And while it takes her a couple of practices with Urara, she finally figures out how to go about “Fetching Tea”.
It’s that moment where Akane-banashi goes to great lengths to show the relationship between story and teller. These tales of old are not looking to be claimed or find a new voice; they’re looking for friends. And how friends act with one another depends on the environment and even the person. After all, we all don’t treat our friends the exact same way; there’s always a unique way to hang out with each person in our lives.
From there, Akane does her version of “Fetching Tea”, and it’s not in a way most performers would go about it. In fact, it becomes jarring to certain members of the audience. And yet, it’s all according to plan, as it helps to set up the second and most important half of the story. As a result, it turns into yet another solid performance for the up-and-coming rakugo performer.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the road towards becoming the best rakugo performer is getting easier. Rather, it means that other up-and-comers have their sight on Akane. And while he’s up for helping our protagonist out, the one known as Keisei is coming hard to claim the throne. And he won’t just use tales filled with laughter to get there; he’ll even go for the throat with some truly terrifying performances!
Volume Six of Akane-banashi puts the story back on the tracks of progress. Akane’s performance reveal for “Fetching Tea” goes to show how much she’ll transform her style in order to fit the tale. But her recent victory also shows that her pathway to greatness isn’t paved in gold; it’s paved in the sweat and determination of the others wanting the same thing. Like many other Shonen Jump series, Akane-banashi is a fighting manga, only with stories as swords and rakugo performers as combatants. And as the sixth volume terrifically shows, none of these fighters are looking to lie down for anyone!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
