MANGA REVIEW | "Akane-banashi" - Volume Ten
After reading Volume Ten of Akane-banashi, I’m feeling a little puzzled. Was there progress made in this collection of chapters? Or was this a moment to allow our Rakugoka hero to take a breather before her next big challenge? There are two things for certain: this volume of Akane-banashi traveled at a snail’s pace, but it also managed to still be wickedly entertaining!
It all starts off well with Akane watching Chocho performing a gambling-inspired rakugo story. At first, the audience has no idea how to take in the tale until he starts to drag them into the story and build from their excitement. The way he grabs hold of each person in the crowd wows Akane, to the point where she has no choice but to ask for his guidance. That’s when Chocho gives Akane and Karashi the chance to learn under him…if they can win in a game of Cho-Han.
I like how Akane-banashi explains Cho-Han, as I’ve seen it showcased in many anime and manga, but have never figured out how it works. (Perhaps I should give it a whirl with my coworkers…albeit without gambling being involved, since it’s illegal in Japan.) However, when one of them figures out what’s exactly going on with Chocho’s dice-throwing skills, resulting in him giving the two the opportunity to be his apprentices. And then…well, the story kind of takes a break.
The main narrative of Akane-banashi has seemingly run at breakneck speed. Naturally, a bit of a pause is necessary, especially when you have Akane now trying to figure out her identity as a Rakugoka. Her true voice won’t just pop up willy-nilly; it needs time to mold from learning under many of these other performers. With that being said, that doesn’t mean she’s resting on her laurels waiting for that to happen.
Watching her, Karashi, and Asagao change their style to suit a younger audience does make for great entertainment. Adding in the fact that they’re dressed as different animals from rakugo tales makes it all the more funnier! It may sound odd, but Akane looks to be in the zone when performing stories dressed as a tanuki. I’m not saying this should be her niche, but it’s clear that she’s a natural when placed in odd circumstances.
But as this all goes on, the narrative shifts to the Arakawa New Breeze. The four new performers — which includes Hikaru — are about to show a packed audience what they’re made of. However, right out of the gate, the mysterious Koguma shows that he’s a performer not to be reckoned with. In fact, by telling a very little-known story about licking metal objects, he finds not just his audience, but a breath of new life in the world of rakugo! Although we don’t yet see how Hikaru does, she already knows that he’s a very tough act to follow.
Not much progress happens in the tenth volume of Akane-banashi. However, it doesn’t stop it from being a terrific read! The rakugo stories come to life in these pages, on top of latching on some educational things about this part of the theater world. Thankfully, despite it being a nice break, the final panels show exactly where Akane-banashi is taking its readers next. The question is, will it be Akane getting her next push, or will another under Arakawa take the spotlight from her?
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Chantelle Sturt of VIZ Media.
