TV Asahi has officially announced that Akane-banashi Season 2 is scheduled to premiere in January 2027. Alongside the announcement, the production team unveiled a promotional teaser video, a main key visual, and details regarding new cast members joining the rakugo-centered drama.
Joining the cast for the upcoming season are Taku Yashiro voicing Asagao Konjakutei and Yoji Ueda voicing Hassho Tsubakiya. They join returning lead voice talent including Anna Nagase as Akane Osaki, alongside Takuya Eguchi, Rie Takahashi, Akihisa Shiono, Jun Fukuyama, and Akio Otsuka.
Production & Creative Team
Director Ayumu Watanabe (Summer Time Rendering, Children of the Sea) returns to helm the project at studio ZEXCS, with assistant director Yu Harima. Michihiro Tsuchiya handles series composition, while Kii Tanaka serves as chief animation director and character designer. Traditional rakugo practitioner Kikuhiko Hayashiya continues in their crucial role overseeing the authentic storytelling performances depicted on screen.
Based on the praised Weekly Shonen Jump manga written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue, Akane-banashi focuses on the traditional Japanese art of performance storytelling. Since its debut in 2022, the manga has earned critical acclaim, placing second at the 2023 Manga Taisho awards and becoming a finalist for the 47th Kodansha Manga Award.
Key main cast members returning for Season 2 include:
- Anna Nagase as Akane Osaki
- Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya
- Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi
- Tohru Osaki / Jun Fukuyama as Shinta Arakawa
- Akihisa Shiono as Kaisei Arakawa
- Akio Otsuka as Issho Arakawa
