Watch
  • MBS
  • TBS
  • CBC
  • BS-TBS

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

Flourishing Shōwa – Rakugo Double Suicide

  • 2016 – 2017
  • Ended
  • Animation · Drama
  • ~26m / ep
  • 2 seasons
  • 8.0/10

When a certain man is released from prison, he knows exactly where he's heading first. After falling in love with a traditional comic storyteller's rendition of the story called "Shinigami," he is determined to become his apprentice. The performer, Yakumo, has never taken an apprentice before, but to everyone's surprise, he accepts the eager ex-prisoner, nicknaming him "Yotaro." As Yotaro happily begins his new life, he meets others in Yakumo's life, including Yakumo's ward Konatsu. Konatsu was the daughter of a famous storyteller, and Yakumo took her in after her father's tragic death. Konatsu loved her father's storytelling, and would love to become a performer in her own right—but that path is not available for women.

Latest: Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju · 2017

View all seasons
  1. E1. Episode 1

    Jan 7, 2017 · 26m

    After ten years' apprenticeship to the eight generation Yakumo, Yotarou has finally achieved the rank of shin'uchi and taken on the name "Sukeroku," after his master's fellow student and Konatsu's father. Things appear to be smooth sailing at first, but complications soon arise. Between rakugo's fading legacy and Yotarou's concerns about single mother Konatsu, can the third generation Sukeroku bear up under the burden he has taken on?

  2. E2. Episode 2

    Jan 14, 2017 · 26m

    A magazine has exposed Yotarou's past as a former convict and member of the yakuza, plunging the rakugo world into scandal and sullying Yotarou's name. Although he continues performing as if nothing has happened, his growing desperation is coming out in his performance. He loses TV appearances, and the customers in the theaters have begun to turn on him, as well. But Yotarou's insecurities seem to come from more than just the scandal...

  3. E3. Episode 3

    Jan 21, 2017 · 26m

    Consumed by concerns over not finding his own rakugo, as well as harboring doubts about the relationship between Konatsu and a local gang boss, Yotarou lets off steam by performing the rant from "Daiku Shirabe." Higuchi joins him, idly wondering why the carpenter goes off on the rant. Yotarou confesses he never thought about it before. Soon after, Yotarou hears that the gang boss is visiting the restaurant where Konatsu works, and decides to come along...

  4. E4. Episode 4

    Jan 28, 2017 · 26m

    As far as Shinnosuke is concerned, Yotarou is his beloved father, and now that he's become a popular storyteller, Yotarou is even appearing on TV shows. After he performs "Jugemu" on a children's program, all the kids begin reciting it. Meanwhile, he's also getting steady work at the theater, while Konatsu plays shamisen in the wings. Higuchi is overjoyed to see it to see Yotarou satisfy so many people, but his desire to create new rakugo works hasn't changed. That's when he decides to entreat Yakumo for aid.

  5. E5. Episode 5

    Feb 4, 2017 · 26m

    Hearing Yakumo's "Inokori" blasts the doubt from Yotarou's mind, and spurs his sudden rise to fame. Now, he himself is to perform that story in two months' time at a family show with Yakumo. Yakumo claims that he sees none of Yotarou himself in his rakugo, and that the character of Saheiji will be the key to unlocking his own "ego." Will Saheiji finally allow Yotarou to find his own rakugo?

  6. E6. Episode 6

    Feb 11, 2017 · 26m

    While performing "Hangon-ko," Yakumo passed out and dreamed of being in a hall of candles, being strangled by the Second Generation Sukeroku. Yotarou's voice brings him back to consciousness, but he won't be getting back on stage. Yotarou was about to get on the ambulance taking Yakumo away, when he heard the voices of the people looking forward to his performance. "I gotta do rakugo." Left behind in the theater, Yotarou steels himself to get up on the stage. His performance? Inokori.

+6 more episodes — open all seasons to browse every episode.

Trailers & more

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju | Watch