Akane-banashi is getting a second season. The rakugo drama's 12th and final episode closed on Saturday with a Season 2 announcement, and the staff confirmed it lands in January 2027 on TV Asahi's IMAnimation block. Studio ZEXCS returns to animate it.
Quick answer Akane-banashi Season 2 premieres in January 2027 on TV Asahi (24 affiliates + BS Asahi), animated by ZEXCS and based on the Shonen Jump manga by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue. The first season streams on Netflix (sub and dub) plus regional platforms. According to SenpaiRanks, Akane-banashi sits in the upper tier of its 2026 drama lineup on both the Consensus and Quality boards — a rare ranking for a single-cour adaptation.
What it adapts Season 1 followed Akane chasing the rakugo world that took her father's place. Season 2 picks up after she graduates and apprentices under Shiguma Arakawa, performing as Akane Arakawa. If you came in cold last cour, the first 12 episodes are the catch-up — and they hold up: rakugo on screen lives or dies on timing, and ZEXCS nailed the stage beats.
The new cast Six supporting voices were revealed alongside the renewal — heavyweights, not filler:
- Houchuu Ootsuka as Miroku Kashiwaya
- Ryoutarou Okiayu as Shoumei Tsubakiya
- Hiroshi Naka as Ensou Sanmeitei
- Mutsumi Tamura as Urara Ransaika
- Shinichirou Miki as Ryu'un Kenputei
- Tomokazu Seki as Chocho Konjakutei
Where to watch Season 1 is on Netflix worldwide with subs and an English dub, and the renewal keeps the franchise on streaming radar going into 2027. Per SenpaiRanks's ranking, Akane-banashi is one of the higher-scored Jump adaptations of the year — rate it yourself on its ranking page and see where your taste lands versus the crowd.
The trailer
For more of what's airing and returning, see our summer 2026 watch guide and the best manga and light novels to read first this season. Plotting a 2027 queue? Our full rankings board tracks every show on two axes.
Frequently asked questions Q: When does Akane-banashi Season 2 release? A: January 2027, on TV Asahi's IMAnimation programming block across 24 affiliate stations and BS Asahi.
Q: Where can I watch Akane-banashi?
A: Season 1 streams on Netflix worldwide with Japanese audio and an English dub, plus several regional platforms.
Q: Who makes the Akane-banashi anime?
A: Studio ZEXCS animates it, adapting the Shonen Jump manga written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue.
Q: Is Akane-banashi worth watching?
A: On SenpaiRanks it ranks in the upper tier of 2026 drama adaptations on both Consensus and Quality — strong for a single-cour show. The rakugo performances are the draw.
Q: How many episodes was Season 1?
A: Twelve episodes, ending with the Season 2 announcement.