Akane-banashi backdrop
Animation•Drama

The Worst Episodes of Akane-banashi

Every episode of Akane-banashi ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Akane-banashi!

Binge this in 5h 0m•Peaking at 8.0/10

As a child, Akane witnesses a shocking event during her father's career-defining show. Now in high school, she vows to reach the art's highest rank.

Airs on
tv asahiNagoya TVKBCABC TV
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons2

All12

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
    Click to reveal
    Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 12 - Graduation
    0.0/10(59 votes)

    #1 - Graduation

    S1:E12

    After winning the Karaku Cup, Akane suddenly finds herself in the spotlight at school. But unconvinced that her performance was good enough to blow Issho away, she has mixed feelings about it all. And now, graduation day is approaching. Motivated by Akane’s success, her friends have started to pursue their own dreams. Meanwhile, Shiguma racks his brain, trying to come up with a stage name for Akane, who’ll officially become his apprentice once she graduates. And as her thoughts turn to her father, Shinta, Akane ponders the meaning of her own given name.

    Directors:Yuu Harima, Miwa Sasaki
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 8 - What They Want
    5.5/10(85 votes)

    #2 - What They Want

    S1:E8

    As the Karaku Cup finals begin, Karashi wins over the crowd with his bold adapted Rakugo, but head judge Issho's verdict remains to be seen.

    Directors:Yuu Harima, Shizue Kaneko
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 6 - Terakoya
    7.0/10(104 votes)

    #3 - Terakoya

    S1:E6

    After learning that Issho will judge the annual student Rakugo championship, Akane gains Shiguma's permission to compete — but on one condition.

    Director:Hayato Sakai
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 9 - Performer
    7.0/10(69 votes)

    #4 - Performer

    S1:E9

    The Karaku Cup final continues. Following Karashi, voice actress Hikaru Koragi takes the stage. Determined to be judged not for her looks, but for her acting skills, she competes in the Karaku Cup. To showcase her expressiveness, she performs a sentimental story. Coincidentally, it's "Shibahama" - the story that Shinta performed during his Shin'uchi Promotion Test six years ago. Hikaru's passionate performance rocks the audience, and in its wake, Akane takes the stage at last.

    Director:Mie Oishi
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 1 - That Day
    7.5/10(215 votes)

    #5 - That Day

    S1:E1

    Young girl Akane Osaki falls in love with rakugo comic storytelling through watching her father perform. One day, a shocking event derails his career.

    Director:Yuu Harima
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 4 - Beyond Joy
    7.5/10(125 votes)

    #6 - Beyond Joy

    S1:E4

    Akane performs at a nursing home, displaying all she has learned. Kyoji goes next, determined to show her his skill as her elder fellow apprentice.

    Director:Yusuke Nakagama
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Akane-banashi

    READ
  7. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 5 - Her Path Forward
    7.5/10(113 votes)

    #7 - Her Path Forward

    S1:E5

    Akane gets career counseling from her teacher Iwashimizu, known as the Ice Lady, who refuses to acknowledge Akane's dream of becoming a Rakugoka.

    Director:Miwa Sasaki
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 3 - Senior Apprentices
    7.7/10(133 votes)

    #8 - Senior Apprentices

    S1:E3

    Akane joins Shiguma's school as an apprentice. The earnest Kyoji Arakawa is tasked with guiding her, but she finds herself stuck doing menial chores.

    Director:Kenta Mimuro
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 7 - Karaku Cup
    7.7/10(96 votes)

    #9 - Karaku Cup

    S1:E7

    At the Karaku Cup preliminaries, all eyes are on defending champion Karashi and rising voice actor Hikaru Koragi, but Kaisei picks Akane to win.

    Director:Ryoko Nakano
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 2 - First Performance
    7.8/10(154 votes)

    #10 - First Performance

    S1:E2

    Hearing that Master Shiguma is secretly meeting with a young girl, Futatsume Guriko investigates and finds him teaching Akane at a karaoke parlor.

    Director:Tsuyoshi Yamane
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 10 - Jugemu
    8.0/10(120 votes)

    #11 - Jugemu

    S1:E10

    In contrast to her performance in the prelims, where she put her enunciation skills on full display, Akane delivers "Jugemu" in a relatively relaxed manner during the finals. Karashi and Hikaru suspect that she's throwing the match, but in fact, she's taken a true Rakugoka's approach - bringing the audience down from the high of the previous sets into a comfortable lull. As she leans into her characters' emotions, effortlessly enthralling her listeners with her gentle tone, Akane gradually reaches a new level in her performance.

    Director:Wang Chihsia
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Akane-banashi Season 1 Episode 11 - Answer
    8.0/10(61 votes)

    #12 - Answer

    S1:E11

    Face to face with Issho Arakawa, Akane asks him point-blank why he had expelled Shinta. After he sends the journalists out of the room, Issho informs her that he can see right through the fact that Akane is training under Shiguma. As Akane flinches, he reveals the truth behind the expulsion six years ago- the truth he has never shared before. Now that she's finally learned the reason behind her father's expulsion, what could be going through Akane's mind?

    Director:Sora Fujino
    Writer:Michihiro Tsuchiya

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Worst Episodes Summary

"Graduation" is the worst rated episode of "Akane-banashi". It scored /10 based on 59 votes. Directed by Yuu Harima, Miwa Sasaki and written by Michihiro Tsuchiya, it aired on 6/20/2026. This episode scored 5.5 points lower than the second lowest rated, "What They Want".