I have a quick question for people who are active in Akane-Banashi fandom on other social media platforms (Twitter/X, TikTok, Bluesky, Instagram, etc.). Has there been any translation for these character Q&A shorts (Akane, Kaisei, Kyouji, Guriko, Koguma, Karashi, Hikaru, Maikeru) originally posted on TV Asahi Animation YouTube Channel?
If there is no translation (official/fan translation) available, I plan to translate them during my days off and post a text compilation on this blog, since each of them is about 5-10 seconds long and I find each of them so charming and in-character :)
I just wanted to make sure since a lot of untranslated Akane-Banashi extra content (PVs, Akane-Kobanashi, Making of Akane-Banashi—rakugo practice sessions, and Akane-Banashi post-recording radio) are uploaded on this channel, but the aforementioned Q&A shorts were uploaded quite inconsistently timing-wise and they have not been put into a proper playlist, so I doubt international fans can easily find them on YouTube alone (although I am aware that Akane-Banashi JP Twitter/X account actively posted the extras on their account).
Some thoughts I have about Akane-Banashi Editor Interview on Manga Plus YouTube Channel
Link to the interview (with English subtitles)
Some segments contain out-of-context manga spoilers, but the editors only broadly mentioned them without going into any details, so I highly recommend watching it if you like the manga!
I have actually watched the interview on May 26th before the re-upload on June 1st (most likely because of an incorrect character image displayed in the video), but I enjoyed re-watching the interview again :)
((The incorrect image displayed in the original upload was of Arakawa Isshou by the way, in case anyone wants to know.))
I mainly have two topics that have been resurfacing my mind whenever I rewatch the interview:
1. The editors' comments about the author and illustrator of the manga compared with how the illustrator sees himself and the author
2. The first editor's comments on a certain panel of the manga that amazed him.
So, I would like to dump my thoughts about said topics here in case anyone wants to add their thoughts about this interview :)
Araki (current editor)'s comment about Suenaga Yuuki (Story)
Q: What is the one word that defines Suenaga and Moue?
(Quoting starts from 17:38-18:09)
Araki:
For Suenaga, it has to be his research and input.
He digs deeper than any other writer I know.
He doesn't just collect info; he truly absorbs it and turns it into incredible output.
I think he is really exceptional in that regard.
He is basically a rakugo scholar at this point. It is truly impressive.
^ This comment sounds kind of like a certain character in this manga, don't you think?
Murakoshi (first editor)'s comment about Suenaga Yuuki (Story) and Moue Takamasa (Illustration)
Q: Any differences in how Suenaga and Moue come up with ideas?
(Quoting starts from 19:12-19:33)
Murakoshi:
Suenaga works with the materials and builds up logically, step by step. He starts with the "how."
Moue, on the other hand, starts with the result.
He'll say, "I want this specific feeling or visual," even if he doesn't know how to get there yet.
The editors' comments about Suenaga and Moue really reminded me of an extra comic from Akane-Banashi volume 17, which is based off the time when Suenaga, Moue, Murakoshi, and Araki attended Hayashiya Kikuhiko (rakugo supervisor)'s shin'uchi promotion celebration.
Text in white (from left to right): Editing, Story, Illustration, Editing
Overlay text in black: After [Illegible] continue
I absolutely adore Moue drawing himself as Guriko and drawing Suenaga as Koguma. I think how Moue sees himself and Suenaga also aligns with how both of their editors see them (Moue being more emotional/freestyle, Suenaga being more logical/rigid--kind of similar to Guriko’s and Koguma’s personalities), which I also find very endearing.
I also really enjoy seeing facial expressions that the characters usually don't do in the manga (especially Koguma >:D). Suenaga-Koguma and Moue-Guriko (and also the chibi-style editors) are so important to me...
Murakoshi (first editor)'s comment about Moue (Illustration)'s background work on Chapter 14: "The Type to Hold a Grudge"
Q: Were there episodes that left you amazed after receiving the manuscripts?
(Quoting starts from 33:31-34:42)
Murakoshi:
It's when Akane is told she has to win using only "Jugemu" and goes to ask Koguma for advice.
Koguma reveals a dark punchline where Jugemu actually dies.
In that panel, you can see "koinobori" (carp streamers), flying in the park background.
...
In Japan, koinobori are a tradition used to wish for a child to grow up healthy.
So, placing those in the background while discussing a child's death, all set against a sunset sky...
it's just a perfect, genius bit of direction.
I was ecstatic when this panel was brought up and discussed, because I also had a similar train of thought when I first read that panel as well. Editor Murakoshi expressed his thoughts about the panel so perfectly... T o T
When I first read it, I felt the extra irony between the carp streamers flowing lively in the wind and the grim discussion about Jugemu drowning and losing his life. And the last panel of the page which has a family with a toddler and a baby being accompanied by the text "The name meant to bring the child good luck is the cause of his death" is so genius to me T _ T
The interview was such a treat to watch. I appreciate the effort the manga team put into this amazing manga sooooo much!!!
This is my digital scan + translation of Akane-Banashi illustration page from the “Shonen Jump characters’ summer break picture diary” segment published in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 36-37, 2023.
The segment consists of 31 summer break-related topics/prompts each assigned to a Shonen Jump series, in which the characters of each series drew and wrote about the assigned topic in their picture diaries. Luckily, Akane-Banashi got 2 topics!
[Top Panel - Topic: The River]
Wednesday, August 23rd
We don’t have to go all the way to the river to train
(Koguma)
Camera Sfx: Snap!
Waterfall Sfx: Ooooooo
Kyouji: Train your souls!!
Akane: Yessir!!
- Akane-Banashi (Suenaga Yuuki, Moue Takamasa)
[Bottom Panel - Topic: Mountain Climbing]
Thursday, August 24th
I went mountain climbing with ani-sans today!!
It was super fun!!
Koguma ani-san was completely tuckered out though, I wonder if he was alright…
(Akane)
- Akane-Banashi (Suenaga Yuuki, Moue Takamasa)
==================================
Personal comments/observations under the cut! (Warning: Lengthy)
Personal comments:
I love the characters’ little quirks shown in the drawings, here are some that I’d like to point out.
Note: This is mostly personal opinion, so I might miss some cultural context since I am not Japanese and not very in touch with Japanese culture.
[Top Panel - Topic: The River]
Koguma’s handwriting is very “mature”. Not exactly “pretty”, but it is neat. The strokes are kind of light especially at the strokes' ending, implying that the writing pace was slightly quick. Each stroke is mostly straight, with not much curve or hard angles.
The hiragana characters are slightly slim and long, the kanji characters are the same, but slightly “isolated”? The way the word 修行 (Training) is written has slight gaps between each vertical sections compared to the printed characters. The word 川 (River) is more similar to the printed character, though.
I think that not only he didn’t have much to write, he probably wrote the first and only thing in his mind without thinking too hard.
I'd like to think that meditating under a waterfall was Kyouji's idea. He gives me the most "monk" vibes among the disciples (probably because of his skinhead haircut). Also supported by the fact that the older disciples did not join in.
Akane putting her all in everything she does without questioning anything... that's our girl (T U T)
Guriko being Guriko (struggling) is my favorite thing ever (; _ ;)
Maikeru hiking to a river in a pair of “Geta” (Japanese sandals)?? I admire his leg muscle strength… I've never tried on a geta before but I can't imagine myself hiking in a pair of wooden filp-flops...
I love the little frog looking at the younger disciples :D
[Bottom Panel - Topic: Mountain Climbing]
Akane’s handwriting is sooo round and cute! And not as mature (obviously). The strokes are thicker/heavier, deliberate, and slow, the weight distribution in each stroke is more equal from beginning to end.
The way Akane writes is kind of more "freestyle"? The hiragana characters are very round, curvy and wide, and some of the kanji characters' ratios or strokes are not exactly "by the standards." For example, the word 兄さん (Ani-san) was written twice with slight variations.
For the first 兄さん written (the last three characters of the first row from the right), the hiragana and kanji characters are more similar to the printed characters. Although I would like to point out that the way the hiragana さ (Sa) was written is preferred by younger people or people who started practicing hiragana, probably because it was based on the printed character that learners can finish within two strokes.
For the second 兄さん written (the last three characters of the middle row), the kanji 兄 (Older brother) is written with very little regard to stroke order, in which the top part looks like a single stroke formed into an oval shape. To elaborate, the 兄 kanji consists of 5 strokes: 3 strokes for the top part (口), 2 strokes for the bottom part (儿). The stroke order for 口 is as follows:
1. | (Left vertical line)
2. ㄱ (Top horizontal line followed by a vertical line downward)
3. _ (Bottom horizontal line)
As you can see, this is why Akane's 1-stroke oval with 2 bottom strokes look quite different from the printed character. What a rebel (I could never). Additionally, the way the hiragana さ (Sa) was written this time is quicker and more "mature", since this way of writing the character さ consists of 3 strokes instead of 2 due to the reduction of the "C"-like curve connecting the top vertical stroke and the bottom horizontal stroke together, which makes it faster to write the character without having to drag out and finish the curve.
Kyouji’s backpack being stuffed with necessities is so himmm I love how reliable and over-prepared he isssss
Guriko trying to look out for Koguma and pointing out to him that a photo is about to be taken and ended up as a candid photo is also my favorite thing ever (; _ ;)
I don't expect someone who prefers cooping up with his books to do well with mountain climbing, especially with 4 other people who are more active/outdoorsy than him (I wouldn't survive either). You did well king.
Maikeru taking the picture without waiting for everyone to look at the camera is very telling of his interactions with the other disciples (messes with his rakugo siblings (sometimes))
Even though Maikeru used a selfie stick to take his photo in the waterfall panel, the mountain climbing selfie seems to imply that he took the group selfie by hand... but I guess they have less distance between each other, so I guess that makes sense?
I would like to point out that Maikeru’s birthday is August 20th (info from physical copy of the manga), so I'd like to imagine that he managed to get some time off to spend his late birthday with his rakugo siblings :D
i finally started watching and caught up to Akane-Banashi anime!!! it was so good~!!! So much effort and love was put into every scene, i love it ; ___ ; i can hear the effort behind the voice cast’s rakugo scenes voiceover…
i also loveeee the extra anime-only scenes + implementations of the manga physical copy’s “Akane-Kobanashi” & rakugo trivia in several volumes of the manga. i appreciate the anime team a lot for including the manga’s physical copy contents ; U ;
seeing Akane with her ani-sans made me so emotional… i miss their interactions so much…
This translation was from Jump Festa 2025 Akane-Banashi Stage Livestream on December 22nd, 2024 that I screen-recorded and kept to myself! And now I decided to translate it and post it here!
The Creators’ Q&A session had 5 questions collected from hashtag #あかねの気になる小噺 ("Akane No Kininaru Kobanashi": Akane’s curious little stories) on Twitter/X, but I only recorded Question 3... I still hope you’ll enjoy reading my translation (under the cut!).
==================================
Creators' Q&A Translation
Color-coding:
Suenaga Yuuki: Author (Story) of Akane-Banashi
MC (F): Host of Akane-Banashi panel
Hayashiya Keiki: Rakugoka/Rakugo Supervisor (Currently promoted to Shin’uchi as “Hayashiya Kikuhiko”)
[Text on the screen:
Question 3
What does Akane do during her days off?
Does she devote her time to rakugo? Or does she have any hobbies?
-------------------------------------------------------
Please tell me any hidden special skills or hobbies and such that the characters in this manga have! I like Koguma ani-san!]
Suenaga: For Akane, I think that she spends her days off kind of like how everyone else would do, like taking an interest in new Starbucks menus and such.
MC (F): I see.
Suenaga: And for Koguma, I think that he’d probably… well, when he accumulates stress, he’d probably seclude himself inside somewhere like a "ryokan" (traditional Japanese inn) with the books he hasn’t read that he brought along, then he’d keep on reading as a way to relieve stress. That’s what I think he’d do.
MC (F): I can somehow picture that scene in my mind.
MC (F): So, what do you think after hearing that, Moue-sensei or Keiki-san? Do you have any other thoughts? Is there anything different from what you had in mind?
Keiki: Since Akane is still doing her training, I doubt she has any days off.
MC (F): Ah, you’re right. Even during training…
Keiki: There are no days off for Zenza, (Suenaga) Sensei.
Suenaga: That’s just painful to hear. And this is one way of supervision he has provided us.
Keiki: That’s right.
MC (F): I see, so this kind of supervision has happened, too. Thank you both very much.
==================================
Creators' Behind-the-scenes
Chapter 139 draft by Suenaga Yuuki (Left)
Chapter 139 published version by Moue Takamasa (Right)
Chapter 141 draft and published version side-by-side comparison:
==================================
Personal comments:
Jump Festa 2025 was amazing… I am kind of beating myself up for not screen-recording the whole Akane-Banashi Q&A… I loved the behind-the-scenes content, and I watched a rakugo performance for the first time! It was "Time Soba" performed by Hayashiya Keiki before he was officially promoted to Shin'uchi, no less! The moment he did the first slurping hot soba motion, my tongue felt like it was actually scalded by hot soba noodles :0 I was amazed!
About the Q&A... I just want to buy every single cute-looking Starbucks drinks for Akane because I would do anything for her to make her happy!!!!!! Suenaga-sensei’s answer just made me imagine Akane taking pictures of a cute Starbucks frappe and drinking it with her friends and be girly and stuff ; U ;
I also would like to thank Suenaga-Sensei for extra crumbs of Koguma lore, I’d like to imagine that Koguma hibernates with his books like a little bear (like his name “Koguma”) ; _ ;
I hope you enjoyed this little recap from Jump Festa 2025 :D
There is a particular panel from chapter 202 that instantly reminded me of a certain panel from chapter 111 that I just wanted to post side-by-side for comparison, screenshots are under the cut to prevent spoilers!
Chapter 202 panel:
Chapter 111 panel:
I know the context behind these two panels are different, but when I first saw Akane’s panel from chapter 202 my mind just instantly went to Maikeru’s panel from chapter 111 during his Shin’uchi promotion test… maybe it’s the extended left hand with windy/smoke effects and movements lines in the background… or maybe I’m just delusional and missing Akane’s big brothers too much I don’t know at this point…
Hikaru’s (lesbian) judgmental stare is one of my personal highlights of Akane-Banashi chapter 202 lol
I turned her into an iphone sticker and the rainbow effect looks perfect on her heehee
(I also cleaned the screenshot up a bit so if anyone wants to use the left image as a reaction image/profile pic/sticker/emoji, feel free to do so~ credits go to Moue-sensei for his amazing work as always~)
Helpppp I didn’t know that there was an Akane-Banashi panel in the Anime Japan 2026 livestream with Akane’s voice actress and her Ani-deshi’s voice actors!!!!!!! T ________ T
Thank goodness the stream was archived until this Sunday (Apr 5th, 11:59 PM JST)… I might screen record the panel for re-watching and translation in case I found anything interesting T ___ T
Here’s the Link to the archive (skipped to Akane-Banashi panel) just in case anyone hasn’t watched it like me T __ T
(I’ll remove the Akane-Banashi tag after April 6th JST in case anyone wants to go watch while the archive is still available!)
I watched the archive and screen recorded it and took a bajillion screenshots of it ahhhhhhh T U T I love seiyuu/voice actor events TT U TT everyone is so cuteee TT U TT I finally had my fill of ani-deshi crumbs!!!!!!!!
I’m the least familiar with Yamashita Seiichirou (Guriko’s VA) and his works, but he was so charming and energetic in the livestream ; U ; he really reminds me of Guriko ; U ;
I’ll translate and post the translations in separate parts when I have the time ᕦ(ò_óˇ)ᕤ
ive been working on night shift recently and started to realize that i have to start working the exact same time a new Akane-Banashi chapter is published so i don’t get to immediately read it in my bed while giggling and kicking my feet anymore im in hell.
what if one of the chapters have akane and shiguma squad together and i have to work my frickin job while they are reuniting ahhhhh
Helpppp I didn’t know that there was an Akane-Banashi panel in the Anime Japan 2026 livestream with Akane’s voice actress and her Ani-deshi’s voice actors!!!!!!! T ________ T
Thank goodness the stream was archived until this Sunday (Apr 5th, 11:59 PM JST)… I might screen record the panel for re-watching and translation in case I found anything interesting T ___ T
Here’s the Link to the archive (skipped to Akane-Banashi panel) just in case anyone hasn’t watched it like me T __ T
(I’ll remove the Akane-Banashi tag after April 6th JST in case anyone wants to go watch while the archive is still available!)
[Part 4] TV Asahi Live Stream: Akane-Banashi Stage Translation—Voice Cast's comments on the older disciples
This is Part 4 of my translation of TV Asahi “New Anime Announcement Event” Live Stream on Dec 27th, 2025.
Akane-Banashi stage starts at 54:04, my translation starts at 1:18:40
Part 1: Arakawa Kaisei Key Visual & Voice Actor Reveal Translation Link Part 2: Rakugo supervisor’s comments on the voice cast’s rakugo trainings Link
Part 3: Voice Cast's comments on their characters Link
Content similar to this post:
Jump Festa 2026 Stage - Voice Cast's Favorite Characters Link
[Color-coding]
Nagase Anna: Voice of Ousaki Akane
Eguchi Takuya: Voice of Nerimaya Karashi
Takahashi Rie: Voice of Kouragi Hikaru
Shiono Akihisa: Voice of Arakawa Kaisei
MC (M): Fuse Hiroyuki, TV Asahi Announcer
MC (F): Suzuki Sarasa, TV Asahi Announcer
==================================
Akane-Banashi highlights discussion
[Topic 3: The charming characters - Continued] (1:18:40-1:21:39)
MC (M): Moreover, there are other charming characters we would like to introduce to you. Here they are.
[Text on screen from left to right:
Arakawa Shinta, voiced by Fukuyama Jun
Arakawa Maikeru, voiced by Shimazaki Nobunaga
Arakawa Koguma, voiced by Kobayashi Chiaki
Arakawa Kyouji, voiced by Azakami Youhei
Arakawa Guriko, voiced by Yamashita Seiichirou]
MC (M): So, these are some of the characters that we would like to present. We currently have their images here, all of them are other characters who will be making an appearance later on.
Eguchi: What a unique line-up.
Nagase: Such personalities.
Takahashi: Yes.
MC (F): Amazing.
MC (M): Plain amazing, right?
Takahashi: They’re quirky and strong people, and each of them is great at performing rakugo!
Nagase: You’re so right.
MC (M): By the way, do you all have a character other than yours that you have taken a liking to?
Takahashi: Oh my~
Eguchi: I do. Although I have many that I do like, if I have to choose from these people, I have to go with… um, I like Shinta-san. I like dad (“Ottou/Dad” like when Akane calls Shinta). Yes.
Takahashi: Okay.
Eguchi: In that sense, from the very first episode, Episode 1…
MC (M): Yes.
Eguchi: Right. Mm-hm.
Takahashi: I see what you mean.
Eguchi: I’m so excited since I haven’t seen it yet.
MC (M): Oh, yes, yes.
MC (F): That’s true.
Eguchi: Because I could only join the episodes that my character appears in, after all.
MC (M): Yes.
Eguchi: So I will really get to see the real thing for the first time when it’s on air. Yes, I can barely wait to have a discussion already.
MC (M): Well then, what about you, Takahashi-san?
Takahashi: Well, actually, a few days ago, all of us were present for the voice cast reveal (Jump Festa 2026). And when Maikeru’s voice actor was revealed to be Nobunaga-san, I got to hear some “Kyaaa!” screams erupting from the viewers at the stage. Which made me wonder what kind of rakugo Maikeru-san will perform.
MC (M): I see, and his name “Maikeru” is spelled in Hiragana*, too.
Takashi: Yes, it’s “Maikeru*.”
*Note: The way Maikeru’s name is spelled is in “Hiragana” characters, unlike “Katakana” characters which are primarily used for transcribing foreign words. What the male MC pointed out was that he understood Maikeru’s name as マイケル (Katakana) which is known as a transcription for the name “Michael”, not まいける (Hiragana) which could be understood as “Maikeru” or “‘Michael’ but in Hiragana.”
MC (M): So, what about you, Nagase-san?
Nagase: For me, I… I quite like Koguma… I think that Koguma-san, how should I say it, when I read the manga, well… he’s the calmest and doesn’t really show his emotions… or so I thought. He’s actually the most, what to say… he’s got a burning passion residing from the bottom of his heart, I think that he’s a character that really shows what I’m talking about. And also, his voice actor is Kobayashi-san, so I just kept repeating that fact countless times in my head.
Takahashi: YOU GET IT, RIGHT? You get it!
Nagase: Which I think is amazing, yes. And which is also why I am very excited for the anime.
MC (M): Hmm. And what about you, Shiono-san?
Shiono: Let’s see… It's Guriko for me.
MC (M): Guriko!
All: Ohhhhhh~
MC (M): Everyone just made the “Ohhhhhh” noise.
Shiono: Well, he’s the most… what is it? I think that he’s the easiest character to project oneself onto for the watchers. He really is like, special, and he’s really--he’s an extremely kindled spirit, although that quality isn’t what he finds within himself. And I think that his growth process will be something that could touch the watchers’ hearts. And combined with said shared sentiments, I think it is what really makes people feel like wanting to root for Guriko, and also, I have been with Yamashita-san (Guriko’s voice actor) himself.
MC (F): Alright, thank you for your comments.
MC (M): This really makes you wonder a little more about the characters and their voice actors, doesn’t it?
==================================
Personal comments:
I enjoyed this part of the livestream a lot since Takahashi-san's pick and Nagase-san's pick was different from their Jump Festa 2026 Stage picks, and I loved hearing their opinions about the disciples :)
I also highly recommend checking out the disciples' VAs' past voice acting roles! Fukuyama Jun (Shinta's VA) and Shimazaki Nobunaga (Maikeru's VA) are absolute legends. I only know Kobayashi Chiaki (Koguma's VA) from the anime series "Great Pretender", but I was blown away checking out his other roles. I only know Azakami Youhei (Kyouji's VA) as Kamonohashi Ron, and for Guriko's VA I mostly found him doing minor character roles!
When Nagase-san said she likes Koguma and commented about him during the livestream, I SCREAMED. I nodded along with what she was saying so hard my head could've fallen off my shoulders lololol, I just love this character a ton. I also agree with Shiono-san's comments about Guriko too!!! I was a bit sad there were no comments about Kyouji, hopefully he'll get some more love when the anime airs :')
There is actually around 6 minutes left until the end of TV Asahi Akane-Banashi panel in which the voice cast discussed their favorite aspect(s) of their own characters. I doubt I'll be translating it soon since I have other AkaBana translations/posts I've been wanting to do, but we'll see!
Let's enjoy the anime together when it's available worldwide :)
I was looking at some Akane-Banashi TV Asahi merch and spotted these cute AkaBana characters with Japanese sweets & tea illustrations and I have several thoughts about them…
My first thought is that Kaisei being paired with strawberry daifuku is SO fitting. I personally see strawberry daifuku as a ‘pretty’, ‘cute’, ‘well-liked/popular’, ‘modern’. He’s a pretty-looking thin daifuku layer enveloping a sweet red bean paste layer and an eye-catching tart strawberry inside. Kaisei is such a strawberry daifuku.
Karashi paired with matcha soft cream is also very fitting in my opinion! I like the combination of something so Japanese & traditional like matcha combined with something more Western & modern like soft cream, it reminds me of his modern rakugo performance and his attitude towards traditional rakugo in general.
Akane with sanshoku dango (three-colored dango) is sooo herrr! I actually expected her to get paired with sakura mochi because of her family name containing the character “Sakura”, but based on a bit of Google search, sanshoku dango is also called “Hanami Dango (flower-viewing dango)” which is usually eaten during the flower-viewing season (in which sakura blossoms in Japan this year started to bloom right after her birthday, March 27th!).
The three colors of the dango each represent the blooming blossoms (pink), the thawing snow (white), and coming of the spring (green). Also, I think that this dango in particular is cute and iconic in appearance just like our protagonist Akane herself :)
Hikaru with sakura mochi… you see what I meant when I mentioned that this is the sweets I thought Akane was going to be paired with. But it ended up being paired with Hikaru.
A “sakura mochi (桜餅)” which contains the same kanji character as “Ousaki Akane (桜咲 朱音)” is paired with Hikaru.
I’m sorry, I just have no other thoughts whether this character and sweets pairing is fitting or not, the only thought that I have is that Hikaru’s closet is made out of glass. This woman’s level of fixation on Akane is unmatched and beyond my comprehension.
