#studio zexcs

[demifiendrsa]

Akane-banashi TV anime - Teaser PV (with English captions)

The TV anime adaptation of writer Yūki Suenaga and illustrator Takamasa Moue's Akane-banashi manga will premiere in 2026.

Key visual

Cast

Anna Nagase as Akane Osaki, a high school girl aiming for the highest rank in the world of rakugo: Shin'uchi.

Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya, a university student currently on a two-time winning streak at the Student Rakugo Championship, the Karaku Cup.

Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi, a rising star in the voice acting world.

Staff

Original Creators: Yūki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue's

Director: Ayumu Watanabe

Assistant Director: Yu Harima

Character Design: Kii Tanaka

Chief Animation Director: Kii Tanaka

Script: Michihiro Tsuchiya

Music: Akio Izutsu

Rakugo Supervisor: Kikuhiko Hayashiya

Animation Production: Studio ZEXCS

[ella390-the-potato]

I'm pretty sure we didn't get the opening and ending last week...

[stuff-diary]

Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26

TV Shows/Dramas watched in 2025

Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 (2025, Japan)

Directors and Writers: various figures from studios Zexcs, Lapin Track, Studio Graph, 100studio, Studio Kafka and P.A. Works (based on one-shots by Tatsuki Fujimoto)

Mini-review:

Little by little, Tatsuki Fujimoto has become my favorite mangaka from his generation, and this anthology perfectly encapsulates everything that made me fall in love with his work. There's this inherent quirkiness to his concepts and writing, which instills his stories with an explosive personality that, to put it simply, can't be imitated. But the best of it all is the sensitivity and heart that awaits at the core of each and every one of his works. He always finds the way to pack an emotional wallop that leaves you floored, even in these short stories. And all of it comes with an irreverent sense of humor that hits the perfect spot. Fortunately, this anthology knows how to breathe life into these one-shots. All the episodes are a beauty to behold, even if some have better animation than others. Obviously, not all shorts are at the same narrative level, but that's to be expected from any anthology. Even then, the average quality is sky-high; like, I can't even pick a favorite right now. To sum up, Tatsuki Fujimoto 17-26 is probably the best anime anthology I've ever seen and one of the best shows of the year.

[amethystsoda]

Bakuten!! movie - background/environment art

[amethystsoda]

I don't watch a ton of sports anime, but Bakuten!! (commonly known as Backflip in the US) is one I do really enjoy.

The animation for the gymnastics alone is so cool:

like the extra little sparks for the dynamic performances?

the detail work for fluid motion in the hair and clothes as they're practicing

animating MISTAKES the boys are making during practice as they're still training (like Watari wobbling during his hand stand)

and everyone having really distinct personalities and designs so they don't all blend together.

(these shots are all from the movie, but the show definitely surprised me with how much I enjoyed it!!! The music is also really pretty and relaxing--listening to the song blue feather actually convinced me to start the show)

[flamingo-chan]

New Year card from studio ZEXCS