If you didn't know, Tatarashido is the one-shot that Suenaga-sensei and Moue-sensei worked on together before they made Akane-Banashi. It was included in Volume 16 of the Japanese version of Akane-Banashi, and got translated to English for the English version! I borrowed a copy from my library and wanted to share some of my favorite panels.
Also, just wanted to thank the comedy duo "Kuuki Kaidan" who inspired the characters, and Moue-sensei's editor who recommended him to draw for this story. Without them, we wouldn't have the real-life duo of Suenaga and Moue, and we wouldn't have Akane-Banashi. This is where it all started!
Fun fact, Tatara and Shido have made a small cameo in Akane-Banashi 👀
OK spoilers for Tatarashido below, please check it out if you are able to!!!
I really like the bond between our two main characters, they're just two nerds who enjoy comedy. The fact that Tatara writes submissions to a late night comedy radio show reminds me of another Shonen Jump manga "Someone Hertz" (It's really cute, if you like slice of life and a little bit of romance I recommend it!).
I feel bad for Shido when he got rejected via girl running away, but it is a pretty funny situation. Tatara said it right, Shido might put on a brave face, but it's definitely painful to be rejected and have everybody make fun of you for it. So instead of letting people laugh at them, they get to fight back by controlling what the audience gets to see and laugh at.
Also, when I saw Tatara dressed as a girl, my whole world changed lol. Crossdressing? In MY Shounen Jump one-shot??? It's more likely than you think. Genius of Moue-sensei to make him a pretty boy but disguise it with glasses and bowl cut lol. Shido is also great on stage, Tatara mentions he's a great actor, and he really is, look at him pouring his soul out!
I really love how well they work together, not only on stage but off. They're basically best friends, and they're working together to do something fun and make memories.
I like that the theme of comedy connects to Akane-Banashi, rakugo is mainly a comedic medium, after all. I also think Tatarashido is a reflection of Suenaga and Moue themselves. Moue-sensei says in his comment that he enjoys having the opportunity to draw characters that he couldn't have come up with himself, which is where Suenaga-sensei's writing come in. Tatara is the writer of the skits, and Shido brings his characters to life on stage! Ahh the little connections are so fun. Even after Akane-Banashi ends (which I hope won't be for a long time!!!) I hope Suenaga and Moue continue to work together to make beautiful manga for the world to see ❤️
