Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

When a certain man is released from prison, he knows exactly where he's heading first. After falling in love with a traditional comic storyteller's rendition of the story called "Shinigami," he is determined to become his apprentice. The performer, Yakumo, has never taken an apprentice before, but to everyone's surprise, he accepts the eager ex-prisoner, nicknaming him "Yotaro." As Yotaro happily begins his new life, he meets others in Yakumo's life, including Yakumo's ward Konatsu. Konatsu was the daughter of a famous storyteller, and Yakumo took her in after her father's tragic death. Konatsu loved her father's storytelling, and would love to become a performer in her own right—but that path is not available for women.

Descending Stories (2016-2017) is a Japanese animated drama series created for MBS and TBS, adapted into a two-season run of twenty-five episodes from Studio Deen. Released from prison, the eager Yotaro is determined to become the apprentice of Yakumo Yuurakutei, a proud master of rakugo, the traditional comic storytelling art. Their relationship is the engine of the show: Yotaro must prove he can master a tradition that demands discipline, humility, and years of practice, while Yakumo carries old wounds and a rivalry with fellow performer Sukeroku Yuurakutei. Yakumo's ward Konatsu dreams of performing herself, but the stage is closed to women in her era. Each episode centers on a rakugo performance and the personal histories behind it, so the story unfolds as a patient, retrospective account of friendship, ambition, and loss. Set in Shouwa era Japan, the series has a melancholic, elegant atmosphere where lush historical detail meets quiet emotional weight. Fans of Kids on the Slope, Mushishi, and Farewell My Concubine will find resonance in its blend of artistic devotion and bittersweet human longing.

Critics broadly acclaim the series for its rakugo storytelling, its emotionally layered portrayal of friendship and rivalry, and its evocative Shouwa-era atmosphere.

• Kids on the Slopeslow burn performing arts mentorship, historical japanese setting, emotional depth of art and devotion
• Mushishiserialized drama about a performing art's traditions, master apprentice bond, and personal costs of devotion
• Farewell My Concubineperiod drama of artistic devotion and rivalry over decades, melancholic tone and tragic friendships

Release Date

2016-01-09

Episode runtime

26 min

Rating

8.3 / 10 (65)

What is Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju about?

A newly released ex-convict becomes the apprentice of a proud rakugo master and is drawn into the rivalries and grief of the traditional storytelling world.

What is Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.

Is Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju violent?

Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju as mild.

What did critics think of Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju?

Critics broadly acclaim the series for its rakugo storytelling, its emotionally layered portrayal of friendship and rivalry, and its evocative Shouwa-era atmosphere.

Which shows are like Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju?

Shows with a similar feel include Kids on the Slope, Mushishi, and Farewell My Concubine.

How long is Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju?

Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju: 2 seasons, 25 episodes.

Is Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju still running?

No, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju has ended.

Where can I watch Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju?

In United States, Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju streams on Crunchyroll, Crunchyroll Amazon Channel, Netflix Standard with Ads.