The new anime series Akane-banashi has brought the traditional Japanese art of Rakugo to life for a global audience. Based on the popular manga from Weekly Shonen Jump, the show has quickly gained attention for its unique story about a young girl chasing her dreams in the world of storytelling. As of May 29, 2026, the anime is currently in the middle of its first season, and here is the complete breakdown of when every episode airs and where you can watch them.
New Episodes Arrive Every Saturday on Netflix and YouTube
Akane-banashi follows a strict weekly release pattern. New episodes air in Japan every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. JST. For viewers around the world, the release schedule depends on the platform.
If you live in North America, you can watch the new episodes for free on the Akane-banashi Global YouTube channel. The subtitled episodes usually go live around 12:00 p.m. EST on Saturdays. For subscribers of Netflix, new episodes drop approximately one hour after the Japanese TV broadcast ends. This means viewers in India can watch around 9:00 PM IST, while fans in the UK can tune in around 3:30 PM GMT.
The first season is confirmed to have 12 episodes in its current run. While the manga is still ongoing, the anime is expected to cover the early arcs of the story, including the recently started “Karaku Cup” tournament.
Full Akane-banashi Season 1 Release Calendar
Here is the confirmed list of release dates for all episodes of Akane-banashi Season 1. The schedule follows a weekly Saturday release model.
- Episode 1 — April 4, 2026
- Episode 2 — April 11, 2026
- Episode 3 — April 18, 2026
- Episode 4 — April 25, 2026
- Episode 5 — May 2, 2026
- Episode 6 — May 9, 2026
- Episode 7 — May 16, 2026
- Episode 8 — May 23, 2026
- Episode 9 — May 30, 2026
- Episode 10 — June 6, 2026
- Episode 11 — June 13, 2026
- Episode 12 — June 20, 2026
The series is produced by Studio Zexcs and directed by Ayumu Watanabe, known for his work on Summer Time Rendering. The music is composed by Akio Izutsu, with professional Rakugo performer Kikuhiko Hayashiya serving as a supervisor to ensure the performances in the show are authentic.
Where to Watch Akane-banashi in Your Country
The streaming availability for Akane-banashi depends on your location. The production team has set up specific deals for different regions to make sure most fans can watch the show legally.
North and South America: Viewers in the US, Canada, and South America can watch every episode for free on the official Akane-banashi Global YouTube channel. English subtitles are provided with each new release.
Asia: For fans in India, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, Netflix is the primary streaming home for the show. The platform also offers an English dub for viewers who prefer dubbed voices.
Europe: The streaming rights are split among local services. Viewers in France can watch on ADN. Fans in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland should head to aniverse. Spain has the show on Anime Box, while Italy streams it on Anime Generation.
Australia and New Zealand: Fans in this region can also find the series on Netflix, though there is a slight delay compared to the Asian release schedule.
The voice cast for the original Japanese version includes Anna Nagase as Akane Osaki, Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya, and Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi. The English dub, released alongside the Netflix version, features Abby Trott as Akane and Xander Mobus as Shinta Arakawa.
The Karaku Cup Arc Begins With Episode 7
The story of Akane-banashi follows a young girl who enters the competitive world of Rakugo to honor her father, who was banned from the profession. Episode 7, released on May 16, marked the start of the “Karaku Cup” story arc. This tournament arc is a major turning point in the manga and places Akane directly against her biggest rivals for the first time.
Fans have responded positively to how the anime adapts the manga’s unique visual style. Unlike typical action shows, Akane-banashi uses creative animation and sound design to make storytelling feel exciting and competitive. Episode 6, titled “Terakoya,” earned praise for its emotional depth. Episode 8 recently aired on May 23, moving the tournament forward.
The show currently holds a rating of 8.0/10 on IMDb and continues to gain viewers as more episodes become available on Netflix.
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Final Episode Airing Date Confirmed for June
If the schedule remains unchanged, the final episode of this cour, Episode 12, will air on June 20, 2026. Some leaks suggest the anime is planned for a total of 24 episodes split into two parts, though the studio has not officially confirmed a second cour yet.
For now, fans can expect the story to pause after Episode 12. The manga, written by Yuki Suenaga and illustrated by Takamasa Moue, has plenty of material left to adapt, so a second season or a continuation later in the year is a strong possibility.
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