‘Akane-Banashi’ New Weekly Anime Series Coming to Netflix in May 2026

Picture: Akane-Banashi – Zexcs

Another weekly anime is headed to Netflix this Spring, with Akane-Banashi debuting on the streaming platform on May 17, 2026. Two episodes will mark the occasion before moving to a weekly format with both Japanese and English dubs available. Here’s everything we know so far about Akane-Banashi on Netflix.

Akane-Banashi is a Japanese comedy-drama anime series produced by Zexcs and directed by Ayumu Watanabe. The anime is an adaptation of the manga of the same name by author Yuki Suenaga. The manga has been ongoing in Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since February 14, 2022, and there are now 21 volumes. 

When is Akane-Banashi coming to Netflix?

Netflix has confirmed that Akane-Banashi will be available on May 17, 2026!

Two episodes will be available upon release, then released weekly, with the 3rd episode coming on May 24, 2026.

The anime is currently being broadcast in Japan, so there is a significant delay before it lands on Netflix. However, it is far from the worst instance of Netflix Jail we’ve seen. 

A trailer for the anime is available to watch on Netflix.

What is the plot of Akane-Banashi?

The full synopsis has been sourced from MyAnimeList:

“Rakugo, a traditional form of storytelling, takes years for any apprentice to master and ascend to the top rank of shinuchi. Ever since she could remember, Akane Ousaki has been mesmerized by her father Tooru’s rakugo performances. Peeking in behind a sliding door, she would spend hours watching and mimicking his work.

For Tooru, the only thing separating him from that coveted rank is a promotion test in front of an audience and a senior rakugo master, Isshou Arakawa. Despite his passionate performance, Tooru finds himself expelled from the rakugo school following the exam. This makes him give up on rakugo entirely and settle for a regular job, breaking his daughter’s heart.

Filled with grief and anger, Akane now seeks vengeance on the man who refuses to see the genius behind her father’s rakugo style. She begs Tooru’s former rakugo master, Shiguma Arakawa, to take her under his wing. But Shiguma feels unworthy of taking on another pupil after what happened to her father six years prior. In order to see if she has what it takes to enter the rakugo world, Shiguma urges Akane to test her resolve by performing in front of an audience.”

Who are the cast members of Akane-Banashi?

The Japanese dub cast is:

• Anna Nagase as Akane Ousaki.
• Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa.
• Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya.
• Masaki Terasoma as Shigume Arakawa.
• Jun Fukuyama as Tooru Ousaki.
• Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Kouragi.
• Akihisa Shiono as Kaisei Arakawa.
• Nobunaga Shimazaki as Isshou Arakawa.
• Seiichirou Yamashita as Guriko Arakawa.

At the time of writing, the English dub for Akane-Banashi has not been announced. But once the cast is announced, we will update this article with the list below!

Are you looking forward to watching Akane-Banashi? Let us know in the comments below!