Actor Akihisa Shiono has been added to the voice cast of the upcoming TV anime Akane-banashi, voicing the character Kaisei Arakawa. The series is set to premiere in Japan in April 2026. Shiono brings experience from his role in the 2013 live-action series Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger.
The announcement highlights the growing ensemble for Akane-banashi, a adaptation of the rakugo-themed manga by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue. Serialized in Shueisha's Weekly Shonen Jump since February 14, 2022, the manga has reached 19 tankobon volumes as of November 2025, with a 20th volume slated for January 5, 2026. VIZ Media holds the English license and describes the story's premise: Shinta Arakawa aims to pass his shin’uchi exam to become a master rakugo storyteller, supported by his daughter Akane Osaki, who practices in secret. After Arakawa's unexplained expulsion, Akane vows to avenge him and prove his worth.
Shiono joins a cast that includes Anna Nagase as Akane Osaki, Takuya Eguchi as Karashi Nerimaya, Rie Takahashi as Hikaru Koragi, Tohru Osaki as Shinta Arakawa, Nobunaga Shimazaki as Maikeru Arakawa, Chiaki Kobayashi as Koguma Arakawa, Yohei Azakami as Kyoji Arakawa, and Seiichiro Yamashita as Guriko Arakawa.
Ayumu Watanabe directs the anime, known for Summer Time Rendering, Children of the Sea, and the forthcoming Witch Hat Atelier. Yu Harima serves as assistant director, with credits on Summer Time Rendering episodes 7 and 20. Kii Tanaka handles character design and chief animation direction, following work on Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead. Michihiro Tsuchiya composes the series, drawing from Mobile Suit Gundam Iron-Blooded Orphans Urdr-Hunt and Aikatsu! x PriPara. Additional staff include Yasunari Nitta as sub-character designer for Shadowverse Flame, Noriko Shimazawa for costumes, Akio Izutsu for music from Akuma Kun, and rakugo supervisor Kikuhiko Hayashiya. ZEXCS oversees animation production.
This addition underscores the project's focus on authentic rakugo storytelling in anime form.