Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju

- Season 1

(2016)

After being released from prison, aspiring storyteller Kyoji begs the great actor Kikuhiko to take him as apprentice, and teach him the art of rakugo.

In the 1930's, two very different boys, the introverted Kikuhiko and the exuberant Hatsutaro, are taken as apprentices by a distinguished rakugo master.

As Hatsutaro and master Yakumo enlist to fight in WWII, Kikuhiko retreats to the countryside, where his love for rakugo flowers.

Kikuhiko and Hatsutaro try to make their way in the booming rakugo industry of post-war Japan.

Forced to play a role outside of his comfort zone, Kikuhiko has his first major artistic success.

After his successful stage performance, Kikuhiko begins to discover his voice in rakugo.

Finally in demand as a rakugo artist, Kikuhiko slowly estranges his love, Miyokichi.

With the prospect of being promoted, Kikuhiko has to break up with Miyokichi. Together with Hatsutaro, he swears to keep the art of rakugo alive.

After Hatsutaro is expelled by his master, he and Kikuhiko struggle with their future.

Kikuhiko becomes the eighth generation Yakumo Yurakutei with the death of his master, and finds the peace he had so long been looking for.

Five years after their break-up, Kikuhiko travels to the countryside to convince Hatsutaro to take up rakugo again.

Kikuhiko and Hatsutaro prepare to perform together for the first time in years.

Now that his apprentice Kyoji has been promoted, Kikuhiko reflects on the life he has lived, and the fading art of rakugo.