Picture: Akane-Banashi – Zexcs
Building on the massive success of its debut run, Akane-banashi is officially heading back to screens for a sophomore season in 2027! While the popular anime series is scheduled to kick off its broadcast in Japan this January, international Netflix viewers can anticipate a brief rollout window, with the global premiere likely arriving around February or March. With half a dozen new voice actors added to the roster, here is everything you need to know about what’s in store for Akane-banashi Season 2 on Netflix.
Brought to life by animation studio Zexcs and helmed by director Ayumu Watanabe, Akane-banashi is a comedic Japanese anime based on the hit manga written by Yuki Suenaga. Serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump since February 2022, the source material has expanded to 23 collected volumes as of August 2026.
“Akane unexpectedly sparks controversy after being caught receiving underground mentorship from Shiguma Arakawa, a former colleague of her father. She is now preparing to make serious waves as she trades covert lessons for formal instruction, taking her very first steps up the demanding hierarchy of traditional rakugo performance—ranging from a zenza opening act all the way to a shin’uchi headliner. Balancing high school responsibilities alongside her complex dynamic with Shiguma’s current disciples, she’ll quickly discover that mastering the art of rakugoka takes far more than just natural stage presence!”
When will Akane-Banashi Season 2 premiere on Netflix?
While the return of Akane-Banashi has been officially locked in for January 2027, an exact streaming date from Netflix is still pending. However, we can make an educated guess by looking at the release pattern of the first season.
Season 1 launched on Japanese television on April 4 before debuting globally on Netflix complete with its English dub on May 17, 2026. Following that roughly month-long turnaround, season 2 is widely expected to land on the platform sometime in February 2027 or March 2027.
What to expect from the upcoming episodes
The upcoming batch of episodes will dive straight into the Apprentice Arc (also known as the Zenza Training Arc), following Akane as she undergoes rigorous training under Shiguma Arakawa to cement her place in the professional rakugo world.
How much manga territory has been covered?
Out of the 217 total chapters published in the Akane-banashi manga so far, the anime adaptation has only tackled roughly the first 30 chapters.
Picture: Volumes 1-3 of the Akane-banashi manga – Shueisha
Given the immense amount of source material still waiting to be adapted, there is more than enough content to keep the anime running well past its second season.
Six fresh faces join the voice cast
Producers have confirmed that six new performers are boarding the series for its sophomore chapter:
- Hochu Otsuka (Naruto) as Miroku Kashiwaya
- Ryotaro Okiayu (Demon Slayer) as Shomei Tsubakiya
- Hiroshi Naka (One Piece) as Enso Sanmeitei
- Mutsumi Tamura (Stone Ocean) as Urara Ransaika
- Shinichiro Miki (Dragon Ball Super) as Ryu’un Kenputei
- Tomokazu Seki (Demon Slayer) as Chocho Konjakutei
English dub details for these newly introduced roles are still under wraps.
Meanwhile, fans can look forward to the return of a massive lineup of both Japanese and English voice talent reprising their familiar roles:
- Anna Nagase / Abby Trott as Akane Arakawa
- Jun Fukuyama / Xander Mobus as Shinta Arakawa
- Shizuka Itō / Rebecca Wang as Masaki Osaki
- Akio Otsuka / Evan Michael Lee as Issho Arakawa
- Masaki Terasoma / Brook Chalmers as Shiguma Arakawa
- Hiroaki Hirata / Kirk Thornton as Ikken Arakawa
- Fumihiko Tachiki / Rich Brown as Zensho Arakawa
- Nobunaga Shimazaki / Landon McDonald as Maikeru Arakawa
- Seiichiro Yamashita / Darius Marquis Johnson as Guriko Arakawa
- Yōhei Azakami / Jonathan Ha as Kyoji Arakawa
- Chiaki Kobayashi / Khoi Dao as Koguma Arakawa
- Akihisa Shiono / Matt Shipman as Kaisei Arakawa
- Rie Takahashi / Anne Yatco as Hikaru Arakawa
- Hōchū Ōtsuka / SungWon Cho as Miroku Kashiwaya
- Takuya Eguchi / Kellen Goff as Karashi Sanmeitei
- Mutsumi Tamura / Kari Wahlgren as Urara Ransaika
- Tomokazu Seki / Ben Diskin as Chocho Konjakutei
- Ryōtarō Okiayu / Crispin Freeman as Shomei Tsubakiya
- Ryota Iwasaki / Clifford Chapin as Kimihisa Kashio
- Yumiko Konatsu / Mona Marshall as Saki Yoshino
Are you excited to stream Akane-Banashi Season 2 when it arrives on Netflix? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!