Maikeru Arakawa is gearing up to be the first futatsume in the Arakawa school to take the shin’uchi exam since the big expulsion scandal that forced Akane’s father out of the rakugo world. That incident weighs heavily on all of Master Shiguma’s apprentices, but it hit Maikeru especially hard due to his close relationship with Shinta Arakawa. And worse, one of the Arakawa Arch Four, Zensho Arakawa, has it out for Maikeru due to their similar performance styles. Will Maikeru be able to gain the approval of the Arakawa Arch Four and overcome the hurdle that no one in the Arakawa school has even attempted since the scandal all those years ago, or will he face the same fate as Akane’s father?
Akane is busy preparing for her promotion to futatsume, and the process is taking a lot longer than she expected. For Akane’s final performance as a zenza, Shiguma entrusts her to be the opening act for his solo performance. Will Akane be able to prove she’s grown enough to ascend to the next level? Especially with the extra pressure of knowing that Shiguma is one of the Arakawa Arch Four?
Akane is busy preparing for her promotion to futatsume, and the process is taking a lot longer than she expected. For Akane’s final performance as a zenza, Shiguma entrusts her to be the opening act for his solo performance. Will Akane be able to prove she’s grown enough to ascend to the next level? Especially with the extra pressure of knowing that Shiguma is one of the Arakawa Arch Four?
Akane successfully performs the opening act for Master Shiguma’s solo show, but whispers of the story known as “Shiguma's Art” leave her yearning to learn more. But suddenly, things take a turn for the worse when Master Shiguma collapses and the Shiguma School is forcefully disbanded by the Arakawa School. And to Akane’s horror, her new master is none other than the man who crushed her father’s dreams—Issho Arakawa. Finally, the story of Issho and Shiguma’s past is brought to light—as is the identity of the original Shiguma!
Akane successfully performs the opening act for Master Shiguma’s solo show, but whispers of the story known as “Shiguma's Art” leave her yearning to learn more. But suddenly, things take a turn for the worse when Master Shiguma collapses and the Shiguma School is forcefully disbanded by the Arakawa School. And to Akane’s horror, her new master is none other than the man who crushed her father’s dreams—Issho Arakawa. Finally, the story of Issho and Shiguma’s past is brought to light—as is the identity of the original Shiguma!
As youngsters, Issho and Shiguma are trapped in poverty, doing odd jobs, getting in fights, and behaving utterly unlike the professional rakugoka they will one day become. When the previous Shiguma, Kiroku Kashiwaya, charms them with his art, they join his rakugo school, and he influences them to work hard and better themselves. But one day, everything changes… In recounting this story to Akane, Urara reveals the secret behind the birth of the Arakawa School. Will it change Akane’s perception on becoming Issho’s apprentice? This volume also includes the one-shot “Tatarashido,” a story about stand-up comedy from fun-loving high schoolers!
As youngsters, Issho and Shiguma are trapped in poverty, doing odd jobs, getting in fights, and behaving utterly unlike the professional rakugoka they will one day become. When the previous Shiguma, Kiroku Kashiwaya, charms them with his art, they join his rakugo school, and he influences them to work hard and better themselves. But one day, everything changes… In recounting this story to Akane, Urara reveals the secret behind the birth of the Arakawa School. Will it change Akane’s perception on becoming Issho’s apprentice? This volume also includes the one-shot “Tatarashido,” a story about stand-up comedy from fun-loving high schoolers!
Three years have passed since the dissolution of the Shiguma School. Akane, who suddenly vanished from the world of Japanese rakugo, is discovered to be practicing rakugo in…Paris? What sort of performance will she put on in a city synonymous with art itself? As the purpose of her training abroad becomes clearer, “Shiguma’s Art” grows ever closer. Then, back in Japan, Akane pushes forward as a futatsume, and her long-awaited first performance since she vanished is about to begin!
Three years have passed since the dissolution of the Shiguma School. Akane, who suddenly vanished from the world of Japanese rakugo, is discovered to be practicing rakugo in…Paris? What sort of performance will she put on in a city synonymous with art itself? As the purpose of her training abroad becomes clearer, “Shiguma’s Art” grows ever closer. Then, back in Japan, Akane pushes forward as a futatsume, and her long-awaited first performance since she vanished is about to begin!