In this post, we take a closer look at the current status of the series “Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu”, also known by the following titles:
- Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
- 昭和元禄落語心中
- Showa and Genroku Era Lovers Suicide Through Rakugo
Status#
Based on our analysis, the series is FINISHED. ✅
Here’s how we reached that conclusion:
- All related entries are marked as finished on MyAnimeList
- The series is listed as ended on Trakt
- The original source material has been fully adapted, according to MangaUpdates
These sources consistently confirm that the main story of Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu has been fully concluded.
Watch order#
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu ↗ ↖
昭和元禄落語心中
Summary
Young Yotarou has just left prison after serving a short term for a crime he does not know anything about, but without family, he has nowhere to go. Instead, he is going straight to the unrivaled master of rakugo—a form of comedic Japanese storytelling—Yakumo Yuurakutei himself. Due to a series of events, Yotarou becomes enamored with rakugo, bent on becoming a shunichi. Yakumo, who never takes apprentices, almost immediately agrees to pass his trade on to Yotarou. Together with Konatsu, a young lady living in the household, they start struggling toward becoming the new hope for rakugo, which seems to be slowly withering away alongside the Shouwa era.However, as Yotarou gets to know his new mentor and “big sis,” he notices hints of a dark past in both of them. The environment of the household becomes strained and, at times, scary. Naturally, no hardships matter to the young Yotarou, as his gaze is set upon their mutual future—the future where he becomes the master of rakugo.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Background
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu won the Excellence Award in manga category at the 17th Japan Media Arts Festival, as well as the the 38th Kodansha Manga Award for best general manga. It was also nominated for the 17th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize and placed fourth in the 5th Manga Taisho award, second on the 2012 Kono Manga ga Sugoi! rankings for the female division, and seventh in the 2013 Comic Natalie's Grand Prize. The series was published digitally in English as Descending Stories: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju by Kodansha Comics USA from January 17, 2017 to December 11, 2018, and in print from May 23, 2017 to December 31, 2018.
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Yotarou Hourou-hen ↗ ↖
Summary
Bundled with the special editions of the manga's 7th and 8th volumes.When a certain man is released from prison, he knows exactly where he’s heading first. After falling in love with a traditional comic storyteller’s rendition of the story called “Shinigami,” he is determined to become his apprentice. The performer, Yakumo, has never taken an apprentice before, but to everyone’s surprise, he accepts the eager ex-prisoner, nicknaming him “Yotaro.”
As Yotaro happily begins his new life, he meets others in Yakumo’s life, including Yakumo’s ward Konatsu. Konatsu was the daughter of a famous storyteller, and Yakumo took her in after her father’s tragic death. Konatsu loved her father’s storytelling, and would love to become a performer in her own right—but that path is not available for women.
(Source: MangaHelpers)
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu ↗ ↖
昭和元禄落語心中
Summary
Yotarou is a former yakuza member fresh out of prison and fixated on just one thing: rather than return to a life of crime, the young man aspires to take to the stage of rakugo, a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling. Inspired during his incarceration by the performance of distinguished practitioner Yakumo Yuurakutei, he sets his mind on meeting the man who changed his life. After hearing Yotarou's desperate appeal for his mentorship, Yakumo is left with no choice but to accept his very first apprentice.As he eagerly begins his training, Yotarou meets Konatsu, an abrasive young woman who has been under Yakumo’s care ever since her beloved father Sukeroku Yuurakutei, another prolific rakugo performer, passed away. Through her hidden passion, Yotarou is drawn to Sukeroku’s unique style of rakugo despite learning under contrasting techniques. Upon seeing this, old memories and feelings return to Yakumo who reminisces about a much earlier time when he made a promise with his greatest rival.
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu is a story set in both the past and present, depicting the art of rakugo, the relationships it creates, and the lives and hearts of those dedicated to keeping the unique form of storytelling alive.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Background
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu covers the first five volumes of the manga. The original voice cast of the OVA reprised their roles for the animated TV series.
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen ↗ ↖
昭和元禄落語心中～助六再び篇～
Summary
Even after having risen to the utmost rank of shin'uchi, Yotarou struggles to find his own identity in the world of rakugo. Caught between his master's teachings and the late Sukeroku's unique style, his performance lacks an important ingredient—ego. And while his popularity packs the theaters, he is but one of the few; rakugo is under threat of being eclipsed.Meanwhile Yakumo, regarded by many as the last bastion of preserving the popularity of rakugo, struggles to cope with his elderly state. Even though his performances are still stellar, he fears that he is nearing his limits. His doubts grow stronger as an old friend creeps ever closer. Konatsu, for her part, attempts to raise her son as a single mother, which Yotarou is heavily opposed to. Instead, he seeks to persuade her to marry him and in turn raise her son as his own.
In Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen, the curtains fall on Yotarou and Yakumo’s story, tasked with restoring the near-obsolete art form as well as overcoming their internal conflicts.
[Written by MAL Rewrite]
Background
Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen covers volumes 6 through 10 of the manga.