Story 190: What Is Death

Here is Akane’s first rendition of “Shinigami”, which is based on what she learned from watching Master Shiguma’s performance. She did an impressive job of portraying Shiguma’s stage presence, but her shinigami was nowhere to be found. I suppose that’s because Akane hasn’t delve into what “death” means to her, she’s trying to let the story speak for itself, but “Shinigami” is something different for everyone.

Her closest brush with death is when she found Shiguma collapsed before he had to be hospitalized. She saw the god of death standing at his head, meaning it’s his time to go. Fortunately, Shiguma is still with us and Akane’s vision didn’t come true, or perhaps that particular God of Death symbolized the death of Shiguma’s rakugo. In that case, Akane has more than one experience involving the death of someone’s rakugo with her dad’s expulsion. I wonder if she will incorporate that in her Shinigami, since she’s never experienced death before.

Akane brings up the juxtaposition I mentioned last chapter. Both Shiguma and Shomei’s versions of Shinigami had dark elements and lighter elements. To grasp where each portrayal of the shinigami comes from, Akane needs to dig deeper into the story tellers’ histories.

And I already can’t wait, we get to see baby Shomei, and his dad?!?! Someone needs to keep these glasses-wearing men away from me or I’ll actually go feral.

Also, Akane is so cute in today’s color page 🥹 Her fangs, her smile, her graphic tee, very girlfriend-coded, adorable.

Story 189: The Flavor of God of Death

Ahh Shinigami, the story with as many faces as it has tellers. I really love seeing Shomei perform, the gap between his serious personality and comedic performance really gets me 😆 It was interesting seeing a comedic version of Shinigami and how different it is from Master Shiguma’s more serious, solemn performance.

The fact that you can tell Shinigami in so many ways and you can’t understand the story without adding yourself into it is challenging on its own. It makes me wonder what Kaisei and Issho’s Shinigami were like, and I’m looking forward to seeing Akane’s own interpretation. She won’t be able to let the story tell itself, the flavor of Shinigami won’t be able to come out without your personal flair.

I had to go back to Story 123 and read Shiguma’s version again. I thought it was funny that the visualization of the God of Death feels opposite between each story. Shiguma’s Shinigami looks like a silly gremlin, while Shomei’s is what we think a typical grim reaper looks like. It’s also amazing how different the settings look too.

Story 188: Triplicate Training

And another training arc begins! Im glad that Akane is able to move into her own apartment now! Plus, it’s always nice to see Taison, his stability is something Akane needs in this turbulent time. Akane has a lot riding on the Isshokai and learning “Shinigami”, including Issho granting her a request, and hearing events from Kaisei’s perspective, among other things.

I’m not just excited to see Akane learn “Shinigami”, I’m also excited to see Shomei again ❤️ He’s such a weirdo i love him 😆 They’re all the way in Hakata, which is about a 5 hour shinkansen ride away from Tokyo. To spring this on the students, Shomei sure is a little scamp (it’s so hilarious to me that he called himself that lmao). His teaching method is also interesting and very traditional, which is expected, coming from him. You only get three chances to listen to the master perform, and you’re supposed to have the story memorized afterwards, no recordings allowed either.

Plus, Rokuro is here!!! It’s been a while! I wasn’t expecting to see anybody else, but I’m not surprised he’s here to learn “Shinigami”, at the end of the day. It seems like everybody has the same end goal in mind… Besides, Akane could use the help with all of Shomei’s demands lmao.

Story 187: Make Up For the Waiting

Wow, hearing Kaisei talk about his past, he really is similar to Akane, and their similarities reminded me of Kisoba and Rokuen when they started learning rakugo. Kaisei said “I had a feeling that was the case,” about how Akane started learning in elementary school, because he also started young. I feel like there’s a lot of other similarities that he’s noticed, but just isn’t telling her.

Also, what does Kaisei know about Master Shiguma 😭🤔 Does he really know a different side of Shiguma, or is his perspective just different from what Akane has gotten to know? This chapter feels like it has so many double meanings, I don’t really know how to decipher it all on a first impression 😭

Akane and Kaisei are just like Rokuen and Kisoba, two sides of the same coin. They have many similarities, but at the end of the day, they are different people with different motivations and understandings of the world. Will this help them come together or tear them apart like Issho and Shiguma?

Also, this was a choice 👀 I commend Kaisei for taking the trauma from his Shinuchi promotion test and transforming it to a twist to the Isshokai performances. The title “Shinigami Double Banquet” is fitting, since I’m sure we’ll be fed well with plot lmao. I’m looking forward to this double performance, since Shinigami is such an infamous story, and I’m excited to see Akane and Kaisei’s interpretations.

Also, love the selfie-style color page. I really liked seeing Akane’s half-up-half-down hairstyle this chapter.

Story 186: The Art of the Personal

Oh ho, do I have some words for Issho. Knowing him and his need to perpetuate generational trauma, this move is very Issho. Seriously? Performing the same story after your pupil was set to be promoted? Plus it had to be Shinigami. Issho said, “you’re not on my level yet. Do you really think you can inherit Shiguma’s Art, the one thing I don’t have?” Despite the tense mood, I want to be in the audience for this promotion, just to see Kaisei and Issho’s “Shinigami”. Was Issho able to resolve the awkward atmosphere? We still haven’t seen his rakugo as the old man we know and hate/love, and I’m very curious.

It’s also very telling that Kaisei put Issho’s essence/aura into the debt collector character. The line “I’ve been on the wrong side of the blade many times before,” clearly defines Issho’s history. He’s made mistakes, he needed to grow, so he doesn’t hesitate to let others know when they’re wrong and where they still need to develop. That doesn’t mean he’s right in the way he’s training him though!!! 😤

I’m furious for Kaisei and what that old man has put him through since he was a child. Yes, Kaisei’s rakugo did grow and change after the promotion incident, but at what cost? What would the old Shiguma say about your methods Issho? Was he like this to you? Is that why you insist on constantly putting Kaisei down? Even his praise to Akane was to “motivate” Kaisei. You know this method of teaching only works on Kaisei because you’re all he knows, right? Kaisei has never known a warm, welcoming atmosphere. To get praise, he just needs to get better, and that breaks my heart.

Now that Akane is seeing both sides: Issho’s coldness and Shiguma’s warmth, I hope she can introduce some of Shiguma’s kindness to Kaisei before he lets his master’s demands consume him like Issho.

I really loved this page. Kaisei’s anger is so justified. Love the emphasis on his eyes, he’s so beautiful. Use this anger to break your generational curse Kaisei 😭

Story 185: Coldness

I have so many thoughts about this chapter, I don’t even know where to start. I’ve been wanting more Kaisei backstory, and I thought I would be prepared, but I’m not 😭 The inverted color scheme used this chapter perfectly illustrates the coldness of Kaisei’s past. It’s because he’s experienced the dread of debt collectors knocking on your door that he’s able to portray it so well in this performance. Plus, he went through this terror as a child, no less.

It’s because Issho paid off his family debts that Kaisei wanted to be like him. I don’t want to speak for how these characters think, but right now it feels like we’re setting up a “Kaisei owes Issho everything, but Issho owes Kaisei nothing” type of situation.

Kaisei gave up everything to become Issho’s apprentice. It also broke my heart when he said Issho’s coldness was familiar and comfortable. It really feels like Issho is just building Kaisei up as a stepping stone for Akane to achieve “Shiguma’s Art”. Many people have pointed out that your own master can’t be a judge during your Shinuchi promotion exam, so what exactly did Issho say and do during Kaisei’s? The old man is not beating the demon lord allegations, I’m telling you.

Also, the way Kaisei is drawn this chapter is so haunting. His black kimono with white flowers look just like the winter scene he’s depicting.

Story 184: Drawing Capability

While I did say it would be very big-brained of them to start the Isshokai this week, I’m glad they didn’t. We did have some downtime after the Zuiun Prize, but there hasn’t been enough buildup to start a brand new arc yet. Plus, we wouldn’t have been able to see the banter between these guys 🥹

I loved that Akane wanted to plan a three-person event with Hikaru and Karashi, but it got thwarted by her involvement in the Isshokai lol. Every line Hikaru says is her defending Akane, which I thought was very Hikaru 😆

They also discuss the “drawing ability” of an Arakawa Shinuchi, which is something I think Issho really emphasizes on. So many of the students in his school are involved in mainstream media, and the Isshokai is a gathering of powerful people with media connections.

That is completely different from how Master Shiguma views rakugo. Whenever Shiguma did something big, it always involved his community. He hosts the Shikisai Festival in his neighborhood, and when he was preparing for his solo event, the people who came weren’t celebrities, they’re ordinary people who love his rakugo. Issho and Shiguma’s difference in how they view rakugo was probably the determining factor on who could inherit Shiguma’s Art.

Also, whenever Issho smiles deviously like that, it just makes me want to punch him in the face! I don’t want to know what he said to Kaisei, but on the other hand… I NEED TO KNOW!!! I’m assuming this is right after Kaisei failed his Shinuchi promotion. This old man really has no tact. That line Kaisei said last chapter about disappointing Issho has to be related to this right? WHAT MORE DO YOU NEED FROM HIM??? Just because you disappointed your master, that doesn’t mean you need to be disappointed by your pupils, Issho!

Story 183: Card and Time

I can’t stand how rude this old man is sometimes 😤 Not one shred of understanding in his bones. He tells Akane he will grant her one request out of the blue, then drops that she and Kaisei will be in charge of the daytime schedule of the Isshokai, then basically threatens her to do it or lose her request?!?!? Have you no shame? It’s just one thing after another with him.

I’m also quite intrigued by Kaisei’s reaction to Issho’s demand. “This time.” That means he’s failed him before. We have seen so much deeper into Kaisei and Issho’s relationship in just these few chapters. I need mooooooore.

Also, the fact that the Isshokai takes place on the anniversary of death of the previous Shiguma every year is so Issho. He’s so hung up on the past. I can see a reflection of his relationship with the previous Shiguma in Kaisei’s relationship with Issho. No matter what they did, it was never enough for their master, they need someone like Akane or Shiguma (Kiroku) to fulfill their vision. And that’s called generational trauma.

I almost forgot about Kaisei’s conversation with Rokuro, and how they’re both pursuing Shiguma’s Art. At least Akane is also in the loop now.

Also loved the flashbacks to when Akane was chasing to catch up to Kaisei. They will get to perform at the same event! Though the circumstances are less than ideal, it’s still a goal Akane had. I wonder if there’s going to be much of a gap before the Isshokai starts or if we will jump right in next chapter? November 23rd is next week, after all. They will he so big brained if they start it next week.

Story 182: Reward

AAAAAHHHHHH I WAS RIGHT!!! What a cute shopping date with Kaisei! It’s rare to see Akane get dressed up since she’s usually in a t-shirt and shorts. My daughter is so beautiful 😭 I love the floral dress they picked out in the end, Akane looked gorg 🥹 Kaisei also has a good sense of style, it makes sense since he can pull off masculine and feminine roles in his rakugo.

Aaaaaaand we have Issho. I feel the same way about Issho as Akane does. I feel animosity toward him, but I can’t deny his genius. If he simply told and showed his students what to do, he would be creating copycats instead of true artists with their own craft/style. If you are a true rakugoka, you will figure it out, and if you give up without achieving your goal, you never should have started anyway… is what I imagine Issho’s philosophy to be like.

I also felt his compliments to Akane this chapter were genuine. We saw his reaction to Akane’s performance, he seemed excited that she completed his assignment, but he would never show that face in front of his pupils. And just like the Karaku Cup, he grants Akane a reward, a request from him. I wonder what she would ask for 👀

Also the color page!!! I love the pop art style, it reminds me of Witch Watch. It’s not often that Moue-sensei does art like this!

Story 181: Zuiun Effect

It was so nice seeing so many old characters appear in this chapter 🥹 The struggle of being an artist is real, Akane is lucky to have so many people supporting her, like Risa letting her stay at her place. Masaki and Tohru moving away for his job reassignment is understandable, but her saying “you can fend for yourself” is kinda scary lol. I guess she knows Akane can find a way to be on her own.

We also saw the messages the anikis sent to Akane. Of course they were watching 😭 All of their comments are so them, I miss the aniki so much.

Speaking of aniki, it’s been a WHILE Kaisei! Akane entering that building and being stopped by Kaisei from going to the 33rd floor is like entering a dungeon and meeting several mini bosses before encountering the main boss. Kaisei is looking as handsome as ever, though. He looks slick in a suit 👀 Akane does seem underdressed in this fancy building, so maybe he’s gonna take her shopping for a new outfit right? 😭 Kaisei, don’t be evil please just take her on a shopping date.

Also, I must point out that Issho had Ikken tell Akane where to go. Like a true demon lord, he can’t send invitations himself, he has other people doing that for him 😅