Sukeroku x Yakumo
Anime Spotlight - Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju
Also known as Descending Stories this is one beautifully animated series and a drama that deals with so much history, relationships and art.
The plot starts as a man is released from prison and becomes the apprentice of a famous rakugo performer. The story focuses on the backstories of the performers and their struggle to gain popularity. Whilst learning he befriends another performer who has a completely different style.
Buts its so much more, its about family, friendship, tradition, finding your craft and navigating adult relationships. I had never really looked into or heard any of Rakugo so this was an interesting education of a traditional Japanese performance art. Rakugo is story telling but with one person playing all the parts and done seated. One performer must convey all the feelings and meanings of the story being told and its interesting to see how different artist interoperate the play.
The series is very much a drama set in a Japan caught between tradition and modernization and finding ones place in the changing entertainment industry. Its about love and devotion in all its forms and its both tragic and beautiful, haunting but up lifting. For something different with a little more weight this is worth checking out.